All the Details on Shannon Storms Beador's $2,500 Pre-Reunion CO2 Laser Facial
The Real Housewives of Orange County mom's pre-reunion treatment looked pretty scary, so we got an expert to give us all the details.
Apparently, if you want to look like a million bucks you have to spend it — or at least $2,500. Shannon Storms Beador has been an open book with fans on how she prepared for The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion taping this year, and one of those steps was a CO2 Laser Facial at Cosmeticare.
Two weeks after her procedure, Shannon shared some of the progress pictures of what her skin looked like immediately following the facial each day for the first week, as well as a picture at the two week mark. Shannon’s face was completely red and raw that first week, but 14 days later, it looked incredible! We had to learn more about this facial that looks so extreme at first, but made such a big difference after healing.
BravoTV.com chatted with aesthetic registered nurse Tannaz Razavi from CosmetiCare, (who also performed Shannon’s O-Shot) for the scoop on the CO2 Laser Facial. Read on to discover how it works and who is the wrong candidate for this procedure.
What is the CO2 laser facial?
Tannaz Razavi: CO2RE Laser Fractional Skin Resurfacing is an incredible treatment for select skin types that could benefit from correction of textural and pigmentation irregularities. The primary focus area of fractional resurfacing treatments at CosmetiCare is a full-face or partial face treatment, and this procedure can also be performed on neck, chest, or hands.
How does it work?
The laser causes micro injuries in the skin to create new tissue and collagen. Superficial, medium, or deep penetration may be performed to improve damaged skin, depending on the individual.
How is it different than other types of facials?
The CO2RE is more than a facial, it’s a laser skin resurfacing. With the typical facial or facial peels, you might experience light peeling; with the CO2RE you are having dermal skin resurfacing stimulated by a laser that’s stimulating collagen, resulting in tighter, brighter, and more beautiful skin.
How much does it cost?
The average treatment is $2,000 for the full face. The treatment Shannon received included PRP (Plasma Rich Platelets), which aid in faster recovery. This was important with her schedule and to get her reunion ready! With the PRP add-on, the average treatment cost is $2,500.
How often do you need to get it?
That all depends on the patient’s skin. If they have textural issues, it may take more than one treatment. Typically, once or twice a year is enough to keep collagen stimulated and skin tight and looking its best.
What are the risks for this type of facial?
In certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin. Taking birth control pills, pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation, which is why this treatment is recommended for select patients. Before having the treatments, it's important for a patient to have a consultation with an experienced and licensed provider and disclose any history of keloids, unusual scarring tendencies, extensive X-rays or radiation to the face, or recurring cold sores (because this treatment can exacerbate complications).
How long is the recovery for it?
A reaction that feels and looks like a sunburn occurs following the treatment. The treatment usually involves redness and swelling, followed by aggressive peeling that ends within seven to 10 days. Deeper resurfacing includes scabbing with additional days of redness and swelling. It is important to avoid overexposure to the sun and exercise immediately after a treatment, since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury and infection.
Who is a good or bad candidate?
A good candidate is any individual with a lighter skin tone that has fine lines, wrinkles, and/or sun damaged skin. In Orange County, where our practice is located, many of our patients spend a great amount of time outdoors, laying out by the beach and in the sun. This is a great treatment for many of those patients! The patients that I would not complete this treatment on are those with autoimmune disorders or hyperpigmentation conditions like melasma or darker skin tones. For these patients, we have another option that’s just as aggressive, but with less risk of adverse reactions.
Anything to add on the subject?
For those who are experiencing skin laxity, I would recommend adding microneedling with radio frequency, like Shannon had prior to the CO2RE treatment and Kelly had before the reunion. Specifically, the Morpheus8 treatment, as it provides excellent skin tightening results that complement our CO2RE laser facial.
