CO2 Fractional Laser
Not every skin concern can be addressed at the surface. CO2 fractional laser resurfacing works at a deeper level than most other resurfacing treatments, making it one of the more powerful tools available for wrinkles, scarring, sun damage, and skin laxity. At Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness, our providers match you to the right level of treatment for your skin and goals, so you walk away with luminous skin.
CO2 Fractional Laser
Not every skin concern can be addressed at the surface. CO2 fractional laser resurfacing works at a deeper level than most other resurfacing treatments, making it one of the more powerful tools available for wrinkles, scarring, sun damage, and skin laxity. At Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness, our providers match you to the right level of treatment for your skin and goals, so you walk away with luminous skin.
What 
Is A CO2 Fractional Laser?
CO2 fractional laser resurfacing is an ablative treatment that uses carbon dioxide laser energy to remove damaged skin and prompt the body to replace it with healthier tissue. It has a long clinical track record for treating deep wrinkles, acne, and surgical scarring, sun damage, and laxity that less ablative options cannot adequately address.
“Fractional” refers to how the laser energy is delivered. Rather than treating the entire skin surface at once, it targets a fraction of the skin at a time, creating thousands of microscopic treatment columns while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. That intact tissue supports faster, more efficient healing. As the treated areas repair themselves, the body produces new collagen and elastin, which drive the longer-term improvements in skin firmness, texture, and tone.
Because this treatment reaches deeper than less ablative resurfacing options, recovery is more involved. For patients with concerns that have progressed beyond what the less ablative options can correct, the CO2 fractional laser is often the most appropriate path forward.
How Does A CO2 Fractional Laser Work?
CO2 fractional lasers emit energy at a wavelength of 10,600nm, which is selectively absorbed by water in the skin’s cells. The heat that results vaporizes damaged tissue within each treatment column while the skin between those zones stays intact, giving the body a healthy foundation to rebuild from.
That rebuilding is where the real results come from. As the skin repairs itself, it produces new collagen and elastin, slowly but surely improving firmness, texture, and tone over the months following treatment.
Your provider adjusts the depth and density of the laser to match your specific concerns and your availability for downtime. The deeper the laser penetrates, the more significant the remodeling, which is why this treatment is most effective for deeper wrinkles, moderate to severe acne scarring, and skin laxity.
What Are The Benefits Of A CO2 Fractional Laser?
CO2 fractional lasers deliver some of the most significant skin improvements available without surgery, and the results continue to improve in the months following treatment.
When your skin needs more than maintenance, the CO2 fractional laser delivers a level of renewal that lighter treatments cannot.
The Treatment Process
Your CO2 fractional laser treatment starts with a thorough consultation with one of our providers. Your skin will be evaluated for wrinkle depth, scarring, pigmentation, and laxity, and your provider will confirm whether this treatment is appropriate for your skin type and goals. Because recovery time is significant, your schedule and downtime availability are part of this conversation from the start.
On the day of your appointment, a topical numbing cream is applied well before the procedure begins to keep you comfortable throughout. Your provider then delivers the fractional CO2 energy across the treatment area in a controlled pass. Sessions take 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated, and most patients describe the sensation as heat and mild pressure.
After treatment, the skin will be red and swollen, and will begin to peel over the following days as the outer layers shed. Most patients plan for 5-10 days of social downtime, depending on the depth of their treatment. Aftercare includes keeping the skin clean and moisturized, avoiding direct sun exposure during the healing window, and introducing broad-spectrum SPF once the skin has stabilized.
Improvements begin to surface as the skin heals and continue developing over the following 3-6 months as collagen rebuilds. Most patients notice their most visible results around the 3-month mark. One session is often enough to produce significant change, though patients with more advanced concerns may be candidates for a follow-up treatment once healing is complete.
Common FAQs
How Is A CO2 Fractional Laser Different From Other Resurfacing Treatments?
The main difference comes down to depth and intensity. CO2 fractional lasers reach deeper into the skin than less ablative options, which makes them better at addressing concerns like significant scarring, deeper wrinkles, and laxity that lighter treatments are not designed to correct.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
One session is enough for many patients to see significant results. Those managing more advanced concerns, such as deep acne scarring or significant sun damage, may benefit from a second treatment after the skin has fully healed. Your provider will give you an honest assessment during your consultation based on what your skin actually needs.
Is This Treatment Appropriate For All Skin Types?
A CO2 fractional laser requires careful evaluation for patients with deeper skin tones due to the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Your provider will review your skin tone and medical history during your consultation to determine whether this is the right treatment for you or whether a different resurfacing approach would be safer and more predictable.
Can CO2 Fractional Laser Be Paired With Other Treatments?
CO2 fractional laser is generally performed as a standalone treatment, given the recovery involved. Our providers are experienced in building comprehensive treatment plans that strategically sequence CO2 fractional laser alongside injectables and biostimulators, so each treatment supports and builds on the results of the last.
What Time of Year Is Best For This Treatment?
CO2 fractional laser can be scheduled year-round, though fall and winter tend to be the most practical seasons. Healing skin is especially sensitive to UV exposure, and the cooler months make it easier to limit sun contact and protect your results during recovery.
Start Your Transformation
CO2 fractional laser resurfacing remains one of the most effective options available for patients dealing with deep wrinkles, scarring, and skin laxity. While the recovery period requires patience, the improvements in skin firmness and texture justify the necessary downtime. At Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness in Los Angeles, California, our providers will evaluate your skin thoroughly and walk you through exactly what to expect before any treatment is scheduled. Book a consultation to find out if the CO2 fractional laser is right for you.
