Sciton ProFractional vs. CO2 - Which Goes Deeper?

The difference between fractional erbium and fractional CO2 is not that of depth, but of how the tissue is affected by the laser.  Depth of penetration of the laser is a parameter that can be set according to what needs to be achieved by the treatment.  Sciton's depth is from 25 to 1500 microns.

Comparatively speaking, the thickness of the epidermis on the face is 100 microns.  The thickness of the dermis is from 300 microns on the eyelid to 3000 microns or 3 mm on the back.

Both the CO2 and erbium fractional lasers look for water as the target molecule in the dermis.  Erbium focuses on water better than CO2, therefore CO2 laser creates a zone of coagulation when it vaporizes tissue.  Erbium just vaporizes the targeted tissue at a defined depth.

Interestingly, the Profractional XC has both erbium and a CO2-like coagulation modality that can be used together if needed.

Regarding: "Sciton ProFractional vs. CO2 - Which Goes Deeper?
Does the Sciton Profractional Laser Go Deeper in Skin Layers As a CO2 Laser Does?"

The Sciton Joule laser which offers accurate ablation and fractionated Erbium laser resurfacing has the ability to remove skin layers as thin as that of microdermabrasion to layers MUCH deeper than a CO2 laser. It is all up to the doctor operating the laser.

Rather than asking "How deep?" you should be asking "Based on the thickness of my wrinkles, pigmentation etc and the time I can set to be off from work" what is the best laser resurfacing you can suggest?"

Good Luck.

Dr. Peter Aldea