Your skin shows the years. Fine lines around your eyes. Sun damage creating uneven tone. Texture that’s lost its smoothness. You’re ready to do something about it, and laser skin rejuvenation keeps coming up in your research.
But here’s where it gets confusing. Some clinics talk about PicoWay for gentle rejuvenation. Others recommend CO2 for dramatic resurfacing. The two treatments sound completely different.
Let’s break down exactly how these laser technologies work, what results they deliver, and which one makes sense for your specific skin goals.
PicoWay delivers rejuvenation without removing skin layers. Ultra-fast picosecond pulses create pressure waves that trigger your body’s healing response.
Key characteristics:
CO2 performs aggressive skin removal. The laser vaporizes microscopic columns of damaged skin to reveal fresh layers underneath.
Key characteristics:
Think of it this way. PicoWay gently encourages your skin to renew itself. CO2 forcefully removes damaged tissue and forces your body to rebuild.
| Factor | PicoWay | CO2 Laser |
| Treatment type | Non-ablative | Ablative |
| Downtime | 2-4 hours redness | 5-10 days recovery |
| Pain level | Mild snapping | Significant (numbing required) |
| Sessions needed | 3-5 sessions | 1 session typically |
| Results timeline | Gradual over 3-6 months | Dramatic after healing |
| Improvement level | 20-30% | 50-70% |
| Cost per session | $400-$800 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Total investment | $1,200-$4,000 | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Skin tone safety | All types I-VI | Limited (avoid darker tones) |
PicoWay uses ultra-short pulse duration measured in picoseconds. That’s one trillionth of a second.
The process:
Your skin surface remains undamaged. No peeling. No oozing. No raw, vulnerable skin.
CO2 lasers use fractional technology to remove tiny columns of skin tissue.
The process:
The intensity is adjustable. Lighter settings remove superficial damage. Aggressive settings penetrate deeper for maximum improvement.
Skin concerns it addresses:
Ideal candidates:
Skin concerns it addresses:
Ideal candidates:
Session 1: Minimal visible change
Sessions 2-3: Subtle improvements appearing
Sessions 4-5: Noticeable texture smoothing
3 months post-treatment: Final results visible
Duration: Results last 1-2 years
Realistic improvements:
Days 1-5: Intense redness and swelling
Days 5-10: Peeling and healing
Weeks 2-4: Pink healing phase
Months 1-3: Continued improvement
Months 3-6: Final results emerge
Duration: Results last 3-5 years
Realistic improvements:
| Time | What to Expect |
| Immediately after | Mild redness like slight sunburn |
| 2-4 hours | Redness fades completely |
| Next day | Apply makeup normally |
| Week after | No restrictions on activities |
You can schedule PicoWay during lunch break. Return to work immediately. Nobody knows you had treatment.
| Time | What to Expect |
| Day 1-2 | Intense redness, feels like severe sunburn |
| Day 3-5 | Swelling peaks, skin begins peeling |
| Day 5-7 | Heavy flaking and shedding |
| Day 7-10 | Pinkness remains, no more peeling |
| Week 2-4 | Pink tone gradually fading |
| Month 1+ | Skin tone normalizing |
Plan to stay home for at least one week. Stock healing ointment. Clear your calendar. You cannot hide CO2 recovery.
During treatment:
After treatment:
During treatment:
After treatment:
Safe for Fitzpatrick types I through VI (all skin tones).
Why it’s safe:
Texas has incredibly diverse communities. PicoWay treats everyone safely.
Risky for Fitzpatrick types IV through VI (medium to dark skin).
Why it’s risky:
If you have medium to dark skin, PicoWay becomes the safer choice.
Per session: $400-$800
Sessions needed: 3-5
Total investment: $1,200-$4,000
Results last: 1-2 years
Annual maintenance: $400-$800
Per session: $1,500-$3,500
Sessions needed: 1 (occasionally 2)
Total investment: $1,500-$3,500
Results last: 3-5 years
Maintenance needs: Minimal
Total costs are similar when accounting for multiple PicoWay sessions.
You don’t have to choose just one. Many people benefit from combining both technologies.
Start with CO2 for dramatic improvement. Then maintain results with annual PicoWay sessions. This gives big initial results followed by ongoing quality maintenance.
Do a series of PicoWay treatments first. If results don’t meet expectations, upgrade to CO2 later. Starting gentle lets you gauge whether you actually need the aggressive option.
Use CO2 on severely damaged areas like around the mouth. Treat the rest of your face with PicoWay for overall improvement. This balances dramatic results with manageable recovery.
Choose PicoWay if you want subtle, natural-looking improvement without downtime. It’s perfect for early aging, busy schedules, and people who can’t hide recovery.
Choose CO2 if you want dramatic transformation and can handle real recovery time. It’s necessary for severe concerns that won’t respond to gentler options.
At InjectCo, we offer both PicoWay and Fractional CO2 in our comprehensive laser division. Our master nurse injectors assess your specific concerns during consultation. We’ll recommend which technology addresses your goals most effectively.
Book your free consultation to discuss which laser rejuvenation option fits your skin goals and lifestyle. Let’s create clearer, smoother, more youthful skin using the technology that makes sense for you.
Not in the same session. But you can do CO2 on specific problem areas and PicoWay on the rest of your face during separate appointments. Your provider designs a hybrid plan if appropriate.
PicoWay results last 1-2 years with proper skincare and sun protection. CO2 results last 3-5 years or longer. Both require maintenance eventually as natural aging continues.
CO2 hurts more both during and after treatment. PicoWay feels like mild snapping. CO2 requires numbing and feels like significant heat even with anesthetic.
After PicoWay, yes the next day. After CO2, no for at least 5-7 days until skin has re-epithelialized. Makeup on raw CO2 skin risks infection.
No. Both are cosmetic procedures. Insurance doesn’t cover aesthetic treatments. You’ll pay out-of-pocket or use financing like CareCredit or Cherry.
Depends on scar severity. Mild acne scars respond to PicoWay. Moderate to severe acne scars need CO2’s aggressive resurfacing. Your consultation determines which gives adequate improvement.
Absolutely. Both treatments work equally well on male skin. Many men choose laser rejuvenation for professional appearance or personal preference.
Treat active acne first before either laser rejuvenation. Both treatments can worsen active breakouts. Get your skin clear, then proceed with rejuvenation.
