Your Guide to Helix CO2 Laser Treatments: CoolPeel, Sultra, vs. Deka Fusion

Posted October 06, 2026 in MedSpa Treatments

If “CO2 laser” still sounds a little intense, you’re not alone.

A lot of people hear “CO2 laser” and picture a long, peeling recovery. Helix from Cartessa is different. It’s an FDA cleared device with a wide range of customizable settings, so treatment can stay gentle or go deeper depending on your skin, your goals, and how much downtime fits your lifestyle.

The three main treatment modes are: CoolPeel, Sultra, and Deka Fusion. Your MedSpa provider chooses the one that fits you, then customizes it further.

As a fall treat to our patients: introductory pricing is going on right now! 

If you’ve been curious about the benefits of C02 for your skin, fall is the perfect time to visit the MedSpa!

How Helix CO2 laser works

In this blog we will break down the difference between CoolPeel, Sultra, and Deka Fusion.

What Helix can help with

Helix can be used on the face, neck, hands, arms, and chest. After a consultation, your medical aesthetician or aesthetic nurse can make a unique treatment plan to tackle:

• Deep wrinkles
• Skin laxity
• Acne scars and surgical scars
• Melasma
• Sun damage
• Dull tone and texture
• Crepey skin
• Stretch marks

The goal is for you to look and feel like your most confident self; without using a one-size-fits-all technique for everyone.

CoolPeel

CoolPeel is Helix’s ablative CO2 treatment. In plain language, it treats the top layer of the skin. Damaged surface skin is cleared away, collagen production gets a kickstart and the heat can help tighten areas of skin laxity.

A lighter CoolPeel can be quick, with little downtime. That’s why a lot of first-timers start here, especially if they just want a glow, smoother texture, or a refresh. 

More advanced CoolPeel settings can target deeper set wrinkles and acne scars, which naturally comes with more recovery time.

CoolPeel often works best as a series of treatments. While one treatment can look lovely and be just enough for some, a treatment package can build on and continue to enhance that result over time.

Downtime: about 2 to 3 days of redness and dryness.

Sultra

Sultra is the non-ablative option. It does not remove the surface of the skin. Instead, light based energy targets water in the tissue below the surface and stimulates collagen over time.

Results tend to show up gradually as the skin heals: fine lines that vanish, better tone, smoother texture, skin that looks a little healthier as the weeks go on. Because Sultra does not specifically target pigment and melanin, it can be a comfortable option for a wide range of skin tones.

If you want improvement without planning a peeling week on the calendar, Sultra is often the way to go.

Downtime: about 1 to 2 days of redness.

Deka Fusion

Deka Fusion is the “best of both worlds” treatment. 

It combines CoolPeel’s surface resurfacing with Sultra’s deeper collagen work in one visit. Your provider can mix those wavelengths to match what your skin actually needs. 

This is usually the mode people ask about when they want more transformation in fewer visits and can plan several days of social downtime.

Downtime: about 5 to 7 days of redness, minor swelling, and flakiness.

Are you a good candidate?

Skin type, skin tone, downtime, and what bothers you most all matter in choosing the best treatment for you. Helix is tailored to each individual.

How to prepare your skin for C02 laser treatments

If you are planning for a Helix laser treatment, a little prep goes a long way. 

• 1 to 2 weeks before: avoid direct sun and tanning beds. Fresh tans makes hyperpigmentation harder to treat safely.
• 5 to 10 days before: During your consultation, tell your provider if you get cold sores. You may need a Valtrex prescription.
• 5 to 7 days before: pause harsher skincare activities like retinols, AHAs, glycolic acids, and strong serums. 

If you come in with no makeup, great! Regardless, we’ll cleanse your skin before we start.

What to expect during treatment

Your provider starts with a topical numbing cream. That usually sits for about 30 to 45 minutes. During treatment, most people feel heat, a bit like sunburn. That feeling can linger briefly afterward.

What recovery looks like

Your provider will send you home with aftercare instructions. For Deka Fusion, that treatment comes with the Alastin Procedure Enhancement System kit and the Plated Skin Science kit shown below. These products are specifically chosen to promote healing and protect your results. It is important to stay hydrated and wear SPF 30 or higher every day. Fresh lasered skin and sunshine are not friends!

A quick recap on downtime:

• CoolPeel: 2 to 3 days of redness and dryness
• Sultra: 1 to 2 days of redness
• Deka Fusion: 5 to 7 days of redness, minor swelling, and flakiness

That “flakiness” is dry skin sloughing off. It is not the long, heavy peel people used to associate with the older CO2 lasers.

Your provider will set expectations before you book, so you’re not guessing.

Why patients choose our MedSpa for laser

Helix is only as good as the person holding it. Our MedSpa team is highly trained, experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled. Safety first, always. We customize settings for your specific skin type and concerns.

Ready to see which mode is best for you?

If you’re curious about Helix, start with a consultation. We’ll look at your skin, talk through your options, and help you decide which mode makes sense for you. 

Book with us before our pricing goes back up in the new year! 

Give us a call or reach out through our online contact form.

We wish you all a happy, cozy, and glowy autumn. We’ll be here when you’re ready!