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Wound and Scar Care

Scar Treatment CO2 Laser

Doctor-led CO2 laser scar treatment in Manchester, resurfacing and remodelling scarred skin.

Scar Treatment CO2 Laser

Resurfacing and remodelling scarred skin

Scars form when the skin repairs itself after injury, surgery or conditions such as acne. The repaired tissue often has a different texture and colour, and can be indented, raised, tight or uneven. Fractional CO2 laser is one of the most established treatments for improving the look and feel of scars, and it works by treating the skin in a pattern of tiny columns, leaving surrounding skin untouched to speed healing.

At Evolve Aesthetics in Manchester, CO2 laser scar treatment is carried out by doctors, following a detailed assessment of your scar and skin. It forms part of our wound and scar care service, alongside steroid injections, regenerative treatments and surgical scar revision, so we can recommend the most suitable option for you rather than only the treatment we offer.

At a glance

  • Price: From £750
  • Appointment time: Around 45 to 60 minutes including numbing
  • Downtime: Often several days to a week or more
  • Results: Build gradually as skin remodels over months
  • Typical course: Often several sessions spaced weeks to months apart
  • Location: Manchester

Why choose it

What CO2 laser can improve

Textured scars

Indented acne scars and uneven surgical scars can look smoother as the skin remodels.

Tight or stiff scars

Laser can help soften scar tissue, which may improve flexibility in some scars.

Improved tone and quality

Resurfacing can improve the overall look of the skin around the scar.

Collagen remodelling

The controlled injury stimulates new collagen, which continues to develop for months.

How fractional CO2 laser works

The CO2 laser emits energy that is absorbed by water in the skin. In fractional mode, it creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones, each surrounded by healthy tissue. The laser vaporises the damaged skin in these zones, and the body responds by producing new collagen and replacing the treated tissue. Because untreated areas remain between the zones, healing is faster than with older, fully ablative lasers.

Settings, such as depth and density, are chosen according to the scar type, location and your skin. Deeper settings can give more effect but require more recovery and carry more risk. Your doctor will explain this trade-off and choose a plan that fits your priorities, including how much downtime you can accept.

What happens during treatment

Following your consultation, photographs and consent, the area is cleaned and a strong numbing cream is applied for some time. Eye protection is provided for you and the team. The laser is then passed over the scar in controlled passes. You may feel heat, snapping or a pricking sensation, which is why numbing and sometimes cooling are used.

Immediately afterwards, the skin looks red and feels hot, like a bad sunburn, and may appear swollen. Tiny pinpoint marks and a rough, sandpapery feel are common as the skin heals. A soothing ointment is applied. Over the following days, the skin may ooze slightly, crust and peel before new skin appears. The length of recovery depends on the settings used and the area treated.

Aftercare and recovery

Aftercare is critical with laser resurfacing. Your clinician will provide detailed written guidance, which generally includes the following.

Redness can last for weeks, and collagen remodelling continues for several months. You will usually see the best result gradually, and further sessions may be advised, with the interval chosen to allow full healing.

  • Keep the skin clean and moisturised using the products recommended
  • Avoid picking, scratching or peeling crusts and flaking skin
  • Avoid direct sun and use high-factor sunscreen consistently
  • Avoid heat, intense exercise and swimming until healed
  • Contact us if you notice increasing pain, pus, spreading redness or fever

Risks, suitability and skin tone

CO2 laser is a powerful treatment, and risks include prolonged redness, swelling, infection, cold sore flare-ups, pigmentation changes and, rarely, scarring or textural change. Pigment changes are a particular concern for darker skin tones, and treatment requires careful assessment, conservative settings and sometimes skin preparation. Not everyone is suitable, and laser is not recommended in pregnancy, with active infection or after recent isotretinoin use, among other factors.

Results vary, and scars are rarely removed completely. Laser aims to improve their appearance and feel. If your doctor believes another option, such as steroid injections for a raised scar or surgical revision for a wide scar, would give a better result, they will tell you. We also advise that fresh wounds should be fully healed before laser treatment is considered.

Your appointment

What happens at your appointment

01Consultation and scar assessment
02Photographs and consent
03Numbing and eye protection
04Fractional CO2 laser treatment
05Aftercare, dressings and review

Ready to talk about Scar Treatment CO2 Laser? Book a consultation at our Cheetham Hill clinic.

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Related treatments: Intralesional Steroid Injections · Scar Treatment Excision and Resuturing · Microneedling

FAQ

Scar Treatment CO2 Laser FAQs

Numbing cream makes treatment tolerable, but you will feel heat and pricking. Afterwards, the skin feels like it has been sunburned.

It varies with settings, but several days to a week or more of redness, swelling and peeling is common.

Many people need several sessions spaced weeks to months apart. Your doctor will recommend a plan for your scar.

It is commonly used for acne scars and some surgical or injury scars with texture changes. Suitability depends on scar type and your skin.

It can be, but there is a higher risk of pigmentation changes, so treatment needs careful assessment and conservative settings.

Initial healing takes days to weeks, but collagen remodelling continues for several months, so the final result takes time.

CO2 laser scar treatment starts from £750, and the price depends on the area and number of sessions, confirmed at consultation.

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