Downtime: varies from minimal (CoolPeel) to several days (fractional CO₂)
Pain Level: mild to moderate depending on settings
Duration of Results: long-lasting; collagen continues rebuilding for months
Treats: fine lines, wrinkles, texture, pores, scars, sun damage, pigmentation, laxity
The SmartXide Deka Tetra CO₂ laser is one of the most advanced skin-resurfacing systems available today. It delivers highly customizable energy to remove damaged skin, stimulate collagen, and reveal smoother, firmer, more radiant skin.
This device also offers CoolPeel®, a revolutionary no-downtime CO₂ treatment that refreshes the skin’s surface without the heat or recovery of traditional lasers. Whether you want a gentle, glowing refresh or deeper improvement in wrinkles, texture, and scars, the Tetra platform allows your provider to tailor treatment to your exact needs.
What Is the Tetra CO₂ Laser?
The SmartXide Deka Tetra is a fractional ablative CO₂ laser, meaning it creates precise micro-channels in the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact. This allows for powerful skin remodeling with faster recovery compared to traditional fully ablative lasers.
Because the Tetra provides a wide range of settings, from very light CoolPeel resurfacing to deep fractional rejuvenation, your treatment is fully customized based on your skin type, concerns, lifestyle, and desired downtime.
The result is healthier-looking skin with improved tone, texture, firmness, and clarity.
What Does Tetra CO₂ Treat?
- Fine lines and deeper wrinkles
- Sun damage and age spots
- Enlarged pores and rough texture
- Acne scars and surgical scars
- Uneven skin tone or dullness
- Mild skin laxity or “crepey” skin
- Pigmentation irregularities
- Overall skin rejuvenation for face, neck, and chest
CoolPeel treatments specifically target surface texture, pore size, and radiance with minimal recovery, while deeper fractional settings target wrinkles, laxity, and scars.
How Does the Tetra CO₂ Laser Work?
The laser delivers controlled CO₂ energy into the skin, creating microscopic columns of thermal injury. This triggers:
- Exfoliation of damaged surface skin
- Collagen remodeling, improving firmness and elasticity
- Skin resurfacing, which softens wrinkles and scars
- Brighter, smoother texture as new skin appears
CoolPeel uses extremely short, high-peak pulses with minimal heat, treating only the outermost layer of skin for a refreshed, smooth surface with very little downtime.
CoolPeel® vs. Fractional CO₂ Resurfacing
CoolPeel (Minimal Downtime)
- Targets the top layer of skin
- Improves texture, tone, pores, and brightness
- Feels like a warm, prickly sensation
- Skin looks red/pink for 1-2 days with mild dryness for several more • No oozing, no wound care, minimal restrictions
Fractional CO₂ (Moderate Downtime)
- Reaches deeper layers for stronger correction
- Addresses wrinkles, scarring, crepey skin, and laxity
- Redness, swelling, and sandpaper-like texture for several days
- Deeper settings may involve peeling or crusting during healing
- Longer-lasting tightening and rejuvenation
Both treatments can be done alone or combined depending on your goals.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Your visit begins with a consultation to review your skin, medical history, and treatment goals. Your provider will determine the best settings—CoolPeel, light fractional, medium, or deep fractional resurfacing.
During treatment:
- Your skin is cleansed thoroughly
- Eye protection is applied for safety
- Numbing cream may be used (commonly for fractional, optional for CoolPeel)
- A handheld scanner delivers laser pulses in precise patterns
- Most patients describe the sensation as warm, prickly, or similar to a quick snap
Cool air or cold compresses may be used for comfort. A full-face CoolPeel typically takes 5-15 minutes; deeper resurfacing sessions may take longer.
Recovery and Downtime
Because the Tetra CO₂ platform is highly customizable, downtime varies based on settings.
CoolPeel Downtime (Minimal)
- Day 0-2: Redness similar to a sunburn, mild warmth
- Day 1-5: Dryness, rough texture, “sandpaper” feel
- Makeup can usually be worn after 24-48 hours
- No wound care; simple gentle skincare and hydration
Light to Medium Fractional CO₂ Downtime
- Redness and swelling for 2-4 days
- Skin may feel tight, dry, or rough
- Mild flaking or peeling as new skin forms
- You’ll use a hydrating ointment or post-care product while healing Deep Fractional CO₂ Downtime
- More noticeable redness, swelling, and peeling for 5-10 days
- Pinpoint crusting or weeping may occur in treated areas
- Strict moisturizer and gentle cleansing protocol is required
- Avoid heat, exercise, or sweating during early healing
- Pinkness may linger for several weeks as deeper layers remodel. Your provider will give detailed instructions based on the treatment depth.
Aftercare and Results
General Post-Care
- Keep skin hydrated and moisturized
- Use gentle cleanser and avoid scrubbing
- Avoid heat, hot yoga, saunas, and exercise for 2-4 days
- Apply only provider-approved products
- Resume active skincare once cleared
- Daily mineral sunscreen (SPF 30+) is essential
When Results Appear
- CoolPeel: smoother texture and brighter skin in 3-7 days
- Fractional CO₂: improvements visible as early as 1-2 weeks
- Collagen continues remodeling for 3-6 months, improving firmness and elasticity
Is the Tetra CO₂ Laser Safe?
Yes. Our providers are trained, licensed professionals. The Tetra CO₂ laser is considered safe and effective. CoolPeel’s minimal-heat design further reduces the risk of pigmentation changes and over-treated appearance.
Possible temporary side effects:
- Redness, swelling, warmth
- Dryness or flaking
- Peeling or crusting (fractional settings)
- Temporary darkening or lightening of pigment
- Pinpoint bleeding with deeper passes
- Cold sore flare (prophylactic antiviral may be recommended)
Serious complications such as infection or scarring are rare when aftercare is followed properly.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be an ideal candidate if you want to improve:
- Fine lines or deeper wrinkles
- Texture, roughness, or enlarged pores
- Sun damage or uneven tone
- Acne scars or surgical scars
- Mild laxity or crepey skin
CoolPeel is excellent for patients wanting a fresh, glowing complexion with little downtime. Deeper fractional resurfacing is ideal for those ready for more dramatic correction.
Your provider will determine if Tetra CO₂ is appropriate for your skin type and medical history.