As I get older, I’ve noticed that my skin has gradually become more dry and sensitive. Certain skincare products (including one of my favorite charcoal face masks) that used to be part of my weekly regimen sadly no longer work for me and just leave my skin looking red and irritated. I’ve found that less is more when it comes to skincare and that using fewer products in general seems to work best for my skin.

There are times when my skin needs an extra boost of hydration (especially during the winter) and other times when I need to calm inflammation, whether it’s from a facial treatment or using the wrong skincare product. In those instances, simply not using anything isn’t going to cut it—and a lot of products out there only exacerbate skin issues, so what to do?

Meet CO2Lift Pro by Lumisque Skincare, a company that is leading the way in skincare technologies, uses medical-grade ingredients, and is dermatologist-recommended. I’d first heard about this treatment from another beauty writer who shared an article about her experience with it when she visited an esthetician and was impressed with how fast it soothed her inflamed skin. I was instantly intrigued and needed to learn more so I connected with Rebecca Ewing Fisher, who is the Southern California rep for CO2Lift Pro.

Fisher also has a very inspiring and touching personal story: as a breast cancer survivor, she’s witnessed firsthand the devastating side effects that breast cancer treatments like radiation can have on one’s skin, and after she used CO2Lift Pro and discovered its amazing benefits (in addition to beating cancer!), she has made it her mission to empower and educate medical providers and patients about the powerful results that carboxytherapy can achieve for skin.

We chatted on Instagram first and she took the time to explain to me all about what CO2Lift Pro is and how it works, making sure to answer any questions that I had. We then set up a time for her to come to my house so that she could give me a demo and I could try the product out—I was beyond excited.

When Fisher came to my house, she brought a 3-pack of the CO2Lift Pro with her. For best results, it is recommended to do three treatments in a row (every other day) then one treatment a month for maintenance. If you’ve just gotten a skincare procedure, you can do one treatment immediately after, then do the other two every other day after.

The CO2Lift Pro is a clinically proven carboxytherapy gel treatment that when mixed, produces carbon dioxide which triggers oxygen-rich blood flow, stimulates oxygenation and circulation, and removes waste and inflammation to regenerate healthy new skin tissue. It also continues working in skin long after the mask is removed. Its many skin benefits include:

• Improving dryness (it increases skin hydration by 177%+ after one application)

• Lifts and tightens skin

• Reduces pore size

• Smoothes skin texture

• Reduces wrinkles and lines

• Increases collagen production (improved elasticity by 26% in 4 weeks)

• Reduces redness and swelling

• Reduces under eye dark circles and discoloration

• Brightens skin tone

• It’s safe for all ages, skin types, even during pregnancy

• CO2Lift Pro (available only through skincare professionals) has 30% more carboxy than the regular version and is thereby more effective

• It increases micro-circulation and is ideal for post-care after lasers, chemical peels, microneedling, and other invasive procedures

The application of CO2Lift Pro was incredibly easy and straightforward. Fisher led me through each step of the process and my skin was clean and makeup-free, as the mask is applied on dry (not wet) skin.

The CO2Lift Pro comes with two packets—one larger and one smaller—along with an application stick that can be cleaner and reused with the additional treatments. First, Fisher instructed me to massage the small packet to soften it before opening. Next, I emptied the contents from both the large and small packet into a small bowl and mixed thoroughly with the application stick for one minute to activate the carboxy.

Immediately after I was done mixing, I applied the mixture, which had a thick jelly-like consistency, all over my face. The great thing is that CO2Lift Pro can be used on the face, eyelids, and neck—so feel free to be generous with application! I applied it to my undereye area in upwards motions all the way up to my lash line, as well as under my neck and over my lips. It instantly felt cooling and refreshing against my skin.

Once I had used all of the mixture from the bowl and it was sitting on my skin in a thick layer, I set my phone timer for 35 minutes. It can be left on anywhere from 35 to 60 minutes, making it perfect for if you have chores you want to get done around the house while the mask works its magic!

Fisher and I spent the next half hour chatting about CO2Lift Pro, its benefits, and I learned more about her personal experience with it and how it helped heal her skin when she was going through her breast cancer battle. Her skin looked amazing so I knew that if could work for her, it was definitely going to work for me.

When the time was up, Fisher showed me how to gently start peeling the mask off with the application stick. It had hardened into a firm silicone-like mask that was easy to remove—some parts I just pulled off in bigger pieces using my fingers. For any smaller pieces that were left over, especially around my hairline, I used a damp hand towel to gently wipe them away.

I looked in the mirror and was pleased with my results. My skin was glowing, it was smooth and much more hydrated, and the inflammation and redness in my cheeks had gone down. With two more CO2Lift Pro treatments left, I could only imagine how much better my skin was going to look and feel a few days from now.

Fisher also brought a few other products from Lumisque for me to try including their Defend Hyaluronic Serum with Apple Stem Cell, Glow Facial Oil, and CO2LIFT Carboxy Mousse Moisturizer. The serum tightens skin and brightens tone, the facial oil contains a powerhouse combo of oils to nourish and moisturize skin, and the mousse moisturizer works to instantly quench dry skin and helps to boost the benefits of the CO2Lift Carboxy Therapy Treatment Mask.

I especially loved the airy texture of the moisturizer, which resembled whip cream and was instantly absorbed by my skin. The products can all be used together as part of a daily skincare regimen and to enhance the benefits of the CO2Lift Pro treatment.

CO2Lift is available in two different versions—the regular Carboxy Gel Treatment, which is available to consumers and can be purchased directly on their website; and the CO2Lift Pro, which is only available through skincare professionals and medical providers.

The Pro version has 30% more carboxy, making it even more effective for faster results. Fisher describes it as “a hyperbaric chamber in a gel.” It’s a great add-on treatment to offer in a spa, skincare studio or physician’s office to help calm skin after an invasive procedure like a laser or micro-needling. It also makes for a great retail product to sell to clients so they can further enhance and maintain their results at home!

Lumisque Skincare also has one more innovative product you should know about: CO2Lift V. It’s a carboxy vaginal rejuvenation treatment that can improve symptoms of genito-urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and the gel is applied topically to the vulva and as a vaginal suppository.

It can be left on overnight and is effective at reducing recovery time and improving healing in post-procedure patients, including post-episiotomy, post-childbirth trauma, and post-labiaplasty patients. Benefits include improvement in the following symptoms:

• Burning

• Dryness

• Itching

• Pain during sex

• Loss of sensitivity

• Vaginal laxity

• Urinary incontinence

• Post-coital bleeding

• Cosmetic appearance

All in all, I was extremely happy with my results from the CO2Lift Pro. It was easy to use, results were instant, and it didn’t irritate my skin. This will definitely be my new go-to anytime I do a more invasive skincare procedure or if my skin is craving extra hydration.

For more information about CO2LIFT Pro and V, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @co2lift

If you’re interested in offering the treatment to clients at your spa, skincare studio or medical office and would like to set up a demo, contact Rebecca Ewing Fisher at rebecca@co2lift.com and follow her on Instagram: @rebeccaewingfisher

[Photos by Kamala Kirk]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk