Thulium Laser vs CO2 Fractional Laser | Which Resurfacing System Is Best?
How to Choose the Right Resurfacing System for Your Clinic
Choosing between Thulium laser and CO2 fractional laser depends on the type of patients you treat, the downtime they will accept and the level of correction your clinic wants to offer. This guide compares Thulium Laser Pro and Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser in practical clinic terms, including indications, recovery, skin-type suitability, profitability and which system is best for different treatment strategies.
Quick Links
Who Should Choose Which?
Clinic takeaway Clinics that offer both systems can cover a much broader range of patient needs: Thulium Laser Pro for low-downtime rejuvenation, pigmentation and repeatable maintenance treatments, and Hestia-S CO2 for deeper correction, scar remodelling and premium resurfacing procedures.
When to recommend Thulium Laser Pro
- Fine lines, pigmentation, uneven tone, rough texture, enlarged pores or mild skin laxity are the main concerns.
- The patient wants visible improvement with minimal downtime.
- They have a busy lifestyle and cannot take a week away from work or social commitments.
- Your clinic wants a repeatable, membership-friendly rejuvenation treatment.
- Suitable across a wide range of skin tones when appropriate protocols are followed.
When to recommend Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser
- Deeper wrinkles, acne scars, more advanced photo-ageing or stronger skin remodelling are required.
- The patient accepts longer downtime in exchange for stronger correction.
- Your clinic wants a flagship resurfacing treatment with high perceived value.
- Ideal for clinics offering premium corrective skin work and stronger before-and-after transformations.
- Often best suited to lighter skin tones for resurfacing, with cautious parameter selection for darker tones.
Tip: Offering both Thulium and CO2 allows clinics to create a complete resurfacing pathway, from ongoing rejuvenation and pigment refinement through to deeper resurfacing and scar correction.
Technology Comparison — Thulium Laser Pro vs Hestia-S CO2
How the technologies work
Thulium Laser Pro (1927 nm): targets water in the upper layers of the skin, creating controlled micro-channels and stimulating renewal in the epidermis and superficial dermis. It is especially effective for pigmentation, surface texture and low-downtime rejuvenation.
Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser (10,600 nm): creates micro-ablative columns in the skin while heating surrounding tissue. This drives deeper collagen remodelling, stronger resurfacing and more dramatic improvement in wrinkles, acne scarring and advanced photo-ageing.
Best treatment indications
- Thulium Laser Pro: pigmentation, sun damage, melasma management, rough texture, enlarged pores, fine lines and mild skin laxity.
- Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser: acne scarring, deeper lines, deeper wrinkles, advanced photo-ageing, textural irregularities and more significant rejuvenation needs.
Typical number of sessions
- Thulium Laser Pro: typically 3–4 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, then maintenance.
- Hestia-S CO2: often 1–2 sessions depending on severity and intensity.
Downtime and visible healing
- Thulium Laser Pro: light redness and flaking for around 1–3 days.
- Hestia-S CO2: redness, swelling and peeling for around 5–10 days with stricter aftercare.
Comfort and anaesthesia
- Thulium Laser Pro: usually experienced as warmth or tingling; topical anaesthetic is normally sufficient.
- Hestia-S CO2: stronger heat and more intense sensation; topical anaesthetic and good cooling support are important.
Skin-type suitability
- Thulium Laser Pro: broader suitability across skin tones when performed carefully.
- Hestia-S CO2: often ideal for lighter skin types, with more caution required for darker tones.
Treatment Experience — What Patients Feel
Thulium Laser Pro: patients usually describe a warm, prickling or tingling sensation during treatment. Afterward the skin often looks pink and feels slightly tight, followed by mild flaking as the skin renews.
Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser: the sensation is stronger because the treatment penetrates deeper and is more ablative. Post-treatment redness, swelling and a fine crust are expected as the skin begins its healing cycle.
Understanding “fractional” technology
Both systems use a fractional delivery pattern, meaning only a fraction of the skin surface is treated at one time. Microscopic columns of energy are delivered while leaving healthy tissue between them, helping the skin recover more efficiently.
Downtime & Recovery
Thulium Laser Pro: most patients experience 1–3 days of pinkness and light flaking, making it well suited to clinics serving downtime-averse patients.
Hestia-S CO2: expect around one week of visible recovery, sometimes longer depending on intensity. The skin may be red, warm and tight before peeling reveals smoother, fresher skin underneath.
Aftercare guidelines
- Use only clinic-approved soothing and hydrating products.
- Avoid acids, retinol and other actives until the skin is fully recovered.
- Wear broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily and avoid direct sun exposure.
- Do not pick, peel or scrub healing skin.
Indications & Typical Outcomes
Thulium Laser Pro: stronger for surface-led concerns such as pigmentation, uneven tone, rough texture, enlarged pores and fine lines, while also supporting gradual tightening and rejuvenation.
Hestia-S CO2: stronger for structural change including scar remodelling, wrinkle softening and deeper resurfacing, with continued collagen improvement over time.
Can treatments be combined?
Yes. Many clinics use Thulium to improve pigment and surface quality, then progress to CO2 when deeper correction is needed. Together they can form a very strong resurfacing pathway.
Clinic Profitability — Building a Balanced Menu
Thulium Laser Pro is highly attractive as a repeatable, lower-downtime rejuvenation service that suits regular treatment plans, seasonal courses and ongoing maintenance packages.
Hestia-S CO2 is the premium, high-value treatment that supports stronger pricing, high-impact results and standout before-and-after photography. Together they allow clinics to offer both high-frequency repeat business and premium corrective procedures.
Ready-to-Sell Treatment Packages
Clarity & Glow Programme (Thulium-led)
- Ideal for: uneven tone, pigmentation, rough texture, fine lines and mild laxity.
- Includes: 3 × Thulium Laser Pro sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, plus aftercare and SPF guidance.
- Result: brighter, smoother, fresher-looking skin with minimal downtime.
Resurface & Remodel Programme (CO2-led)
- Ideal for: deeper wrinkles, acne scarring and advanced photo-ageing.
- Includes: 1 × Hestia-S CO2 treatment with aftercare support and review.
- Result: stronger resurfacing and deeper rejuvenation in fewer sessions.
If You Could Choose Only One Machine — Which Should It Be?
If your clinic is choosing just one resurfacing platform, the right answer depends on your patient demographic, your current treatment menu and how much downtime your clients are willing to accept.
Thulium Laser Pro is often the better all-rounder for clinics that want to serve a broad audience with visible improvement, short recovery and repeatable treatment demand. It works especially well for pigmentation, texture, fine lines and gradual rejuvenation.
Hestia-S CO2 Fractional Laser is the stronger choice when your clinic is positioned around more corrective, premium skin work and you want the ability to deliver more dramatic resurfacing results, especially for acne scars, deeper wrinkles and advanced ageing concerns.
In simple terms, Thulium is usually better for progressive rejuvenation and wider patient suitability, while CO2 is stronger for premium corrective resurfacing. Many clinics eventually conclude that both technologies complement each other exceptionally well.
Safety & Skin Types
Both systems are safe when used correctly with proper patient selection, conservative protocols where appropriate and clear aftercare. Thulium is generally the more flexible option across different skin tones, while CO2 often requires more caution, especially in darker skin types.
Pure Tone Training & Support
Every purchase includes installation, hands-on training, treatment protocols and UK-based after-sales support. This helps clinics launch confidently, maintain safety standards and build profitable treatment pathways with both Thulium and CO2 systems.
FAQs
Is Thulium truly “no downtime”?
Thulium usually involves very short recovery, typically light redness and flaking for 1–3 days rather than extended downtime.
Which is better for acne scarring?
CO2 is generally the stronger option for acne scarring because it works deeper and supports stronger collagen remodelling.
Can Thulium treat melasma safely?
Thulium is often chosen for pigment-led concerns, including melasma management, when conservative settings and strict sun protection are used.
How many treatments are usually needed?
Thulium often works best as a short course of treatments, while CO2 is commonly used in 1–2 more intensive sessions.
Which skin tones can be treated?
Thulium is generally more flexible across skin tones. CO2 often needs more caution and conservative protocols in darker skin types.
What anaesthesia is required?
Both typically use topical anaesthetic, although CO2 may require longer numbing time and more cooling support due to the stronger treatment intensity.
Can clinics offer both systems profitably?
Yes. Thulium supports repeatable rejuvenation demand, while CO2 supports premium corrective cases. Together they create a very balanced commercial offering.
What training is included?
Training, treatment guidance and after-sales support are included to help clinics launch safely and confidently.
How should each treatment be marketed?
Thulium is best positioned around low-downtime clarity, tone and texture, while CO2 is best positioned as transformational resurfacing for more advanced concerns.
Can treatments be combined?
Yes. Many clinics use Thulium for pigment and surface refinement before progressing to CO2 for deeper resurfacing and scar correction.
Final Thoughts
Thulium and CO2 are not direct replacements for one another — they solve different clinical and commercial problems. Thulium Laser Pro is the better choice for low-downtime rejuvenation, pigmentation and repeatable treatment plans, while Hestia-S CO2 is the stronger choice for deeper correction, premium resurfacing and more dramatic transformation. Clinics that understand this difference can build a far stronger laser portfolio.
Be the Clinic That Leads
Explore our professional resurfacing technologies and build a treatment menu that covers both low-downtime rejuvenation and premium corrective skin work.
Explore All Professional Aesthetics MachinesFor results your patients can see and feel.
Sign-up for the Pure Tone Aesthetics Members Club and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news, special offers and new product launches.