Fully ablative — or full-field — CO₂ resurfacing treats the whole skin surface in a single session, rather than in scattered fractional columns. It is the most comprehensive of the CO₂ options, remodelling collagen strongly for deeper, etched concerns. It is also the most involved, with the longest recovery and the highest risk, and is performed by Dr Gary Avery.
Fully ablative resurfacing is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia with an anaesthetist, in an accredited day-surgery facility.
Full-field CO₂ resurfacing may be considered for:
- Deep, etched wrinkles, particularly around the mouth and eyes
- Severe, generalised sun-damaged texture across a whole area
- Marked, diffuse crepiness and solar elastosis
- Deeper acne scarring needing comprehensive resurfacing
- Selected areas of field sun damage (a clinical assessment by Dr Avery)
Who it is generally not for: anyone needing minimal downtime; deeper or pigment-prone skin without careful assessment and preparation; a tendency to keloid or hypertrophic scarring; recent isotretinoin use; active infection, including cold sores; and anyone who cannot commit to diligent aftercare and strict sun avoidance. It can improve some sun-related pigment as part of resurfacing, but it is not the primary pigment treatment (BBL® is the appropriate and safer choice, and resurfacing can aggravate melasma); nor is it for laxity or drooping as the main goal — resurfacing improves skin quality and firms only modestly; it does not lift. Realistic expectations about both the result and the recovery are essential.
The right candidate is someone who can take around two weeks of downtime, accepts months of gradually settling redness, and is a lower pigment-risk skin type or carefully prepared. Suitability is assessed individually by Dr Avery.
If you would like to know more about Fractional CO₂ resurfacing, book your non-surgical consultation by emailing us at [email protected] or call our care team on (02) 4002 4150.
All medical procedures carry risks, and full-field resurfacing carries the most of the CO₂ options. Possible risks include:
- Marked redness, swelling and some weeping in the first days, requiring diligent wound care.
- Peeling and crusting as new skin forms.
- Prolonged redness (erythema), which is expected rather than a complication — it commonly lasts one to three months and can persist for several months; recovery is individual.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (browning) or hypopigmentation (lightening), which is common, particularly in deeper skin types, and can appear months later and occasionally be lasting. Permanent colour change is a recognised risk.
- Infection — antiviral (cold-sore) preventive medication is standard before and after this treatment; bacterial infection is less common but possible.
- Rarely, scarring.
- Where sedation or general anaesthesia is used, its associated risks, which your anaesthetist will discuss.
What to expect after your treatment:
- Days 1–4: marked redness, swelling and some weeping; the skin needs diligent wound care.
- Days 4–10: peeling and crusting as new skin forms — the most involved phase.
- Around two weeks (for most people): the surface has healed and many return to activities, usually with cover makeup. This is surface healing only — not full recovery.
- Weeks to months: settling redness continues and is expected; collagen keeps remodelling over the months that follow. Some people take longer than two weeks.
Post-treatment instructions:
- Follow Dr Avery's wound-care plan closely, keeping the skin moist as directed.
- Take antiviral and any other prescribed medication exactly as directed.
- Do not pick or force off any skin during healing.
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF and avoid sun exposure once the skin has re-epithelialised, and well beyond.
- Attend your scheduled in-clinic reviews. You will be given an after-hours contact for any concerns during recovery.
- Two follow-up BBL® sessions are included, to help manage lingering redness and any pigment change.
Full-field resurfacing may not be suitable if you have an infectious or connective tissue disease, are immunocompromised, are pregnant, have a condition that may affect wound healing, are intolerant to anaesthetic-based agents, have a tendency to keloid or hypertrophic scarring, have used isotretinoin (Accutane) recently, or have an active infection including cold sores. Pigment-prone or deeper skin types require careful assessment and preparation. Smoking and nicotine products may delay healing. Suitability is determined by Dr Avery.
Avoid alcohol in the week before your treatment, and aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior. Strict sun avoidance and broad-spectrum SPF before and after are essential, and a skin-preparation regimen is often recommended beforehand, particularly for higher pigment-risk skin. Preventive antiviral medication is arranged as part of your plan. Dr Avery and your anaesthetist will confirm the anaesthesia and facility arrangements with you.
Full-field resurfacing is performed by Dr Avery in an accredited day-surgery facility with an anaesthetist. The treatment, anaesthesia and any facility arrangements are planned around your individual case at consultation.
Our treatments are tailored to the individual and pricing is provided within the context of consultation. For a price guide please refer to our Treatment Menu, email us at [email protected] or call our Care Team on (02) 4002 4150 to discuss.
Medicare: in limited circumstances, where full-field laser resurfacing is performed as a medical treatment for severe scarring from trauma, burns or acne, a Medicare rebate may apply. It does not apply to cosmetic resurfacing. Eligibility is a clinical assessment made by Dr Avery and confirmed against the current Medicare criteria.
Full-field resurfacing includes two follow-up BBL® sessions to support recovery. Any further treatments are planned individually with Dr Avery at consultation.
To book your non-surgical consultation email us at [email protected] or call our care team on (02) 4002 4150.
FAQs
Comprehensive resurfacing and strong collagen remodelling for deeper, etched concerns, developing over the months following treatment. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
Full-field resurfacing is usually a one-off or occasional treatment performed every several years, rather than a regular series.
We understand that you’re busy and your availability can change. We ask that for all non-surgical appointments you provide 72 hours’ notice so that we can reallocate your time. Less than 72 hours’ notice for a missed appointment, reschedule, or cancellation of your appointment will result in forfeiture of your $100 prepayment. Please see our Terms & Conditions.
If you would like to know more about C02 laser options email us at [email protected] or call our care team on (02) 4002 4150.