Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Experience the gold standard in anti-aging lasers
Clinically proven to smooth wrinkles, fade scars, and increase collagen better than any other facial laser available today.
Fast facts
Membership Pricing:
$1250
Full Face
* Add Neck or Declotte for $250/each
$750
per area
Best value
$3000
for a full face 3 pack
Downtime:
- 48 h of redness/swelling
- Fine flaking days 3-7
- Makeup usually OK
by day 3
Results:
- Dramatic Wrinkle Reduction
- Increased Collagen & Elastin
- Pigmentation Enhancement
- Youthful Glowing Complexion
At Hello Skin MD, we don’t rely on hype—we rely on hard science. Every treatment we offer is backed by rigorous clinical data, not marketing claims. That’s why we offer gold-standard fractional CO2 laser for facial rejuvenation. Decades of published research show its unmatched ability to reduce wrinkles, rebuild collagen, fade pigmentation, smooth scars, and even reduce precancerous skin lesions.
Below, we break down the clinical evidence in four key areas so you can understand exactly why this treatment works—and why we trust it with our patients’ skin.
Wrinkle reduction & collagen re-build
Wrinkles visibly shrink
Split-face imaging showed a 58.3% reduction in cheek-wrinkle area and a 51.3% reduction in wrinkle depth after three fractional CO2 laser treatments. Source
Light session, significant collagen response
Histology at Day 84 confirmed a +8% surge in type-I collagen even with a gentle, low-fluence setting—proof the laser triggers genuine dermal rebuilding, not just swelling. Source
Out-performs non-ablatives on wrinkles
A split-face trial logged up to 75% wrinkle smoothing with fractional CO2 vs 25% with a leading 1,550 nm non-ablative Er:glass laser. Source
Eye-area perfection
Low-energy/high-density CO2 protocol delivered 68% “marked” improvement in static crow’s-feet that were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Source
Boost to collagen gene expression
Gene-expression analysis demonstrates that collagen-producing pathways remain upregulated for an extended period of time following fractional CO2 laser treatment, indicating a prolonged dermal remodeling process that contributes to sustained improvements in skin firmness. Source
Understanding the Lingo:
Non-ablative vs. Ablative Lasers: Ablative lasers like CO2 vaporize and remove damaged skin and trigger collagen repair, delivering faster, more dramatic results. Non-ablative lasers like PicoWay target pigments (chromophores) without removing the skin, which reduces downtime but generally delivers slower, less dramatic results—especially for wrinkles.
Collagen: The fiber that makes up the fabric of our skin. Collagen starts to decrease in our twenties leading to wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and visible signs of aging.
Pigmentation & Tone reset
Melasma spots cut in half
In skin-of-color patients, 42% achieved >50% mMASI reduction with fractional CO2 + oral TXA, with zero PIH events. Source
Stand-alone power
Fractional CO2 alone slashed melasma scores ≈50% by Week 12—double the improvement from triple-combination cream. Source
Beats hydroquinone
A split-face study saw -72.5% MASI on the CO2 side vs -24% with 4% hydroquinone cream. Source
Superior to QS Nd:YAG
Over 12 weeks, MASI fell faster and deeper with CO2 than with Q-Switched Nd:YAG (p < 0.001). Source
Better than Topical TXA
Six-month data show an 18% relapse rate after CO2 vs 30% with topical TXA—longer-lasting clarity. Source
Understanding the Lingo:
What’s mMASI? It stands for Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index—a medical scoring system used to measure how dark and widespread melasma is. A 50% drop means the dark patches were cut in half in both size and intensity.
What’s a 4% Hydroquinone cream? Hydroquinone is a pigment blocker that is considered the gold standard by dermatologists in topical creams for reducing hyperpigmentation, but is restricted to short term use due to side effects.
Q-Switched Nd:YAG: A non-ablative laser often used to treat melasma. This is significant because CO2 was more effective in a split-faced trial.
TXA: Tranexamic acid, a plasmin inhibitor that reduces hyperpigmentation and improves melasma symptoms. Can be used topically or oral.
Scar remodeling — Acne & Surgical
One-session impact
In a 121-patient cohort, 50% reached moderate-to-excellent flattening of atrophic acne scars after their first CO2 treatment (mean 1.7 sessions total). Source
Multiple sessions for cumulative scar improvement
Four sequential CO2 sessions drove Goodman-Baron scores -69%, while non-ablative 1,565 nm improved just 32%. Source
Hypertrophic scar control
CO2 + triamcinolone cut thick scar height -44% and boosted pliability after two passes. Source
Traumatic scars
Facial hypertrophic scar texture and redness improved 88% by the third CO2 session, with dermoscopy confirming fresh collagen. Source
Treats acne scars safely while on isotretinoin (Accutane)
Immediate CO2 use (no 6-month waiting) out-performed delayed treatment for isotretinoin-resistant scars. Source
Understanding the Lingo:
What’s the Goodman-Baron score? It’s a dermatologist-graded scale used to measure how deep and visible acne scars are. The lower the score, the smoother and more even the skin looks—so a 69% drop means dramatic scar softening you can actually see.
Isotretinoin is accutane, often considered unsafe to use with lasers but this data supports better effects of laser treatments while on accutane and suggests that tretinoin and retinols are safe.
Atrophic Scars: These are indented scars from acne or injury. CO2 laser boosts collagen to smooth and lift them.
What is hypertrophic scar texture? These are thick, raised scars that stay within the original injury area. CO2 laser helps flatten and soften them by breaking down excess collagen and smoothing the skin.
Not just a pretty face, clinically proven to reduce cancer risks by as much as 50%!
Fractional CO2 may help prevent precancerous changes and reduces skin cancer risk while improving sun damage.
Halves UV-Tumor formation
Repeated fractional CO2 reduced UV-induced skin-tumor rates by ≈50% and kept lesions benign in a controlled model. Source
May clear precancerous lesions
Field resurfacing clears actinic keratoses—removing mutated cells before they progress to cancer. Source
Human cohort advantage
Patients who received fractional laser on chronically sun-exposed forearms showed a 50% lower incidence of new basal & squamous cell carcinomas over three years. Source
Stronger, more collagen rich skin
CO2 passes boost type-I procollagen and suppress MMP-13, strengthening the dermal matrix against future UV damage.
Understanding the Lingo:
Actinic keratosis? It’s a rough, scaly patch caused by sun damage that can turn into skin cancer if left untreated. CO2 laser removes these cells before they become dangerous.
Squamous and Basal Carcinoma: These are the two most common types of skin cancer caused by long-term sun damage. Treating sun-damaged skin early with CO2 laser can help reduce the risk of these cancers forming.
What are MMPs? Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that break down collagen and elastin. Too much MMP activity—especially from sun damage—leads to wrinkles and skin thinning. CO2 laser treatments help suppress harmful MMPs and protect your skin’s structure.
How Fractional CO2 Works
Rapid renewal
Fractional lasers create a grid of treated dots with plenty of untreated skin in between. Because only 10-20% of the surface is touched each pass, new skin seals over in about a week, not 3-4 weeks like traditional full-field CO2 treatments.
10,600 nm light targets water
CO2 energy is absorbed instantly by the water in skin cells causing instant vaporization think of it as targeted “micro-steam" that creates channels in the skin. Source
Pixel-perfect micro-channels
The laser drills microscopic columns (MTZs) while leaving healthy bridges of skin intact so healing races in from the sides.
Dual impact: Ablation + Coagulation
The central column removes old tissue; a surrounding heat “halo” heats the skin just enough to signal fibroblasts to rebuild collagen to create thicker and more elastic skin.
Long-term remodeling
Gene expression assays show months-long up-regulation of collagen-production pathways after treatment. Source
Why Hello Skin MD choose Fractional CO2
over other comparable treatments
Deep treatment for impressive results
CO2 micro-channels penetrate up to 1.2 mm, versus 0.6-0.8 mm for non-ablative 1550/1927 nm devices—key for hitting the collagen-rich mid-dermis. Source
Long lasting results
Post-laser fibroblast assays show sustained boosts in mitochondrial activity and type III collagen expression, supporting results that can last 5+ years. Source
Bottom line: When the literature is this clear, we don’t settle for second-best—and neither should your face.
See the change
Slide to compare: 30 days after one fractional CO2 session, marionette-line depth visibly softens, pigment fades, and natural luminosity returns.
Patient Stories
“Took Friday off work, looked sun-kissed by Monday, and my smoker’s lines were half as deep.”
Lauren, 42
“I’d tried microneedling and peels for acne scars—nothing shrank them like this.”
Marcus, 36
“The science explanations calmed my nerves; the results blew my mind.”
Jenna, 55
FAQs
Does it hurt?
Downtime?
Safe for darker skin?
How many sessions?
Results longevity?
Combine with fillers/Botox?
Post-Accutane (isotretinoin)?
Men welcome?
Ready to Love your reflection?
Book your complimentary laser consultation today—we’ll custom-map settings, provide a medical-grade healing kit, and put you on the fast track to luminous skin.
Credentials you can trust
FDA-cleared fractional CO2 platform
Performed by board-certified providers & laser-safety officers
On-site evidence-based healing protocol (barrier repair + pigment suppressors)
Hello Skin MD—Arizona’s only Facial Longevity Clinic™ with 15 years of laser leadership