Do CO2 Lasers and Fraxel Treatments Remove All of the Skin?

Hello.

I’m Youngjin Wi from Beauty’s Doctor.

When looking into acne scars or

deep pores,

you often come across the name

CO2 fractional laser.

However, many people become concerned

when they see the phrase

“removing the skin” in the explanation.

It is easy to wonder whether

the entire face is being peeled off

or whether the skin will become too thin.

In short,

CO2 fractional laser treatment

does not remove the entire surface of the skin all at once.

It is better understood as a method that divides

the laser beam into extremely small dots

and creates tiny channels in the areas that need treatment.

Untreated skin remains

between the dots,

and these areas serve as points that help support recovery.

The word

“fractional” in the name

is also close in meaning to

“delivering the laser in divided sections.”

What Does “Fractional” Mean?

Fractional treatment

refers to a method of delivering the laser

in small dot-shaped sections

rather than applying it broadly as one continuous beam.

Tiny, dot-shaped areas of stimulation

are created in the skin,

while the areas between them remain normal skin.

This remaining skin

plays an important role during the recovery process.

Simply put,

it does not peel off the entire surface of the skin at once.

Instead, it creates multiple small channels

to induce a recovery response in the skin.

During this process,

skin responses related to collagen and elasticity

are often discussed as well.

However, this does not mean

that scars will always disappear

or that completely new skin will form.

The response may vary from person to person

depending on the depth of the scars,

skin thickness, and recovery capacity.

Why Does a CO2 Laser Affect the Skin?

The CO2 in a CO2 laser

stands for carbon dioxide.

A CO2 laser

is explained as using a wavelength that is well absorbed by water in the skin

to deliver thermal energy to the tissue.

Because the skin contains a lot of water,

fine thermal reactions and channels

may form where the laser energy reaches.

A method that creates

actual microscopic channels on the skin’s surface in this way

is called an ablative laser treatment.

Unlike non-ablative methods that warm the surface,

it directly treats the tissue,

so the recovery period must also be taken into account.

For this reason, CO2 fractional laser treatment

is often classified as a relatively intensive procedure,

and careful consideration is needed depending on the condition of the skin.

What Concerns Is It Commonly Discussed For?

CO2 fractional laser treatment

is often mentioned in consultations about acne scars,

deep pores,

and depressed scars.

It is especially often discussed

when the scar is relatively clearly indented at the edges,

as with boxcar scars,

or narrow and deeply indented,

as with ice pick scars.

However, having scars

does not automatically mean

that CO2 laser treatment is necessary.

The appropriate approach may differ

depending on the shape and depth of the scars,

skin thickness, the possibility of hyperpigmentation,

and the recovery time available.

A concern that looks like enlarged pores

may actually involve a combination of sebum,

loss of elasticity, scarring, and skin-texture issues.

Therefore, before focusing on the name of the device,

it is necessary to determine

what may be causing your particular skin concern.

How Should the Recovery Period Be Considered?

CO2 fractional laser treatment

creates tiny channels in the skin,

so redness, stinging, warmth,

and tiny scabs may occur after treatment.

For several days,

the skin may look rough

or makeup may feel as though it does not apply smoothly.

The degree of redness

and the possibility of hyperpigmentation

may also vary depending on skin type.

Especially if your skin is sensitive

or prone to hyperpigmentation,

the treatment intensity and intervals

should be considered more carefully.

During the recovery period,

sun protection, moisturization,

and reducing irritation are important.

It is best to avoid actions that may burden the skin,

such as forcibly removing scabs,

strong peeling treatments, saunas, or drinking alcohol.

Points to Check Before Treatment

Before consulting about CO2 laser treatment,

it is a good idea to check the following:

• What type of scar it is

• How deep the scar is

• Whether it is necessary to distinguish between enlarged pores and scars

• Whether the skin is thin or sensitive

• Whether the skin is prone to hyperpigmentation

• Whether sufficient recovery time can be set aside

• Whether you have received instructions on post-treatment care

CO2 fractional laser treatment

directly addresses the surface of the skin,

so post-treatment care must also be considered.

It is not a treatment that is necessarily better simply because it is performed more intensely.

It is important to adjust the necessary depth and treatment area

to suit the condition of the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does a CO2 laser remove the entire surface of the skin?

It does not remove the entire surface of the skin all at once.

The fractional method

divides the laser into small dot-shaped sections

and creates tiny channels

only in the areas reached by the dots.

Normal skin remains between the dots,

which can be understood as a structure that helps support recovery.

Q. Do scabs form after treatment?

Tiny scabs, redness, warmth,

and stinging may occur.

The recovery process

may vary from person to person

depending on skin type, treatment intensity, and scar depth.

Q. Is one treatment enough?

It depends on the condition of the scars or pores.

Rather than assuming that one treatment is sufficient,

treatment is often planned over multiple sessions

while allowing time for the skin to recover.

Q. Is CO2 laser treatment also used for pores?

It may be discussed when the structure of the skin’s surface is also a concern,

such as with deep pores or depressed scars.

However, the appropriate approach may differ

depending on whether the cause of the enlarged pores is sebum,

loss of elasticity, or scarring.

CO2 fractional laser treatment

is closer to a method that induces a response in the skin

by creating tiny channels in small dot-shaped areas

than to a procedure that removes the entire surface of the skin.

It is often discussed when the structure of the skin’s surface

is a concern, such as with acne scars or deep pores.

However, because it involves a recovery period and skin irritation,

it is not necessarily suitable for everyone.

The shape of the scars, skin thickness, sensitivity,

the possibility of hyperpigmentation, and lifestyle patterns

should all be considered to determine through a consultation

whether it is appropriate for your current condition.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Youngjin Wi.