Is CO2 laser resurfacing safe in skin of colour?

CO2 laser resurfacing removes or heats portions of the outer skin to encourage new skin formation. Melanin-rich skin may respond to this heat with temporary darkening or lightening, especially after inflammation. The risk depends on your natural tone, history of post-inflammatory pigmentation, the laser depth and density, and how well the skin heals. A lighter treatment approach may be considered when the goal can be met without aggressive resurfacing. Read more about [CO2 Laser Resurfacing](/treatments/laser-and-energy/co2-laser-resurfacing/).

Choose a clinician experienced with your skin tone and discuss previous pigmentation after cuts, acne, burns, or procedures. Share your skincare products, medicines, active rashes, cold sore history, and any tendency to form raised scars. Ask about a test area, preparation, treatment depth, sun protection, and the expected healing pattern. During recovery, protect the skin from sunlight, use only approved products, and do not pick peeling or crusted areas.

Contact the treatment team if redness, pain, swelling, oozing, or crusting is worsening rather than settling, or if new dark or pale patches are developing. Urgent assessment is needed for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, spreading blisters, severe pain, or signs of infection such as increasing warmth and pus.

Ask how your skin tone and pigmentation history change the plan, which settings and laser pattern are proposed, and whether a test spot is appropriate. Clarify the expected downtime, sun precautions, warning signs, and the plan if pigment changes persist.