Skin treatments
Laser Skin Resurfacing in London: CO2, Fractional and Non-Ablative
Laser resurfacing is one of the most effective ways to improve acne scars, rough texture, fine lines and sun damage, but the word covers very different lasers. This guide compares ablative CO2, fractional and non-ablative resurfacing, explains recovery day by day, safety for every skin type, and what treatment costs in London.
By Fatemeh, Founder & Lead Practitioner, Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic 19 min read
Reviewed September 2026 
What is laser skin resurfacing and how does it work?
Laser skin resurfacing uses a medical laser whose energy is absorbed by water in the skin. It either vaporises a thin layer of tissue (ablative) or heats it without removing it (non-ablative). The controlled injury triggers wound healing and new collagen and elastin, smoothing texture, scars, fine lines and sun damage over the following months.
Early resurfacing lasers treated the whole surface of the skin at once. They were powerful but demanding: long recovery and a real risk of lasting pigment change. The field changed in 2004, when Manstein and colleagues described fractional photothermolysis, delivering the laser in an array of microscopic treatment zones separated by untouched skin. In their original study the typical zone was about 100 micrometres wide and 300 micrometres deep, and the surface healed within a day.
Almost all modern resurfacing is fractional. The fractional CO2 laser (10,600 nm) is ablative: it removes tiny columns of skin and heats the tissue around them, which is why it produces a bigger change and needs more recovery. Non-ablative fractional lasers, commonly at wavelengths around 1,540 to 1,927 nm, leave the surface intact and heat columns beneath it, so recovery is quicker but several sessions are usually needed.
Results build in stages. Surface texture and tone improve once the skin has healed, often within one to two weeks. The deeper benefit, from collagen remodelling, continues for three to six months, which is why scars and lines keep softening long after the redness has gone.
Ablative CO2 vs fractional vs non-ablative lasers: what is the difference?
Fully ablative lasers remove the whole surface layer and need the longest recovery. Fractional ablative CO2 removes microscopic columns, balancing strong results with about 5 to 10 days of downtime. Non-ablative fractional lasers heat columns under an intact surface, giving 2 to 3 days of redness but needing a course of treatments.
| Laser type | How it works | Typical sessions | Visible recovery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully ablative CO2 or erbium | Removes the entire outer layer | Usually 1 | Several weeks of healing; prolonged redness | Severe photoageing and deep lines in selected fair skin |
| Fractional ablative CO2 | Removes microscopic columns and heats surrounding tissue | 1 to 3 | About 5 to 10 days of redness, swelling and crusting | Atrophic acne scars, texture, sun damage, fine to moderate lines |
| Fractional ablative erbium | Removes columns with less surrounding heat | 1 to 3 | Often a few days shorter than CO2 | Milder texture and tone, thinner skin areas |
| Non-ablative fractional (1,540 to 1,927 nm) | Heats columns beneath an intact surface | 3 to 5 or more | About 2 to 3 days of redness and mild swelling | Fine lines, mild scarring, pigment and tone, lower-downtime plans |
Recovery: Levirgo CO2 laser information (5 to 10 days); Shah and Alam, Seminars in Plastic Surgery, 2012 (7 to 10 days of crusting and swelling for fractional CO2; 2 to 3 days of redness for non-ablative devices; 3 to 5 or more non-ablative sessions). Exact downtime depends on settings and skin.
The trade-off is simple to state and personal to decide. One fractional CO2 session concentrates the result and the recovery into a single week or so. A non-ablative course spreads a gentler result across several appointments with little social downtime each time. For deep acne scarring or significant sun damage, ablative treatment usually achieves more per session; for busy diaries, darker skin types or mainly tone and fine-line concerns, a non-ablative plan may be the better starting point.
A laser facial is not resurfacing
Low-energy “laser facials” can brighten skin with no downtime, but they are not designed to remodel scars or deeper lines. When comparing prices, ask which laser, whether it is ablative or non-ablative, what settings are planned and what recovery to expect. A treatment with no downtime at all will not deliver a resurfacing result.
What can laser resurfacing treat?
Laser resurfacing treats atrophic acne scars (rolling and boxcar), rough texture and enlarged-looking pores, fine lines, sun damage and some surgical scars. It helps less with ice-pick scars, deep wrinkles and laxity, and needs great caution for melasma, which the British Association of Dermatologists warns lasers can worsen.
| Concern | Fit for resurfacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling and boxcar acne scars | Good | Fractional CO2 is widely used; often combined with PRP or subcision |
| Ice-pick acne scars | Partial | Usually need punch techniques or focal chemical reconstruction as well |
| Rough texture, enlarged-looking pores | Good | Both ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers can help |
| Fine lines, crepey skin around eyes and mouth | Good | Deeper static lines may need combined treatment |
| Sun damage and uneven tone | Good | Strict sun protection needed to hold the result |
| Surgical and injury scars | Often good | Assessed individually by scar age, colour and texture |
| Melasma | Caution | BAD warns laser results are variable and can worsen pigmentation |
| Deep laxity or sagging | Limited | Tightening devices or surgical opinion may suit better |
| Keloid scars | Not a first-line option | Injection-based treatment is usually preferred |
Guide only. Melasma: British Association of Dermatologists patient leaflet. Acne scar types: NHS, Acne complications.
The NHS describes three main types of acne scar: ice-pick scars (small, deep holes), rolling scars (caused by bands of scar tissue beneath the skin) and boxcar scars (round or oval craters). It lists laser treatment among the options, notes that ablative lasers remove skin around the scar while non-ablative lasers stimulate collagen, and explains that scar treatment is usually not available on the NHS. Our scar treatment plans match the technique to the scar rather than using one laser for everything.
How effective is laser resurfacing for acne scars and texture?
Fractional CO2 reliably improves atrophic acne scars, but rarely erases them. In a randomised trial, two sessions reduced scar atrophy scores from about 5.9 to between 1.3 and 1.6 on a 10-point scale at six months. A 2025 network meta-analysis of 68 trials ranked laser combined with PRP best for reducing scar severity.
Evidence comes in different strengths. In the small randomised trial by Bjørn and colleagues, 13 patients had two fractional CO2 treatments on each side of the face, one side at one-month and the other at three-month intervals. Scar atrophy improved substantially on both sides and the interval made no difference. Larger real-world data give a more sober picture of what patients themselves notice, as the chart below shows.
Source: Ochi H et al., Dermatologic Surgery, 2017. Retrospective study of 107 patients (Fitzpatrick types II to V) who had 210 fractional CO2 treatments at the National Skin Centre, Singapore. Share of patients in each improvement grade.
Two points follow. First, improvement is real but gradual, and many people choose a series of treatments or combine laser with other techniques to go further. Second, combination matters: the 2025 network meta-analysis by Wu and colleagues found laser plus PRP ranked best for reducing one validated scar score, laser plus filler for another, and laser plus chemical peel for patient satisfaction. That is why modern scar plans are often layered, as described in our guide to PRP treatment in Knightsbridge.
For fine lines and photoageing, the original fractional study reported an 18% improvement in wrinkle scores three months after a course of non-ablative treatment around the eyes. Ablative fractional treatment typically produces a larger change per session, at the cost of more downtime.
Is laser resurfacing safe for darker skin, and who is a good candidate?
Laser resurfacing can be done safely on all Fitzpatrick skin types, but the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rises with more melanin, so settings, density, cooling and preparation must be adjusted. Good candidates have realistic goals, can avoid the sun and take downtime, and have no active infection, recent tan or unsuitable medical history.
| Fitzpatrick type | Typical description | Pigment risk after laser | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| I to II | Very fair to fair, burns easily | Lower | Full range of options, including fractional CO2 |
| III | Medium, sometimes burns, tans gradually | Moderate | Fractional CO2 or non-ablative with sensible density; strict SPF |
| IV | Olive to light brown, rarely burns | Higher | Lower density, cooling, test patch, often non-ablative first |
| V to VI | Brown to deeply pigmented, very rarely burns | Highest | Conservative non-ablative plans, test patch, pigment-safe preparation |
Skin type classification: Fitzpatrick TB, Archives of Dermatology, 1988. Risk levels are general; individual assessment is essential.
What do the numbers show? In the Singapore series of 107 patients with skin types II to V, hyperpigmentation followed fractional CO2 in 6.4%, and scarring in 0.6%. In a study of 37 Chinese patients treated with a non-ablative fractional laser, generalised hyperpigmentation occurred in 7.1% of high-energy, low-density sessions compared with 12.4% of low-energy, high-density sessions, and the authors concluded that both density and energy determine the risk. By contrast, a 2012 review noted that older, non-fractional CO2 lasers caused delayed permanent lightening of the skin in up to 19% of cases, a complication that is very uncommon with fractional treatment.
Tell your practitioner before treatment if
You are taking or have recently taken isotretinoin; you get cold sores; you tan easily or have a current tan; you have melasma, vitiligo, keloid or hypertrophic scarring; you have an autoimmune or connective tissue disease or reduced immunity; you take medicines that increase light sensitivity; or you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some of these rule treatment out; others change the plan.
Isotretinoin is a good example of guidance evolving. The traditional advice was to wait 6 to 12 months after a course. A 2017 systematic review with expert consensus, published in JAMA Dermatology, found insufficient evidence to delay fractional ablative and non-ablative laser procedures in people taking or recently finishing isotretinoin, while still advising against fully ablative laser during treatment. Your clinician will weigh this for your situation.
What happens on the day of CO2 laser resurfacing?
After a consultation and, where needed, a test patch, treatment day involves cleansing, topical anaesthetic for about an hour, eye protection, the laser passes themselves, then cooling and a protective ointment. Antiviral tablets are commonly started two days before facial ablative treatment. Most full-face appointments take about one to two hours.
- Consultation and skin assessment
Your concerns, skin type, medical history, medicines and downtime are discussed. Photographs are taken, and a test patch is arranged two to four weeks ahead where the pigment risk is higher.
- Preparation weeks
Strict sun avoidance and daily broad-spectrum SPF for two to four weeks before treatment. Some skin types are given a priming skincare plan. Retinoids and exfoliating acids are paused as advised.
- Prophylaxis
For facial ablative treatment, antiviral tablets are commonly started about two days before and continued for around five days afterwards to reduce the risk of a cold sore flare.
- Numbing and protection
Skin is cleansed and a topical anaesthetic cream is applied for about 60 minutes. Protective eye shields or goggles are worn throughout.
- Laser treatment
The practitioner treats the face in systematic passes, adjusting depth and density area by area. Most people describe heat and prickling. Cooling air helps comfort and reduces heat build-up.
- Immediate aftercare
The skin is cooled and covered with a bland ointment. You go home with written aftercare, supplies and a direct contact for questions during healing.
Timings for numbing and prophylaxis follow the practical protocol described by Shah and Alam in Seminars in Plastic Surgery (2012). Your own plan may differ depending on the device, your skin and the areas treated, such as the eyelids, neck or a scar-only treatment.
Laser resurfacing recovery: what is the downtime, day by day?
After fractional CO2, expect sunburn-like redness and swelling for the first two to three days, crusting or bronzing and flaking around days three to seven, and make-up-ready skin at about 7 to 10 days, with pinkness fading over the following weeks. After non-ablative laser, redness and mild swelling usually settle in 2 to 3 days.
| Time after treatment | Fractional CO2 (ablative) | Non-ablative fractional |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Hot, tight, sunburn-like skin; swelling begins; ointment applied | Warmth and redness like a mild sunburn |
| Days 1 to 2 | Peak swelling, especially around the eyes; oozing possible; sleep propped up | Pinkness and mild swelling |
| Days 3 to 5 | Bronzed, sandpaper-like texture; fine crusts begin to flake | Mostly settled; skin may feel dry or rough |
| Days 5 to 10 | Flaking completes; new pink skin; most people ready for mineral make-up | Back to normal routine |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Pinkness gradually fades; strict SPF; skin looks smoother | Next session planned, often about a month later |
| Months 1 to 6 | Collagen remodelling continues; scars and lines keep improving | Result builds with each session |
Ablative downtime of 5 to 10 days: Levirgo CO2 laser information; 7 to 10 days of crusting and swelling: Shah and Alam, 2012. Non-ablative 2 to 3 days of redness: Shah and Alam, 2012. Healing longer than about 1 month after ablative treatment can signal a problem and needs review.
Plan realistically. For fractional CO2, most people take about a week away from work that involves meeting others, and avoid important events for two to three weeks. Healing that takes much longer than expected, increasing pain, yellow crusting or new blisters are reasons to contact the clinic the same day, because infection is the main driver of scarring after resurfacing.
Which laser is right for your skin?
Book a skin assessment in Knightsbridge. We check your skin type and concern, explain the realistic result and downtime, and set out your plan and price in writing.
What are the risks and side effects of laser resurfacing?
Expected effects are redness, swelling, crusting and flaking. The main complications are hyperpigmentation (6.4% in one Asian series), blistering (4.0%), acne flares, milia, infection including cold sore reactivation, prolonged redness and, rarely, scarring (0.6%). Most are reduced by correct settings, antiviral prophylaxis, sun avoidance and careful aftercare.
| Risk | How often (published example) | How it is reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperpigmentation | 6.4% after fractional CO2 in 107 patients, types II to V | Skin-type-appropriate density, cooling, test patch, strict SPF |
| Blistering and crusting | 4.0% and 2.9% in the same series | Conservative energy, cooling, ointment-based aftercare |
| Acne flare or milia | Acne flare 1.7% in the same series; milia common and self-limiting | Avoid heavy occlusive products once healed; treat acne first |
| Cold sore reactivation | 9.4% without prophylaxis vs about 1% with it in older resurfacing data | Antiviral tablets before and after facial ablative treatment |
| Scarring | 0.6% in the same series | Avoid over-treatment, prevent and treat infection early |
| Delayed lightening of skin | Up to 19% with older non-fractional CO2; very uncommon with fractional | Fractional technology and sensible settings |
Sources: Ochi H et al., Dermatol Surg 2017; Wall SH et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 1999 (famciclovir prophylaxis); Ramsdell WM, Semin Plast Surg 2012. Rates vary by device, settings and skin type.
Aftercare that protects your result
Keep the skin moist with the recommended ointment and never pick crusts. Use only gentle cleansing until the clinic clears your routine. Avoid direct sun for at least two weeks and wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above with a high UVA rating every day afterwards, as the British Association of Dermatologists advises for pigment-prone skin. Restart retinoids and acids only when told. Take any antiviral course exactly as prescribed.
How much does laser skin resurfacing cost in London?
Typical London prices are £600 to £1,500 for a full-face fractional CO2 session, £350 to £700 per non-ablative session and £1,000 to £2,400 for a non-ablative course of three to four. The NHS notes that private acne scar treatments range from around £400 to more than £10,000 depending on the approach.
| Treatment | Typical price | Sessions | Total downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional CO2, full face | £600 to £1,500 per session | 1 to 2, sometimes 3 | About 5 to 10 days per session |
| Fractional CO2, two sessions | £1,100 to £2,600 | 2, spaced 1 to 3 months apart | 2 recovery periods |
| Fractional erbium, full face | £500 to £1,200 per session | 1 to 3 | A few days per session |
| Non-ablative fractional, per session | £350 to £700 | 3 to 5 or more | 2 to 3 days of redness each |
| Non-ablative fractional course | £1,000 to £2,400 | Course of 3 to 4 | Minimal social downtime |
| Laser with PRP for scars | Laser price plus PRP, often £350 to £650 extra | Commonly 2 to 3 | As for the laser |
Indicative ranges for London clinics, not Levirgo prices. Antiviral prescriptions and test patches may be charged separately. Your plan and price are confirmed in writing after assessment. NHS range for private scar treatments: NHS, Acne complications.
Price reflects the device, the area, the practitioner’s training and what is included, such as a test patch, prescriptions, aftercare products and reviews. Fewer, well-planned sessions often cost less overall than repeated under-powered treatments. If you are weighing laser against other options, our comparison of non-invasive facial rejuvenation costs may help.
Laser resurfacing vs microneedling, chemical peels, PRP and polynucleotides
Laser resurfacing gives the strongest single-treatment change for scars and texture. Microneedling is gentler and lower risk for pigment, chemical peels suit superficial tone and pigment, PRP is mainly an add-on that improves scar results and recovery, and polynucleotides or skin boosters improve skin quality rather than resurfacing it.
| Treatment | Best for | Downtime | Pigment risk on darker skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional CO2 laser | Moderate to severe scars, texture, sun damage | About 5 to 10 days | Higher; needs careful settings |
| Non-ablative fractional laser | Mild scars, fine lines, tone | 2 to 3 days | Moderate; lower with conservative density |
| Microneedling (with or without PRP) | Mild to moderate scars, texture | 1 to 3 days | Lower |
| Chemical peels | Superficial pigment, dullness, mild texture | None to 7 days by depth | Varies by depth; deep peels higher |
| PRP | Add-on to laser or needling for scars; skin quality | 1 to 2 days | Low |
| Polynucleotides and skin boosters | Thin, dehydrated or crepey skin | 1 to 3 days | Low |
| HIFU and skin tightening | Mild laxity rather than surface texture | Minimal | Low |
General guide. Microneedling was ranked the most tolerable acne scar treatment for pain in the 2025 network meta-analysis by Wu et al.
How do you choose a laser resurfacing clinic in London?
Choose a clinic where a regulated healthcare professional assesses your skin type in person, names the laser and settings planned, offers a test patch when pigment risk is higher, provides antiviral prophylaxis and written aftercare, and works in a CQC-registered setting. Check doctors on the GMC register and nurses on the NMC register.
Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England is being tightened. The Department of Health and Social Care’s licensing consultation, launched in September 2023, proposed grading procedures by risk. It placed CO2 lasers used for extensive fully ablative resurfacing in the red tier, to be carried out only by qualified, regulated healthcare professionals in CQC-registered premises, non-ablative lasers in the amber tier, and milder photo-rejuvenation in the green tier. In August 2025 the Government confirmed that the highest-risk procedures will be restricted to regulated healthcare professionals working for CQC-registered providers.
- Ask who treats you and check their registration with the General Medical Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Ask which device, whether it is ablative or non-ablative, and why it suits your skin type and concern.
- Ask about experience with your skin type, and whether a test patch is recommended.
- Expect a medical history covering cold sores, isotretinoin, pigmentation, scarring tendency and medicines.
- Expect honest downtime estimates and a clear plan for what happens if healing does not go as expected.
- Be cautious of no-downtime promises for deep scars, unusually low prices for “CO2”, or before-and-after photographs taken in different lighting.
Why choose Levirgo for laser skin resurfacing in Knightsbridge?
Levirgo is a doctor-led clinic at 6 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, SW3 1NG, near Harrods and a few minutes’ walk from Knightsbridge Underground station on the Piccadilly line. We offer fractional CO2 laser resurfacing after a personalised skin assessment, with scar plans that can combine laser, microneedling and PRP.
Every resurfacing plan starts with your skin rather than a device. We assess your skin type, the kind of scarring or damage, your medical history and how much downtime you can realistically take, then explain what fractional CO2 or an alternative can achieve. Recovery after our full face CO2 laser typically involves redness, swelling and warmth similar to sunburn, with downtime of 5 to 10 days depending on your skin and the intensity of treatment, and you receive clear aftercare guidance before you leave.
- Personalised skin assessment to confirm suitability before any laser is booked.
- Treatment plans tailored to scar type, skin tone and goals, including combination approaches.
- Access to doctors for medical questions such as isotretinoin history and antiviral prescribing.
- A calm, private clinical setting in the heart of Knightsbridge.
The clinic is easy to reach from South Kensington, one stop on the Piccadilly line, and from Chelsea, Kensington and Mayfair. Book a consultation online, contact the team with a question, or browse our skin treatments.
Frequently asked questions
How much does laser skin resurfacing cost in London?
Typical London prices are £600 to £1,500 for a full-face fractional CO2 session, £350 to £700 per non-ablative session, and £1,000 to £2,400 for a non-ablative course of three to four. Scar plans combining laser with PRP cost more. The NHS notes private acne scar treatments range from around £400 to more than £10,000. Prices are confirmed in writing after assessment.
How long is the downtime after CO2 laser resurfacing?
Plan for about 5 to 10 days. Redness and swelling peak in the first two to three days, then the skin bronzes and flakes, and most people are ready for mineral make-up by around day 7 to 10. Pinkness can take several weeks to fade fully. Non-ablative fractional lasers usually cause only 2 to 3 days of redness and mild swelling.
How many laser resurfacing sessions will I need?
Fractional CO2 often takes one to three sessions, spaced one to three months apart; a randomised trial found one- and three-month intervals worked equally well for acne scars. Non-ablative fractional lasers usually need three to five or more sessions about a month apart. Deeper scarring may need more treatments or combined techniques.
Does laser resurfacing get rid of acne scars completely?
It improves them rather than erasing them. In a study of 107 patients treated with fractional CO2, 30% reported 25 to 50% improvement in scar texture and most of the rest reported improvement below 25%. Results are better when the technique matches the scar type and when laser is combined with treatments such as PRP or subcision.
Is laser resurfacing safe for dark skin?
Yes, with the right approach. Darker skin types have a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so clinicians use lower density, cooling, careful energy settings, test patches and strict sun protection, and often start with non-ablative lasers. Research in Asian skin shows both density and energy influence pigment risk. An in-person assessment of your skin type is essential.
Does laser skin resurfacing hurt?
A topical anaesthetic cream is applied for about an hour beforehand, and cooling air is used during treatment, so most people describe heat and prickling rather than sharp pain. The skin feels hot and tight like sunburn for several hours afterwards. Non-ablative treatments feel like brief hot pinpricks with milder after-effects.
How long do laser resurfacing results last?
The improvement in scars is long-lasting because it is built from remodelled collagen, although skin continues to age. Results for sun damage and fine lines last longest with daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and sun avoidance. Many people have occasional maintenance treatments, particularly after a non-ablative course.
Can I have laser resurfacing after isotretinoin?
Possibly sooner than traditional advice suggested. A 2017 systematic review with expert consensus in JAMA Dermatology found insufficient evidence to delay fractional ablative and non-ablative laser treatment for people taking or recently finishing isotretinoin, but advised against fully ablative laser during treatment. Your clinician will make an individual decision.
Why do I need antiviral tablets before CO2 laser?
Resurfacing the face can reactivate the cold sore virus, which can spread across healing skin. In older resurfacing data, herpes reactivation occurred in 9.4% of patients without prophylaxis compared with about 1% with antiviral tablets. Prophylaxis is commonly started about two days before and continued for around five days after treatment.
Can laser resurfacing treat melasma?
Only with great caution. The British Association of Dermatologists says laser results for melasma are variable and treatment can worsen pigmentation or leave lighter patches, more often in people of colour. Sun protection, topical treatments and gentle approaches usually come first. Resurfacing for another concern in someone with melasma needs a careful, pigment-aware plan.
When can I wear make-up after laser resurfacing?
After non-ablative treatment, usually after a day or two once the skin is calm. After fractional CO2, wait until flaking has finished and the clinic confirms the skin has healed, typically around 7 to 10 days, then use gentle mineral make-up. Applying make-up to unhealed skin increases the risk of irritation and infection.
What is the difference between CO2 and non-ablative laser?
A fractional CO2 laser is ablative: it removes microscopic columns of skin and heats the tissue around them, producing a larger change per session with about 5 to 10 days of downtime. Non-ablative lasers heat tissue under an intact surface, so recovery takes 2 to 3 days, but several sessions are needed for a comparable result.
Levirgo Aesthetics Clinic · Knightsbridge
Plan your resurfacing with a doctor-led team
An unhurried assessment in Knightsbridge, the right laser for your skin type, honest expectations about downtime and results, and aftercare you can rely on. No obligation to proceed.
Sources & further reading
- Manstein D et al. Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med, 2004
- Shah S, Alam M. Laser resurfacing pearls. Semin Plast Surg, 2012
- Ramsdell WM. Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing complications. Semin Plast Surg, 2012
- Ochi H et al. Treatment of facial acne scarring with fractional carbon dioxide laser in Asians: efficacy and complications. Dermatol Surg, 2017
- Bjørn M et al. Treatment of acne scars with fractional CO2 laser at 1-month versus 3-month intervals: randomized controlled trial. Lasers Surg Med, 2014
- Chan HH et al. The prevalence and risk factors of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after fractional resurfacing in Asians. Lasers Surg Med, 2007
- Wu B et al. Optimal treatment options for acne scars: systematic review and network meta-analysis. PeerJ, 2025
- Aljefri YE et al. Ablative fractional CO2 laser combined with autologous PRP for atrophic acne scars: systematic review and meta-analysis. Dermatol Ther, 2022
- Spring LK et al. Isotretinoin and timing of procedural interventions: systematic review with consensus recommendations. JAMA Dermatol, 2017
- Wall SH et al. Famciclovir as antiviral prophylaxis in laser resurfacing procedures. Plast Reconstr Surg, 1999
- NHS. Acne: complications (acne scars and treatments)
- British Association of Dermatologists. Melasma: patient information leaflet
- Department of Health and Social Care. The licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England: consultation, 2023
This article is general information about laser skin resurfacing and is not medical advice. Suitability, results, downtime and risks vary with skin type, device, settings and individual factors, and can only be assessed in a personal consultation, with test patching where appropriate. Prices are indicative London ranges for 2026, are not Levirgo prices, and are confirmed in writing after assessment.