St. George, Utah · Decision Guide
CO2 Laser vs ClearLift
Which Resurfacing Is Right for You?
An honest comparison of ablative CO2 vs non-ablative ClearLift — cost, recovery, and which fits your goals. By Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
Two Different Tools for Two Different Patients
CO2 laser and ClearLift are not competitors — they're different tiers of skin resurfacing. CO2 ablates the top layer of skin for dramatic, single-session results with significant downtime. ClearLift stimulates collagen below the surface for gradual, no-downtime improvement over a series of sessions.
Most providers will sell you whichever device they own. The better question is which one fits your downtime tolerance, skin concern, and budget. Aera Medical Aesthetics in St. George does not own a CO2 laser — we made a deliberate choice to specialize in non-ablative work because the cost/recovery/result trade-off favors most patients. If your concerns are severe enough that CO2 is the right call, we'll tell you honestly and refer you elsewhere.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| CO2 Laser | ClearLift | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ablative — removes top layer of skin | Non-ablative — works below surface |
| Sessions | 1 (sometimes 2) | 3–6 |
| Downtime | 7–14 days redness, peeling, oozing | None |
| Pinkness after | Weeks to months | 1–2 hours |
| Sun avoidance | 6+ weeks strict | 2 weeks routine SPF |
| Cost per session | $1,500–$3,500+ | $300–$450 |
| Total course cost | $1,500–$3,500+ | $1,200–$2,700 |
| Best for | Severe wrinkles, deep scars, significant sun damage | Fine lines, tone, texture, mild scarring, melasma support |
| Skin types | Higher risk on Fitzpatrick IV–VI | Safer across full Fitzpatrick scale |
| Aggressive level | Maximum | Gentle |
| Available at Aera | No (referral if needed) | Yes |
Choose CO2 If…
- •You have deep, established wrinkles or significant photodamage
- •You have moderate-to-severe acne scarring
- •You can take 1–2 weeks off work and stay out of the sun for 6+ weeks
- •You prefer one dramatic session over a series of gentler treatments
- •You have lighter skin (Fitzpatrick I–III) — risk is lower
Choose ClearLift If…
- •Your concerns are fine lines, dull skin, or mild scarring (most patients)
- •You can't take time off work for visible recovery
- •You have darker skin tones — non-ablative is significantly safer
- •You have melasma — gentler lasers are required
- •You want a maintenance protocol you can do indefinitely
- •You want lower per-session cost and a more gradual transition
Provider
Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC
Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing. Clinical foundation in dermatologic conditions before transitioning to aesthetic medicine. Trains other nurses through a 90-day injector program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fully ablative CO2 typically requires 7–14 days of significant recovery — redness, peeling, oozing, and visible healing. Fractional CO2 (less aggressive) is closer to 5–10 days. Pink skin can persist for several weeks. Sun avoidance is required for at least 6 weeks. By comparison, non-ablative ClearLift has zero downtime — patients return to work the same day.
CO2 laser sessions typically range from $1,500 to $3,500+ per session at most clinics, depending on whether it's fractional or fully ablative and the area treated. Most patients only need one session for significant results. ClearLift sessions at Aera Medical Aesthetics in St. George are $300–$450 per session, requiring 3–6 sessions for a comparable end result — making the total ClearLift series cost-comparable or lower than a single CO2 treatment.
Expected: redness, peeling, oozing during recovery. Less common but possible: prolonged pinkness (weeks to months), hyperpigmentation (especially in darker skin tones), hypopigmentation, scarring at high settings, and infection if aftercare is poor. Risk is higher with fully ablative settings and in patients with Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin tones. ClearLift's non-ablative approach has a much milder side-effect profile — typically only mild transient redness.
CO2 lasers are ablative — they remove tissue. Fraxel comes in two forms: Fraxel Re:store (non-ablative, no tissue removal) and Fraxel Re:pair (ablative CO2-equivalent). Fractional CO2 and Fraxel Re:pair are similar in aggressiveness and recovery. Fraxel Re:store is closer to ClearLift's non-ablative tier. The terminology is confusing because 'Fraxel' is a brand, not a technology.
No. Aera Medical Aesthetics specializes in non-ablative laser resurfacing using ClearLift on the Harmony XL Pro platform. We chose this approach because it delivers comparable long-term results without the significant downtime and side-effect profile of CO2. If your skin concerns are severe enough that CO2 is the right call, Janessa will tell you honestly and refer you to a trusted provider.
CO2 is best suited for patients with significant photodamage, deep wrinkles, or established acne scarring who can take 1–2 weeks off work for recovery. It's a single-session, dramatic-result option. It's a poor fit for patients with darker skin tones (higher pigmentation risk), patients who can't take downtime, patients with active rosacea or eczema, or those who want gradual, gentler results.
For most patients with mild-to-moderate concerns: yes. The end result of 4–6 ClearLift sessions over 4 months is comparable to a single CO2 treatment for fine lines, tone, and texture. For deep wrinkles or significant scarring, CO2 still has the edge. Janessa will give you a realistic assessment based on your specific skin.
Yes — ClearLift is a great maintenance option for patients who had CO2 in the past and want to preserve those results. It stimulates ongoing collagen production without the downtime of repeating CO2.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your complimentary consultation with Janessa Kraupp-Sampson, MSN, FNP-BC at Aera Medical Aesthetics in St. George, Utah.
393 E Riverside Dr, Ste 103, St. George, UT 84790