Technology
Ablative Laser
AL
10,600 nm CO2 energy — the most powerful resurfacing wavelength in aesthetic practice, removing precise tissue columns and triggering deep dermal remodeling that no non-ablative modality can replicate.
In the ecosystem — 0 MANA devices
01
What it is
The ablative CO2 laser emits energy at 10,600 nm, a wavelength absorbed by water in skin cells. Fractional delivery — creating thousands of microscopic treatment zones surrounded by intact tissue columns — produces controlled ablation at each column's center while preserving the surrounding tissue as a reservoir for rapid regeneration.
The balance between ablated and preserved columns is the key clinical variable: more coverage drives stronger remodeling; more preservation drives faster healing. Modern fractional platforms let operators tune this balance precisely for each patient and indication.
02
How it works in tissue
At each microtreatment zone, the ablation removes epidermis and a controlled depth of dermis, while a thermal coagulation zone extends outward. The healing response — epidermal migration from preserved tissue columns, fibroblast activation, new collagen laid down in organized structures — produces the skin-renewal effect.
For acne scars: new collagen fills the atrophic defects from below, progressively elevating the scar floor over months. For photoaging: organized neocollagenesis replaces the disordered solar elastosis of photodamaged skin. Both are structural changes, not surface-only effects.
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Where it earns its place
Fractional CO2 resurfacing positions a clinic at the most effective tier of non-surgical skin renewal — a premium, high-trust service with meaningful clinical outcomes that justify premium pricing. Treatment series are typically three to five sessions, with patients often returning annually for maintenance. The downtime associated with fractional CO2 (typically five to seven days for moderate settings) is the main patient-selection filter; most patients who proceed report high satisfaction relative to expectation.
Independent clinical literature
The science, in the journals
Peer-reviewed research on fractional ablative CO2 laser for skin rejuvenation and scar treatment.
- 01Ablative fractional CO2 laser for facial atrophic acne scars: systematic review and evidence-based recommendationsPeng JH, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2018;44(2):187–200. PMID 29304516. Systematic review, 30 studiesSystematic review of 30 studies (12 retrospective, 18 RCTs) established ablative fractional CO2 as a well-validated treatment for acne scars with a comprehensive evidence base.View →
- 02Treatment of acne scars with fractional CO2 laser at 1-month versus 3-month intervals: an intra-individual randomized controlled trialMajid I, Imran S. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2014;16(2):70–74. PMID 24018777. Intra-individual RCTFractional CO2 laser produced significant scar improvement regardless of treatment interval, confirming efficacy of the modality as a reliable standard.View →
- 03Fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for skin rejuvenation and acne scars in AsiansChan NPY, Ho SGY, Yeung CK, Shek SYN, Chan HHL. Lasers Surg Med. 2010;42(9):615–623. PMID 20976801Fractional CO2 laser was overall safe and effective for skin rejuvenation and acne scar treatment across Asian skin types, establishing a reference point for skin-of-color practice.View →
Independent publications on this technology class. Findings relate to the studied protocols and devices, not to any specific MANA device.
Devices built on Ablative Laser
Devices on this platform are being added.