CO2 Laser

Skin quality

Smoother skin, a clearer complexion

CoolPeel CO2 laser in Hale, Altrincham

CoolPeel can fade sun-related pigmentation and smooth rough texture, giving your skin a fresher glow with less downtime than deeper CO2 laser resurfacing.

Your skin feels rougher than it used to. Pores catch your eye in the mirror, or makeup seems to settle into every little crease. You'd like a smoother surface and a fresher look, with a recovery you can fit around everyday life.

CoolPeel is a lighter CO2 laser treatment that renews the skin's surface and stimulates collagen production. At SONÜ, Dr Alex uses it to improve texture, fine lines and pigmentation caused by sun damage, helping your skin look brighter and more even.

He'll look at what's bothering you and explain the change you could expect, so you can decide whether CoolPeel suits your skin and your plans.

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Assessed and treated by Dr Alex, winner of a Lynton award for his CO2 laser results.

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Treatment cost
From £500
Social downtime
A few days of redness
Laser treatment time
From around 15 minutes
Numbing
Around 30 minutes

What you've noticed

When it's the skin itself you'd like to improve

You may have one particular concern, or a few smaller changes that have crept up together. CoolPeel can address several surface concerns in the same treatment.

Pores and rough patches keep catching your eye

Your skin feels uneven when you wash your face, or pores look more obvious across your cheeks and nose. You'd like it to feel smoother and look more even, including on days when you wear no makeup.

Fine lines are becoming easier to see

Small creases remain when your face is relaxed, and makeup can make them stand out more. You're interested in improving the surface of the skin, especially where those fine lines sit alongside a rougher texture.

Sun damage has left patches of pigmentation

Brown spots and uneven pigmentation have made your complexion look patchier, even when your skin feels otherwise healthy. You'd like to fade those sun-related marks and bring back a brighter, more even look.

Before you book

CoolPeel at a glance

Allow time for numbing before the laser and a few days for the initial redness to settle afterwards.

Treatment cost
From £500
Face or neck £500 per session. Face and neck together £750.
Social downtime
A few days of redness
You can usually carry on with everyday activities. Allow a few days if you'd prefer people not to notice you've had treatment.
Laser treatment time
From around 15 minutes
This is the laser time, not the whole appointment. Larger areas and more involved treatment take longer.
Numbing
Around 30 minutes
Strong numbing cream is applied before treatment to make the laser more comfortable.
Seeing the change
As the skin settles and renews
Early improvements become easier to see after recovery, with further changes developing over the following weeks.

The change you could see

Smoother skin with a brighter glow

The aim is smoother texture, softer fine lines and a more even skin tone, with less noticeable pores and sun-related pigmentation.

You may notice the difference when you run your fingers over your cheeks, or when makeup sits more evenly. As sun-damage pigmentation fades and the surface becomes smoother, your skin can look clearer and have a lovely glow.

The first few days are for healing. Once the dryness and rough texture settle, it's easier to judge the early result. The treatment also stimulates collagen production, so improvements can continue to develop over the following weeks.

One treatment may give you the improvement you want. If a course would help, CoolPeel can be repeated monthly, with Dr Alex assessing your response along the way.

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A smoother surface where skin feels rough

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Pores that look less obvious

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Softer fine lines at the skin's surface

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Less sun-related pigmentation and a brighter glow

Is CoolPeel right for your skin?

Match the treatment to the change you want

The depth and cause of a skin concern matter. Dr Alex checks these alongside your skin tone, healing history and the recovery time you can allow.

Your main concerns are near the surface
Rough texture, visible pores, fine lines and superficial sun-damage pigmentation can suit a lighter resurfacing treatment. He'll examine the areas you want to improve and explain which changes CoolPeel is likely to make.
You want a lighter recovery
You'd like to carry on with everyday life while your skin settles. With CoolPeel, the main downtime is usually social: how comfortable you feel being seen with some redness and a rougher skin texture for a few days.
Your skin is ready for treatment
Recent tanning, irritation and a tendency to develop dark marks can affect preparation and timing. Dr Alex can often treat skin of colour with the lightest CoolPeel; stronger treatment may need a course of skincare first.

When a different approach may do more

Deeper lines and scars need a different assessment

A light treatment may not give enough improvement for a deep crease, a tethered acne scar or significant loose skin. Dr Alex can discuss stronger CO2 resurfacing or another treatment when that better matches what you want to change.

Pigmentation also needs a diagnosis. A brown patch isn't automatically sun damage that should be lasered, and melasma needs particular care.

How CoolPeel works

Renewing the surface with short bursts of laser energy

CO2 laser resurfacing is often described as the gold standard for skin resurfacing. CoolPeel uses a lighter approach to bring benefits for texture, tone and fine lines with a much shorter recovery than traditional, deeper treatment.

Dr Alex uses the SmartXide CO2 laser to remove microscopic areas of surface tissue, leaving untreated skin between them to help healing. As fresh skin forms, the repair process also stimulates collagen production.

Very short pulses limit how much heat spreads into surrounding tissue. This is what makes a lighter treatment and shorter recovery possible, while deeper CO2 settings can do more for substantial lines and scars.

Despite the name, CoolPeel is a laser treatment rather than a chemical peel. The skin is still being treated and needs aftercare, even when the recovery looks mild.

Your appointment

Time to numb, a short treatment, then home

Tell Dr Alex about any dates you want to look your best for. He'll explain the appointment and any skin preparation you need. Stop strong skincare, exfoliating acids and retinol products a week beforehand, following his instructions for your routine.

At your consultation

Look at your skin together

Show him the texture, lines or colour changes that bother you. He'll review your health, medicines, skincare and previous treatments, then explain the proposed area, likely result, recovery and cost.
Usually around 30 minutes

Let the numbing cream work

Strong numbing cream is applied before the laser. This gives it time to take effect so treatment is more comfortable. The skin is then prepared and appropriate eye protection is put in place.
Laser time from around 15 minutes

Treat the agreed area

Dr Alex moves the laser across the skin in small sections. You may feel warmth or a prickling sensation despite the numbing. The time depends on the area and the work needed; treating the neck or chest as well takes longer.
Over the following days

Keep the aftercare simple

Your skin may look and feel a little sunburnt at first. Use the gentle moisturiser and sun protection advised by Dr Alex, and leave any flaking skin alone. You'll receive specific aftercare instructions and advice on when to restart your usual products.

Experience with CO2 laser

Why choose Dr Alex for CoolPeel?

Dr Alex won Best SmartXide Transformation at the Lynton Excellence Awards in 2023. He has spoken about SmartXide CO2 at CCR in London and presented and demonstrated CO2 treatments internationally. Colleagues in aesthetic medicine also come to him for their own CO2 laser treatments, including laser eyelifts.

That experience covers both lighter treatments such as CoolPeel and stronger resurfacing. For your skin, he'll assess whether a light treatment can give the improvement you're after, or whether a different approach would do more. You'll know what he recommends and why before deciding.

Dr Alex carries out your treatment himself and is there to advise you as the skin heals. His CoolPeel work also features in Lynton's educational material about the treatment.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Recovery and suitability

What should you expect as your skin heals?

Redness, warmth, tightness and dryness are expected after CoolPeel. The skin can feel rough or slightly gritty, with some light flaking. Swelling isn't usual with the CoolPeel treatments Dr Alex performs.

Possible side effects

Redness usually eases over the first few days, although the skin may take longer to feel smooth again. Dr Alex will explain the recovery expected from your treatment settings.

Possible complications include infection, cold sore flare-ups, prolonged redness, darker or lighter patches and, rarely, scarring. Your skin tone and healing history affect the risk, which is why the assessment and aftercare matter.

When to contact the clinic

Contact SONÜ promptly if pain is increasing, redness is spreading, or you develop blisters, discharge or signs that healing isn't progressing as expected. Don't wait for a routine review. If you develop eye pain or a change in vision, seek urgent medical help.

When treatment should wait

Treatment needs to wait if you have an active skin infection, a cold sore, sunburn or a recent tan. Inflamed or irritated skin may need to settle first. SONÜ does not offer this treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or to anyone under 18.

Tell Dr Alex about cold sores, unusual scarring, problems healing, medical conditions and medicines, including acne treatments. A new or changing skin mark needs assessment before cosmetic laser treatment.

You can discuss the recommendation and take time to decide before booking treatment.

Treatment costs

How much does CoolPeel cost?

CoolPeel costs £500 per session for the face or neck, or £750 for the face and neck together. Treatment of the hands is £500. A package of three face sessions costs £1,200, with 20% off the cost of three individual sessions.

Face
£500per session
Neck
£500per session
Hands
£500per session
Face and neck
£750per session
Three face sessions
£1,200per package · 20% off three individual face sessions
The three-face-session package includes a 20% discount. Other courses or combinations have their own agreed plan and total cost.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
Dr Alex will confirm the area and price before treatment. If a course or a combination with another treatment would suit your skin, he'll explain the proposed plan and total cost first.

A few more questions

Questions about CoolPeel

Including work, makeup, holidays and how it compares with stronger laser treatment.

How many CoolPeel treatments will I need?
One session may be enough for the improvement you want, while a short course may suit more noticeable texture or pigmentation. CoolPeel can be repeated monthly. Dr Alex will recommend the number of sessions after examining your skin and assess how it responds before further treatment.
Will I need time off work?
The downtime is usually social. You can generally still walk the dog, go shopping and get on with everyday life, following your sun-protection and aftercare advice. Your skin may look red and feel rough for a few days, so if you'd rather people didn't know you'd had treatment, give it time to settle before social plans or meetings. Mention outdoor work, heat or heavy exercise when planning the appointment.
When can I wear makeup again?
Wait until the skin has healed enough and follow the timing in your aftercare instructions. Don't put makeup over raw, broken or weeping skin. Dr Alex will advise for the treatment you've had; being comfortable enough to go out doesn't necessarily mean your skin is ready for your usual makeup routine.
What skincare should I use before and after CoolPeel?
Stop strong skincare, exfoliating acids and retinol products a week before treatment. If Dr Alex has prescribed a preparation routine, follow his specific instructions. Afterwards, keep it simple with gentle cleansing, the plain moisturiser or emollient he recommends and sun protection as directed. Avoid picking or rubbing away rough skin. You'll receive specific aftercare instructions, including suitable products and when to restart your usual skincare.
Can I have CoolPeel before a sunny holiday?
Plan treatment around the holiday rather than squeezing it in just before you leave. Dr Alex advises particular care with sun protection for at least the first two weeks, including daily SPF as directed, shade and avoiding direct sun. Continue protecting your skin after that. Tell him your travel dates and any recent tanning before booking.
Will it get rid of my pores?
It can make pores less noticeable by improving the surrounding skin texture, but it won't remove them. Pores are a normal part of skin. The aim is a smoother, more even appearance, with the degree of improvement depending on your starting skin and its response.
Is it suitable for darker skin or melasma?
Skin of colour can often be treated with the lightest CoolPeel. Dr Alex assesses your skin tone and any history of pigmentation after irritation; stronger CoolPeel treatments may need skincare preparation first.Melasma is a separate consideration from sun-damage pigmentation. It can worsen with heat or inflammation, so he'll assess the cause of any patches before recommending laser. Preparation and treatment strength are chosen for your skin.
Can CoolPeel treat acne scars?
It may help mild surface unevenness, but deeper or tethered acne scars usually need a more specific plan. Scar shape and depth guide the choice of treatment. Dr Alex can assess whether stronger CO2 resurfacing, treatment beneath a tethered scar or another approach would give you more useful improvement.
Is this the same as a CO2 laser eyelift?
No. CoolPeel is a lighter surface-resurfacing treatment. A CO2 laser eyelift usually uses stronger treatment around the eyes to address selected crepey skin and lines, with different preparation, eye protection and recovery. If the eyelids are your main concern, ask about that assessment rather than assuming a CoolPeel will give the same result.
How long will the results last?
The improvement doesn't switch off at a set point, but your skin continues to age and respond to sun exposure. Good skincare and sun protection help maintain the result. Further treatment depends on what returns or still bothers you; Dr Alex can advise whether an occasional repeat treatment is worthwhile.

Other options for your skin

If you need a different kind of improvement

Stronger CO2 resurfacing may suit deeper lines or scars. RF microneedling may be considered for concerns involving skin firmness, while IPL can be useful for selected pigmentation and redness. Dr Alex will explain which approach fits the cause of what you're seeing.

Radiofrequency microneedling in Hale, Altrincham

Focus Dual RF microneedling for smoother texture, less obvious pores, softer fine lines and mild wrinkles, and firmer skin.

Your next step

Show us what you'd like to improve

Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. Bring your questions about pigmentation, texture, pores or fine lines, along with any dates you need to plan around. He'll examine your skin and explain what CoolPeel could do for you.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire