Preparation
Dr. Sean Freeman has performed ablative CO2 laser resurfacing in Charlotte since the technology arrived in the early 1990s: he taught the laser course at Presbyterian Hospital in 1991, trained other physicians through Laser Centers of America in 1992, and published on pulsed CO2 skin resurfacing and laser skin rejuvenation. Because he is a facial plastic surgeon rather than a med spa, he resurfaces deeply enough to remove etched lines, sun damage and acne scars in a single treatment, often in the same session as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Most patients are back at work in 10 to 14 days.
Dr. Sean Freeman has performed ablative CO2 laser resurfacing in Charlotte since the technology arrived in the early 1990s: he taught the laser course at Presbyterian Hospital in 1991, trained other physicians through Laser Centers of America in 1992, and published on pulsed CO2 skin resurfacing and laser skin rejuvenation. Because he is a facial plastic surgeon rather than a med spa, he resurfaces deeply enough to remove etched lines, sun damage and acne scars in a single treatment, often in the same session as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Most patients are back at work in 10 to 14 days.
The ablative CO2 laser vaporizes the damaged outer layer of skin in controlled passes and heats the dermis beneath so it rebuilds with new collagen. The result is smoother texture, fewer fine lines around the eyes and mouth, faded sun spots, flatter acne scars and tighter skin. It is a true one-time treatment, which is what separates it from the fractional and non-ablative “lunchtime” lasers offered around Charlotte that need a series of sessions for a fraction of the change. Dr. Freeman selects the depth for each area of your face, protects the eyes, and in most cases does the full face under the same anesthesia as any surgery you are combining it with. He also offers gentler options on our laser skin rejuvenation page for patients who need less correction or cannot take the downtime.
After a physical examination and discussion, Dr. Freeman provides pre-treatment instructions, advising patients to stop using products containing retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or vitamin C for a week or two before the procedure to avoid irritation. Protecting the skin from sun exposure is also recommended. Our laser treatment requires no special preparation except for arriving with a clean face, free of makeup, lotions, and other products.
The area to be treated is thoroughly cleaned and prepped. Special protection is put in place to shield the eyes from the laser. The machine settings are adjusted based on the depth of resurfacing planned.
In the first video Dr. Freeman explains ablative CO2 resurfacing and who it suits. The second is a 71-year-old Only Faces patient four months after a deep plane facelift with full-face CO2 resurfacing, the combination many of our patients choose.
Ablative CO2 laser resurfacing, explained by Dr. Freeman
71-year-old, 4 months after facelift + CO2 resurfacing
CO2 laser resurfacing with Dr. Freeman in Charlotte costs $3,000 to $9,000 per treatment. Resurfacing the eyes or mouth alone is at the lower end; the full face is at the upper end. Unlike a series of fractional treatments, this is usually a single session, and when it is combined with a facelift or eyelid surgery the anesthesia and facility fees are shared.
Ablative CO2 resurfacing is the most powerful skin treatment available: it physically removes the damaged surface and remodels the collagen below. Dr. Freeman has used it since 1991 because one treatment does what a series of lighter lasers cannot.
Downtime. Expect 10 to 14 days before you are presentable without makeup and several weeks of pinkness. It also suits fair to medium skin best; Dr. Freeman assesses skin type at the consultation and recommends a gentler option where CO2 is not safe.
$3,000 to $9,000 per treatment at Only Faces depending on the area, and usually only one treatment is needed.
Most of Dr. Freeman’s resurfacing patients are 40 to 70 and combine it with a facelift or eyelid surgery; younger patients come for acne scarring. There is no fixed age.
Yes. Dr. Freeman routinely resurfaces the full face during a deep plane facelift or SOOF lift blepharoplasty so you recover from both at once.
Fractional and non-ablative lasers treat a fraction of the skin per visit with little downtime and modest change over a series. Ablative CO2 treats the whole surface in one session with real downtime and a much larger result.
Only Faces is at 11220 Elm Lane in south Charlotte, between Ballantyne and Pineville, a short drive from SouthPark, Matthews, Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Patients also travel from Huntersville, Lake Norman, Concord, Gastonia, Hickory and Winston-Salem; Dr. Freeman explains how out-of-town patients are managed in his video on the subject, and the office coordinates pre-op testing and follow-up around the drive. Call (704) 543-1110 or book online.
Dr. Sean Freeman, MD, FACS, is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (1987) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1991). He completed his facial plastic surgery fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis under J. Regan Thomas, MD, and has operated in Charlotte since 1988, with hospital appointments at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health Mercy and Novant Health Presbyterian. He has served on the editorial boards of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, and Only Faces holds a 4.8-star rating across 140 Google reviews.
Dr. Freeman has used lasers on faces since the first generation of CO2 devices. He published “Skin Resurfacing Using the Paragon Pulsed Carbon Dioxide Laser” and “Laser Skin Resurfacing,” contributed to the textbook Laser Skin Rejuvenation (1998), and is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Our gallery holds 42 laser treatment cases from Charlotte patients.
Patients who choose Dr. Freeman at Only Faces are selecting a physician who has specialized in lasers and facial cosmetic surgery for more than 30 years. Our motto is “Only Faces, Only the Best Care.” We look forward to seeing you at our center in South Charlotte. Call 704-543-1110 or write to us today to schedule a consultation.