Fractional CO2 laser is a skin resurfacing treatment that improves skin texture, pores, and certain wrinkles and scars by stimulating collagen production. At GLIF Medical, in Montreal, this treatment is offered by Dr Peguy Télusma, MD, a certified medical aesthetics physician.
How does fractional CO2 laser work?
Unlike a laser that treats the entire skin surface at once, the fractional laser creates many micro-columns of renewal spread across the treated area, leaving healthy skin intact between each one. Each micro-column triggers a localized healing response, which stimulates collagen production without affecting the whole skin surface at the same time. This is what allows for shorter recovery than a traditional, non-fractional resurfacing treatment, while still having a real effect on skin quality. The intensity and depth of each pass can be adjusted from one session to the next, based on each person’s goals and tolerance.
What skin concerns can this treatment improve?
Fractional CO2 laser, full face, mainly targets overall skin texture: enlarged pores, uneven skin grain, certain fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and some superficial scars, including acne scars. It can also improve the appearance of skin marked by years of sun exposure, where the complexion becomes uneven and the texture rougher. Improvement develops gradually over the weeks following the session, as collagen rebuilds. It is not a treatment that permanently erases signs of aging, but a tool to improve visible skin quality, with results that vary from person to person.
This treatment also does not replace something meant to restore lost facial volume, such as a filler. Some people have both a texture concern and a volume concern, and the two are addressed separately, through a plan discussed during the consultation rather than a single treatment trying to solve everything at once.
What happens during the consultation before treatment?
Before any session, Dr Peguy Télusma assesses your skin type, medical history and goals. This meeting also covers factors that can affect the decision to proceed or the intensity chosen, such as recent tanning, certain medications or skincare products, or a history of unusual scarring. It is also when realistic expectations are set: the likely number of sessions, the recovery time to plan for, and the results you can expect based on your specific situation.
Does this treatment suit every skin type?
A prior medical evaluation is needed to confirm whether fractional CO2 laser suits your skin type. For people with darker skin tones, particular care is taken around the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a well-documented concern with CO2 lasers in general. The same caution applies to another treatment offered at the clinic, CO2 laser for syringomas, which uses similar technology for a different indication. In both cases, treatment intensity is adjusted to the patient’s skin type rather than applied uniformly.
If you are unsure whether your skin type is a good fit, that uncertainty is exactly what the initial consultation resolves. It is normal, and expected, to ask direct questions about your specific skin before committing to a treatment plan.
What does recovery look like?
Recovery time varies with the intensity chosen for the session, generally ranging from a few days to one or two weeks of redness and mild flaking. Some people return to their usual activities sooner, while others prefer to plan a longer recovery window around an important event. This is discussed in detail during the consultation, partly to time the treatment appropriately and limit sun exposure during healing.
How should you care for your skin after the session?
After treatment, skin is more sensitive and needs gentle care: a mild cleanser, a soothing moisturizer and daily sun protection are generally recommended throughout healing and beyond. It is best to avoid picking or peeling flaking skin, so healing is not disrupted. Specific instructions are given at the end of the session, tailored to the intensity of the treatment received.
How many sessions should you plan for?
The recommended number of sessions depends on each person’s goals and the degree of improvement they are looking for. Some people see a noticeable difference after a single, higher-intensity session, while others prefer a more gradual approach with several closer-spaced sessions and a shorter downtime each time. This plan is set during the initial consultation, based on skin type and realistic expectations discussed with the physician.
Are the results permanent?
The skin-quality improvement from a session is not undone by the treatment itself, but skin keeps aging normally afterward, through ongoing sun exposure and the natural aging process. Many people repeat a session occasionally as part of an ongoing skin-care routine, rather than expecting a single treatment to be a permanent fix.
Can fractional CO2 laser be combined with other treatments?
Some people have more than one skin concern at once, for example uneven texture along with pigmented spots or diffuse redness. Depending on the situation, fractional CO2 laser can be considered alongside another laser-family treatment offered at the clinic, as part of a personalized plan rather than a fixed pre-set package. This is discussed directly during the consultation, once your specific concerns are established.
Who performs the treatment at GLIF Medical?
Dr Peguy Télusma, a family physician (CMQ license 02565) and certified medical aesthetics physician, personally performs fractional CO2 laser at the clinic. She completed continuing medical education at Harvard Medical School specifically focused on laser and aesthetic skin treatments (Laser & Aesthetic Skin Therapy, September 2025), in addition to her family medicine background. You can review her full background before your appointment.
Fractional CO2 laser, full face, is offered at CA$2,000 for a session of about 30 minutes. The first step is always a medical evaluation to confirm the treatment fits your goals. Book an appointment to discuss it with Dr Peguy Télusma.