1 What is the problem?
Photo-ageing (sun damage), fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and enlarged pores. These come from damaged, thinning collagen and an uneven outer layer.
2 The science
Water absorbs infrared light at 2940 nm and 10,600 nm very strongly, so the energy instantly boils the water in cells and removes a thin layer of tissue. The wound-healing response then builds new collagen. Fractional devices treat thousands of microscopic columns and leave untouched skin between them, which makes healing much faster.
3 Key points to remember
- Er:YAG absorbs water ~10× more than CO₂ → shallower, gentler
- CO₂ leaves more heat behind → more tightening
- Fractional = faster recovery than full-surface ablation
- New collagen keeps forming for months
4 What happens during treatment
- 01
Numbing cream is applied
- 02
Laser treats the skin in a grid of micro-columns
- 03
Skin is red and swollen for a few days
- 04
New skin surface forms within 1 week
5 Possible risks
Infection, prolonged redness, pigment changes and, rarely, scarring. Correct settings, skin cooling and experienced hands reduce these risks.
Did you know? The CO₂ laser was invented in 1964 by Kumar Patel at Bell Labs.