How CO2 Fractional Laser can help with scars
Scars come from many different causes, and their age, depth and location all affect which resurfacing option is worth considering.
Quick answer
CO2 fractional laser is one of the resurfacing options considered for scars from surgery, injury or other causes at Naomi Waite Aesthetics. Because it works across a treated area rather than a single line, it's often discussed for scars with wider textural change around them. Suitability depends on your scar's type, age and skin, confirmed at consultation.
How CO2 Fractional Laser works on scars
Scars from surgery, injury or other causes vary widely: some are raised, some indented, some pale, some still settling in colour and texture. Because CO2 fractional laser resurfaces the wider surrounding skin as well as the scar itself, it's often discussed where a scar has textural irregularity extending beyond a single line, rather than for a scar that is otherwise flat and stable.
For the underlying treatment mechanism, see our CO2 fractional laser treatment page. For scars specifically, timing matters: a scar's maturity, and whether it is still actively changing, both affect whether resurfacing is appropriate now or better considered later, which your practitioner will assess.
Who CO2 Fractional Laser suits for scars (and when another option may fit better)
CO2 resurfacing tends to be discussed for more established, mature scars with textural change, where the person is comfortable with a more noticeable recovery period and has been assessed as suitable for ablative treatment. It sits alongside Er:YAG laser and RF microneedling as one of several routes for scar texture.
It's less often the first option for scars that are still very new or actively changing, for raised or thickened scarring, or where non-ablative options are preferred for downtime or skin tone reasons. These situations are assessed individually, and in some cases a different treatment, or none yet, is the right recommendation.
What a course looks like at Naomi Waite Aesthetics
A plan for scarring starts with understanding how the scar came about, how long ago, and how it has changed since, alongside an assessment of your skin. This matters more for scars than for many other concerns, since scar tissue behaves differently from surrounding skin and timing can affect the plan.
Because scars can appear on the face or body, and vary hugely in size and cause, your course is built entirely around your individual scar rather than a standard template. Session numbers and spacing are agreed once your scar and skin have been properly assessed.
CO2 Fractional Laser compared with other options for scars
CO2 sits alongside Er:YAG laser, RF microneedling, microneedling and PRP facial as different ways of approaching scarring, each suited to different scar types, ages and skin. Your practitioner will help you weigh these up for your specific scar at consultation.
Aftercare after CO2 Fractional Laser for scars
General aftercare after CO2 resurfacing is covered on our treatment page. For scarred skin specifically, it's worth being aware that scar tissue can sometimes heal a little differently from surrounding skin, so following your practitioner's guidance closely matters.
If your scar is on an area of the body that moves or rubs against clothing, take extra care to protect it while it heals. Sun protection is particularly important over scarred, healing skin, since pigment change is more likely while it recovers.
Frequently asked questions
Questions we're often asked about CO2 fractional laser for scars.
Related guides
Compare CO2 laser with Er:YAG laser and RF microneedling for scars, or see how CO2 resurfacing is used for acne scarring and photoageing.
Book a consultation
Book a consultation in Lancaster to have your scar assessed and discuss whether CO2 resurfacing is a sensible option.
Frequently asked questions
CO2 fractional laser is a recognised resurfacing option that some people use to help improve the appearance of certain scars, though it cannot remove a scar completely or guarantee a specific outcome, and results vary depending on the scar. Whether it's appropriate for your scar is assessed at consultation.
This depends on your scar's type, age and how your skin responds, so we can't quote a number without seeing your scar. Your practitioner will discuss a realistic plan at consultation.
Suitability is based on your skin tone, medical history and the specific characteristics of your scar, not scarring in general. This is always confirmed in person, since ablative resurfacing carries different considerations for different skin types.
General sensation during CO2 treatment is covered on our treatment page. Scar tissue itself can sometimes feel different from surrounding skin during treatment, which your practitioner will explain beforehand.
Any change in a scar's appearance develops gradually as the skin heals and remodels over the weeks following treatment. Your practitioner can give you a realistic sense of timing based on your specific scar.
Both are ablative resurfacing lasers with a different balance of depth and precision, and neither is universally better for scars. The right choice depends on your scar's type and your skin, discussed at consultation.
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