CO2 Laser

Scars

CO2 laser for acne scars

CO2 laser for acne scars in Hale, Altrincham

Soften the dents left by acne and improve uneven skin texture with laser treatment that encourages your skin to make new collagen.

The spots may have settled years ago, but the little dips across your cheeks can still catch your eye in a mirror or photograph. Fractional CO2 laser treats the skin around and within suitable indented acne scars, helping soften their edges and make the surface look smoother. Dr Alex will assess the scars at SONÜ and explain where laser is likely to make a useful difference.

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Treatment with Dr Alex, who has taught and demonstrated CO2 laser treatment internationally.

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Main aim
Smoother skin texture
Treatment
Fractional CO2 laser
Sessions
An individual plan
Recovery
Depends on the scar plan

What you might be noticing

The acne has gone, but the texture is still there

Scars can look quite different from one room or photograph to the next. You might barely notice them in one mirror, then find yourself checking them in another.

Dents that catch the light

Your cheeks may look fairly smooth straight on, then much more uneven near a window or under bright overhead lights. It's the dips and their shadows that stand out.

Make-up covers colour, not texture

Foundation can even out red or brown marks, but the little pits are still visible. Adding more can make the surface look heavier without hiding the dents.

A mix of different scars

You may have a few deeper pits alongside wider, shallower dips. It's hard to know which treatment to choose when everything is described simply as 'acne scarring'.

At a glance

The practical details

Scar treatment starts with the type of scars you have and the improvement you're hoping for.

Main aim
Smoother skin texture
Softens the appearance of suitable indented scars; complete scar removal isn't the aim.
Treatment
Fractional CO2 laser
Uses the SmartXide Punto to resurface the skin and encourage collagen repair.
Sessions
An individual plan
More than one treatment may be useful. The number depends on your scars and their response.
Recovery
Depends on the scar plan
The depth and coverage can be adjusted. Dr Alex will explain how much redness and crusting to expect for the scars being treated.
Consultation
£75
Treatment is quoted after assessment, with the area and any further sessions discussed separately.

The change to look for

Scars that interrupt the skin's surface less

A worthwhile result can mean softer edges to the dents and a more even appearance across the cheeks or other treated areas.

Improvement develops as the skin heals and collagen remodels. The early swelling can temporarily make scars look shallower, so the result is judged after that has settled and the skin has had time to change. Deep scars may remain visible even when the overall texture is better.

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Less pronounced edges around suitable indented scars.

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A smoother appearance across areas with uneven texture.

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A reduction in the visibility of some shallow dips.

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Gradual improvement that can be assessed before deciding on further treatment.

Is it right for you?

Different scars need different plans

Dr Alex will look at the shape, depth and distribution of the scars, as well as your skin tone and whether acne is still active.

Indented scars
Fractional CO2 can help suitable depressed scars, including some wider, shallow depressions. These are different from flat red or brown marks left after a spot.
A mixture of pits and dips
Very narrow, deep pits or scars pulled down by tissue underneath may need another approach as part of the plan. Resurfacing alone won't necessarily address every scar on your face.
Acne that has settled
If you are still getting inflamed spots, getting those under control usually comes first. That helps avoid treating old scars while new ones are forming.

Skin colour matters

Preparation may be part of your treatment

Skin that readily develops dark marks after a spot can also develop pigment changes after laser. Dr Alex will assess that risk, discuss any preparation and explain whether another option is better suited to your skin.

How it works

Helping scarred skin remodel

The CO2 laser creates tiny treatment points that trigger a healing response and new collagen production.

Treating selected areas of scarred skin can soften the edges and improve the uneven surface. Because the laser is fractional, untreated skin remains between the points to help healing. The depth and coverage are adjusted to the scar pattern rather than applying one identical treatment to every cheek.

Your appointment

Planning treatment around your scars

You don't need to identify the scar types yourself. Start with what bothers you and what you'd like to improve.

Consultation

Look closely at the skin

Dr Alex examines the scars and any remaining acne, reviews previous treatment and asks about medicines, cold sores and how your skin heals. He'll explain which scars may respond to CO2 and where another approach may be needed.
Before treatment

Agree the area and prepare

You'll receive a plan for skincare and sun protection. Retinol and exfoliating acids are usually paused for a week unless a specific preparation plan says otherwise. The treatment area, fee and likely recovery are agreed before you go ahead.
On the day

Numb and treat

Strong numbing cream is usually applied for around 30 minutes. Dr Alex also uses nerve blocks for stronger CO2 work. With appropriate eye protection in place, he treats the agreed areas; warmth or stinging may still be felt.
After treatment

Heal, then assess the change

The skin initially feels sunburned and may become dry, crusted or flaky. Follow the aftercare and avoid picking. The result is reviewed after healing and collagen changes have had time to develop, rather than judging it from the first few days.

Why Dr Alex

CO2 experience and a careful assessment of your scars

Dr Alex has presented and demonstrated CO2 laser treatment internationally and won Best SmartXide Transformation at the Lynton Excellence Awards 2023.

For acne scars, choosing the treatment starts with examining the skin. A broad shallow dip, a deep narrow pit and a flat dark mark are different problems. He'll explain which part of your concern the laser can improve, what may need another approach and whether the likely change is worth the recovery for you.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Safety and aftercare

Giving the skin time to heal

Redness, heat, tenderness and swelling can follow treatment. Crusting, dryness or peeling may occur as the surface heals, and redness can remain for longer.

Possible side effects

Possible complications include infection, cold-sore outbreaks, persistent redness, darker or lighter patches, delayed healing, burns and scarring. The risk of pigment changes is particularly relevant if your skin easily marks after inflammation.

When to get urgent help

Contact the clinic promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness, blisters, pus or fever. Seek urgent advice through NHS 111 if you cannot reach the clinic. Eye pain or any change in vision needs immediate assessment at an eye emergency service or A&E.

When treatment may need to wait

Active acne or another infection in the area may need treatment first. Tell Dr Alex about current or recent isotretinoin, other medication, a tendency to form raised scars, problems with healing, recent sun exposure, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Don't stop prescribed acne treatment without advice.

Your aftercare will explain how to clean and moisturise the skin, protect it from the sun and contact the clinic if you're worried.

Treatment costs

CO2 acne-scar treatment prices

Your acne-scar treatment is quoted after assessment. For reference, listed fractional CO2 fees are £500 for a small area and £1,500 for the face, per session.

Your acne-scar treatment plan
Agreed at consultationfor your agreed treatment plan
Fractional CO2 small-area reference
£500per session; reference only
Fractional CO2 face reference
£1,500per session; reference only
Your scar treatment is quoted after assessment. The reference fees are not a fixed price for every acne-scar plan.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
A laser consultation is £75, charged separately. Dr Alex will confirm which treatment applies to your scars and explain the cost of any proposed course before you decide.

Your questions

More about CO2 laser for acne scars

The questions that help make sense of the treatment choices.

Can CO2 laser remove acne scars completely?
It can make suitable scars less noticeable, but complete removal isn't a realistic promise. The aim is a smoother surface with softer scar edges. Dr Alex will explain the likely improvement for your particular scars rather than give everyone the same percentage.
Which acne scars does it help?
It may help suitable indented scars, including some rolling and boxcar scars. Very deep ice-pick scars and scars tethered underneath often need a different or combined approach. Raised scars require separate assessment. You don't need to know the names before your consultation.
What if the marks are red or brown but the skin is flat?
Those marks are different from dents in the skin. They need an assessment of colour and inflammation rather than automatically following an acne-scar resurfacing plan. If you have both marks and dents, Dr Alex can explain how each might be addressed.
Can I have laser while I'm still getting spots?
Inflamed acne usually needs to be brought under control first. Treating scars while new inflamed spots are developing may mean new scars keep appearing. Tell Dr Alex about all acne medication, including current or recent isotretinoin, so he can advise on timing.
Can older acne scars still improve?
Yes, the fact that the acne happened years ago doesn't automatically rule out treatment. The shape and depth of the scars, your skin and the treatment chosen matter more than having a very recent scar. An examination is the useful starting point.
How many sessions will I need?
More than one may be recommended, particularly for a mixture of scars. Dr Alex will discuss a likely plan and reassess how the skin responds. Sessions need to allow for healing and developing results; there isn't a fixed course that suits every face.
How painful is it?
Numbing cream is used before treatment, and nerve blocks are available for stronger CO2 work. You may still feel warmth or stinging during the laser and a sunburn-like sensation afterwards. Dr Alex will discuss comfort measures as part of your plan.
How much time should I allow for recovery?
Recovery depends on the depth and coverage needed for your scars. Dr Alex's usual stronger fractional treatment involves around 4-5 days of redness, with tiny crusts shedding by about a week; your scar plan may differ. Much of the downtime is social, so walking the dog or shopping is usually possible with aftercare and sun protection. You may prefer to work from home while the skin looks treated.
Is CO2 suitable for darker skin?
It needs careful assessment because inflammation can leave darker or lighter patches. Preparation, treatment settings and aftercare all matter, and another option may be preferable. Dr Alex will discuss the risks for your skin rather than assume every laser suits every skin tone.
Will the improvement last?
The aim is a lasting change in the scarred skin as it remodels. Skin still ages, and further acne can leave new scars, so controlling breakouts remains important. Once the result has developed, you can decide whether further treatment would add enough benefit to be worthwhile.

Other options

A plan for texture, colour and active acne

RF microneedling may be another option for suitable acne scars. Ongoing acne and flat red or brown marks need their own assessment. Dr Alex can help distinguish these concerns before you choose a treatment.

Radiofrequency microneedling in Hale, Altrincham

Focus Dual RF microneedling for smoother texture, less obvious pores, softer fine lines and mild wrinkles, and firmer skin.

Your next step

Find out what could help the scars you have

Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. He'll examine your skin, explain the role CO2 could play and give you a treatment plan with a clear quote.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire