Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing — MIXTO

Skin resurfacing and scar treatment using the MIXTO fractional CO2 laser at CLED — a microdot technology platform that ablates thousands of microscopic columns in the skin without treating the entire surface, stimulating deep collagen renewal and new epidermal growth. The fractional approach leaves surrounding skin intact, dramatically reducing recovery time versus fully ablative CO2 while still delivering substantive improvements in fine wrinkles, acne scars, photodamage, pigmentation and skin texture. MUDr. Moskalyková is notable for reporting no hyperpigmentation complications even in darker-skinned patients.

Fractional photothermolysis is the technique underlying MIXTO: instead of ablating the entire skin surface in a single pass, the laser beam is broken into thousands of fine microdots arranged in a precise grid. Each microdot creates a micro-ablation zone (MAZ) — a narrow column of vaporised tissue extending from the epidermis into the papillary dermis — while the tissue between the columns is left untreated. This tissue serves as a reservoir of progenitor cells that migrate rapidly into the MAZs, re-epithelialising the tiny wounds within 24–72 hours. The initial ablative stimulus and the subsequent wound-healing cascade — fibroblast activation, new collagen and elastin synthesis, growth factor release — continues to remodel the deeper dermis for up to six months after the last session. The MIXTO system at CLED uses CO2 at 10,600 nm with a characteristic microdot scanner pattern. CO2 is the laser wavelength with the highest water absorption coefficient in common clinical use, meaning energy is deposited with minimal lateral spread and maximum per-pulse tissue removal precision. The microdot density and pulse energy can be adjusted to calibrate the intensity of treatment — lighter settings for the first sessions or for sensitive areas such as the neck and décolletage, deeper or denser settings for more established acne scarring or pronounced photodamage. The treatment is indicated for fine wrinkles and rhytides, acne and varicella scars, photodamage (solar elastosis, irregular pigmentation, rough texture), generalised skin quality decline on the face, neck, décolletage and hands. MUDr. Moskalyková has specifically noted that the MIXTO's combination of fractional ablation and the clinic's aftercare protocol has produced no hyperpigmentation even in patients with darker Fitzpatrick types — an important differentiator given that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a known risk with CO2 resurfacing in pigmented skin. Before treatment topical anaesthetic cream is applied for 30–60 minutes. During the session patients feel warmth, mild stinging and a slight surface gritty sensation as the ablation proceeds. Immediately after, skin is red and may appear roughened at the micro-column sites; this settles within hours to a day. Small surface crusts form over the treated micro-columns and shed over days 3–7, at which point the underlying fresh skin is visible. Redness may persist for two to four days. Makeup is typically permitted after 24 hours. Strict SPF 50+ use and moisturisation during the healing phase are essential. A course of three to five sessions spaced two to four weeks apart is standard; collagen maturation and the full aesthetic result develop over three to six months after the final session.