What are you looking for?
Fractionated CO2 Laser
CO2 laser resurfacing with the CO2RE Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser effectively rejuvenates the skin by using light energy to remove layers in a columned pattern. This technique leaves an intact cushion of skin surrounding each treated area, promoting faster healing. It is a laser treatment for wrinkles, scars, and environmental damage, making it an excellent choice for restoring a youthful appearance.
For those looking for a gentler alternative, Erbium laser skin resurfacing targets fine lines, age spots, and mild imperfections with minimal downtime. The Erbium laser works by precisely removing damaged skin, encouraging the production of fresh, new skin that is tighter, smoother, and more even in tone.
CO2RE is different from most fractional laser systems, because it uses two types of beams to penetrate different depths of skin at the same time. This means it can treat a variety of issues, in some cases, in a single treatment. Because of this dual-beam system, CO2RE is an excellent option to simultaneously treat lines and age spots. It’s mostly used on the face, but it could also treat the neck, chest, and hands.
Our Fractionated CO2 Laser services are available at our Winter Park West, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach locations.
Who is it for?
The Fractionated laser treatment is best for patients with light skin who have deep scars, extensive sun damage, signs of aging, and irregular pigmentation. It is an effective laser for acne scars, helping to smooth skin texture and reduce the appearance of deep blemishes. This treatment also serves as a laser for pigmentation, addressing uneven skin tone and discoloration caused by sun damage or aging.
This treatment may be too intense if you have mild pigmentation issues, scarring, or fine lines. Check out our other laser treatments, such as elōs Plus or Vbeam Perfecta, which may be just right for achieving a more even, youthful complexion.
If you have darker skin, schedule a consultation prior to treatment because lasers carry a risk of hyperpigmentation. (A series of very gentle CO2RE treatments or chemical peels may be your safest option, but our doctors can help you make the best decision.) For those looking for an effective laser treatment for acne scars, CO2RE and Erbium laser resurfacing can help reduce scarring and improve skin texture.
It’s not recommended for tattooed skin, pregnant women, deeply tanned patients, or patients who have taken Accutane or another isotretinoin in the past six months. If you have a history of cold sores or herpes, let your doctor know because this may influence your healing process. It’s a good idea to stop applying harsh exfoliants or acne treatments two days prior to treatment to minimize sensitivity and irritation.
What is treatment like?
Depending on the size and location of your treatment area, you may be given a sedative or pain med that makes you drowsy. Check with your doctor ahead of time to see if it’s okay to drive yourself to and from treatment. You’ll receive a topical anesthetic, and then a “wand” is smoothed over the treatment area. This wand delivers the lasers to your epidermis and dermis, in a process that may take up to an hour. You’ll feel and look sunburned for a day or two, and you’ll need a week to fully recover. You should avoid makeup and skin care products for about a week. Depending on the treatment area and your personal goals, one treatment may be enough. Other cases require a few treatments.
What are the results?
You’ll see a significant evening of skin tone and a reduction in lines and wrinkles. If you keep the treatment area moisturized and protected from the sun, you should continue to see improvement for up to nine months following treatment. These results are semi-permanent to permanent, which means you may never need another treatment, or you may need a maintenance treatment in a year or a few years.
Patients from Daytona Beach, Clermont, Orlando, and Altamonte Springs can visit our clinics for advanced laser treatments for long-lasting skin rejuvenation. With proper skin care and follow-up treatments as needed, you can enjoy a smoother, more youthful complexion for years to come.
Physicians who perform this procedure:
Dermatology & Allergy for Fractionated CO2 Laser
At Mid Florida Dermatology & Allergy, our physicians are trained in both CO2 laser resurfacing and erbium laser skin resurfacing, giving us the depth of expertise to match the right technology to your specific concerns. Patients who need laser for acne scars, or have uneven tone requiring laser for pigmentation correction, or visible aging that calls for laser treatment for wrinkles, will find a team that never takes a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our fractionated laser treatment protocols are built around your skin type, goals, and recovery timeline. For proven, personalized laser treatment for acne scars and beyond, Mid Florida is Central Florida’s trusted choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Co2 laser resurfacing delivers the strongest results for patients with fair to medium skin tones dealing with deep wrinkles, pronounced acne scarring, significant sun damage, or uneven pigmentation that hasn't improved with gentler treatments.
Initial improvement appears once the skin heals within two weeks, but the full effect of laser for acne scars continues to develop over up to nine months as new collagen forms and remodels beneath the surface.
Yes. Discontinue harsh exfoliants and active acne products two days before laser treatment for wrinkles. If you have a history of cold sores, our experts may also prescribe antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak during healing.
Darker skin tones carry a heightened risk of hyperpigmentation with ablative lasers. Patients seeking laser for pigmentation are advised to consult with a physician first, as gentler setting sequences or chemical peels may be the safest alternative.
Erbium is milder and better suited for minor imperfections with less downtime, while fractionated laser treatment with CO2RE penetrates deeper and delivers more dramatic corrections for significant scarring, deep wrinkles, and extensive sun damage.
Yes, CO2RE can treat the neck, chest, and hands in addition to the face, making it effective for patients who want to address sun damage and aging across multiple body areas in a coordinated treatment plan.
Most patients take about one week away from public-facing or professional settings due to redness and peeling. Your physician can advise on realistic timing based on the extent of your treatment area.
A single session often delivers meaningful, long-lasting results, but the total number of treatments depends on the depth of your skin concerns and your goals. Your physician will discuss realistic expectations at the consultation.
These procedures are generally spaced apart to allow proper healing, but our physicians can design a sequenced treatment plan that layers complementary services for a more comprehensive rejuvenation outcome over time.
Consistent moisturization, strict sun avoidance, and SPF application are critical. Avoid makeup, retinoids, and active skincare products for at least one week, and follow the personalized post-care protocol our team provides at your appointment.
Before & After
