Why do some people get "orange peel" skin from CO2 lasers?

This may be due to a number of variables such as: laser settings, patient's skin sensitivity, healing, etc. To improve this, vascular lasers, LED therapy, and skin care can help calm the inflammation. Typically I do a combination of lasers like clear and brilliant, fraxel, viva 4-6 weeks after co2 to improve this along with microneedling/prp to get the best outcomes with texture and tone.  Please see an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Hi and thank you for your question.  I am not sure I have seen this with my fractionated CO2 laser. I suspect it is due to the density and power settings and how the tissues react in certain people.  If the density is less on a deep pass, the grid pattern could be more evident. When I use a lower density for a deep pass, I will often follow it with a second more superficial pass at a higher density to smooth the surface of the skin. Hope this helps.
Best to you,
Dr. Stephen Fink