How CO2 Fractional Laser can help with acne scarring

Acne scarring is rarely a single mark. It tends to show as a mix of shallow depressions, uneven texture and sometimes leftover pigment changes spread across the cheeks, jaw or temples. Because CO2 fractional laser treats the whole surface it is applied to, rather than working on one blemish at a time, it is often considered where scarring reads as an overall texture change rather than a handful of distinct scars.

For a full explanation of how the laser itself creates this effect, see our CO2 fractional laser treatment page. What matters for acne scarring specifically is that the pattern, depth and history of your scarring, and how your skin has responded to previous breakouts, all influence whether this kind of resurfacing is a sensible starting point or whether another route is more appropriate.

CO2 resurfacing tends to suit people with more established textural scarring who are comfortable with a more noticeable recovery period, and whose skin type and colouring have been assessed as suitable for ablative treatment. It is one of the more assertive resurfacing options we offer, so it is often discussed alongside Er:YAG laser and RF microneedling rather than in isolation.

It may fit less well where scarring is very shallow, where pigment-prone skin makes ablative treatment riskier, or where a gentler, more gradual approach is preferred. A consultation, which may include assessment with our skin scanner, helps determine which route suits your scarring pattern and skin.

Any course for acne scarring begins with a consultation to look at your scarring pattern, skin type and history of breakouts, since active or recent acne can change the plan. From there, treatment is planned around your specific scarring rather than a fixed protocol, and your practitioner will explain what to expect for your skin and scarring specifically.

Because acne scarring can sit alongside ongoing skin concerns such as enlarged pores or occasional breakouts, your plan may combine CO2 resurfacing with other steps, for example a period of skin preparation, before or between sessions. Exact numbers and timings are confirmed at consultation rather than set in advance.

CO2 sits alongside Er:YAG laser, RF microneedling, microneedling, plasma skin tightening and medical microdermabrasion as different ways of approaching acne scarring, each with a different balance of intensity, depth and downtime. Which one suits you best depends on your scarring pattern and skin, so this is worked through at consultation rather than decided from a webpage.

Alongside the general aftercare guidance covered on our CO2 fractional laser page, acne-prone skin needs a little extra thought during recovery. Because breakouts can still occur while skin is healing, keeping the area clean and avoiding picking or heavy makeup for the period your practitioner advises matters more than it might for other resurfacing goals.

If you are prone to breakouts, mention this at consultation so aftercare and any supporting skincare can be planned around both your scarring and your ongoing skin. Sun protection is particularly important for scarred, healing skin, since new pigment change is possible while skin recovers.

A few of the questions we're asked most often about CO2 fractional laser for acne scarring.

Read more about Er:YAG laser, RF microneedling and other acne-scarring options, or see how CO2 resurfacing is used for other concerns such as texture and photoageing.

The best way to find out whether CO2 fractional laser suits your acne scarring is a consultation at Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster, where your skin and scarring pattern are assessed in person.