SmartSkin: What You Need to Know

The SmartSkin is a fractional, micro-ablative CO2 laser used for skin resurfacing. It’s designed to treat wrinkles, create a more even skin tone, and smooth skin texture. It can also help treat blotchy skin, scars, and stretch marks. In addition to the face, it can be used on the body, neck, chest, and hands. RealSelf members who rated their treatment “Worth It” cite how good their skin looked after only a few days of downtime. 

The treatment can also be done in as little as 20 minutes, depending on the size of the area. Tiny micropulses of laser energy create microscopic holes in the skin, stimulating your body’s natural healing response. The healing process creates new skin that looks more even and radiant, and it stimulates collagen production, ultimately helping reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. You should notice a fairly immediate improvement in the texture and tone of your skin and continue to see results over the next few months.

SmartSkin works similarly to other fractional lasers, such as Fraxel, though it’s worth noting that there are different types of fractional lasers. The ablative lasers remove the surface layer of skin, while the non-ablatives target the deeper tissue. SmartSkin is micro-ablative, meaning the laser targets only damaged skin, leaving the healthy skin in between intact. The upshot? Much less downtime and a quicker recovery.  

Your recovery time will depend on the intensity of your treatment, which is customized based on your skin concerns. Expect redness, swelling, and peeling for up to a week. You’ll want to be very gentle with your skin during this time. Avoid any harsh skincare products, like retinol or exfoliators, and be vigilant about staying out of the sun.