Hospital
CO₂ Resurfacing Laser
Also known as: Ablative Fractional Resurfacing, Skin Resurfacing, Acne Scar Treatment Laser
Recovery
- Days 5–7: Skin peeling and redness.
- Day 10+: Fresh, pink, glowing skin emerges.
About CO₂ Resurfacing Laser
Treated areas:Abdomen, Decolletage, Face, Crow's feet, Eyelid, Forehead, Jowls, Neck, Skin, Pigmentation, Pores, Scars, Wrinkles
CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) laser resurfacing is a powerful, medical-grade treatment considered the gold standard for skin rejuvenation. It works by precisely vaporizing damaged outer skin layers while delivering deep heat to stimulate massive collagen production. It is the most effective non-surgical solution for severe skin concerns like deep wrinkles, stubborn acne scars, and heavy sun damage, delivering results that last for years.
How It Works
The laser beam targets water molecules in your skin cells. This process:
- Removes damage: Wipes away old, scarred, or pigmented skin.
- Triggers healing: Forces your body to regenerate brand-new, healthy tissue.
- Tightens deep down: Heat shrinks collagen fibers and rebuilds the skin’s structural foundation.
Fractional vs. Fully Ablative
| Fractional CO₂ Laser | Fully Ablative CO₂ Laser |
|---|---|
| The laser treats only microscopic columns of skin, leaving healthy skin bridges intact to speed up healing. | Removes the entire top layer of skin across the treatment area. |
| Best for: Acne scars, fine-to-moderate wrinkles, enlarged pores, texture issues. | Best for: Deep wrinkles, severe sun damage, advanced aging, thick scars. |
| Downtime:3–7 days. | Downtime:10–14+ days. |
| Advantage: Balances dramatic results with manageable recovery. | Advantage: The most dramatic transformation possible without surgery. |
What It Does For You
- Erase Wrinkles: Smooths forehead lines, crow’s feet, and deep lines around the mouth.
- Scar Correction: The top treatment for atrophic (pitted) acne scars and surgical scars.
- Skin Tightening: Firms up loose eyelids, jowls, and “crepey” neck skin.
- Clearer Tone: Removes sun spots, age spots, and uneven pigmentation.
- Texture Refinement: Dramatically shrinks pores and smooths rough skin.
Popular CO₂ Laser Systems
Lumenis UltraPulse/AcuPulse, DEKA Tetra PRO (CoolPeel®), CO₂RE & SmartXide DOT
Ideal Candidate
- Adults with acne scars (boxcar, rolling, ice-pick), surgical or traumatic scars, or striae (stretch marks)
- Adults with moderate to severe photo-ageing, deep wrinkles, or skin laxity
Proven Results
- 2–6 Weeks: Skin becomes brighter, smoother, and clearer.
- 2–6 Months: Collagen continues to build, scars keep fading and skin keeps tightening for months after treatment.
- Longevity: Results can last several years with proper care and sun protection.
Price by Region
| Location | Ranging from |
|---|---|
| Korea | 550,000 (KRW) |
| Thailand | 13,000 (THB) |
| China | 5,500 (RMB) |
| Japan | 55,000 (JPY) |
| Malaysia | 1,700 (MYR) |
| Singapore | 1,200 (SGD) |
| Indonesia | 1,700,000 (IDR) |
How It Is Performed
- Topical anaesthetic cream applied for 60 minutes (longer than other laser treatments due to depth of ablation)
- Antiviral medication prescribed pre-emptively if treating the perioral area (to prevent herpes trigger)
- Fractional CO₂ pulses delivered in a calibrated grid pattern at target density and ablation depth
- Post-treatment cooling; medical-grade barrier cream applied immediately
Doctors Performing This
Your Timeline
Preparation
- Discontinue retinoids 14 days before treatment
- Antiviral medication if treating perioral area
- No active acne lesions at treatment site
- Discuss isotretinoin history (must be ≥6–12 months off)
Followup Care
- Strict moisturiser barrier cream and SPF 50+ at all times
- Pinpoint scab formation days 2–5; do NOT pick
- Avoid sun exposure completely for 2–4 weeks post-treatment
- No retinoids or active skincare for 4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fractional CO₂ laser safe for Asian skin?
Fractional CO₂ (as opposed to full-ablation) significantly reduces PIH risk but it is not eliminated. Proper assessment, conservative density/depth settings in darker skin types, adequate healing time, and strict post-care (especially UV protection) minimise this risk substantially. An experienced practitioner should assess your specific skin type before proceeding.
How many sessions do I need for acne scars?
Most patients achieve 40–60% improvement with 1–2 sessions spaced 3–6 months apart. Severe ice-pick scars may benefit from combination treatment, TCA CROSS (chemical reconstruction of skin scars) targeted at individual scars before or between laser sessions.
What is the actual downtime?
Plan for 5–7 days of social downtime (redness, oozing, crusting) at standard settings. After day 7, make-up can typically be applied over the healed fractional zones. Residual pink-to-red colour may persist for 2–4 weeks, though this is easily covered with mineral-based make-up.
Does the procedure hurt?
Topical anaesthetic significantly reduces discomfort. Some patients describe a warm, prickling sensation during treatment. Post-treatment soreness resolves within 48–72 hours.
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