What is the best laser for skin resurfacing?
There are so many lasers out there—CO2, Erbium, Fraxel, Halo. Which one actually gives the best results?
1 Doctor Answer
Laser Specialist, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist
The "best" laser depends entirely on your skin concerns, skin type, and acceptable downtime. Here's a simplified breakdown: Fractional CO2 (like DeepFX or ActiveFX) is the gold standard for dramatic improvement in wrinkles, scars, and sun damage—but has 7-14 days of significant downtime and isn't safe for darker skin tones. Erbium laser is a gentler alternative with shorter recovery. Fraxel Dual targets both pigmentation and texture with moderate downtime (3-5 days of redness). Halo by Sciton combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths for good results with less downtime. For darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV-VI), Nd:YAG or certain non-ablative fractional lasers are safer choices. My general guidance: for maximum results with one treatment, CO2 wins. For gradual improvement with minimal disruption to your life, a series of Halo or Fraxel treatments is excellent. Always prioritize finding an experienced operator over the specific laser brand.