Best Laser for Acne Scars: CO2 Resurfacing vs PicoSure Pro and Other Treatments

The best laser for acne scars depends on the type of scarring, your skin, and your treatment goals. While CO2 laser resurfacing is considered one of the most effective options for improving deeper textural acne scars, PicoSure Pro can also improve certain acne scars while addressing pigmentation and overall skin revitalization.

Not every patient is best suited for the same technology.

At The Skin Chic in Virginia Beach, every acne scar treatment begins with a personalized skin assessment. Your aesthetician will evaluate your scar type, skin condition, treatment history, and goals before recommending the treatment plan best suited to your skin.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin during the healing process.

As collagen is lost or remodeled unevenly, the skin can heal with visible texture changes.

Common acne scars include:

Ice Pick Scars

Deep, narrow scars that extend into the skin.

Boxcar Scars

Wider depressions with defined edges.

Rolling Scars

Soft, wave-like depressions that create uneven texture.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Although often called "acne scars," dark marks left after acne are actually pigmentation changes rather than permanent textural scars.

Understanding which concern you have is one of the most important steps in selecting the right treatment.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing remains one of the most effective treatments for improving moderate to severe textural acne scars.

The laser creates controlled micro-columns within the skin while stimulating significant collagen remodeling during the healing process.

Depending on your treatment plan, CO2 resurfacing may help:

• improve uneven texture
• soften depressed acne scars
• smooth rough skin
• reduce visible sun damage
• improve overall skin quality

At The Skin Chic, Tetra PRO CO2 treatments include:

• CoolPeel
• Mild Fractional CO2
• Moderate Fractional CO2
• Deep Fractional CO2

Your aesthetician will recommend the appropriate treatment intensity based on the severity of your acne scars, your downtime expectations, and your long-term skin goals.

CoolPeel vs Fractional CO2

Although both treatments use CO2 technology, they serve different purposes.

CoolPeel

CoolPeel offers lighter resurfacing with less downtime and may be appropriate for patients with:

• mild texture concerns
• enlarged pores
• early signs of aging
• minor acne scarring

Mild, Moderate and Deep Fractional CO2

Patients with more established acne scars often benefit from a more aggressive resurfacing approach.

Fractional CO2 treatments can be customized to provide greater correction for:

• deeper acne scars
• significant texture irregularities
• advanced photoaging
• wrinkles

The goal is not to perform the deepest treatment possible.

The goal is to select the treatment that provides the appropriate level of correction for your skin.

Is PicoSure Pro Good for Acne Scars?

Yes—but it works differently than CO2 laser resurfacing.

PicoSure Pro uses picosecond laser technology to stimulate collagen while also targeting pigmentation and improving overall skin quality.

Patients often choose PicoSure Pro when their concerns include:

• mild acne scars
• post-acne pigmentation
• uneven skin tone
• skin revitalization
• overall complexion improvement

Because PicoSure Pro addresses both pigmentation and collagen stimulation, it can be an excellent option for patients whose acne has left behind discoloration as well as mild texture changes.

CO2 Laser vs PicoSure Pro

Although both are advanced laser technologies, they solve different problems.

CO2 laser resurfacing is generally better suited for:

• deeper textural acne scars
• significant resurfacing
• advanced correction

PicoSure Pro is often selected for:

• pigmentation after acne
• mild acne scars
• uneven skin tone
• overall skin revitalization

Rather than asking which laser is "better," the more important question is which laser is better for your skin.

That decision begins with a professional skin assessment.

Are Laser Treatments the Only Option?

No.

Although this article focuses on laser treatments, microneedling is another proven treatment option for improving certain acne scars.

At The Skin Chic, SkinPen stimulates collagen through controlled microchannels, while Potenza combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy for additional collagen remodeling.

For some patients, microneedling may be recommended instead of laser treatment. For others, it may become part of a broader treatment strategy.

Your aesthetician will determine whether laser resurfacing, microneedling, or a combination approach is most appropriate during your consultation.

Can Acne Scar Treatments Be Combined?

Yes.

Many patients have multiple concerns, including:

• depressed acne scars
• pigmentation
• enlarged pores
• sun damage
• uneven texture

Because no single treatment addresses every concern equally, combination treatment plans often provide the best overall improvement.

For example, your aesthetician may recommend:

• CO2 laser resurfacing for significant texture correction
• PicoSure Pro for pigmentation and skin revitalization
• SkinPen or Potenza RF microneedling to support ongoing collagen remodeling

Rather than performing every treatment at once, combination therapy means selecting the right treatment at the right stage of your skin journey.

What Results Can You Expect?

While no treatment can completely eliminate every acne scar, many patients experience noticeable improvement in:

• skin texture
• scar depth
• overall smoothness
• pigmentation
• skin tone

Collagen remodeling continues for several months following treatment, so improvements develop gradually over time.

How Many Treatments Will You Need?

The number of treatments depends on:

• scar severity
• scar type
• treatment selected
• skin response

Some patients achieve significant improvement after a single CO2 resurfacing treatment.

Others may benefit from multiple PicoSure Pro sessions or a staged treatment plan that incorporates different technologies over time.

Your aesthetician will create a treatment plan based on your skin rather than recommending a predetermined number of appointments.

What Is the Downtime?

Recovery varies by treatment.

CoolPeel typically involves mild redness, dryness, and light peeling.

Moderate and deep CO2 resurfacing require more recovery and may involve redness, swelling, peeling, and several days of visible healing.

PicoSure Pro generally involves less downtime, with temporary redness or mild sensitivity.

SkinPen and Potenza RF microneedling also involve temporary redness and mild swelling, but they are not laser treatments and have different recovery expectations.

Your aesthetician will review expected downtime, aftercare, and recovery before treatment.

How Much Do Laser Treatments for Acne Scars Cost?

Current pricing at The Skin Chic includes:

CO2 Laser Treatments

• CoolPeel + SkinPen — $1,200
• Mild Fractional CO2 — $1,900
• Mild Fractional CO2 | Nips Up! — $2,200
• Moderate Fractional CO2 — $2,100
• Moderate Fractional CO2 | Nips Up! — $2,400
• Deep Fractional CO2 — $2,300
• Deep Fractional CO2 | Nips Up! — $2,600

PicoSure Pro

• Face — $750
• Face + Neck — $950
• Face, Neck + Chest — $1,400
• Hands — $600
• Body Treatments — Starting at $900

Pricing is current as of the date this article was published and is subject to change. Final pricing depends on the treatment selected and your customized treatment plan. Refer to The Skin Chic treatment menu or schedule a consultation for current pricing.

Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing Worth It?

For patients with moderate to severe acne scars, CO2 laser resurfacing is often one of the most effective investments in long-term skin improvement.

However, it is not automatically the right choice for every patient.

Some patients achieve their goals with PicoSure Pro.

Others are better candidates for microneedling.

The best treatment is the one that matches your skin—not simply the most aggressive technology available.

Acne Scar Treatments in Virginia Beach

If you're searching for the best laser for acne scars in Virginia Beach, choosing the right technology is only part of the process.

Your aesthetician will evaluate:

• your scar type
• skin texture
• pigmentation
• previous treatments
• desired downtime
• long-term goals

At The Skin Chic, every treatment begins with understanding your skin.

Advanced technologies including Tetra PRO CO2, PicoSure Pro, SkinPen, and Potenza RF microneedling allow treatment plans to be customized rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

The Skin Chic proudly serves patients throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and the greater Hampton Roads area.

Final Thoughts

There is no single best laser for every acne scar.

CO2 laser resurfacing remains one of the most effective treatments for deeper textural acne scars, while PicoSure Pro offers an excellent option for pigmentation, skin revitalization, and selected acne scar concerns.

For some patients, microneedling also plays an important role in a comprehensive treatment plan.

The most successful outcomes begin with understanding your skin and selecting the treatment that aligns with your specific concerns—not simply choosing the newest technology.

Schedule a consultation at The Skin Chic to create a customized acne scar treatment plan designed specifically for your skin.