One-to-one hands-on training in fractional CO₂ resurfacing, covering laser physics, patient selection, anaesthesia, parameter selection, clinical endpoints, aftercare and complication prevention.
Fractional CO₂ resurfacing can appear complicated because terminology, settings and treatment modes differ considerably between devices. Memorising a standard protocol does not explain why it works, how deeply it treats or how it should be adapted to an individual patient.
This one-to-one course builds a practical clinical framework for fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing. You will learn how power or energy, pulse duration, density, stacking and passes influence ablation, coagulation, treatment depth, recovery and clinical outcomes.
The course covers the complete treatment pathway: patient selection, anaesthesia, procedural safety, parameter selection, tissue endpoints, aftercare and complication management. During the practical component, you will assess and treat a carefully selected patient under direct supervision using a DEKA fractional CO₂ laser. The underlying principles are taught in a way that can also be translated across different CO₂ laser platforms.
1. CO₂ laser physics and tissue interaction: The 10,600 nm wavelength, water absorption, ablation and coagulation, fractional treatment principles, treatment depth, thermal effects and the relationship between different parameters.
2. Patient assessment and treatment planning: Indications, contraindications, Fitzpatrick skin type, risk factors, anatomical considerations, pre-treatment preparation, photography, consent, expectation management and expected downtime.
3. Anaesthesia and procedural safety: Topical and infiltrative anaesthesia, safe dosing, relevant facial nerve blocks, wavelength-appropriate eye protection, laser plume evacuation, infection prevention and treatment-room safety.
4. Treatment demonstration and hands-on practice: Device setup, treatment planning, parameter selection, test spots, hand speed, overlap, stacking, passes, anatomical adjustments and recognition of the appropriate tissue endpoint. The participant will perform fractional CO₂ resurfacing on a selected patient under direct supervision.
5. Aftercare and complication management: Post-treatment wound care, normal healing, patient instructions and follow-up. Prevention, early recognition and management of prolonged erythema, infection, herpes reactivation, acneiform eruptions, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and scarring.
6. Treatment review and Q&A: Review of the parameters used, observed tissue response and clinical decisions, followed by individual case discussion and questions.
A valid medical licence and eligibility for hands-on participation, as confirmed by Mentorvise
No previous fractional resurfacing experience is required
Basic knowledge of skin anatomy and wound healing is recommended
Before the course, participants will be asked about their current device, previous laser experience and individual learning objectives so the training can be tailored accordingly
a) Physicians preparing to introduce fractional CO₂ resurfacing into their clinical practice
b) Existing CO₂ users who want to understand parameter selection rather than rely exclusively on preset protocols