What should you know about a CO2 re laser?

CO2 RE laser usually refers to a resurfacing approach using CO2 energy, so the exact device, treatment pattern, and recovery plan should be confirmed with a clinician. “RE” is not a universal description of one treatment, and a product name may conceal important differences in depth, coverage, and settings.

CO2 laser energy creates controlled heating in skin. A resurfacing treatment may remove some surface tissue, treat fractional columns, or combine patterns according to the goal. That can improve the appearance of texture, scars, lines, or sun-related change, but it also requires healing and can cause redness, swelling, crusting, infection, or pigment changes.

Read the broader [CO2 Laser](/technology/co2-laser/) explanation and the treatment overview for [CO2 Laser Resurfacing](/treatments/laser-and-energy/co2-laser-resurfacing/).

Ask the provider to write down the manufacturer, model, wavelength, treatment pattern, expected downtime, and who will perform each step. Share your skin tone, tanning, active rash or acne, cold-sore history, medicines, previous procedures, and scarring history. Follow the preparation plan and protect healing skin from sunlight; avoid picking or using harsh products.

If scars are the main concern, discuss [Acne Scar Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/acne-scar-laser-treatment/); for broader concerns, compare [Laser Skin Resurfacing](/treatments/laser-and-energy/laser-skin-resurfacing/).

Report increasing pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, worsening swelling, extensive blistering, or delayed wound healing. Eye pain or vision change requires urgent assessment, especially when the face was treated.

What does “RE” mean for this specific machine? Is the treatment ablative, fractional, or both? What will recovery look like day by day? Which symptoms require a same-day call?