CoolPeel

CoolPeel is a nonsurgical procedure that utilizes a fractional ablative CO2 laser to rejuvenate the skin’s texture and tone within minimal to no downtime. This treatment uses the DEKA Tetra CO2 system to deliver ultra-short, high-peak-power pulses that rejuvenate while avoiding heat buildup in surrounding tissues.

Dr. Joseph Michaels is a board-certified plastic surgeon who provides a full spectrum of both aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries. He leads his practice with an emphasis on highly skilled techniques for facial rejuvenation, breast and body contouring, and post-weight loss surgery. Additionally, he also serves as the vice chair of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Sibley Memorial Hospital and teaches residents from the Georgetown University Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency program. If you want to achieve youthful-looking skin, contact us online or call any of our offices to schedule your personal consultation.

About CoolPeel

CoolPeel uses the DEKA Tetra CO2 system to deliver ultra-short, high-peak-power pulses to stimulate collagen production while clearing surface damage. ⁽¹⁾ It aims to smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, reduce pore size and even out rough textured skin, and soften mild acne scars. CoolPeel can also diminish the appearance of sunspots and hyperpigmentation. This can create a smoother, clearer complexion and radiant, healthy-looking skin.

Benefits

CoolPeel can offer many transformative benefits. Under the expertise of Dr. Michaels, patients can:

Candidates

If you are experiencing uneven skin texture and tone, visible fine lines and wrinkles, and acne scarring, and want to achieve smooth, radiant-looking skin, a CoolPeel procedure may be ideal for you. CoolPeel is a great alternative to traditional laser treatments, as it can freshen your skin with minimal downtime. However, if you have active skin infections, severe acne, a recent sunburn or extreme tan, or any open wounds in the area, you may need to delay treatment or find an alternative. To undergo CoolPeel, you must be in relatively good health, ideally be a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations for your results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Michaels will review your medical history and discuss your treatment goals. He will also perform a physical evaluation of your skin to ensure it is in relatively good standing before receiving any CO2 laser technology. ⁽²⁾ After gathering the necessary information, he will create a customized treatment plan that will include the step-by-step procedure details, total cost, and pre-/post-treatment advice. Lastly, if you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Michaels will address them, as he wants you to feel confident and comfortable before receiving a CoolPeel treatment.

Contact us online or call any of our offices to schedule your personal consultation!

Preparation

To effectively prepare your skin for a CoolPeel treatment, Dr. Michaels advises that you:

Procedure

At the beginning of your treatment, you may receive numbing topical on the treatment area(s). Anesthesia is not always necessary for CoolPeel, as the device features a built-in cooling technology to keep the skin comfortable. However, it is available for those who are particularly sensitive. Once you are settled and comfortable, Dr. Michaels will take the DEKA Tetra CO2 laser device and pass it over the targeted areas such as the face, neck, or chest. You may feel a warm, tingling sensation, but the fractional laser avoids deep thermal damage. He will repeat this step on every section of the treatment area to diminish your target concerns and stimulate collagen production. Finally, Dr. Michaels will apply a cool compress or misting spray to soothe the area.

Recovery

Immediately after your procedure, you may experience mild redness similar to that of a sunburn. You can continue to apply a cool compress and a gentle moisturizer to soothe the area. Dr. Michaels advises that you sleep on a clean pillowcase with your head slightly elevated to reduce swelling. However, you should avoid certain active ingredients in skincare and not apply makeup for the first 24 hours. For the first few days, your skin may feel slightly rough (like a sandpaper texture), and you should wear mineral sunscreen daily as the initial pinkness subsides. After 48 hours, you can resume your regular skincare routine and apply makeup, but you must continue to avoid heavy sweating, saunas, and intense workouts for at least three days.

Results

Your CoolPeel treatment can enhance the overall tone and texture of your skin, diminish the appearance of acne scars, and deliver youthful, radiant-looking skin. You will notice immediate improvements within one to three days, but final outcomes will gradually develop over the next two to three months. When they manifest after deep collagen modeling completes, you will see significant improvements in fine lines, pore size, skin laxity, and pigmentation irregularities. ⁽³⁾ Results can last between 6 and 12 months, though ongoing collagen production can extend this into a year or longer, although this is influenced by your natural aging process, skincare regimen, and sun exposure.

Corresponding Procedures

Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling

RF microneedling uses a microneedling device to gently puncture the skin while emitting radiofrequency waves into the dermis to restore youthful texture and eliminate blemishes. It is a minimally invasive and FDA-approved treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing response and enhances cell activity. RF microneedling is especially effective at repairing skin damage and signs of aging by impacting the deeper layers of the skin. ⁽⁴⁾

Lumecca Intense Pulse Light Skin Rejuvenation (IPL)

The Lumecca IPL treatment is a treatment that directly treats signs of aging, such as sun damage, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. This treatment is a light-based procedure that is non-ablative, meaning the treatment does not remove or damage skin cells. Within just ten days, it can help you achieve a clear and smoother complexion.

PRP Facial

A PRP facial uses platelet-rich plasma that is extracted from a sample of your own blood. This facial delivers transformative benefits to the skin by bringing growth factors, healthy cells, nutrients, oxygenated blood, and more into the target treatment zone. The growth factors kick-start rejuvenation, making this beauty treatment more than skin deep.

Cost of CoolPeel in Maryland and Virginia

The total cost of your CoolPeel treatment will vary depending on the severity of your skin concerns, your treatment goals, the number of CoolPeel sessions you undergo, and whether you pair it with any other treatments. Dr. Michaels will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation. Our practice also offers financing opportunities and accepts all credit cards to make your procedure payments as easy and flexible as possible. Contact us online or call either of our offices to learn more!

FAQ

References

1. Yumeen S, Khan T. Laser Carbon Dioxide Resurfacing. PubMed. 2022. Accessed September 16, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560544/
2. Raulin C, Grema H. Single-pass carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing combined with cold-air cooling: efficacy and patient satisfaction of a prospective side-by-side study. Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(11):1333-1336. doi:10.1001/archderm.140.11.1333
3. Piccolo D, Zingoni T, Fusco I, Madeddu F, Conforti C. A faster CO2 fractional scanner system mode for skin rejuvenation. A clinical study. Skin Res Technol. 2024;30(8):e13843. doi:10.1111/srt.13843
4. Tan MG, Jo CE, Chapas A, Khetarpal S, Dover JS. Radiofrequency Microneedling: A Comprehensive and Critical Review. Dermatologic Surgery. 2021;47(6):755-761. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002972