Which CO2 laser treatment should I have?
The right CO2 laser treatment depends on three things: the skin concern you want treated, your skin tone, and how much recovery time you can manage. There are four levels of CO2 treatment, and Australian clinics using Alma technology offer three of them on one platform, so the practitioner can match the level to you rather than to the machine.
| Treatment level |
Best for |
What it does |
Typical downtime |
Alma option |
| Light CO2 peel |
Dull tone, early fine lines, texture, a refresh before an event |
Very superficial fractional CO2 passes that renew the surface without deep heat |
About 2 to 4 days of redness and light flaking |
Alma PixelPeel on the Pixel CO2 or Hybrid platform (the 7-day regeneration) |
| Fractional CO2 resurfacing |
Deeper wrinkles, sun damage, moderate acne scars |
Treats a grid of micro-columns and leaves the skin between them intact, so healing is faster than full ablation |
About 5 to 7 days |
Alma Pixel CO2 (included in the ARTG, 323941) |
| CO2 plus 1570 nm in one pass |
People who want collagen results with less surface downtime, or who want depth and recovery tuned to them |
Fractional CO2 for the surface and a non-ablative 1570 nm laser for the deeper layer, delivered together; the mix is adjustable |
Set by the practitioner, from a few days to about a week |
Alma Hybrid (included in the ARTG, 321320) |
| Fully ablative CO2 |
Severe scarring or deep wrinkles needing one dramatic correction |
Removes the whole top layer of skin; usually performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon |
About 10 to 14 days, with redness for longer |
Not an Alma treatment; ask about fractional or Hybrid alternatives |
How to choose. Mild texture and tone with little time to recover points to a light peel. Established wrinkles, sun damage or acne scars point to fractional CO2. Darker or olive skin, or a wish to limit surface downtime while still building collagen, points to the Hybrid approach, because the 1570 nm component works below the surface. Your practitioner will confirm the level after looking at your skin; downtime figures above are typical ranges, not promises, and results vary from person to person.
CO2 laser resurfacing removes a controlled layer of damaged skin and heats the tissue beneath it, prompting new collagen as the skin heals. Alma Pixel CO2 delivers this in a fractional pattern, treating a grid of micro-columns and leaving the skin between them intact, which shortens recovery. Alma Hybrid adds a non-ablative 1570 nm laser in the same pass for cases where deeper collagen work with less surface downtime is the aim. Your practitioner will match depth and coverage to your skin and goals.
Skin resurfacing: questions patients ask
What is the difference between the Alma resurfacing options?
Alma Hybrid combines an ablative CO2 laser with a 1570 nm non-ablative laser so the practitioner can set anything from a light treatment to deep resurfacing. Alma Opus uses fractional plasma with a shorter recovery. Alma CO2 is the classic fractional resurfacing for sun damage and lines.
How much downtime should I expect?
From a few days of redness and light peeling for lighter settings to about a week of redness, swelling and crusting for deep treatments. Your clinic will quote a range for the plan it recommends.
Does it hurt?
Numbing cream is used, and most people describe heat and prickling during treatment and a sunburn-like feeling for a day or two afterwards.
How many sessions?
Either one deeper session or a course of two to three lighter ones. Both are valid routes; the choice depends on how much downtime you can take.
Can darker skin be resurfaced?
Cautiously, with lighter settings, test patches and strict sun avoidance. The practitioner will advise if a non-ablative option is safer for you.
What aftercare is needed?
Gentle cleansing, a barrier moisturiser, no picking, and strict sun protection for several weeks.
Where can I find a clinic near me?
Over 450 clinics across Australia and New Zealand use Alma technology. Tell us your suburb and treatment and we will point you to a clinic in your area.
This information is general in nature. Suitability, results and pricing are assessed and set by the treating clinic. Results vary between individuals.
How can I speed up healing after a CO2 laser treatment?
Follow the clinic’s aftercare exactly: keep the skin moist with the recommended ointment or balm, cleanse gently with lukewarm water, avoid picking or scrubbing the flaking skin, sleep with your head slightly raised for the first nights to limit swelling, and stay out of the sun with a broad-spectrum SPF once the skin has closed. Avoid active skincare (retinoids, acids, vitamin C) until the practitioner clears it. Healing is faster after a light PixelPeel than after deeper fractional treatment.
How long after CO2 laser will I see results, and when can I exercise?
Skin looks smoother and brighter once the flaking clears, typically within one to two weeks, and collagen keeps building for two to three months, so the final result is judged around the three-month mark. Most clinics ask you to avoid sweating, heat and vigorous exercise for the first few days after fractional CO2 (less after a light peel) because heat and sweat can irritate healing skin and raise the risk of infection. Your practitioner sets the exact timing.
Can CO2 laser be used on darker skin, and can it cause scarring?
Fractional CO2 carries a higher risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation on olive, brown and darker skin, so many practitioners prefer the Alma Hybrid approach for those skin tones, using more of its 1570 nm non-ablative laser and lighter CO2 settings, or a non-ablative treatment instead. Scarring after CO2 is uncommon and is usually linked to infection, picking, or treatment that was too aggressive for the skin; a consultation, conservative settings and strict aftercare keep the risk low. Results vary from person to person.
Prepared by Alma Lasers Australia, the Australian subsidiary of the manufacturer, from the device documentation, the ARTG entries and the published studies listed on our clinical evidence page. It is general information, not medical advice; a consultation with a qualified practitioner comes first. Last reviewed September 2026.
