Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Really Work? How Many Session Should I Need to Undergo? (photo)

Question

I had a Fractional CO2 Laser treatment last June. It cleared most of the pimples. But I still I have some boxcar and ice pick pimple marks. Would further fractional CO2 Laser treatments clear these? Thanks.

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Fractional CO2 laser can work well to improve acne scars. It is important to remember that acne scars are a very difficult problem, and each scar might respond differently to certain treatments. Ice pick scars sometimes require excision to achieve the best results, whereas flat or boxcar scars might respond well to filler injections. Most commonly, a combination of treatments like excision and filler injections followed by a series of laser treatments is needed to achieve optimal results. When patients commit to this type of treatment plan, amazing improvements are possible.Best,

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

R. Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS · Answer

Industry Standard recommends Fractional Non-ablative Laser Resurfacing for Skin Types VI & IV, 8 plus weeks apart and 2 to 3 treatments. It can take up to 3 months to see the full results from a single treatment. When treating acne scarring, it is best to treat when the active acne has resolved.

William Ting, MD · Answer

Each subsequent Fractional CO2 laser will build upon prior treatment in inducing more collagen remodeling and scar revision. I typically will recommend most of my patients seeking Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing for scar revision to consider at least two treatment sessions 6 months apart with or without subcision.

Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Really Work? How Many Session Should I Need to Undergo? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Repeat Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing helpful for acne scarring

Answer: Repeat Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing helpful for acne scarring

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Everything you need to know about Fractional Laser

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Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Really Work? How Many Session Should I Need to Undergo? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Repeat Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing helpful for acne scarring

Answer: Repeat Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing helpful for acne scarring

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Fractional Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.