New to CO2 laser? Read the full guide to CO2 laser resurfacing in Newport Beach — how it works, recovery day by day, and who it suits — before booking.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, performed personally by Dr. Amir Mortazavi, MD.

CO2 is an ablative laser — it removes columns of surface tissue while delivering heat into the dermis beneath, prompting the skin to rebuild with new collagen. Fractional delivery treats a percentage of the surface in a controlled pattern, leaving untreated skin between the columns to speed healing.

It remains the most effective non-surgical option for textural change, which is also why it carries more downtime than gentler devices.

Treats: rough or uneven texture · fine lines and wrinkles · sun damage and pigmentation · enlarged pore appearance · textural acne scarring · overall skin quality and tone

This is the standard fractional treatment. For deeper correction in a single session, see CO2 Ablative Resurfacing. For area-specific treatment, see under-eyes, neck, or hands.

Recovery is real. Expect redness and a sandpaper texture as the treated surface sheds. Most patients are presentable in five to seven days. Don't schedule this within two weeks of an event. Strict sun protection during healing matters more than anything you apply topically.

Who this isn't for. Significant skin laxity needs surgery — no laser removes excess tissue. Active acne should be controlled first. Deeper skin tones carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation with ablative treatment and often do better with a different device or more conservative settings.

Settings are the treatment. The same CO2 laser produces very different outcomes depending on density, depth, and energy chosen for your skin type. Dr. Mortazavi performs every session personally rather than delegating to a laser technician — that decision is the reason results and complication rates differ between practices using identical devices.