

Before your Tetra CO₂ CoolPeel® session, arrive with clean, makeup-free skin and no self-tanner on the treatment area. For several days prior, you’ll typically be asked to pause retinoids, exfoliating acids, scrubs, and other irritating products, and to avoid recent peels, waxing, or strong resurfacing treatments.
Let us know if you have a history of cold sores, abnormal scarring, recent sunburn, or significant sun exposure, as well as any recent procedures or changes in your medical history. In some cases, a preventive antiviral medication may be recommended. We’ll review your goals, examine your skin, take photos, and confirm the treatment settings before we begin.
Your CoolPeel® treatment starts with a gentle cleanse and application of a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Once your skin is numb, the Tetra device delivers controlled, fractionated CO₂ laser energy to the skin’s surface using a unique “cool” technology that limits heat buildup and reduces downtime compared to traditional CO₂ lasers.
Most clients describe the sensation as quick, warm tingles or a mild prickling feeling, rather than true pain. A typical face treatment takes about 10–20 minutes once numbing is complete, depending on the size of the area and the intensity of the settings.


After CoolPeel®, you can expect redness and a sunburn-like warmth for several hours, sometimes into the next day. The skin may feel tight, dry, or slightly rough, with light flaking or peeling over the following days as it renews. You’ll receive clear post-care instructions, which usually include gentle cleanser, soothing moisturizer, and strict broad-spectrum sunscreen, while avoiding makeup for at least 24 hours or as directed.
We typically ask you to avoid heat, sweating, hot tubs, saunas, and harsh products (retinoids, acids, scrubs) for several days to protect the healing skin. Results are progressive—over the next several weeks, you’ll notice smoother texture, more even tone, and firmer, healthier-looking skin as collagen remodeling continues. Many clients achieve best outcomes with a series of treatments, followed by periodic maintenance.
A typical treatment for an area such as the full face takes about 30 minutes (up to 60mins if it's a larger area like neck/chest/hand.) Afterward, you may notice slight redness—similar to a mild sunburn—that usually fades within one to two days. It'll feel a little like fine (300 grit) sandpaper for a few days. As your skin heals, it will be much smoother, way more "even" and makeup, if you wear it, will go on way better too (requiring you to use less and save money =)
Precision treatments mean personalized outcomes—and with Agnes RF, small changes can make a big difference. Whether it’s smoothing under-eye bags, slimming the jawline, or finally clearing stubborn acne, these before-and-after photos show the kind of natural, long-lasting results that make Agnes so unique.
Traditional CO₂ lasers deliver excellent results but often require intense heat and long recovery times, increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation and discomfort. CoolPeel uses the Tetra CO₂ laser, which features a unique, customizable pulse shape called the SmartXide “CoolPeel” wave—designed to deliver energy more precisely and gently, with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
This advanced technology allows us to achieve impressive resurfacing results without the heat, smoke, or extensive downtime associated with older CO₂ lasers. It’s perfect for improving fine lines, texture, and skin tone—with a sunburn-like recovery, not weeks of peeling.
Both treatments use the Tetra CO₂ laser, but they differ in depth, intensity, and recovery time:
CoolPeel is a superficial resurfacing treatment that gently improves skin texture, tone, and pores with minimal downtime. It targets the outermost skin layers, making it ideal for maintenance or early signs of aging.
TetraPro (our DeepCool Peel) is a customizable, deeper treatment that goes beneath the surface to treat wrinkles, scarring, sun damage, and laxity. It offers more dramatic results, but comes with a longer healing period (usually 5–7 days).
We help you choose the best option based on your skin goals, concerns, and schedule.
Most clients describe CoolPeel as feeling like a warm, prickling sensation—very tolerable. We can apply a topical numbing cream beforehand if you prefer, but many people are comfortable without it.
For DeepCool Peel, we always use topical numbing to ensure a more comfortable experience during the deeper resurfacing. Any discomfort is typically short-lived and well-managed.
CoolPeel: Redness for 1–3 days, mild dryness or flaking. Makeup in 48 hours.
DeepCool Peel: Redness and peeling for 5–7+ days. You may feel sunburned for the first 1–2 days. Expect more downtime but also more dramatic results.
You may notice a fresher look within a few days, especially after CoolPeel. However, collagen remodeling continues for weeks, so full results typically appear 4–6 weeks post-treatment, with continued improvement over time.
CoolPeel is safe for most skin tones, but deeper Tetra treatments are best for lighter to medium skin types due to the risk of pigmentation changes. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your skin and customize the safest, most effective plan for you.
CoolPeel: Often done in a series of 3–4 treatments for optimal results.
DeepCool Peel: Many patients see a dramatic difference after just one session, but more severe concerns may benefit from a follow-up.
The Tetra CO₂ laser is incredibly versatile and can be used to treat a variety of areas, including:
Face – smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and texture
Neck & Décolleté – tighten crepey skin and reduce sun damage
Hands – fade sunspots and improve skin quality
Scars & Stretch Marks – treat surgical scars, acne scars, and stretch marks on the body
Whether you’re looking for subtle rejuvenation or deeper resurfacing, we can tailor the treatment area and intensity to match your goals.
At North Idaho Med Spa, we offer a variety of advanced aesthetic and wellness services designed to enhance your natural beauty and well-being. Our expert team is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your unique needs.
