Laser Facelift

If wrinkles, sagging skin, or sun damage are starting to make you feel older than you are, you’re not alone. Many people want to rejuvenate their appearance but hesitate at the idea of surgery, long recovery times, or high costs. Creams and superficial treatments often fall short, leaving you frustrated with little to no lasting change.

At Reno Sparks MedSpa, we offer an advanced alternative: laser facelift treatments using CO2 fractional lasers. With little downtime and no surgery, our CO2RE Intima and SmartSkin CO2 lasers help resurface, tighten, and refresh your skin for smoother, younger-looking results, right here in Reno, NV.

What Is a Laser Facelift?

A laser facelift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that utilizes advanced laser technology to tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles, and enhance overall skin tone and texture. Instead of using a scalpel, this treatment relies on controlled laser energy—typically from a CO2 fractional laser—to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin.

By targeting aging or sun-damaged areas, a laser facelift can refresh the appearance of the face, neck, and other areas without the extended downtime, scarring, or risks associated with traditional facelift surgery. It’s ideal for patients seeking visible rejuvenation with a quicker recovery and no general anesthesia.

Benefits of a Laser Facelift

Laser facelifts using CO2 fractional technology offer powerful skin rejuvenation without the need for surgery or general anesthesia. With minimal downtime and versatile application areas, they’re an excellent option for individuals seeking visible results and improved skin tone and texture.

Key benefits include:

• Non-invasive, non-surgical procedure
• Little downtime compared to traditional facelifts
• Can be used on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, abdomen, and more
• Stimulates natural collagen production for long-lasting tightening
• Safer and more affordable alternative to surgical procedures

Our Laser Facelift Options

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Technology is fantastic and we have two such lasers. The Syneron CO2RE Intima laser can help you look younger longer without the risk or expense of surgery and has low down time for this type of laser. We also have a Cynosure SmartSkin CO2 Laser that we use for more severe wrinkle and scar problems, but with longer healing times.

Syneron CO2RE Intima Laser

The CO2RE Intima is a versatile, microablative laser ideal for skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime. It treats fine lines, sun damage, skin laxity, and texture irregularities. With multiple treatment modes and precise control, it allows for both superficial and deep resurfacing. It is a powerful option for patients seeking noticeable results without surgery. It’s especially effective for facial rejuvenation and delicate areas like the neck, chest, and around the eyes.

Cynosure SmartSkin CO2 Laser

The SmartSkin CO2 laser is a powerful fractional system designed for more severe signs of aging, including deep wrinkles, scars, and pronounced sun damage. This device delivers customizable energy levels for deeper penetration, stimulating robust collagen remodeling. While healing time is longer compared to the CO2RE Intima, it’s ideal for patients requiring more intensive correction and long-lasting skin improvement.

How CO2 Lasers Work

CO2 lasers are not new, but the microablative technology employed is revolutionary and makes these lasers very useful. We’ve known for years that CO2 laser treatments are extremely effective for wrinkles, but our CO2RE Intima and our SmartSkin CO2 fractional lasers allows us to treat clients safely without general anesthesia using quick, affordable, office procedures. 

Wrinkle reduction is great with less down time compared to older ablative techniques. It is now possible to treat many areas besides the face—the neck, décolleté, hands, eyes, upper arms, abdomen and even genital skin. For a comparison between a surgical laser facelift and our laser facelift procedure visit our Laser Facelift Review page.

How Traditional Lasers Work

Most lasers treat a continuous area of skin without intentionally skipping areas. All cells in the treated area receive laser light and heat up. Skin areas that are damaged and reddish or brownish in color will selectively absorb more light and are selectively heated until some of these diseased and/or discolored cells die. The result is improved health and appearance by removing dark or discolored cells, such as sun damaged skin or melasma. This is how our Candela Vbeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser and our IPL (intense pulsed light) machines work.

What Makes Fractional CO2 Lasers Different

Microablative lasers (also called fractional laser or fractionated lasers) like our Syneron CO2RE Intima and Cynosure CO2 SmartSkin laser work differently. There are intentional skip areas where laser light is not directed. In addition, high laser energies are directed toward certain areas which are quite small. Tiny microcolumns are created in the skin where skin tissue is vaporized. 

This allows laser energy to penetrate more deeply than with most lasers and produces lateral heating of nearby tissue. Skip areas are not destroyed so most of the skin surface remains intact, reducing healing time. Infection is much less common than with older ablative laser techniques, but occasionally a flare of fever blisters occurs. Antiviral medicines are given to prevent this.

Collagen Production and Tightening Timeline

Most skin tightening occurs within 3 months, but some tightening continues for about a year. The heated, but still living, tissue is stimulated to form new collagen, producing dramatic skin tightening.

Visualizing Fractional Treatment: The Lawn Analogy

To visualize the technique, think of aerating your lawn with the plugs of sod removed. This is very much what this laser does. Imagine that your lawn aerator could create deep or shallow plugs, group these plugs into various shapes, and even move the plugs closer together or farther apart on the lawn with the push of a button. Both our CO2 fractional lasers can do this–amazing.

What Skin Problems Does the CO2 Microablative Laser Treat?

• Wrinkles – both deep and fine
• Sun damaged skin
• Blotchy skin
• Brown spots and pigmented lesions
• Saggy eye skin (dermatochalasis), both upper and lower
• Ane scars
• Postoperative and traumatic scars
• Large pores
• Seborrheic keratoses
• Small spider veins
• Flat or raised moles, pigmented or light
• Rosacea
• Active acne including blackheads
• Precancers (actinic keratoses)
• Sebaceous hyperplasia
• Rhinophyma (deformed nasal skin in men due to rosacea)
• Roughened skin from sun damage, trauma or scar
• Warts
• Syringomas

Laser Eyelid Lift & Skin Resurfacing Treatments:

We want to look younger, but our eyes show our age. TV, radio and print ads advertise “miracle creams” for everything from the treatment for sun damage skin and melasma to deep facial wrinkles and eyelid lines, but results are often poor. Even the best creams can’t compare to surgery. 

A blepharoplasty is plastic surgery that works well, but sometimes involves general anesthesia. It is commonly called an eye lift or eyelid lift. A full upper and lower blepharoplasty often produces good cosmetic results. The typical price for this procedure is about $2,500-8,000! Complications sometimes occur such as asymmetry, scarring or infection.

Until recently surgery was all we had to offer for aging eye lines, dark circles and baggy eyelids. Fortunately, fractionated laser technology is a great new tool to tighten eyes and eyelids at a fraction of the cost of surgery! This new procedure has been called a Laser Eyelid Lift or the “Madonna Lift”. Prior to the procedure, we place numbing cream on the eyelid and orbital skin and Dr. Van Reken will also inject local anesthetic using lidocaine. We use special techniques to protect the eyes during laser use.

Laser Eye or Eyelid Lift (Madonna Lift) Has Quick Recovery:

Laser eye or eyelid lifts have been found to be effective when done at low laser energies and repeated about 3-5 times at intervals of about 6-8 weeks. The typical downtime after this procedure is 3-7 days. A side benefit is that the dark circles around the eyes often improve. What are the selling points of CO2 laser eye lift versus eye lift surgery (blepharoplasty)? Laser treatment is much cheaper and complications are very rare.

Madonna Laser Eye or Surgical Blepharoplasty:

To see the comparisons between the CO2RE Intima CO2 laser or Smart Skin CO2 laser Madonna Lift to the Surgical Eye Lift or blepharoplasty, click here now and see which procedure suits your eyes the best.

Candidate for Laser Facelifts

A laser facelift is an excellent option for individuals looking to refresh their appearance without undergoing surgery. It’s especially well-suited for people with early to moderate signs of aging who want visible results with minimal downtime.

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Have mild to moderate wrinkles, fine lines, or sagging skin
• Notice sun damage, pigmentation irregularities, or rough texture
• Want to improve facial tone and firmness without incisions or anesthesia
• Are generally in good health and free of active skin infections or severe acne
• Understand that results are gradual and improve over time with collagen production

During your consultation at Reno Sparks MedSpa, we’ll assess your skin and goals to determine if a CO2 laser facelift is the right fit, or recommend alternative treatments better suited to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Facelifts

Is there any preparation required before treatment?

We recommend avoiding sun exposure and certain skincare products, such as retinoids, for approximately one week before your appointment. A consultation will help determine if any medications or skincare habits need to be adjusted before treatment.

Can laser facelifts treat pigmentation or texture issues?

Yes, fractional CO2 lasers are excellent for reducing brown spots, blotchiness, rough patches, and enlarged pores. They not only tighten the skin but also improve tone and texture, resulting in a smoother, more even complexion.

What can I expect immediately after the laser facelift?

Your skin may appear red and feel warm or tight for a few days, similar to the sensation of a sunburn. You may also experience mild swelling and flaking as the skin begins to renew itself.

How do I take care of my skin after the treatment?

Aftercare typically includes gentle cleansing, applying healing ointments, and avoiding sun exposure. Our team will provide specific post-care instructions tailored to your treatment depth and skin type.

Why Choose Reno Sparks MedSpa for a Laser Facelift?

At Reno Sparks MedSpa, your laser facelift is performed under the expert guidance of Calvin H. Van Reken, M.D., a highly respected physician who was named one of the Best Doctors in America® for two consecutive years and honored as a 2025 Best of Reno Geriatrician. Dr. Van Reken brings decades of clinical experience and a longstanding reputation for medical excellence to every procedure he oversees.

With his leadership, patients receive safe, evidence-based treatments tailored to their unique needs. Each laser facelift is carefully performed to enhance natural facial contours, stimulate collagen, and improve skin tone, while prioritizing comfort, safety, and long-term skin health.

Reno Sparks MedSpa is a physician-directed facility offering a full range of skin rejuvenation and wellness services. Whether you’re seeking targeted improvements or a full facial refresh, our team delivers trusted results with professionalism, care, and personalized attention.

Reveal Smoother, Firmer Skin—No Surgery Required with a Laser Facelift

If you’re bothered by facial or eye wrinkles, eyelid sagging, hooding of upper eyelid skin limiting upward vision, sun damage, dark circles around the eyes or considering a cosmetic eye surgical procedure give our office a call to schedule a Laser Facelift Consultation today! We also offer treatments for sun damage skin, deep facial wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, pigmented changes (melasma) caused by over exposure to the sun or other signs of skin aging.

Ready to restore a more youthful appearance with advanced laser technology? Contact us today to book your personalized consultation and discover the treatment plan that’s right for you.