What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing? Uses, Cost, and Who It's For

CO2 laser resurfacing uses laser energy to remove damaged outer skin and stimulate new collagen underneath, making it one of the more effective options for improving acne scarring, fine lines, and overall skin texture.

What It's Commonly Used For

• Acne scarring, particularly textural changes rather than deep ice-pick scars
• Fine lines and early sun damage
• General skin texture and tone improvement

Fractional vs. Full-Field Treatment

Most modern CO2 laser treatment is fractional — delivering energy in a grid of microscopic columns rather than treating the entire surface at once. This leaves untreated skin between the treated columns to speed healing, offering a middle ground between lighter treatments and more intensive older full-field techniques.

What Affects Cost

Cost depends on the treatment intensity chosen, the area being treated, and the number of sessions needed — deeper, more intensive settings cost more per session but may need fewer overall, while lighter settings are often done as a series.

See recovery details on the CO2 laser resurfacing procedure page.