ProFractional Laser vs. CoolPeel CO2: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?
If you've been researching laser skin resurfacing in Chillicothe, two treatments have likely come up: CoolPeel CO2 and ProFractional. Both are fractional ablative lasers. Both stimulate collagen and improve skin texture, tone, and the appearance of fine lines and scarring. And both are offered by practices in the area.
But they work on fundamentally different principles, different wavelengths, different depths, different clinical applications, and those differences matter for what you can realistically expect from each treatment.
At New Image Laser Skin Center in Chillicothe, we offer Sciton ProFractional. Here is an honest breakdown of how these two technologies compare, what each one is best suited for, and why we made the choice we did.
What Fractional Ablative Resurfacing Does
Both CoolPeel and ProFractional are fractional treatments, meaning they treat a controlled percentage of the skin surface while leaving surrounding tissue intact. Those untreated columns of skin serve as a healing reservoir, accelerating recovery compared to full-field ablation while still triggering the collagen and elastin production that drives visible results.
The differences lie in the laser technology behind each treatment: the wavelength, how deeply the energy penetrates, how much heat transfers to surrounding tissue, and ultimately what concerns each device is designed to address.
CoolPeel CO2: How It Works
CoolPeel is a fractional CO2 laser treatment delivered through the DEKA Tetra platform. It uses a carbon dioxide laser at a 10,600-nanometer wavelength and is specifically engineered to deliver that energy in ultra-short pulses, minimizing the thermal spread that traditional CO2 resurfacing is known for.
This is an important distinction from older CO2 technology. Traditional full-field CO2 laser can only be provided by a licensed physician and is one of the most aggressive resurfacing tools in aesthetic medicine. This older fractional technology is very versatile, able to treat multiple depths of tissue with recovery that can run 7–14 days or longer, but can pose a meaningful risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly for clients with medium to darker skin tones. CoolPeel was designed as a lighter version of the full-field CO2 technology which allows non-physicians to operate the laser to address more superficial skin issues.
The result: CoolPeel can be provided by any medical spa trained staff member and offers more superficial treatments with recovery time of 2–4 days for most clients, and it is well suited for mild and possibly moderate skin concerns like fine lines, surface texture, superficial sunspots, and early signs of aging. Clients who want a refreshing skin reset with minimal social downtime are a natural fit.
What CoolPeel is designed to do and what it is not: because CoolPeel targets the more superficial layer of skin, it is somewhat limited in its ability to reach into the deeper dermis where more significant collagen remodeling occurs. For more advanced concerns like deeper acne scarring, more pronounced texture irregularities, deeper pigment issues or skin laxity, a superficial CO2 treatment may not achieve the depth of change that a client is seeking.
Sciton ProFractional: How It Works
ProFractional is part of the Sciton laser platform and uses a fundamentally different laser technology: an erbium:YAG laser operating at 2,940 nanometers. This distinction matters clinically. The erbium wavelength has a dramatically higher affinity for water than the CO2 wavelength, meaning it is absorbed more readily and precisely at the target site allowing the physician better control of the treated area with significantly less thermal spread to surrounding tissue.
In practice, ProFractional creates thousands of narrow, deep ablative channels in the skin. Each channel drives the wound-healing response that stimulates collagen and elastin production, while the unaffected tissue between channels accelerates healing. Because the erbium wavelength is so precise in its energy absorption, providers can control treatment depth with a level of accuracy that CO2-based devices, including CoolPeel, cannot match. With ProFractional, physicians can treat precise areas at variable depth providing superior results.
ProFractional is designed for more significant resurfacing goals. Clients at New Image who receive ProFractional can expect 5–7 days of healing for deeper areas, and 2-4 days for superficial areas. Many clients have skin concerns which require different treatment depths. Using a versatile laser like ProFractional allows the physician the ability to provide superior results by adjusting depth and energy levels during the treatment.
The Combination Advantage: What Makes ProFractional at New Image Different
Beyond the head-to-head comparison of the two devices, at New Image Laser Skin Center in Chillicothe, ProFractional can be combined with other Sciton platform technologies along with PRP in a single appointment. CoolPeel, as a standalone CO2 device, is not designed to offer these types of comprehensive treatments.
ProFractional + BBL HERO
BBL HERO (BroadBand Light) targets pigment and vascular concerns like sun damage, age spots, redness, and uneven skin tone that ablative resurfacing alone does not address. When combined with ProFractional in the same session, clients address both structural skin quality (texture, firmness, scarring) and surface color concerns (pigmentation, tone) simultaneously.
ProFractional and BBL HERO are both part of the Sciton platform and are designed to work together in a single appointment. This combination is not something CoolPeel, as a DEKA CO2 system, is built to offer alongside a BroadBand Light device.
ProFractional + Moxi
Moxi is a non-ablative Sciton laser that improves skin clarity, texture and tone. Layered with ProFractional in the same visit, it allows treatment across a wider range of skin depths in one appointment, without significantly extending recovery time.
ProFractional + PRP
PRP (platelet-rich plasma derived from the client's own blood) can be performed at the same time as ProFractional treatment. The thousands of precise depth micro-channels created by the laser allow PRP's growth factors to penetrate preset depths deep into the skin, amplifying and accelerating the collagen response the laser treatment has already initiated.
For clients focused on comprehensive skin rejuvenation and collagen rebuilding, PRP/ProFractional combines ablative stimulation with the client's own biological growth factors, a pairing that addresses skin renewal from two directions simultaneously.
All three combination options, ProFractional/BBL HERO, ProFractional/Moxi, and PRP/ProFractional, are available at New Image and are included on our membership pick list, meaning members access them at 30–50% off depending on their tier.
Sciton ProFractional vs. CoolPeel Side-by-Side Comparison
Why New Image Chose ProFractional
After more than 15 years treating clients in Chillicothe, the Sciton ProFractional platform was the right fit for our practice because of the depth of treatment it makes possible and the combination platform it belongs to.
CoolPeel is a good treatment for the right client. If someone has mild surface concerns and wants minimal downtime, a light superficial CO2 refresh is a reasonable choice. But when clients come to us with more significant texture concerns, visible acne scarring, or skin that needs deeper collagen rebuilding, ProFractional at the depth we treat allows us to address those goals in a way that CoolPeel's superficial reach cannot.
The combination platform makes that case even stronger. A ProFractional session at New Image doesn’t have to be a standalone laser treatment. It's an opportunity to address resurfacing, pigmentation, tone, and collagen in a single appointment. For clients who are committing to a recovery period anyway, the ability to accomplish more in one visit, using two or three complementary Sciton technologies, is a meaningful advantage.
We take a conservative, natural-enhancement approach to every treatment. That philosophy is why we chose a platform that gives our providers precise, controllable tools rather than a one-size approach. And it’s why we can tailor each ProFractional treatment to the individual client in front of us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CoolPeel CO2 and ProFractional laser?
CoolPeel is a superficial fractional CO2 laser (10,600 nm, DEKA Tetra platform) designed for mild to moderate skin concerns with 2–4 days of recovery. Sciton ProFractional is an erbium:YAG laser (2,940 nm) that penetrates deeper into the skin for more significant resurfacing, with 5–7 days of recovery. ProFractional can also be combined with BBL HERO, Moxi, and PRP in the same appointment; CoolPeel is typically used as a standalone treatment.
Is CoolPeel or ProFractional better for acne scars?
For mild surface-level acne scarring, CoolPeel can produce improvement. For more significant, deeper acne scars (particularly ice pick, boxcar, or rolling scars) ProFractional's greater treatment depth and precision make it the more appropriate choice. A consultation at New Image will help determine which level of treatment matches your scarring and goals.
How long is the recovery for ProFractional laser vs. CoolPeel?
Clients receiving ProFractional at New Image Laser Skin Center should plan for 5–7 days of healing. CoolPeel typically involves 2–4 days of recovery. The difference reflects treatment depth. ProFractional reaches deeper into the dermis for more comprehensive collagen remodeling.
Can ProFractional be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and this is one of its most significant advantages at New Image. We combine ProFractional with BBL HERO for pigmentation correction, with Moxi for enhanced skin clarity, and with PRP for amplified collagen response. These combinations are performed in a single appointment and are available on our membership pick list.
Is ProFractional laser safe for all skin types?
ProFractional is appropriate for a broad range of skin tones. The erbium:YAG wavelength produces less thermal damage to surrounding tissue than CO2-based lasers, reducing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Our providers assess every client's skin at a consultation before recommending a treatment plan.
How many ProFractional treatments will I need?
Most clients see meaningful results after one treatment, with continued improvement over 3–6 months as collagen remodeling progresses. A series of 2–3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart typically produces the most comprehensive results. Annual or biannual maintenance treatments help preserve long-term outcomes.
Where can I get ProFractional laser in Chillicothe, Ohio?
New Image Laser Skin Center, located at 192 S. Paint Street in Chillicothe, offers Sciton ProFractional along with combination options including ProFractional + BBL HERO, ProFractional + Moxi, and PRP + ProFractional. Consultations are available — call (740) 774-7444 to schedule.
Ready to Find Out Which Treatment Is Right for You?
If you're weighing CoolPeel versus ProFractional or simply want to understand what level of resurfacing makes sense for your skin concerns, we're happy to walk you through it. Every skin is different, and the right answer depends on what you're working with and what you're working toward.
Our providers offer consultations for clients considering laser resurfacing for the first time, and our New Image memberships allow clients to access ProFractional and all combination options at 30–50% off depending on their tier.
📞 Call us at (740) 774-7444 📍 192 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
New Image Laser Skin Center has served clients across Chillicothe and Ross County for over 15 years, specializing in laser treatments, injectables, body contouring, and medical-grade skincare.