Fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing is an ablative treatment that removes the outer skin in microscopic columns and heats the dermis so the skin rebuilds collagen, improving wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, and sun damage. At Santa Barbara Face & Body in Santa Barbara, California, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon performs it with the Lumenis AcuPulse, after assessing whether it suits the patient’s skin type.
CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser resurfacing is an ablative laser treatment that creates controlled microscopic treatment zones in the skin, removing damaged tissue and thermally stimulating new collagen and elastin. Fractionated treatment leaves areas of untreated skin between these microscopic columns, supporting healing while improving fine lines and wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, uneven texture and sun-related pigmentation.
What it does
CO2 laser resurfacing works from the surface down, removing damage and rebuilding collagen.
- Smooths texture and scars. Improves acne and surgical scars and rough, uneven texture.
- Softens wrinkles. Reduces fine lines and deeper facial wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth.
- Clears sun damage. Addresses sun-related pigmentation and photoaging.
As the skin heals, it lays down new collagen and elastin, which is what tightens and smooths the surface over the following months.
How it works
The Lumenis AcuPulse delivers precise energy that removes the outer skin and heats the dermis in a controlled way. Fractionated treatment targets microscopic columns and leaves healthy skin between them, so healing is faster and complications fewer. Visible healing takes roughly one to two weeks, and the collagen result continues to develop over three to six months, with rigorous sun protection essential throughout.
Whether CO2 is the right laser for your skin at all, and the right settings for it, is what the consultation determines.
Why fractionated, with the AcuPulse
Fractionated CO2 with the Lumenis AcuPulse delivers ablative and thermal energy through microscopic treatment columns, leaving untreated skin between them to support healing and make recovery more manageable.
What matters most is not the machine but the settings: depth, density, and energy are individualized to your skin type and concern, which is where a physician’s judgment counts.
What CO2 laser works with
This is what the consultation assesses, because skin type drives both safety and result.
| What you have | What it means | The plan |
|---|---|---|
| Acne scars, rough texture | A core CO2 indication | Fractionated CO2 |
| Deep wrinkles, heavy sun damage | May suit deeper settings | Fractionated CO2, deeper settings |
| A deeper skin tone | Higher pigment-change risk | A gentler option may be safer |
| Active acne or a skin infection | Not ready to treat | Treat that first |
| Current or recent isotretinoin use | Requires individual assessment | Discuss timing with Dr. Pontius |
The value is not the list. It is that a facial plastic surgeon reads your skin type honestly and recommends the right resurfacing for your skin, even when that means a gentler treatment than CO2.
Why Santa Barbara Face & Body
CO2 is powerful, and its risks, especially pigment change in darker skin, come down to judgment and skin-type expertise. Dr. Pontius is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and she assesses your skin type before recommending any laser, chooses the gentlest approach that will achieve your goal, and is candid when a different treatment, such as microneedling, is the safer choice for your skin. Honest, skin-type-aware resurfacing is the standard here.
- Have acne scars, wrinkles, or sun damage you want resurfaced
- Have a skin type suited to ablative laser, confirmed at consultation
- Can take one to two weeks of visible healing
- Will commit to rigorous sun protection afterward
- Have a deeper skin tone, where pigment-change risk is higher
- Have active acne or a skin infection that should be treated first
- Are currently taking or have recently taken isotretinoin
- Are prone to cold sores, where preventive medication is needed
What to expect
Dr. Pontius examines your skin, asks about your history including any tendency to pigment or scar, and determines your skin type, because that drives both what is safe and what will work. She explains what the treatment and recovery involve, the settings she would use, and the sun protection required. If CO2 is not the safest choice for your skin, she will tell you and offer a gentler option. You leave with an honest, skin-specific plan.
What it costs
CO2 laser resurfacing is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on the mode, the area, and whether more than one session is planned. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled.
- What it is
- Fractionated ablative laser resurfacing that rebuilds collagen
- Treats
- Wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, sun damage
- Device
- Lumenis AcuPulse, fractionated CO2
- Recovery
- About one to two weeks of visible healing
- Performed by
- Dr. Allison Pontius, board-certified facial plastic surgeon
CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Santa Barbara, CA
CO2 laser resurfacing renews the skin from within — smoothing texture, softening fine lines, and undoing years of sun damage. Here in Santa Barbara, Dr. Pontius tailors each treatment to your skin so the result looks refreshed and natural, never overdone. If you’d like clearer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin, we’d love to help you get there. Fill out the form below or call us at (805) 764-9074.