Do you have damaged skin that you wish to repair? Has your skin started to sag? Are you noticing signs of aging and looking for a way to slow the process or even reverse it? Then a laser skin resurfacing treatment like the CO2 laser or the Halo laser are the most effective non-surgical options for you. But which one is better? Read on to decide for yourself.

What Is a CO2 Laser?

CO2 is a nonsurgical treatment for wrinkles, scars, acne, traumatic and/or surgical scars, baggy eyes and sun-damaged skin used mainly by plastic surgeons and dermatologists since 2010.

The CO2 treatment uses an ablative fractional CO² laser for skin resurfacing. Skin is treated with a series of laser pulses to enhance skin tone and texture, eliminate the effects of the sun resulting in aging of the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and smooth out unsightly scars.

The CO2 laser is a carbon dioxide laser that uses targeted beams of light to treat and repair aging and damaged skin. The device emits short, concentrated beams of light to vaporize skin cells and remove the top layer to rejuvenate the skin. While it works on the surface, it also penetrates the skin’s deepest layers to activate collagen production and promote skin tightening and smoothing.

The treatment is safe and effective on fair to light skin tones, however, those with medium to dark skin tones should take caution as the light beams target pigments. While the laser still works on them, it should be used in a light/less intense setting.

What Is a Halo Laser?

The Halo Laser is a combination of an ablative laser and a non-ablative laser to resurface the skin. While the ablative laser works on superficial areas by evaporating the skin’s top layers, the non-ablative laser addresses deeper skin layers and works on micro-traumas. It effectively helps to tighten the skin and promote collagen production.

The Halo laser treatment requires 5-7 days of downtime, however,

Which Laser Is Better?

When deciding between the two lasers to resurface your skin, the main difference can be found in the treatment’s downtime. While the Halo laser works really well on superficial damage (i.e. from the sun), the CO2 laser can work in a more intense setting, targeting more severe skin concerns. Both treatments require around 5-7 days downtime and can cause some pain due to swelling, redness, and your skin flaking immediately after the treatment. This can last a few days but usually resolves within a week. However, CO2 laser patients can see visible results and a dramatic improvement to their skin in just one sitting, while a Halo laser requires around 2-6 treatments as well as maintenance treatments every 6-18 months. Regardless of which one you choose, both are effective in making your skin clearer, smoother, and brighter and are generally excellent treatments when conducted by experienced professionals.