Laser Season Is Here: Aerolase vs. IPL vs. CO2 Laser, Explained

Summer sun exposure has a way of catching up with us right around this time of year — sunspots, broken capillaries, uneven texture, and that general “tired skin” look tend to peak in late summer and early fall. That’s exactly why we call it laser season at The Skin Company: it’s the ideal window to start correcting sun damage before the holidays, and before next summer’s sun puts fresh damage on top of it.

But “get a laser treatment” isn’t really one decision — it’s three, because not all lasers do the same job. At our Castle Rock medspa, we offer three of the most effective devices in aesthetic medicine as part of our full range of laser and skin treatment services: Aerolase, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), and SmartSkin CO2 laser resurfacing. Clients from Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and beyond ask us constantly which one is right for them — so we put together this guide to make the choice easier.

Aerolase: The Gentle, No-Downtime Workhorse

Aerolase uses a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser to treat a wide range of concerns — redness, rosacea, acne, sun damage, fine lines, and even hair removal — with minimal heat sensation and virtually no downtime. It’s often described as the “lunchtime laser” because you can walk in, get treated, and walk right back into your day.

• Best for: Rosacea and redness, active acne, mild sun damage, general skin rejuvenation, and clients who want consistent, low-commitment maintenance treatments.
• Downtime: Little to none — you may look slightly flushed for an hour or two.
• Typical course: A series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart for cumulative improvement.

If you’re newer to lasers, or you have sensitive or reactive skin, Aerolase is usually where we start.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): The Pigment and Sunspot Specialist

IPL isn’t technically a single-wavelength laser — it’s broad-spectrum light — but it’s grouped with lasers because it works the same way: targeting pigment and blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. IPL is our go-to for the classic “laser season” concerns: sunspots, freckling, rosacea-related redness, and the visible signs of a Colorado summer spent outdoors.

• Best for: Sun damage, brown spots, broken capillaries, and overall skin tone evenness.
• Downtime: Minimal — spots and redness may darken temporarily before flaking off over 7–10 days.
• Typical course: A series of 2–4 sessions, often paired with Aerolase for a full-texture-and-tone approach.

If your main complaint is “why do I suddenly have all these brown spots,” IPL is very likely your answer.

CO2 Laser: The Deep Resurfacing Option

CO2 laser resurfacing is the most powerful of the three, and it works differently — instead of targeting pigment or vessels, it removes and remodels the skin’s surface layer to stimulate significant collagen production. It’s the treatment we recommend for deeper concerns: fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, uneven texture, and more advanced sun damage that IPL and Aerolase can’t fully resolve on their own.

• Best for: Deep wrinkles, acne scarring, significant texture irregularities, and more dramatic overall resurfacing.
• Downtime: More significant — typically 5–7 days of redness and peeling, depending on treatment depth.
• Typical course: Often a single treatment (or occasionally a light series) with results that continue improving for months as collagen rebuilds.

Because of the downtime, CO2 is the treatment we most often plan around a client’s calendar — think post-holiday, or any stretch where a few days of visible peeling won’t get in the way.

So Which One Is Right for You?

A quick way to think about it:

• Redness, rosacea, acne, or general maintenance → Aerolase
• Sunspots, pigment, and broken capillaries → IPL
• Wrinkles, scarring, and deeper texture concerns → CO2 Laser

Many of our Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Lone Tree, and Highlands Ranch clients actually combine treatments — for example, an IPL series to clear pigment followed by Aerolase maintenance, or a single CO2 resurfacing session layered into an ongoing Aerolase routine. The right combination really comes down to your skin, your goals, and how much downtime you can work with, which is exactly what a consultation is for.

Book Your Laser Season Consultation in Castle Rock

Whether you’re local to Castle Rock or coming in from Parker, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, or anywhere else along the Front Range, our team can help you map out the right laser (or combination of lasers) for your skin. Explore all of our laser and skin treatment options or check out our current specials to get started before laser season passes you by.

The Skin Company — 20 Wilcox St, Ste 119, Castle Rock, CO 80104

This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary, and not every treatment is appropriate for every skin type or condition. Please consult with our medical team during a consultation to determine the best treatment plan for your specific needs.