CO2 Fractional Laser

How it works

An ablative fractional CO2 laser gives off infrared light at a 10,600 nm wavelength, which water in tissue absorbs strongly. The beam is split into a grid of tiny columns that vaporize microscopic channels in the skin, leaving the tissue between them intact. The body then repairs the channels, which is intended to tighten skin and remodel collagen over the following weeks and months. Depth and density of the columns are set by the operator, and the same laser can be used with a focused beam to remove small surface lesions.

Good to know

• The catalog lists it as an ablative fractional CO2 laser; the maker is confirmed by the clinic, so no brand is named here.
• It is used for acne scars, wrinkles, pores and texture, and for removing small lesions such as certain moles or skin tags.
• Redness, crusting and peeling usually last about a week, and the skin stays sensitive to sun afterward.
• Pigment change is a recognized risk, especially in darker skin tones, and results vary by person.

Where CO2 Fractional Laser sits among similar devices

Among resurfacing devices, the CO2 laser sits at the intense end. It removes tissue columns rather than only heating them, so changes in scars and texture can be more pronounced than with non-ablative lasers or microneedle RF. The price of that depth is a visible recovery period and a higher need for careful sun protection.

Compared with erbium, CO2 produces more heat in surrounding tissue, which can add tightening but also more redness. Compared with Fraxel-type lasers, it breaks the surface, while they leave it closed. A reader choosing between these should weigh the concern, how much downtime fits their schedule, and skin tone, with a doctor's guidance.