Fractional CO2 laser in Belgrade

• Avoid sunbathing or intense sun exposure and use sunscreen for at least four weeks before the treatment. Avoid deep facial peels for four weeks before the treatment (including chemical peel and other laser treatments).
• Do not use photosensitising medicines for at least 72 hours before treatment.
• If you have previously had herpes in the area to be treated, inform your doctor and start using antiviral medication according to the instructions. Inform your doctor if you are using any medication.

The CO2 fractional laser is performed during periods of lower solar activity, most commonly from autumn to early spring. The ideal time is when there is no intense sun exposure, as the skin is more sensitive after the treatment and requires strict photoprotection.

Following the treatment, the skin goes through a regeneration process and is temporarily more prone to pigmentation. During this period, the sun increases the risk of blemishes, prolonged redness and uneven recovery, which is why CO₂ laser treatments are performed from October to the end of March rather than during the summer months.

Thanks to the anaesthetic cream, the treatment is in most cases well tolerated. During the laser work, warmth or a slight stinging sensation may be felt, but without pronounced pain.

Depending on the problem being treated, one treatment is sometimes sufficient, while for scars five to six treatments are required, at intervals determined by a doctor.

The CO2 laser can significantly soften deep wrinkles and scars and improve skin quality, but it cannot completely erase all imperfections. The goal of the treatment is a visible improvement, not perfect, “filtered” skin.

CO₂ fractional laser
A CO₂ laser is an ablative laser, meaning it works by removing microscopic layers of skin and triggering powerful regeneration. It is used when problems are more pronounced – deeper wrinkles, acne scars, noticeable sun damage and a significant loss of skin quality.
The advantage of a CO₂ laser is its powerful rejuvenating and resurfacing effect, albeit with a noticeable recovery period. The skin goes through a phase of redness, peeling and regeneration, and the results develop gradually over the following weeks and months.

ClearLift (non-ablative laser)
ClearLift is a non-ablative laser, which means it does not damage the skin's surface. Energy is delivered to the deeper layers while the epidermis remains intact. This treatment is intended for mild to moderate conditions, such as fine lines, uneven texture, mild sagging and subtle hyperpigmentation.
The advantage of ClearLift is minimal or non-existent recovery, but the results are also more gradual and milder compared to the CO₂ laser. It is often performed in a series of treatments.

Erbium laser
An Erbium laser is an ablative laser, but it works more shallowly and in a more controlled manner compared to CO₂. Because of this, it provides a good balance between effectiveness and recovery. It is most commonly used for superficial wrinkles, fine texture, discolorations, and refreshing the complexion.
The recovery time is shorter than with the CO₂ laser, but the effects are also less intensive, particularly in the case of deeper scars and pronounced skin sagging.

How to know which laser is the right choice?
The choice of laser depends on the depth of the problem, the condition of the skin, recovery tolerance and the expected result.
– If the goal is powerful regeneration and addressing pronounced changes, a CO₂ laser is chosen.
If the priority is gradual improvement without pausing daily activities, then ClearLift takes precedence.
– If a medium effect with a shorter recovery time is needed, the Erbium laser is often a good compromise.

In practice, these lasers do not compete, but are often combined or used in different stages of treatment, depending on skin needs.

Laser treatments act exclusively on the skin – on its surface and, depending on the type of laser, at various depths within the skin itself. What is important to understand is that no laser can lift a sagging face, return dropped tissues to their original position, or resolve the loss of tone in subcutaneous tissue and muscles.

When relaxation of the deeper facial structures, descent of the fat pads and loss of support in the subcutaneous tissue occur, a laser can improve the quality of the skin covering it, but it cannot tighten or lift what is beneath the skin. In those cases, the skin may look smoother and fresher, but the facial contour remains unchanged.

That is why lasers are not the right choice for pronounced loss of facial tone, sagging cheeks, a fallen jawline or a double chin caused by the shifting of deeper tissues. In such situations, treatments that act below the skin level are needed, such as certain radiofrequency procedures, injection methods or surgical interventions, depending on the degree of change.

A laser is a great tool for improving skin quality, but not for a face lift. Understanding this distinction is key to having realistic expectations and a good final result.

The change develops after the skin has healed and continues through collagen remodelling over the following months. A series of treatments is often planned for scars, depending on their depth and surface area.

The treatment is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in cases of active skin infections, herpes, pronounced inflammatory changes, a tendency towards keloid scars, nor in individuals who have recently had intensive sun exposure. A tendency to form keloids is an important contraindication for cosmetic CO2 resurfacing, whereas the targeted treatment of an already existing keloid is a separate medical indication, which the doctor assesses individually. More about this can be found on the page treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.