I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Robb in between patients to talk about his personal experience with CO2 laser skin resurfacing, one of the most popular and effective treatments offered in his practice. As the owner and operator of Robb Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, moments outside the OR and patient care must be quick and intentional to maximize time. Dr. Robb had just stepped out of the patient’s room, grabbed a quick handful of Lay’s potato chips, and we dove right in.
You make time every year for this treatment before Beauty Spectacular. Why is it part of your personal routine?
I really believe in the services we offer to patients, and I prove that by doing them. I got this treatment last year and it was much less painful than I expected, and the results were outstanding. That’s saying a lot because I live my life in the sun. While I wear sunscreen regularly, these treatments are an important part of a routine skin maintenance plan to improve the skin. Lastly, I think it’s important at my age to continue building collagen and elastin so my skin can repair itself and stay healthy and full.
How does it feel to sit in the patient chair rather than the provider role?
I think it’s humbling and really valuable! Doing this regularly puts me in my patients’ shoes and keeps me grounded. I think it’s important for all providers to experience that perspective.
For patients, how does CO2 in the Medspa differ from what you do in surgery?
It’s the same machine, just different settings. In surgery, we have the benefit of anesthesia, which allows me to deliver a little more energy into the tissues. In the Medspa, patients receive the same laser, just at a lower intensity. We also use spa-focused comfort measures, such as numbing cream and pronox to keep the treatment very tolerable.
For someone new to CO2, how would you describe what it does for the skin?
Most of the time I hardly felt anything! In some areas it’s a little hot, like someone touching you with a warm pencil, but it’s not significant.
What’s the recovery like from your perspective? Anything you personally do to make it easier?
I used the Alastin Recovery Balm and followed our post-care instructions carefully for three days, then returned to my normal routine while avoiding the sun. At no point did I feel the need to “hide out” during recovery.
Who do you think benefits most from this procedure?
I’d say patients with fair skin who want improvement, anywhere from minimal to significant signs of wrinkles, aging, or sun damage. All of those patients can benefit.
What makes it different from lighter treatments (like peels or microneedling)?
CO2 is more effective and time efficient. Peels cause surface-level peeling that takes 3–5 days to recover from. CO2, on the other hand, vaporizes the outer layers of the skin immediately, leading to quicker recovery. It’s also more effective when we combine it with exosomes or other treatments that penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
What sets us apart as the premier location for CO2—both surgical and non-surgical?
*Training, education, attention to detail, and our artistic approach. For example, feathering around the hairline so it looks seamless is critical, otherwise you can see lines of demarcation between treated and untreated skin. Laser results and success is SO MUCH about the professional behind the laser! We make sure those details are done right, so patients want to come back.
On the Medspa side, we prioritize comfort with top-of-the-line numbing medicine, cooling air, and even Pro-Nox (laughing gas). Our close follow-up and experience rooted in facial plastic surgery make all the difference.
And there you have it! Stay tuned for more CO2 content featuring Dr. Robb by following us on our surgical Instagram @RobbFacialPlasticSurgery and Medspa Instagram @RobbAesthetics. In the meantime, explore our many CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing before-and-after's on social media and our website, and browse our 600+ five-star reviews to see why patients trust us to care for them every step of the way.
