Treatment duration
Treatment often takes 30–90 minutes plus numbing time. Larger areas or deeper settings take longer.
Ablative fractional resurfacing
CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Rawalpindi
Fractional carbon-dioxide laser creates columns of controlled thermal injury to resurface skin and stimulate remodelling. It can be useful for selected scars and texture but has meaningful downtime and pigment risk, particularly in darker skin.
Treatment explained
What is Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
Ablative fractional CO2 energy vaporises microscopic columns while leaving intervening skin to support healing. Density, energy, passes and treatment area determine depth and recovery. Device availability must be confirmed.
Problems and conditions
What can Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing address?
- Selected atrophic acne scars
- Some surgical or traumatic scars
- Sun-related texture change in appropriate skin
- Fine lines and surface roughness
- Selected enlarged pores
Possible suitability
Who may be a suitable candidate?
- Patients with stable scars and controlled acne
- People who can manage several days of visible wound care
- Patients able to avoid sun and attend follow-up
- Those accepting gradual, partial improvement
Safety screening
Who may not be suitable?
- Active infection, cold sore, acne flare or open wound
- Recent tanning or inability to protect from sun
- Impaired healing, strong keloid tendency or unsafe medicine history
- Patients unable to perform the required wound care
This list is not exhaustive. The treating clinician must confirm contraindications and any condition-specific precautions.
Individual assessment
Consultation and treatment planning
Assessment covers scar type, skin tone, pigment history, cold sores, medicines, prior isotretinoin or resurfacing, smoking and downtime. A test area or a less aggressive method may be preferable.
Step-by-step overview
How the treatment is performed
- Prepare and numbClean the area, protect the eyes and apply the planned anaesthesia.
- Set the deviceChoose energy and density for scar depth, skin type and anatomical zone.
- Treat fractionallyDeliver controlled passes while monitoring the endpoint.
- Begin wound careCool the skin, apply the advised dressing or ointment and review healing.
Anaesthesia or comfort measures
Topical anaesthetic is common; injected local anaesthetic, nerve blocks or additional pain control may be needed for deeper treatment.
The exact technique, setting and anaesthetic plan require confirmation from the treating clinician after examination.
Downtime and healing
Expected recovery period
Oozing and crustingAbout 2–5 days
Gentle wound care is important.
Visible redness and peelingAbout 7–14 days
Makeup waits until the surface has healed.
Persistent redness or pigment riskWeeks to months
Collagen remodelling and colour change require follow-up.
When results may become apparent
Texture may improve progressively over several months. Deep ice-pick or tethered scars often need focal treatment or subcision; one laser session does not erase all scars.
Recovery and result timing are general ranges, not guarantees. Your written instructions and review findings take priority.
Potential benefits
What the treatment may offer
- Simultaneous surface resurfacing and collagen remodelling
- Adjustable fractional coverage
- Potential improvement in selected scars and fine texture
- Can be part of a staged combination plan
Informed consent
Risks, limitations and complications
- Prolonged redness, swelling and discomfort
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
- Infection, acne or cold-sore flare
- Scarring, delayed healing or persistent texture change
Before treatment
Preparation instructions
- Share your medicines, allergies, pregnancy status, tendency to cold sores and history of pigment or scar problems.
- Avoid deliberate tanning and protect the area from strong sun before treatment.
- Pause irritating acids, retinoids or exfoliants only when the treating clinician tells you to do so.
- Arrive with clean skin and no makeup, fragranced product or active product on the treatment area.
After treatment
Aftercare
- Use the gentle cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sun protection advised for your skin.
- Do not pick flakes, crusts or spots; allow the treated surface to heal naturally.
- Avoid unapproved active products, scrubs, heat and heavy exercise for the advised interval.
- Contact the clinic for increasing pain, blistering, spreading redness, discharge, eye symptoms or unexpected pigment change.
Why choose Dr Husnain Aesthetic Clinic?
Experienced plastic-surgery leadership in Rawalpindi
Care is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Husnain Khan, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, MRCS. He has more than 17 years of experience as a plastic surgeon, is Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, has worked in the UK NHS and is listed with GMC reference 7427786.
These credentials do not guarantee an outcome. The purpose of consultation is to decide whether treatment is reasonable for you and explain alternatives, limitations and follow-up.
Personalised quotation
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing cost in Rawalpindi
A responsible quotation follows consultation because price depends on the treatment plan rather than the page name alone. Relevant factors include:
- Area and scar complexity
- Energy, density and number of passes
- Anaesthesia and consumables
- Number of sessions and follow-up care
The published rate-list value is not a guaranteed final quotation. Ask what the written quotation includes and whether future sessions, tests, medicines or follow-up are separate.
Read the treatment-cost planning guide →Patient questions
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing FAQs
Can CO2 laser remove acne scars completely?
No. It can soften selected scars, but complete removal should not be promised.
How long is the downtime?
Visible wound healing commonly takes about one to two weeks; redness or pigment change can last longer.
Is CO2 laser safe for Pakistani skin?
It may be used selectively, but darker skin has a greater pigment risk and may need conservative settings or another method.
How many sessions are needed?
This depends on scar type, treatment intensity, response and risk tolerance.
Is fractional CO2 the same as a non-ablative laser?
No. CO2 is ablative; it removes microscopic skin columns and generally has more downtime than non-ablative treatment.
Can it be combined with subcision?
Combination may be useful for tethered scars but should be staged or planned carefully.
When can I go into the sun?
Direct sun should be avoided during healing, and diligent protection continues for months because pigment risk persists.
What symptoms need urgent advice?
Increasing pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, eye symptoms, blisters or delayed healing require prompt contact.
Independent patient information
Evidence and safety resources
These external resources support further reading. They do not replace advice from the clinician responsible for your care.
Would you like an individual assessment?
Request a private appointment in Rawalpindi. Patients from Islamabad, elsewhere in Pakistan and overseas can ask what information is needed before travelling.
General patient information · Last reviewed 12 September 2026 · This page does not replace an examination, diagnosis or informed-consent discussion.