
Fractional CO₂
Fractional CO₂ Resurfacing in Vancouver, BC
The term "fractional" or "fractionated" refers to dividing the laser beam into tiny columns of energy and precisely delivering them to the skin in a grid or pixelated pattern. This innovative approach reduces downtime compared to traditional resurfacing lasers. Revive Fractional™ can target deeper tissue layers while leveraging the natural healing response of the surrounding skin, resulting in faster recovery.
Concerns
Fine Line & Wrinkles
Scarring
Skin Texture
Treatment Time
30-60 minutes, depending on area treated
Downtime
Moderate downtime, with redness, swelling, and peeling typically lasting 7–10 days followed by continued skin improvement as collagen rebuilds over the coming weeks.
How It Works
The laser delivers precise columns of energy into the skin, stimulating collagen and resurfacing damaged tissue. As the skin heals, new collagen forms, improving skin texture, firmness, and overall quality over time.
Consultation & Planning
Fractional CO₂ laser is often performed as a single treatment, though some patients may benefit from additional sessions depending on skin concerns.
Discover More About
Revive Fractional™
Find clear, professional answers to common questions about our procedures and services.
What makes fractional CO₂ different from every other laser treatment?
Fractional CO₂ is ablative and it precisely vaporises microscopic columns of skin tissue while leaving surrounding areas intact, triggering a deep wound-healing response that rebuilds collagen from the structural level up. Think of non-ablative lasers as renovation and fractional CO₂ as reconstruction. The results are more dramatic, the recovery is longer, and the concerns it addresses are deeper. Neither is better, they solve different problems and our team will help you understand which one your skin actually needs.
What skin concerns does fractional CO₂ treat best?
Fractional CO₂ is most effective for deep wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, sun damage, enlarged pores, and significant texture irregularities. It’s chosen when other treatments can’t deliver enough correction.
How does fractional CO₂ differ from non-ablative lasers like Pico or Elite iQ?
Non-ablative lasers stimulate collagen without removing skin. Fractional CO₂ removes damaged tissue and rebuilds collagen, which is why results are more dramatic — but downtime is longer.
Why is the downtime longer, and is it unavoidable?
Because fractional CO₂ is doing something fundamentally more intensive than any non-ablative treatment. The controlled ablation it creates triggers a genuine wound-healing response and that healing process is where the results come from.
Most patients experience 5 to 7 days of redness and skin shedding before feeling comfortable in public. The downtime isn't a side effect, it is the mechanism that makes fractional CO₂ one of the most effective non-surgical treatments available. You cannot have the result without the recovery.
How long does it take to see final results?
Within the first week, once redness and healing have settled, most patients notice an immediate improvement in skin texture and tone. But the deeper results, the structural collagen remodelling that makes fractional CO₂ transformative, continue developing for 3 to 6 months after treatment as your skin rebuilds from within. Results can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years with proper skincare and sun protection. The treatment that looks good at week two looks significantly better at month six and that's by design.
Who is an ideal candidate for fractional CO₂?
The ideal candidate is someone with visible signs of skin ageing, texture concerns, or structural scarring who is ready for a treatment that delivers real, lasting change — not subtle maintenance. Clinically, fractional CO₂ performs best on patients with fair to medium skin tones experiencing moderate to advanced skin laxity, deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, or acne scarring. That said, candidacy is highly individual.
Can fractional CO₂ replace surgery?
Fractional CO₂ can meaningfully address skin laxity, deep wrinkles and textural concerns that once required surgical intervention, with none of the risks, scarring, or recovery time associated with surgery.
For patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who want genuine structural improvement without going under the knife, it can be a powerful alternative. However, it cannot replicate the mechanical lift of a surgical procedure. Significant skin excess, advanced jowling, or deep structural volume loss are concerns where surgery remains the more appropriate solution.
Fractional CO₂

I am 63 years old and I just had lower eye bag surgery with Dr Paul Denton. From the first moment I walked in to Refine Cosmetic Surgery clinic to today, my care and customer service is off chart amazing.
As for Dr Denton, very professional and incredibly skillful. Double board certified and it shows. My results are simply amazing very clean looking and it took 10 years off life.
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At 65 my face could not keep up with my energy, Dr. Denton and his amazing staff guided me through a facelift. The procedure was seamless, my recovery swift.
The results were subtle. In fact I often have to show my ID to prove that I am a senior. I love and appreciate the results!
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Dr. Denton under promises and over delivers! I just turned 60 and made the decision to have Dr. Denton complete a deep plane neck and facelift and lip lift.
I absolutely love the outcome, so very natural. My face looks like me, just the version when I was 36-40. The neck and jawline, amazing. You are in very good hands with Dr. Denton.
Verified Review | RealSelf

Dr. Paul Denton and the whole Refine Cosmetic Surgery team are excellent experts. My upper eyelid blepharoplasty experience was very successful and I trusted Dr. Paul from beginning to the end. Highly recommending to anyone. Thank you, Refine team!
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We'd love to hear from you
- Clinic Address
1366 W Pender St
Vancouver, BC - Office Hours
Mon–Fri
9AM–5PM - Phone Number
+1 604 681 6399
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