Cherry Creek, Denver
Fractional CO2 laser at Nurture Wellness in Cherry Creek: CoolPeel from $600, full resurfacing from $1,200. Every session performed by a board-certified nurse practitioner.
At Nurture Wellness in Cherry Creek, a CoolPeel CO2 laser session starts at $600, and full fractional CO2 resurfacing starts at $1,200. Every treatment, light or aggressive, is performed by a board-certified nurse practitioner, and the practice is led by owner Meg Anguiano, FNP, who has been a nurse since 2013 and a nurse practitioner for four years, and now works exclusively in medical aesthetics.
A CO2 laser is ablative. The beam actually removes the outermost, damaged layer of skin instead of just heating it from below, and the heat that reaches deeper tissue is what triggers new collagen. CO2 lasers used for resurfacing are FDA-cleared medical devices, reviewed for exactly this use: fine and coarse wrinkles, scars, uneven pigmentation, and enlarged pores. What the clearance can't account for is who's holding the handpiece, and that's where most of the real variation in results comes from.
My background is in high-acuity clinical settings, and that training shows up most in how I handle skin type. Many providers limit or skip ablative CO2 altogether on deeper skin tones because of the pigment risk. I treat every Fitzpatrick type, I through VI, by adjusting density, depth, and pulse energy to the skin in front of me instead of running one default setting.
The fractional part matters too. Instead of resurfacing the whole treatment area in one pass, the laser creates thousands of microscopic channels and leaves the surrounding skin intact, which speeds healing. That still triggers the same natural repair response as a full pass, so you get new collagen and smoother, more even skin, just with less total downtime than an old-style full-field CO2 treatment.
Every visit here is medically supervised and NP-led, not physician-supervised. Colorado is a full practice authority state, so a board-certified nurse practitioner like Meg can evaluate, plan, and treat a patient directly, per the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, Board of Nursing. Nothing about your CO2 laser treatment is handed off to a technician or aesthetician.
CoolPeel is the lighter pass: a quick, single treatment that skims the surface layer, calms fine lines and dullness, and heals in a day or two, closer to a strong weekend peel than a procedure. Full resurfacing goes deeper into the skin for acne scarring, sun damage, and wrinkles a light pass won't touch, and it asks for real downtime in return, from a few days up to two weeks depending on intensity. Neither is the wrong answer. It comes down to what's actually on your skin and how much recovery time you have.
Laser treatment can make a scar or wrinkle far less noticeable, but per the American Academy of Dermatology, no laser removes a scar completely, and results depend heavily on the skill and training of whoever is running it. That's also why a real, in-person consultation always comes before treatment here, not a quick phone quote.
Not sure CO2 laser is the right call? Our full CO2 laser resurfacing guide walks through treatment levels in more depth, and SkinPen microneedling is a gentler, lower-downtime way to build collagen between laser sessions. Weighing CO2 laser against Botox or Dysport? They solve different problems: laser resurfaces the skin's surface, neuromodulators relax the muscle underneath it. Our Cherry Creek med spa overview covers everything else Nurture offers, and a medical-grade skincare regimen protects your results between visits.
Every option below is performed by a board-certified nurse practitioner. Your $100 consultation is credited in full toward whatever you book.
A single light pass that skims the surface for a quick refresh with next to no downtime. Popular as a first CO2 treatment or a maintenance session between deeper resurfacing visits.
Targeted resurfacing for the thinner skin around the eyes: crow's feet, under-eye texture, and mild lid laxity, without treating the whole face.
A deeper pass for acne scarring, sun damage, and wrinkles. Mild $1,200; Moderate $2,200 adds 6-week skin prep; Aggressive $3,200 adds prep and PDGF. Recovery runs days to two weeks.
A typical CoolPeel or full resurfacing visit at Nurture Wellness, start to finish
A medicated numbing agent is applied to every treatment area first. This step alone often takes longer than the laser pass itself.
45-60 minSkin is thoroughly cleansed, and Meg maps out exactly where the laser will pass based on your treatment plan.
10-15 minThis is the part patients worry about most and remember least. The handpiece moves in the grid Meg mapped minutes earlier, a jet of cold air chasing right behind it. Minutes later, it's over.
15-45 minSoothing, medical-grade products go on immediately, along with written aftercare instructions specific to your treatment level.
10 minDowntime scales with intensity. Meg helps you pick the level that fits your skin and your calendar.
1-2 days of redness and a gritty, sunburned feeling. Most patients are comfortable back at work the next day.
3-5 days of redness, swelling, and a sandpaper texture as the outer layer sheds.
5-7 days of the same redness, swelling, and peeling, at a deeper, more transformative setting.
Up to 14 days of downtime, with some redness lingering for 4 weeks. Reserved for the deepest scarring and sun damage.
Proper prep is what keeps a CO2 laser treatment safe and its results predictable, not optional pre-appointment advice
We require the ZO protocol before treatment: tretinoin at a minimum of 0.1%, or a ZO retinoid, used consistently for 6 weeks. This prepares your skin for safe, predictable healing.
Darker skin tones need an additional 4 weeks of hydroquinone pre-treatment for safety. We treat every skin type, with settings adjusted to match.
Mild, occasional burns; tans evenly; fair to beige skin
Minimal burns; tans easily; light brown or olive skin
Rarely burns; tans very dark; darker brown skin
Never burns; tans deeply; dark brown or black skin
Redness, swelling, scabbing, peeling, and dryness while the skin heals. This is the normal course of treatment, not a warning sign.
Pigment changes, scarring, or infection. The 6-week prep protocol and careful aftercare are what keep these risks low.
A tan, sunburn, active cold sore, or recent isotretinoin use means treatment gets rescheduled, not pushed through. Meg reviews your health history at consultation before recommending a setting.
Sun exposure before treatment can mean Meg can't safely treat you that day, and sun exposure after treatment raises the risk of pigment changes. Protect treated skin until it's fully healed.
Last updated: September 16, 2026
At Nurture Wellness in Cherry Creek, a CoolPeel CO2 laser session starts at $600, and full fractional CO2 resurfacing starts at $1,200. Every new patient begins with a $100 consultation, and that full $100 is credited toward whatever you book, it's never a separate fee. Your exact price depends on the treatment area and how deep the pass needs to go, and Meg confirms the number in person before you commit to anything.
CoolPeel is the light pass: it skims the surface layer, calms dullness and fine lines, and heals in about a day or two, similar to a strong chemical peel. Full CO2 resurfacing goes deeper into the skin for acne scarring, sun damage, and wrinkles a light pass can't reach, with real downtime in return, typically several days to two weeks depending on intensity. CoolPeel starts at $600; full resurfacing starts at $1,200.
Yes. Fractional CO2 resurfacing is one of the more effective options for acne scarring because it reaches the deeper texture irregularities a topical treatment or light peel can't touch. It won't erase a scar completely, no laser does that, but it can make pitted or textured scarring meaningfully less noticeable. The depth and pattern of your scarring determines how aggressive a setting Meg recommends.
Sun damage and uneven pigmentation are two of the most common reasons Denver patients book this treatment. The laser strips the damaged surface layer away rather than just calming it, and the collagen rebuild underneath keeps running for months, sometimes six. A brown spot that has sat there for a decade can fade in one session, though results vary by depth and skin type. A deep, established wrinkle usually needs a stronger pass than a first CoolPeel delivers.
Downtime scales with intensity. A CoolPeel means 1 to 2 days of redness and a gritty feel, similar to a mild sunburn. Mild settings run 3 to 5 days, moderate settings 5 to 7 days, and the most aggressive full-resurfacing sessions can mean up to 14 days of visible healing, with some redness lingering for several weeks. Meg picks the setting based on your goals and how much visible downtime you can actually work with.
Plan for 45 minutes to an hour of numbing time before the laser even turns on, that's the part patients underestimate. After your skin is thoroughly cleansed, Meg maps the treatment area, then the laser pass itself takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the area and intensity, with a cooling device running for comfort throughout. You'll leave with aftercare instructions specific to your treatment level, not a generic handout.
For sun damage, acne scarring, and textural wrinkles that haven't responded to lighter treatments, most patients find it is. Results from a well-done resurfacing session can last years with annual maintenance. It's a bigger commitment than microneedling or a peel, in both cost and downtime, so it makes more sense for concerns that are visible at rest, not just when your face moves. A consultation is the honest way to find out whether your concern needs this much laser or something lighter.
Nurture Wellness & Aesthetics is at 90 Madison St, Suite 201, in Cherry Creek North, a short drive from Wash Park, Glendale, Capitol Hill, and the rest of the Denver metro. Every CO2 laser session is performed by a board-certified nurse practitioner in the same studio, led by Meg Anguiano, FNP, not a rotating franchise location. Call or text (720) 717-0688 to book, or book online.
Many providers avoid or limit ablative CO2 laser on darker skin tones because of the risk of post-inflammatory pigment changes. Meg treats Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI, but patients with Type 3 through 6 skin need 4 weeks of hydroquinone pre-treatment first, and device settings are adjusted specifically to that skin type rather than a single default.
Preparation starts 6 weeks out with the ZO protocol: tretinoin at a minimum of 0.1%, or a ZO retinoid, used consistently to prime the skin for healing. If you're Fitzpatrick type 3 through 6, add 4 weeks of hydroquinone before treatment. Skipping prep isn't something we offer, it's part of what keeps the pigment risk low.
Yes. Colorado is a full practice authority state, which the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the state's own Division of Professions and Occupations both confirm means a board-certified NP can evaluate, plan, and treat patients directly, no supervising physician required. Every CO2 laser session at Nurture is medically supervised and NP-led: a board-certified nurse practitioner examines you, maps the treatment, and runs the laser.
A CoolPeel is often booked as a single refresh or repeated every few months for maintenance. A full resurfacing session is usually a bigger, less frequent commitment; most patients see meaningful results from one treatment, with continued collagen improvement for 3 to 6 months afterward. Results from a full session typically last several years, with an annual maintenance treatment to sustain them.
Expect some combination of redness, swelling, scabbing, peeling, and dryness while your skin heals, that's the normal course of treatment, not a complication. Less common risks include pigment changes, scarring, or infection, which is exactly why the 6-week prep protocol and aftercare instructions matter as much as the laser settings themselves. Sun protection before and after treatment is non-negotiable; a tan or sunburn on the day of your appointment means Meg can't safely treat you.
Yes, every new patient does, no exceptions. Consultations are $100, and that full $100 is credited toward the treatment you book, so you're not paying twice. It's how Meg confirms your skin type, scarring pattern, and goals actually match the treatment level you're considering before either of you commits.
Popular pairings with CO2 laser resurfacing at Nurture Wellness
Add a PDGF+ growth-factor boost after your laser session to speed healing and enhance your collagen results.
A gentler collagen-building option for ongoing texture maintenance between laser sessions.
Biostimulator injectables that rebuild your own collagen for gradual, natural volume.
Pair a CO2 laser session with a neuromodulator for a plan that treats both surface texture and the movement lines underneath it.
CoolPeel starts at $600, full resurfacing at $1,200. Schedule a consultation with Meg Anguiano, FNP, to find the right level for your skin.
