CO2 laser is the treatment I lead with for resurfacing skin that needs real structural change: moderate to severe acne scarring, deep wrinkles that do not respond to Botox or filler, significant sun damage, and texture irregularities. I use the DEKA Tetra CO2 system, and I run a complete protocol around it, priming your skin before treatment and supporting it carefully through healing afterward, because with CO2 the aftercare is as important as the laser itself. Results build gradually over months as your skin remodels and rebuilds collagen.
I do every CO2 treatment myself at our Yorkville clinic, 7 St Thomas Street, Unit 607, Toronto. I'm Wyling Leung, a Registered Nurse, and our medical director is Kelly Ross, Nurse Practitioner. Every CO2 plan starts with a consultation.
This is a serious treatment with real downtime, and it is not right for everyone. A consultation comes first, where I will assess your skin, your concerns, and what is realistic for you.
Real patients treated with the DEKA Tetra CO2 protocol.
Before | 6 months after 1 treatment
Before | 8 months after 2 treatments
How CO2 Works
My CO2 treatment is a complete protocol, not just a single laser pass. It runs in three stages.
One. Skin priming. One to two weeks before treatment we meet to plan, and I start you on medical-grade skincare to prime your skin for the best possible outcome. Good preparation genuinely changes how well you heal.
Two. Treatment day. DEKA Tetra CO2 fractional resurfacing, followed immediately by a PDRN treatment, red light therapy, and an application of Alastin Regenerative Nectar with TriHex technology to support healing from the first moment. Clinical studies show safer, better outcomes when these are combined rather than CO2 alone.
Three. Post-treatment care. Red light therapy every two days through the first week, close monitoring of your healing and results, and medical-grade healing skincare included throughout. With CO2, the aftercare is as important as the laser.
INCLUDED: priming skincare, DEKA Tetra CO2, PDRN, red light therapy, Alastin Nectar, post-care skincare
IN OFFICE: about 90 minutes on treatment day, roughly 45 minutes of active treatment
PRICING: confirmed at your consultation
Fractional CO2 works at depths of roughly 20 to 150 microns, reaching the papillary dermis where real structural change happens. That depth is why it does what gentler resurfacing cannot.
Fractional CO2 has been studied for many years. A 2025 systematic review of fractional laser studies reported that most patients saw a 30 to 70 percent improvement in the appearance of acne scars (Ptaszek, Czernecka and Podsiadlo, Life, 2025). Results vary from person to person, and I will tell you honestly at your consultation what is realistic for your skin.
ACNE SCARS: 30 to 70 percent improvement in appearance for most patients in a 2025 review; results vary
COLLAGEN: up to 3.4 times more new collagen in the weeks after treatment, in a 2012 study of fractional CO2 on forearm skin (Orringer et al., Dermatologic Surgery)
ALSO TREATS: sun damage, fine lines and uneven texture
This protocol is particularly effective for moderate to severe acne scarring, including ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars; deep wrinkles and lines that have not responded to Botox or filler; significant sun damage and texture irregularities; and Fitzpatrick skin types one to four. It suits patients who can commit to five to seven days of recovery.
If you are not sure whether you are a candidate, that is exactly what the consultation is for. I will assess your skin type, your concerns, and your realistic outcomes honestly before you commit to anything.
BEST FOR: moderate to severe acne scarring, deep wrinkles, sun damage, texture
SKIN TYPES: Fitzpatrick I to IV
COMMITMENT: 5 to 7 days of recovery
I believe in being transparent about what this treatment is actually like, because CO2 has real downtime and you deserve to know before you book.
On treatment day, expect about 45 minutes with topical anesthesia. You will feel warmth and mild discomfort, eased by a cooling device. Then healing unfolds in stages: days one to five bring significant redness and swelling, like a sunburn, with social downtime and in-office red light treatments available. Days four to nine bring peeling, scabbing and redness, depending on the intensity of your treatment. Weeks two to four leave residual pinkness that is easily concealed with makeup.
From there, the skin keeps improving over the following months as new collagen forms. In a 2010 study of 13 patients treated with fractional CO2 for acne scars, improvement kept building between 1 and 6 months after the last session (Manuskiatti et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010). Results vary from person to person.
DAY 1 to 5: redness and swelling like a sunburn, social downtime
DAY 4 to 9: peeling, scabbing, redness
WEEKS 2 to 4: residual pinkness, easily concealed
MONTHS 1 to 6: changes keep showing as new collagen forms; results vary
CO2 Laser FAQ
How much downtime is there after CO2 laser?
Plan for about 5 to 7 days of social downtime. I go through the healing timeline with you at your consultation.
How long is the appointment?
Plan for about 90 minutes at the clinic. That includes numbing time before the laser.
How much does CO2 laser cost?
Full face is $1,500 and includes Alastin Skin Nectar for before and after care. Under-eyes are $1,000. 13% HST is added.
Do I need a consultation first, and is there a gentler option?
Yes. Every CO2 treatment starts with a consultation so I can check it suits your skin. If you want less downtime, CoolPeel is the gentler option at $850, with about 12 to 48 hours of downtime.