Fine lines, sun damage, uneven texture, and acne scars can be difficult to address with topical skincare alone. Laser resurfacing offers another approach by using controlled laser energy to target damaged skin and stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process.
But “laser resurfacing” does not refer to one specific treatment. It is a broad category that includes different laser technologies and treatment methods. Some treatments target microscopic sections of the skin, while others resurface an entire treatment area. Some remove targeted tissue, while others work primarily by heating deeper layers of the skin.
Understanding these differences can make it much easier to compare your options.
Below, we break down the major types of laser resurfacing, including fractional vs. full-field resurfacing, ablative vs. non-ablative lasers, and CO₂ laser treatments. We’ll also explain where treatments such as Solaria fractional CO₂ resurfacing fit within these categories.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a medical-aesthetic treatment that delivers focused light energy to targeted areas of the skin. Depending on the technology and treatment settings, that energy can remove damaged tissue, heat deeper skin layers, stimulate collagen production, or combine several of these effects.
Laser resurfacing may be used to improve concerns such as:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven or rough skin texture
- Sun damage and discoloration
- Acne scars and other textural irregularities
- Enlarged pores
- Signs of skin aging
One advantage of laser resurfacing is that treatment intensity can often be customized. A patient seeking subtle skin renewal may require a very different approach from someone addressing deeper wrinkles or more noticeable acne scarring.
The first step in understanding your options is knowing how laser treatments are classified.
Understanding the Different Types of Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing treatments are commonly described in two different ways:
- Fractional vs. full-field describes how much of the skin’s surface the laser treats.
- Ablative vs. non-ablative describes how the laser interacts with the skin and whether it removes targeted tissue.
These terms are not mutually exclusive.
Think of them as two different ways of describing the same treatment. A laser can be fractional and ablative at the same time. Likewise, fractional technologies can be either ablative or non-ablative.
For example, Solaria is a fractional ablative CO₂ laser. “Fractional” describes its treatment pattern, “ablative” describes how it interacts with tissue, and “CO₂” describes the laser technology itself.
Understanding these overlapping categories makes it much easier to compare different laser resurfacing options.
Fractional vs. Full-Field Laser Resurfacing
One of the biggest differences between laser resurfacing treatments is how much of the skin is treated during a session.
What Is Fractional Laser Resurfacing?
Fractional laser resurfacing delivers laser energy in a pattern of microscopic treatment zones rather than treating the entire skin surface.
Small areas of untreated skin remain between these treatment zones. This surrounding tissue supports healing, which generally allows fractional resurfacing to have a less extensive recovery than comparable full-field treatments.
Fractional resurfacing may offer benefits such as:
- Collagen stimulation and skin remodeling
- Improvement in fine lines and uneven texture
- Treatment of certain types of acne scars
- Less extensive recovery than full-field resurfacing
- Adjustable treatment intensity
However, fractional does not automatically mean gentle.
Some fractional treatments are relatively mild, while fractional ablative resurfacing can be quite intensive. Laser technology, treatment depth, energy settings, and the number of passes all influence the overall treatment experience and recovery.
What Is Full-Field Laser Resurfacing?
Full-field resurfacing treats the entire targeted skin surface rather than creating microscopic treatment zones separated by untreated skin.
Because it treats a larger percentage of the surface at once, full-field resurfacing is generally more intensive than fractional resurfacing. Consider it when more substantial resurfacing is appropriate for concerns such as pronounced wrinkles, significant sun damage, or certain types of scarring.
Full-field resurfacing typically:
- Treats the entire targeted surface
- Provides more extensive resurfacing
- Requires a longer or more involved recovery
- May be appropriate when deeper or more comprehensive resurfacing is desired
The right approach depends on your skin, treatment goals, the concern you’re addressing, and how much recovery time you can accommodate.
Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Another important distinction is whether the laser is ablative or non-ablative.
Rather than describing how much skin is treated, these terms describe how laser energy interacts with tissue.
Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Ablative lasers remove targeted portions of the skin while also creating controlled thermal effects within the underlying tissue. This stimulates a healing response and collagen remodeling as the skin recovers.
CO₂ and Erbium are examples of ablative laser technologies.
Ablative resurfacing may:
- Improve deeper lines and wrinkles
- Smooth uneven or rough texture
- Improve certain types of scarring
- Address visible signs of sun damage
- Provide more substantial resurfacing than less intensive approaches
Because ablative treatments remove tissue, they generally require more recovery and aftercare than non-ablative treatments.
Ablative resurfacing can also be fractional or full-field. For example, Solaria delivers ablative CO₂ energy in microscopic treatment zones, making it a fractional ablative treatment.
Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Non-ablative lasers primarily heat targeted layers beneath the skin without removing the surface, unlike ablative lasers.
The controlled heat stimulates collagen and elastin remodeling while causing less disruption to the epidermis.
Non-ablative treatments are often considered for people who want gradual improvement with less recovery. Depending on the technology, they may address early signs of aging, mild texture concerns, pigmentation, or general skin rejuvenation.
Potential advantages include:
- Less surface disruption
- Generally shorter recovery
- Gradual collagen remodeling
- Treatment options for patients who do not want more intensive resurfacing
Because these treatments are typically less aggressive than ablative resurfacing, providers may recommend a series of sessions to achieve the desired improvement.
What Is CO₂ Laser Resurfacing?
CO₂ laser resurfacing is an ablative treatment that uses carbon dioxide laser energy to remove targeted tissue and stimulate a controlled healing response.
It is commonly used to address concerns such as:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun-damaged skin
- Uneven texture
- Certain acne scars
- Other visible signs of skin aging
Importantly, CO₂ does not automatically mean full-field resurfacing.
CO₂ describes the type of laser being used. Providers can deliver CO₂ energy using different treatment patterns, including fractional or full-field resurfacing.
Fractional CO₂ treatment creates microscopic treatment zones with areas of untreated skin between them. Full-field CO₂ resurfacing treats the entire targeted surface.
This lets providers choose different approaches based on the patient’s concerns, skin characteristics, desired level of resurfacing, and tolerance for downtime.
At Evexia Medspa, we offer Solaria CO₂ laser resurfacing as a fractional ablative option for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.
Fractional vs. Full-Field Laser Resurfacing at a Glance
| Fractional Laser Resurfacing | Full-Field Laser Resurfacing | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Pattern | Microscopic treatment zones | Entire targeted surface |
| Untreated Skin Between Zones | Yes | No |
| Intensity | Can range from mild to intensive | Generally more intensive |
| Recovery | Generally less extensive | Generally more extensive |
| Treatment Goals | Depends on technology, skin, and goals | Depends on skin, goals and resurfacing depth |
The key point is that fractional does not necessarily mean mild. A fractional ablative treatment can still produce substantial resurfacing and require meaningful recovery depending on the settings used.
How Different CO₂ Resurfacing Treatments Compare
Not all CO₂ treatments are performed the same way.
CO₂ describes the laser technology, while terms such as fractional and full-field describe how that energy is delivered across the treatment area. This means two treatments can both use CO₂ energy but differ considerably in coverage, intensity, and recovery.
CoolPeel, Solaria, and traditional full-field CO₂ resurfacing illustrate these differences.
CoolPeel
CoolPeel is a fractional CO₂ treatment that uses short energy pulses to create microscopic treatment zones while limiting unnecessary heat buildup in surrounding tissue.
Because it uses fractional delivery, untreated skin remains between the treatment zones.
Solaria Fractional CO₂
Solaria is also a fractional ablative CO₂ laser. It uses microbeam technology to deliver targeted CO₂ energy into microscopic treatment zones while leaving surrounding areas untreated.
Treatment settings can be customized based on the patient’s skin concerns and desired level of resurfacing.
Traditional Full-Field CO₂ Resurfacing
Traditional full-field CO₂ resurfacing treats the entire targeted surface rather than leaving untreated areas between microscopic treatment zones.
This generally creates more extensive resurfacing and requires a more involved recovery than fractional approaches.
The easiest way to understand the distinction is:
- CoolPeel: Fractional CO₂ resurfacing using short pulses designed to limit heat buildup
- Solaria: Fractional ablative CO₂ resurfacing using targeted microbeam technology
- Traditional full-field CO₂: CO₂ resurfacing that treats the entire targeted surface
All three involve CO₂ laser technology, but their treatment patterns and energy delivery differ.
The right approach depends on how much resurfacing you need, your skin concerns, and how much downtime you are comfortable with.
Which Type of Laser Resurfacing Is Used for Acne Scars?
No single laser resurfacing treatment is appropriate for every type of acne scar.
Acne scars vary considerably in depth, shape, and appearance. Rolling scars, boxcar scars, and ice pick scars, for example, may respond differently to treatment.
Factors that can influence treatment recommendations include:
- The type and depth of your scars
- Your skin tone and risk of pigmentation changes
- Whether discoloration is also present
- Previous acne scar treatments
- Your skin’s response to prior procedures
- The amount of downtime you can accommodate
CO₂ laser resurfacing may be appropriate for certain types of acne scarring when more significant skin remodeling is needed. Fractional ablative treatments can target microscopic areas while stimulating the skin’s healing response.
Non-ablative options may also be considered in some cases, particularly when a less intensive approach is preferred.
Significant improvement may be possible, but laser resurfacing cannot guarantee complete scar removal.
For a closer look at CO₂ technologies, read The Best CO₂ Lasers for Skin Rejuvenation: Comparing Today’s Most Advanced Systems.
How Do You Choose a Laser Resurfacing Treatment?
Choosing a laser shouldn’t come down to finding the strongest treatment available.
The right level of resurfacing depends on what you want to improve, your skin characteristics, and the recovery time you’re willing or able to accommodate.
Your provider may consider:
- Your primary skin concerns
- Your skin type and tone
- The depth or severity of the concern
- Your desired degree of improvement
- Your available downtime
- Previous aesthetic treatments
- Your history of pigmentation changes or other skin reactions
- Your expectations for treatment
Someone addressing mild textural changes may not need the same treatment intensity as someone with deeper acne scars or more pronounced photodamage.
Likewise, more intensive treatment isn’t automatically the better option. The goal is to choose an approach that balances treatment intensity, expected improvement, safety considerations, and recovery.
Treatments That Can Complement Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing can address several skin concerns, but it doesn’t need to be the only treatment in a long-term skin rejuvenation plan.
Depending on what you want to improve, your provider may recommend combining or alternating resurfacing with treatments that target different aspects of the skin.
Options available at Evexia Medspa include:
- Morpheus8 for radiofrequency microneedling and deeper skin remodeling
- QuantumRF for nonsurgical skin tightening and toning
- Microneedling for collagen stimulation and textural concerns
- Chemical Peels for exfoliation and pigmentation concerns
- IPL Skin Rejuvenation for spots and redness
- HydraFacial for cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration
The right combination depends on the concerns being treated and how each technology fits into your overall treatment plan.
Explore Laser Resurfacing at Evexia Medspa
With so many terms used to describe laser resurfacing, choosing a treatment can feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Remember: there is no single “best” laser for everyone. Fractional vs. full-field and ablative vs. non-ablative treatments each offer different levels of resurfacing, recovery, and customization.
A consultation lets your provider evaluate your skin, discuss what you want to improve, and determine which combination of laser technology, treatment depth, and intensity makes sense for your goals.
Evexia Medspa offers Solaria CO₂ laser resurfacing for patients considering fractional ablative skin resurfacing.
Schedule a consultation with Evexia Medspa to learn whether laser resurfacing is appropriate for your skin and what your personalized treatment plan could include.
Laser Resurfacing FAQs
What are the different types of laser resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing can be categorized in several ways. Fractional and full-field describe how much of the skin’s surface is treated, while ablative and non-ablative describe how the laser interacts with the tissue. These categories can overlap. For example, a treatment can be both fractional and ablative.
What is the difference between fractional and full-field resurfacing?
Fractional resurfacing creates microscopic treatment zones separated by areas of untreated skin. Full-field resurfacing treats the entire targeted surface. Fractional treatments generally involve less extensive recovery, although treatment intensity can vary considerably.
What is CO₂ laser resurfacing?
CO₂ laser resurfacing uses carbon dioxide laser energy to remove targeted tissue and stimulate a controlled healing response. CO₂ treatments can use different delivery patterns, including fractional and full-field resurfacing.
Is CO₂ laser resurfacing ablative?
Yes. CO₂ lasers are ablative technologies. However, an ablative CO₂ laser can be delivered fractionally or across the full treatment field. Solaria, for example, is a fractional ablative CO₂ laser.
Which type of laser resurfacing is used for acne scars?
The appropriate treatment depends on the type and depth of the scars, your skin tone, previous treatments, and other individual factors. Fractional ablative CO₂ resurfacing may be considered for certain acne scars, while other scars may require a different approach or combination of treatments.
Is fractional laser resurfacing better than full-field resurfacing?
Neither approach is universally better. Fractional resurfacing generally offers a less extensive recovery, while full-field resurfacing provides more comprehensive treatment of the skin’s surface. The appropriate choice depends on the concern being treated and the desired level of resurfacing.
What is the difference between CoolPeel and traditional CO₂ resurfacing?
CoolPeel is a fractional CO₂ treatment that uses short energy pulses and creates microscopic treatment zones. Traditional full-field CO₂ resurfacing treats the entire targeted skin surface. Both use CO₂ energy, but the treatment pattern, intensity, and expected recovery can differ.
Is Solaria a fractional CO₂ laser?
Yes. Solaria is a fractional ablative CO₂ laser. It delivers CO₂ energy through microscopic treatment zones rather than treating the entire skin surface at once.
