- What It Is
- Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing that creates microscopic treatment columns to rebuild collagen.
- Best For
- Acne scars, rough texture, open pores and fine lines.
- Cost
- ₹5,000 per session (face) or ₹6,500 per session (face & neck).
- Sessions
- Usually 2–5, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
- Downtime
- About 5–7 days of redness and peeling.
Fractional CO2 laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to improve acne scars, deep texture and fine lines, because it actually resurfaces the skin instead of only polishing the top layer. At Facethetics Beauty in Delhi, a session costs ₹5,000 for the face or ₹6,500 for the face and neck. This page covers how the laser works, what the week after a session looks like, how many sessions people usually need, and what the full course costs.
Face
₹5,000 per session
Full-face fractional CO2 resurfacing for acne scars, open pores, uneven texture and fine lines.
Face & Neck
₹6,500 per session
Face plus neck in the same session, for neck lines, crepey texture or scarring that runs below the jawline.
How fractional CO2 laser works
A CO2 laser emits light at a wavelength of 10,600 nm, which is absorbed by the water in skin cells. That energy vaporises a very thin column of tissue. "Fractional" means the laser does not treat the whole surface at once. It places thousands of these microscopic columns in a grid and leaves healthy skin untouched between them.
The untouched skin around each column is what makes healing faster than with older, fully ablative CO2 resurfacing. The skin repairs each column from the edges inward, and in doing so it lays down new collagen and remodels the scarred or lax tissue underneath. That remodelling is why results keep improving for several months after a session, not just the week after.
What fractional CO2 laser can treat
- Acne scars. Rolling and boxcar scars respond best. Deep, narrow ice-pick scars improve less with laser alone and sometimes need a combined plan.
- Rough texture and open pores. Resurfacing smooths rough patches and makes enlarged pores look tighter.
- Fine lines, especially around the eyes, mouth and forehead, where collagen loss shows first.
- Depressed chickenpox and minor injury scars, which can soften over a course of sessions.
- Stretch marks, though results are more modest, and older white stretch marks change less than newer ones.
It is not the right tool for melasma or general pigmentation. Heat-based resurfacing can make melasma worse, so for pigmentation we usually look at Q-switch laser, Cosmelan or Dermamelan, or chemical peels instead.
What happens during a session
- Consultation and skin check. We look at the type and depth of your scars or lines, your skin tone, any recent tanning, and medicines you take. This decides the laser settings and whether you need to prepare your skin first.
- Numbing. A topical anaesthetic cream goes on for roughly 45 to 60 minutes. Most people describe the laser afterwards as warm, prickly snapping. Few call it painful.
- Eye protection. You wear protective eye shields for the entire laser pass.
- Laser pass. The handpiece is moved over the face (and neck, if booked) in sections. Scarred areas can get extra passes. The laser part itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
- Cooling and aftercare. The skin is cooled and a soothing barrier product is applied. You get aftercare instructions and go home the same day.
A fractional CO2 laser session at Facethetics Beauty, Delhi. Note the eye shields and the handpiece moving across the forehead.
Recovery: the first two weeks
Fractional CO2 has real downtime. Plan for it, and avoid booking a session a few days before a wedding or big event.
Day 1 to 2
Redness like a strong sunburn, warmth and some swelling, often most noticeable under the eyes on the first morning.
Day 3 to 5
The skin darkens slightly and feels rough, like fine sandpaper, as tiny treated dots form micro-crusts. Do not scrub or pick them.
Day 5 to 7
Flaking and light peeling. Most people are comfortable going back to work around this point.
Week 2 to 4
Pinkness fades gradually. Collagen remodelling keeps going for three to six months, so judge results after that, not in the first fortnight.
Fractional CO2 laser on Indian skin
Most Indian skin is medium to darker in tone, and that changes how CO2 laser should be done. Darker skin is more likely to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is temporary darkening after the skin heals. It is the most common side effect we watch for.
Three things lower that risk:
- Settings matched to your skin. Density and energy are adjusted for skin tone, not just for scar depth. A slightly gentler session repeated is safer than one aggressive one.
- No fresh tan. Recently tanned skin reacts more. If you have just come back from a beach holiday, we may ask you to wait.
- Sun protection before and after. Daily sunscreen for a couple of weeks before the session, and strict sun protection while the skin heals, make a large difference in Delhi's sun.
Fractional CO2 laser cost in Delhi
Fractional CO2 laser treatment cost at Facethetics Beauty is a fixed price per session, based on the area treated:
| Treatment area | Cost per session | Example: course of 3 sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Face | ₹5,000 | ₹15,000 |
| Face & Neck | ₹6,500 | ₹19,500 |
The 3-session column is only arithmetic to help you budget. The number of sessions you actually need depends on your skin, and we will tell you a realistic estimate at the consultation.
When you compare fractional CO2 laser cost across Delhi clinics, check three things beyond the headline price: whether the quote is per session or per course, which area it covers, and who assesses your skin and sets the laser. A cheaper session that leaves pigmentation behind ends up costing more to fix.
What our patients say
Facethetics Beauty, Punjabi Bagh on Google Maps. Open the listing to read all Google reviews.
How many sessions you may need
Texture and fine-line concerns often settle in 2 or 3 sessions. Mild to moderate acne scars usually take 3 to 5. Deep or long-standing scars can need more, sometimes alongside other scar treatments.
Sessions are typically spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, so the skin has fully recovered and collagen has had time to build before the next pass. Scars improve. They rarely disappear completely, and anyone promising 100% removal is overselling.
Who should avoid or delay it
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active acne breakouts, cold sores or any skin infection in the treatment area
- Recent or current isotretinoin (Accutane-type) acne medicine. The doctor decides the safe gap.
- A history of keloids or thick, raised scarring
- Active melasma in the area
- A fresh tan or planned heavy sun exposure in the weeks after
If you get cold sores easily, tell us at the consultation. Preventive medicine before the session can reduce the chance of a flare-up.
Aftercare after the session
- Wash with a mild, non-foaming cleanser and pat dry. Avoid scrubs and washcloths.
- Keep the skin moisturised with a bland moisturiser or the product recommended at your visit. Healing skin should not be left dry and tight.
- Let the crusts and flakes fall off on their own. Picking is the main cause of marks after laser.
- Avoid retinol, AHA/BHA acids, vitamin C serums and makeup until the skin has finished peeling, usually around a week.
- Stay out of direct sun, and use sunscreen as instructed once the skin has closed over.
- Skip the gym, steam, sauna and swimming for the first few days.
Fractional CO2 compared with microneedling and peels
| Fractional CO2 laser | Microneedling / MNRF | Chemical peel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Acne scars, deep texture, fine lines | Mild scars, pores, early texture | Dullness, superficial marks, pigmentation |
| Depth of change | Deepest of the three | Moderate | Surface to moderate |
| Typical downtime | About 5 to 7 days | 1 to 3 days | 0 to 7 days, depending on depth |
If your main concern is active acne, not scars, start with acne treatment first. Lasering scars while new breakouts are still forming means chasing a moving target.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fractional CO2 laser cost in Delhi at Facethetics Beauty?
₹5,000 per session for the face, and ₹6,500 per session for the face and neck. The price is per session. Most people need a course of several sessions, which we estimate at your consultation.
How much does a full course of fractional CO2 laser treatment cost?
It depends on how many sessions you need. As an example, three face sessions come to ₹15,000 and three face-and-neck sessions to ₹19,500. Texture concerns often need fewer sessions than acne scars.
Is fractional CO2 laser treatment painful?
A numbing cream is applied for about 45 to 60 minutes beforehand, so most people feel heat and a prickling, snapping sensation rather than sharp pain. The skin feels like a strong sunburn for the rest of the day.
How long is the downtime after fractional CO2 laser?
Plan for about 5 to 7 days of redness, roughness and peeling. Many people return to work around day 5 to 7. Mild pinkness can last a few more weeks.
How many fractional CO2 laser sessions are needed for acne scars?
Mild to moderate acne scars usually need 3 to 5 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Deeper scars can need more, sometimes alongside other scar treatments.
Is fractional CO2 laser safe for Indian skin?
Yes, when the settings are matched to your skin tone and you follow sun protection before and after. The main risk in darker skin is temporary darkening after healing, which careful settings and aftercare help prevent.
When will I see results?
Skin looks smoother once the peeling finishes, around a week after the session. The bigger change comes from new collagen, which builds over three to six months, so results keep improving well after each session.
Can fractional CO2 laser remove pigmentation or melasma?
It is not a pigmentation treatment, and it can worsen melasma. For pigmentation we usually recommend Q-switch laser, Cosmelan or Dermamelan, or chemical peels instead.
Book a consultation
The quickest way to know whether fractional CO2 suits your skin, and how many sessions you are likely to need, is a skin assessment at Facethetics Beauty. Call, message us on WhatsApp, or use the enquiry form on this page, and mention whether you are interested in the face or the face and neck.
