Read fractional CO2 laser resurfacing as a laser that treats the skin in many narrow columns, not all at once. Two clinical sources explain the idea.
How it works
Cleveland Clinic says that because fractional CO2 laser resurfacing delivers many narrow columns of laser light to your skin, much of your skin is not injured.
What Penn Medicine adds
Penn Medicine says ablative fractional laser resurfacing combines the skin-smoothing benefits of older technologies with quicker recovery and more predictable results.
Context pages on lasers and resurfacing
The AAD's page on skin conditions that lasers can treat and the ASPS article on skin resurfacing techniques for facial rejuvenation give wider context on lasers and skin resurfacing. A related approach in photoaged skin is covered in the PMC paper on radiofrequency microneedling with a thulium laser.
Asking about the device
Ask the provider which laser they use and how it delivers the light, then read about that device's recovery before you pick a date.