Carbon Laser Peel in Portland, OR
Activated charcoal · PicoWay picosecond laser · DiamondGlow finish
Also called the “Hollywood peel” — famous for instant glow, refined pores, and clearer skin with zero downtime. Here's what most places won't tell you: it only works if it's done on the right laser.
A carbon laser peel is a quick, no-downtime treatment that deep-cleans and resurfaces the skin's surface using a layer of activated charcoal and a laser. The liquid carbon is applied to your skin and allowed to dry, settling into your pores and forming an even film across the surface. The laser then passes over it, and the carbon acts as its target — so the energy is delivered precisely at the surface and in the pores, lifting away dead cells, oil, and the debris clogging them.
The result is immediate: brighter, smoother, clearer-looking skin with refined pores and a genuine glow, no downtime attached. But how well it works — whether it truly exfoliates or just warms your face — comes down entirely to the laser used. We run ours on the PicoWay picosecond laser for true exfoliation, then finish with DiamondGlow for a real polish. Same name as the facial you've seen everywhere; a completely different result.
- Downtime
- None — leave glowing, straight back to your day
- Comfort
- A warm, light snapping during the laser pass — no numbing needed
- Typical plan
- About 30–45 minutes; a one-off glow or regular maintenance
- Typical cost
- $300–$450 per treatment
Why the laser matters — the part nobody explains
A carbon peel is supposed to work by a photoacoustic effect: the laser's energy hits the carbon particles so fast that it shatters them, creating a tiny mechanical shockwave that exfoliates the surface and clears the pores. Producing that effect requires ultra-short pulses — picoseconds — fast enough to shatter the carbon rather than heat it.
Most carbon facials, though, are done with Q-switched lasers, which fire in nanoseconds. That's short — close to a picosecond pulse — but not nearly as effective as a true picosecond laser like the Candela PicoWay. Our medical director's clinical position is straightforward: the shorter and more precise the pulse, the more of its energy goes into photoacoustically shattering the carbon instead of warming the skin. A picosecond pulse clears the carbon and the pores more completely, with less residual heat left on the surface.
We use the PicoWay — the same picosecond platform behind our tattoo removal program — because its ultra-fast pulses actually produce the photoacoustic shattering. So our carbon peel does what a carbon peel is supposed to do: true mechanical exfoliation and pore clearing — not a close approximation.
Our protocol: three steps, each earning its place
01
Activated charcoal application
The liquid carbon is applied and allowed to dry down, seating into your pores and forming an even film. That uniform layer is what makes the exfoliation uniform — it isn't just for show.
02
PicoWay photoacoustic pass
The picosecond laser passes over the carbon, shattering the particles for micro-exfoliation right at the surface and inside the pores — lifting away the dead cells, oil, and congestion the carbon settled into. This is the true peel.
03
DiamondGlow polish
A finishing pass of gentle exfoliation, suction, and serum infusion: the suction clears the debris the laser just freed, and the serums leave skin conditioned and hydrated. The laser does the deep work; this finalizes it.
The result is immediately brighter, smoother, genuinely polished skin — pores visibly cleared and refined — with no downtime. The treatment is stacked to do more than any single step could alone.
What it treats — and who it's for
Dullness & lack of glow
The fastest lit-from-within refresh we offer — and the classic pre-event booking, since there's nothing to hide afterward.
Congested pores, blackheads & oil
The carbon settles into the follicular openings, so the exfoliation happens where the congestion actually lives.
Rough or uneven texture
Surface exfoliation smooths what your fingertips notice before a mirror does.
Acne-prone & oily skin
Clearing sebum and debris from pores genuinely helps — as maintenance and support alongside a real acne plan, not as a standalone cure.
On skin tone: because our version runs on a picosecond laser with settings chosen by a physician-led team, it's appropriate for a range of skin tones — and as with any laser, that's a clinical assessment we make for your specific skin at consult.
What to expect at your visit
- Quick. The full three-step treatment typically runs about 30–45 minutes.
- Comfortable. Most people describe a warm, light snapping during the laser pass; the DiamondGlow finish feels like a cool massage. No numbing needed.
- Zero downtime. You leave glowing and go straight back to your day — or your event. At most, mild redness that settles quickly.
- Immediate, and building. Brightness and smoothness show right away; a regular series keeps pores and texture at their best.
Pricing
A carbon laser peel at OML runs $300–$450 per treatment. The range reflects what's included: because our protocol combines two technologies — the PicoWay pass and the DiamondGlow finish — it's a more complete treatment than a single-laser carbon facial, and where your session lands in the range depends on the scope of your treatment plan. You'll get an exact quote at your free consultation, and GloLUX Rewards applies if you're making it a habit.
Is this the right path for you?
Every plan starts with a free consultation — open 7 days a week, (503) 395-7736.
Common questions
- How much does a carbon laser peel cost?
- At Oregon Medical & Laser, a carbon laser peel is $300–$450 per treatment — the full protocol, including both the PicoWay laser pass and the DiamondGlow finish. You'll get an exact quote for your plan at a free consultation, and series cadence can be discussed there too.
- What is a carbon laser peel?
- A no-downtime treatment that uses a layer of activated charcoal plus a laser to deep-clean and exfoliate the skin — lifting away dead cells, oil, and pore-clogging debris for immediate brightness, smoother texture, and refined pores. It's also called a Hollywood peel or carbon laser facial.
- How is yours different from other carbon peels?
- The laser. Many carbon facials run on Q-switched lasers, whose nanosecond pulses come close to a picosecond laser but — per our medical director — don't shatter the carbon as completely, so the exfoliation is less thorough. We use the Candela PicoWay picosecond laser, whose ultra-fast pulses produce the photoacoustic shattering the treatment depends on, then finish with DiamondGlow for a genuine polish.
- Is there downtime?
- No — it's a true lunch-break glow treatment. You might have very mild redness briefly, but most people leave glowing and go straight back to their day.
- Does a carbon laser peel hurt?
- Not really. Most people feel a warm, light snapping during the laser pass and find the DiamondGlow finish soothing. No numbing is needed for most patients.
- Is it good for acne or oily skin?
- It helps — clearing sebum and debris from the pores is genuinely useful for congested, oily, acne-prone skin. It's not a standalone cure for active acne, but it's a strong clarity and maintenance treatment alongside a real acne plan.
- Is it safe for my skin tone?
- Because we use a picosecond laser with physician-selected settings, it's appropriate for a range of skin tones — and we always make that call for your specific skin at your consultation.
- How often should I get one?
- It works beautifully as a one-time pre-event glow, and even better as regular maintenance. We'll suggest a cadence based on your skin and goals.
Often considered alongside
- Pico Resolve → — Fractional picosecond treatment for acne scarring and skin imperfections.
- SmoothGlo → — A staged protocol that treats tone, texture, and volume in one plan.
- Active Acne Treatment → — Medical-grade care for acne that's happening right now — light-based treatment that calms breakouts at the source, cortisone injections that flatten a cyst in a day or two, and an $89/month membership so you never have to ride out a flare alone.