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April 1, 2026

What to Buy Before Your CO2 Laser Treatment | Elysian Laser Calgary

What Should You Buy Before Your CO2 Laser Treatment?

If you are wondering what to buy before CO2 laser treatment, you are in the right place. I give every client a shopping list before their appointment, and these are the exact products on it.

I give every client a shopping list before their treatment, and these are the exact products on it. Everything here is something I personally use, recommend to clients, and trust for post-CO2 skin. I have refined this list over years of performing CO2 treatments with the Deka Tetra system in Calgary.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

What Skincare Products Do You Need for CO2 Recovery?

Your skin will be raw, vulnerable, and in active healing mode for the first several days after CO2 laser. These are the products that keep it clean, hydrated, and protected while your body does the rebuilding work. I go through the full recovery timeline in my day-by-day recovery guide, but here is exactly what you need on hand. Here is my complete list of what to buy before CO2 laser treatment, all in one place.

Gentle Cleanser

You need a fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser for the first 1-2 weeks. Nothing with active ingredients, no exfoliants, no acids. I recommend Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser because it cleans without stripping moisture and I have never seen it cause a problem on freshly lasered skin. You will use this twice a day with cool water and clean hands only.

Healing Balm

This is the most important product in your recovery kit. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is my top recommendation. It contains 5% panthenol (vitamin B5) and madecassoside from Centella Asiatica to soothe, repair, and support skin renewal. It is fragrance-free, lanolin-free, and paraben-free. A published clinical study tested this product specifically after fractional CO2 laser and found it significantly improved healing time and reduced redness. At around $20, it outperforms products costing ten times as much.

Hypochlorous Acid Spray

Infection risk is highest in the first 24-48 hours after CO2 laser, and e11ement Hypochlorous Acid Spray is one of the smartest ways to protect yourself. Hypochlorous acid is what your own white blood cells produce to fight bacteria — so it is incredibly gentle while being powerfully antimicrobial. Mist it on after cleansing and before applying your balm. It does not sting, does not irritate, and keeps your skin clean without harsh chemicals.

Occlusive Moisturizer

After applying your healing balm, you need an occlusive layer on top to seal everything in and prevent moisture loss. I recommend a grass-fed whipped tallow cream with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba oil. Every ingredient in this formulation is safe for compromised skin — the tallow provides the occlusive barrier, the hyaluronic acid draws in moisture, the squalane is naturally compatible with human skin, and the jojoba oil closely mimics your own sebum.

I specifically do not recommend Aquaphor or petroleum-based products for post-CO2 care. Aquaphor contains lanolin, which was named the 2023 Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. A large-scale study of over 43,000 patients found that lanolin allergy rates have been increasing, with the face being one of the most commonly affected sites. People with broken or compromised skin are at significantly higher risk of developing sensitivity — and after CO2 laser, your skin barrier is about as compromised as it gets. A separate study found that 52% of surgical wounds treated with Aquaphor developed redness, compared to just 12% treated with plain white petrolatum. Tallow gives you a clean occlusive without those risks.

Calendula Ointment

Calendula ointment is a natural anti-inflammatory that I recommend as an additional soothing option for the first few days. It is particularly helpful if you tend to experience more redness or sensitivity than average. It is gentle enough for baby’s skin — exactly what freshly lasered skin needs.

Facial Scrubber Pad

Around days 4-5, your skin will start shedding the dead tissue the laser targeted. A scrubber pad is perfect for very gently helping that process along. It is much more abrasive than a cloth and gives you more control. Only use it if it does not cause any pain — if the dead skin is not lifting easily, wait another day.

What Supplements Should You Start Before CO2 Laser?

Here is something most clinics do not tell you: the laser does not heal or improve your skin – your immune system does. Laser creates the controlled injury, and your body does all the actual work — producing new collagen and elastin over the following months, with studies showing continued improvement for up to 18 months. The better you fuel that process from the inside, the better your results will be. I recommend starting these supplements at least two weeks before your treatment. For the full science behind this, read my lifestyle guide for CO2 results.

L-Glutathione

L-Glutathione is your body’s most powerful antioxidant, and it plays a direct role in skin health, melanin regulation, and healing. Clinical studies support 250-500 mg daily for significant improvements in skin health. I have been recommending it to my CO2 clients and the results have been genuinely impressive — better healing and improved pigmentation outcomes. I talk about this in depth in my glutathione blog post.

Multivitamins

There is a meaningful difference between whole food vitamins and synthetic ones. Whole food vitamins are derived from actual food sources, which means they come with the naturally occurring cofactors, enzymes, and phytonutrients that help your body recognize and absorb them. Synthetic vitamins are manufactured in a lab to mimic the chemical structure of the natural version, but your body does not always process them the same way. For example, synthetic folic acid must be converted by the liver before your body can use it, while natural folate from food sources is already in its active form. The same principle applies across many vitamins — whole food forms generally have higher bioavailability, meaning more of what you swallow actually gets absorbed and used by your body rather than being excreted. When you are asking your body to heal and produce new collagen after CO2 laser, absorption matters.

A quality multivitamin provides the baseline nutrients your body needs to heal properly. I like NATURELO One Daily Multivitamin for Women because it is made from whole food sources rather than synthetic ingredients, which means better absorption. It covers vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, and other essentials that support collagen production and immune function.

Zinc

Zinc is essential for immune function and wound healing. Research shows that nearly half of melasma patients are zinc-deficient, and adequate zinc supports the collagen-building process that drives your CO2 results. I recommend NATURELO Zinc Complex — plant-based and easier on the stomach than synthetic forms.

Vitamin C

Your body cannot produce collagen without vitamin C — it is a required cofactor in the process. While your multivitamin contains some, a dedicated vitamin C supplement ensures your body has enough to keep up with the increased demand during post-CO2 healing. Research shows that vitamin C increases the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts (the cells responsible for producing collagen) and is actively consumed during wound repair, meaning your body is burning through it faster than usual while healing. I like NATURELO because it uses plant-based vitamin C from organic acerola cherry rather than synthetic ascorbic acid, which ties back to the whole food bioavailability principle — your body recognizes and absorbs it more efficiently.

Collagen Peptides

This one is straightforward — you are giving your body the raw building blocks it needs to rebuild. Organika Enhanced Collagen provides hydrolyzed Type I and Type III collagen, which are the two types most abundant in your skin. Randomized controlled trials have shown that collagen hydrolysate supplementation has a beneficial effect on wound healing, and research suggests that 15 grams per day is more effective than lower doses for elevating collagen synthesis. Studies also show that collagen peptides work even better when combined with vitamin C, which is why I recommend both together. Start this two weeks before your treatment and continue through your recovery.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, which is directly relevant when your skin is healing from CO2 laser. NATURELO Omega-3 supports skin barrier function and helps manage the inflammatory response that is a normal part of wound healing. A clinical trial on wound healing found that combining collagen supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids showed additional beneficial effects on metabolic biomarkers compared to collagen alone. Most people are already deficient in omega-3s, so this is a supplement that benefits your skin and your overall health long-term.

Vitamin D

This one is especially important if you live in Calgary or anywhere in northern Canada. We get limited sun exposure for much of the year, and after CO2 laser you will be avoiding the sun entirely for at least the first week. Vitamin D supports immune function and plays a role in wound healing and skin cell regeneration. Deficiency is extremely common in Alberta, and your body needs adequate levels to heal properly. Webber Naturals Vitamin D 2500 IU gummies are an easy way to maintain your levels, especially during the fall and winter months when most CO2 treatments are booked.

Greens Supplements

A quality greens supplement gives you a concentrated dose of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and micronutrients that support healing. I take a quick minty shot of this brand — it is an easy way to make sure your body has what it needs, especially during the first few weeks of recovery when you may not feel like cooking elaborate meals. There are many great brands in powder or capsule form as well.

Electrolytes

Hydration is critical for CO2 recovery, and water alone is not always enough. Organika electrolytes help your body actually retain the water you drink, which matters when your skin is losing moisture through a compromised barrier. I recommend drinking electrolytes throughout the day during the first week, aiming for at least 2 litres of total fluid daily.

What Else Should You Have Ready at Home?

These are not skincare products, but they make a real difference in your comfort and healing!

Silk Pillowcase

A silk pillowcase is gentler on healing skin than cotton, which can tug and absorb moisture from your face while you sleep. I recommend changing your pillowcase daily for the first 2-3 days, so having a couple on rotation makes this easy. They are also great for your skin and hair long-term.

Humidifier

If you are recovering in Calgary or anywhere with dry indoor air, a humidifier makes a noticeable difference. Our indoor humidity drops significantly with forced-air heating, and healing skin loses moisture much faster in dry air. The Crane Drop Ultrasonic Humidifier is quiet, easy to clean, and does not take up much space. Run it in your bedroom during the first week.

Humidifier Cleaner Tablets

If you have hard water (and most of us in the Calgary area do), Leemone humidifier cleaner tablets prevent mineral buildup and keep your humidifier running clean. When your skin barrier is wide open during recovery, you do not want mineral dust settling on it.

Red Light Therapy Device

A red light therapy device supports cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and stimulates collagen production. I recommend starting it once the initial peeling phase is complete (typically after day 7) rather than during active healing. It is a great complement to proper skincare and nutrition during the remodeling phase that continues for months after your treatment.

A Note About Expensive Post-Procedure Products

You may have seen products like the Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar recommended for post-CO2 recovery at around $300 per ounce. It is a decent product with peptides and antioxidants, and if you want to add it to your routine there is nothing wrong with that. But it is not essential. The Cicaplast Baume B5+ I recommend here costs about $25 and has something the Alastin does not — a published peer-reviewed clinical study testing it specifically after fractional CO2 laser with proven results. More importantly, no topical product drives collagen production the way your body’s own internal processes do.

Your supplement routine, hydration, sleep, and nutrition will have a far greater impact on your long-term results than any single product you put on top of your skin.

The Complete Shopping List

Here is everything in one place so you can order it all at once:

Skincare (order all of these):

Supplements (start several weeks before treatment if possible and continue indefinitely):

Tools and accessories:

How Should You Layer These Products During Recovery?

Days 0-3: Cleanse gently with Cetaphil, mist with e11ement HOCl spray, apply Cicaplast Baume B5+, seal with tallow cream on top. Add calendula ointment to any areas that feel extra tender. Repeat every few hours or whenever skin feels tight.

Days 3-14: Cleanse with Cetaphil, apply tallow cream liberally. Use the silicone scrubber pad very gently on days 4-5 to help shedding (only if painless). Keep moisturizing frequently.

Throughout recovery: Take your glutathione, multivitamin, and zinc daily. Drink electrolytes and plenty of water. Sleep on your silk pillowcase with the humidifier running. Absolutely no alcohol or smoking for a minimum of two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for CO2 Laser

How Far in Advance Should I Order My Recovery Products?

At least one week before your treatment. This gives you time for shipping and ensures everything is waiting for you at home. The supplements should be started two weeks before your appointment so your body has a good baseline of nutrients going into the treatment.

Do I Really Need All of These Products?

The skincare items are essential — cleanser, healing balm, HOCl spray, and an occlusive moisturizer are the foundation of proper CO2 aftercare. The supplements are strongly recommended because they directly support the collagen production that determines your long-term results. The accessories like the pillowcase, humidifier, and red light are not strictly required but every client who has used them tells me they made a noticeable difference in comfort and healing.

Can I Use Products I Already Have at Home Instead?

For the first 1-2 weeks, I strongly recommend using only the products on this list. Your regular skincare products likely contain active ingredients like retinol, acids, vitamin C serums, or fragrances that can irritate freshly lasered skin. Even products you normally tolerate well can cause reactions when your skin barrier is compromised. Stick with the simple, gentle protocol and reintroduce your normal products gradually once healing is complete.

What If I Have a Reaction to One of These Products?

Every product on this list was chosen specifically because it has the lowest possible risk of irritation on compromised skin. That said, everyone’s skin is different. If you notice increased redness, stinging, or irritation from any product, stop using it and contact me right away. Every CO2 client gets full access to me via text and email throughout their recovery, including outside clinic hours. You are never on your own with this.

Why Do You Recommend Tallow Instead of Aquaphor?

Aquaphor contains lanolin, which was named the 2023 Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. A large study found that people with compromised or broken skin are at higher risk of developing lanolin sensitivity — and after CO2 laser, your skin is about as compromised as it gets. One study found 52% of surgical wounds treated with Aquaphor developed redness, compared to just 12% with plain petrolatum. The tallow cream I recommend contains no lanolin, no petroleum, no fragrances, and no preservatives — just tallow, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and jojoba oil. Every ingredient is safe for compromised skin.

Ready to Book Your CO2 Treatment?

If you have questions about preparing for your treatment or want to discuss whether CO2 laser is right for your skin, contact me for a consultation or text me directly at (368) 399-4013.

More resources to help you prepare: