Jason Emer, MD, FAAD, FACS

CO2 Laser Resurfacing For Anti-Aging What Happens When You Do It Right

CO2 Laser Resurfacing For Anti-Aging: What Happens When You Do It Right

How Dr. Jason Emer uses dual-pulse CO2 laser resurfacing to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and maintain skin quality in men who already take care of themselves.

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Still from the filmed session. Individual results vary.

THE DETAIL IS THE DIFFERENCE.See the results ↓

Dr. Jason Emer MD · FAAD · FACS

MD, FAAD, FACS: board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon
Former Chief Resident in dermatology, Mount Sinai, New York
More than 10,000 patient encounters
Male facial sculpting longer than anyone in the United States
The highest filler volume on the West Coast
West Hollywood and New York

The practice's own photographs

Before. After.

Patients of the practice, from Dr. Emer's published before and after gallery. Each case is one patient. Individual results vary.

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 250673 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 250673

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 251189 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 251189

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 253155 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 253155

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 253641 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 253641

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 250510 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 250510

Before and after, Laser Skin Resurfacing, patient 250517 — Laser Skin ResurfacingPatient 250517

See the full before and after gallery

Dual-pulse CO2 resurfacing with strict pre- and post-care protocol to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and maintain skin quality in men who already take care of themselves.

Your plan starts with Dr. Emer.

Schedule Consultation

Reserve online. West Hollywood and New York.

From the filmed session

Inside the treatment. With Dr. Emer.

| Dr. Jason Emer

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What Dr. Emer did · RE:SKN

Every procedure. In order.

01

Dual-pulse CO2 laser resurfacing RE:SKN RE:BIRTH

Arca Aesthetics CO2 laser fires a deep pulse first, then a superficial pulse on top, creating a honeycombing pattern of controlled burns. Settings customized for power, depth, width and time on skin. Full face coverage with meticulous passes to ensure no areas missed.
02

Neck resurfacing RE:SKN RE:BIRTH

CO2 laser applied to the full neck at the same settings as the face to prevent a visible line between treated and untreated skin.
03

Perioral resurfacing RE:SKN RE:BIRTH

Outer edge of the lips treated with CO2 laser to prevent sun damage and skin cancer in the high-exposure zone.

Why patients fly in

What Dr. Emer does differently.

Meticulous, complete coverage

Every pass of the laser is thorough, with no areas missed and no rushed corners. The honeycombing pattern of deep and superficial dots is visible across the entire treatment zone.

“Look at this pattern. You see how there's not an area missing of what was lasered? This is why you need to go to somebody who's very meticulous and comprehensive. Someone who's willing to put in the time and the effort to make sure that you get a really good result.”

Customized settings for skin type

The laser is adjusted for Fitzpatrick type, sun exposure history and risk of hyperpigmentation. A Fitzpatrick 2 to 3 patient receives different settings than darker skin, and the protocol is built around that risk profile.

Mandatory pre- and post-care protocol

Dr. Emer does not treat patients who will not follow the RE:SKN STABILIS protocol: vitamin C, brightening cream without hydroquinone, botanical serum, hyaluronic acid and growth factors. The laser settings depend on compliance.

Two decades of laser experience

Dr. Emer has been performing CO2 resurfacing for 20 years and personally performs every procedure. The difference shows in the healing, the absence of burns and the long-term results.

“The biggest thing that I have found with providers doing lasers, if they're not experienced, is potential for a burn or prolonged healing or poor healing. And a lot of it's because they don't know how to do the laser or they don't know how to do the skin care.”

THE THINKING BEHIND THE TREATMENT

The story.
The decisions.
The details.

Follow Dr. Emer’s approach through the stages described in this case.

Back to the video ↗

01Before
The starting point
He has been coming in every two months for lighter treatments. This session is the next step.
He arrived with good skin, already diligent about maintenance. Every two months he comes in for Clear and Brilliant, Halo, PRP and Botox. This CO2 session is the stronger treatment Dr. Emer recommends once or twice a year: a dual-pulse laser that burns the skin in a controlled pattern so new skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier.
“He already is a good-look guy. This is just going to give him that extra boost.”DR. JASON EMER · FROM THE VIDEO
02The session
In the room, in order
Dr. Emer treated the face, neck and lips in one session. The honeycombing pattern of deep and superficial laser dots was visible immediately, and the downtime is about five days of light scabbing. The patient follows a strict pre- and post-care protocol that includes vitamin C, brightening cream, botanical serum, hyaluronic acid and growth factors.
- Assess and customize
- Dual-pulse resurfacing
- Treat the neck and lips
- Follow the protocol
03The result
What changed
“Look at his skin. I mean, his porcelain and he's good looking.”DR. JASON EMER · FROM THE VIDEO
04What comes next
Recovery and what to expect
The patient in this video already has good skin. He has been coming in every two months for lighter treatments like Clear and Brilliant, Halo and PRP. This CO2 session is the next step: a stronger resurfacing treatment done once or twice a year to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and keep the skin looking porcelain.
This is not about fixing a problem. It is about staying ahead of one. Dr. Emer built the session around a Fitzpatrick 2 skin type, fair and able to tan slightly but prone to burning. The laser burns the skin in a controlled pattern so new skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier.
“We're going to post him healing over the next week or two. I'm sure you're going to love the results.”DR. JASON EMER · FROM THE VIDEO

Read the complete story +

The patient story

Maintenance, not rescue

The patient in this video already has good skin. He has been coming in every two months for lighter treatments like Clear and Brilliant, Halo and PRP. This CO2 session is the next step: a stronger resurfacing treatment done once or twice a year to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and keep the skin looking porcelain.

This is not about fixing a problem. It is about staying ahead of one. Dr. Emer built the session around a Fitzpatrick 2 skin type, fair and able to tan slightly but prone to burning. The laser burns the skin in a controlled pattern so new skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier.

What the laser actually does

The device is a dual-pulse CO2 laser from Arca Aesthetics. It fires a deep laser first, then a superficial laser on top, creating a honeycombing effect of small deep dots and wider superficial dots. Dr. Emer controls the power, depth, width and time the laser stays on the skin, customizing the treatment to the patient's skin type and goals.

The result is immediate tightening and smoothing visible during the session. Over the following days, light scabbing forms and peels, and new collagen builds underneath. The downtime for this session is about five days, though Dr. Emer can go stronger or lighter depending on what the patient can tolerate and what the skin needs.

Why the neck and lips matter

Dr. Emer treats the neck at the same time as the face, because treating only the face and leaving the neck untreated creates an obvious line. The same logic applies to the lips: sun exposure hits the outer edge of the lips, and that is where skin cancer commonly develops. He pushes the lips together and resurfaces the outside edge lightly, enough to prevent damage without overdoing it.

This is the kind of detail that separates a thorough session from a rushed one. The video shows every pass of the laser, every area treated, and the meticulous coverage that ensures no spot is missed.

The protocol that makes it work

CO2 resurfacing in the wrong hands can cause burns, prolonged healing or hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin types. Dr. Emer requires every patient to follow a strict pre- and post-care protocol, including his Reskin Prime and Reskin Stabilis regimens: vitamin C, a brightening cream without hydroquinone, botanical serum, hyaluronic acid and growth factors.

He does not treat patients who will not follow the protocol, because the settings and outcomes depend on it. Consistency is the difference between a clean result and a complication, and that applies to the laser session itself and the weeks of care that follow.

The treatment, explained

What is CO2 laser resurfacing?

Also called ablative laser resurfacing, fractional CO2 laser, dual-pulse CO2 laser, laser skin resurfacing for men, anti-aging laser treatment, RE:SKN RE:BIRTH.

What it is: CO2 laser resurfacing is an ablative laser treatment that burns the skin in a controlled pattern so new skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier. The laser removes damaged skin and stimulates collagen production underneath. Dr. Emer uses a dual-pulse CO2 laser that fires a deep pulse first, then a superficial pulse on top, creating a honeycombing effect of controlled burns at different depths.
How it works: The laser is customized for power, depth, width and time on the skin based on your Fitzpatrick type, sun exposure history and goals. The treatment covers the face, neck and outer edge of the lips in one session. Nerve blocks are placed for comfort. The honeycombing pattern of deep and superficial dots is visible immediately after treatment, and light scabbing forms over the first week.
Who it is for: Men with Fitzpatrick 2 to 3 skin who want to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and maintain skin quality. Ideal candidates are already diligent about maintenance treatments like Clear and Brilliant, Halo, PRP and Botox, and are ready for a stronger treatment once or twice a year. Patients with active acne scars may benefit from more frequent sessions at the beginning, then maintenance. Darker skin types, especially Fitzpatrick 6, have a very high risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation and are typically not candidates for CO2 resurfacing.
Recovery: About five days of light scabbing for the session shown, though Dr. Emer can go stronger or lighter depending on your skin type and goals. A strict pre- and post-care protocol is required: RE:SKN PRIME before treatment, RE:SKN STABILIS after, which includes vitamin C, brightening cream without hydroquinone, botanical serum, hyaluronic acid and growth factors. The protocol prevents burns, prolonged healing and hyperpigmentation. Patients who will not follow the protocol are not treated.
When results show: New skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier, with improved collagen, reduced sun damage and refined texture. Results are visible after the scabbing phase and continue to improve as collagen remodels. Dr. Emer recommends this treatment once or twice a year for anti-aging maintenance in patients who are already consistent with lighter treatments.

Signature procedures

Only at Emer.

Peptides / biologic optimization

RECODEX^™

Peptide and biologic protocols for recovery, body composition and longevity, with epigenetic testing. RECODEX^™ peptides are available to purchase through the practice after consultation.

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From Dr. Emer's Instagram

The work, as he shows it.

@jasonemermd @recodexsystem

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Why Dr. Emer

Laser resurfacing is a craft. He set the standard.

Two decades of results, a global patient base, and protocols other dermatologists travel to learn.

Dr. Emer built his reputation on outcomes that read as natural and last. He pioneered laser and skincare approaches that are now taught internationally, and he personally performs every procedure in his practice.

Patients come to him when the result has to be precise: men who want to prevent aging before it starts, people who have been burned elsewhere and want it done right, and anyone who understands that the protocol matters as much as the laser.

MD, FAAD, FACS: board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon
Former Chief Resident in dermatology, Mount Sinai, New York
More than 10,000 patient encounters
Male facial sculpting longer than anyone in the United States
The highest filler volume on the West Coast
West Hollywood and New York

About Dr. Emer Schedule Consultation

EMER METHOD^™×RECODEX^™

Meticulous coverage

Every pass of the laser is thorough and complete, with no areas missed and no rushed corners.

Customized settings

The laser is adjusted for your skin type, goals and tolerance, not set to a default and left there.

Strict protocol

Pre- and post-care are required, not optional. The settings and outcomes depend on it.

Experience that shows

Dr. Emer has been performing laser resurfacing for two decades, and the results speak for themselves.

Asked plainly, answered plainly

What men ask before they book.

What is CO2 laser resurfacing?+

It is an ablative laser that burns the skin in a controlled pattern so new skin grows back smoother, tighter and healthier. The laser removes damaged skin and stimulates collagen underneath. Dr. Emer uses a dual-pulse CO2 laser that fires a deep pulse first, then a superficial pulse on top, creating a honeycombing effect at different depths.

How much downtime is there?+

About five days for the session shown in the video, though Dr. Emer can go stronger or lighter depending on your skin type and goals. Light scabbing forms and peels over the first week. The downtime depends on the settings, which are customized for your Fitzpatrick type and risk of hyperpigmentation.

Can darker skin types do this?+

It depends. Fitzpatrick 6 skin has a very high risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, even in the right hands. Lighter skin types like Fitzpatrick 2 or 3 are ideal candidates. A consultation covers your skin type and whether CO2 resurfacing is safe for you. Other laser options like erbium may be safer for darker skin.

What is the pre- and post-care protocol?+

Dr. Emer requires a strict regimen that includes RE:SKN PRIME before treatment and RE:SKN STABILIS after: vitamin C, brightening cream without hydroquinone, botanical serum, hyaluronic acid and growth factors. He does not treat patients who will not follow the protocol, because the settings and outcomes depend on it. The protocol prevents burns, prolonged healing and hyperpigmentation.

Why treat the neck and lips at the same time?+

The neck is treated at the same settings as the face to prevent a visible line between treated and untreated skin. The outer edge of the lips is treated to prevent sun damage and skin cancer in the high-exposure zone. Treating the face alone and leaving the neck and lips untreated creates an unnatural result.

How is this different from other CO2 lasers?+

Dr. Emer uses a dual-pulse CO2 laser that fires a deep pulse first, then a superficial pulse on top, creating a honeycombing pattern of controlled burns at different depths. The settings are customized for power, depth, width and time on the skin. Meticulous, complete coverage with no areas missed is the standard. The protocol prevents burns and complications that are common with less experienced providers.

Who is a good candidate for this?+

Men with Fitzpatrick 2 to 3 skin who want to prevent sun damage, smooth texture and maintain skin quality. Ideal candidates are already diligent about maintenance treatments like Clear and Brilliant, Halo, PRP and Botox, and are ready for a stronger treatment once or twice a year. A consultation covers your skin type, goals and whether CO2 resurfacing fits your plan.

How often should I do this?+

Dr. Emer recommends this treatment once or twice a year for anti-aging maintenance in patients who are already consistent with lighter treatments every two months. Patients with active acne scars may benefit from more frequent sessions at the beginning, then maintenance. The frequency depends on your skin type, goals and downtime tolerance.

Discuss your plan

A consultation reviews your anatomy, goals and history, and maps which options apply to you.