Medical Treatments · Skin & Lasers · IN Eternity Clinic
Fractional CO₂ Laser (Tetra Pro S3) in Singapore
An ablative fractional laser that removes microscopic columns of scarred skin so it can rebuild, with depth and density planned scar by scar. It does more than gentler lasers, and asks more of your recovery.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · 8 October 2026
Quick answer
- An ablative fractional laser that removes microscopic columns of scarred skin so it can rebuild, with depth and density planned scar by scar. It does more than gentler lasers, and asks more of your recovery.
- Used for: Surgical & Injury Scars, Stretch Marks.
- Performed by: Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza (beside Orchard MRT).
- Enquire: SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall (City Hall MRT) passes enquiries to the clinic, or contact IN Eternity Clinic directly on +65 8815 3008.
- Suitability, number of sessions and pricing are decided at consultation; individual results vary.
The DEKA Tetra Pro is a fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser emitting light at 10,600 nanometres. For people comparing fractional CO2 laser in Singapore, this one is used at IN Eternity Clinic by Dr Sin Yong with a scar-specific protocol called S3 (SCAR3). Instead of one even pass over the whole face or body, the treatment is planned around each scar: deeper single shots into individual scar pits, followed by a fractional pass over the surrounding skin.
Fractional CO₂ is ablative, meaning it vaporises tissue rather than only heating it. That is why it can make a bigger structural change in scars than non-ablative lasers, and why recovery takes about a week. The Tetra Pro allows ablation depth and density to be set separately, so a deep surgical scar, a textured stretch mark and the normal skin beside it can each receive different settings in the same session.
How it works
The mechanism,
in plain English
CO₂ laser light at 10,600 nm is absorbed strongly by water, which makes up most of the skin. Each microbeam vaporises a narrow column of tissue and leaves a thin zone of heated, coagulated tissue around it. Between the columns, untreated skin remains, and this bridge of healthy tissue lets the skin heal much faster than older fully ablative resurfacing. The injury triggers new collagen and elastin and a remodelling of scar tissue that continues for months.
In the S3 approach, single point-shots are placed into individual scar depressions to soften their edges and floor, and then a fractional pass treats the area around them so the scar blends with nearby skin. Depth can differ between the scar and the surrounding skin. In Asian skin the key risk is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so settings are chosen to limit heat spread, and skin is prepared before and cared for after treatment. Raised scars and active keloids are planned differently and are not treated with this protocol alone.
“Fractional CO₂ can change a scar's structure, but it cannot recreate skin that was never there, and it carries real pigment risk in Asian skin.”
— Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
- Energy / device
- DEKA Tetra Pro fractional CO₂ laser, 10,600 nm, run on the S3 scar protocol
- Target layer
- Epidermis and dermis, with depth set per scar
- Typical session
- Usually under an hour of laser time, depending on the area, after 45–60 minutes of numbing cream
- Downtime
- About 5–7 days of swelling and fine crusts; pinkness that fades over weeks
- Performed by
- Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
Is it right for you
Who it suits,
and who it does not
Fractional CO2 laser in Singapore suits people with flat or depressed surgical and injury scars that are textured, uneven or wider than the surrounding skin, people with stretch marks who accept a week of recovery for a stronger effect, and people with depressed acne scars, often as part of a combined scar plan. It is most suitable for those who can protect the area from sun for several weeks and follow aftercare closely.
It is not suitable over active acne, infection, cold sores or open wounds, or while a tan is fading. Thick raised scars and keloids need a different plan, because ablative injury can provoke them. People who have recently taken certain acne medicines, who have a history of poor wound healing, or who are pregnant should wait or choose another option. Those who darken easily after any skin injury may be better suited to radiofrequency microneedling or a non-ablative laser first, given the higher pigment risk with CO₂.
Non-invasive alternative at SkinRev Lab
SKINTIGHT® — SKINTIGHT® at SkinRev resurfaces and tightens the surface layer with Alma PrimeX microplasma and UltraWave. It can soften surface texture with less recovery, but it does not reach scar collagen in the dermis, so depressed or deep scars still need a medical laser. Read more
What to expect
Consultation, session
and aftercare
At consultation, Dr Sin Yong assesses each scar's type, depth, colour and age, and your skin type and pigment history. He explains where CO₂ fits, what can be combined, such as subcision for tethered scars, and what recovery looks like. Exfoliating acids, scrubs and retinoids are usually stopped about a week before. Numbing cream is applied for 45 to 60 minutes. A course is usually planned at consultation, with sessions spaced several weeks apart.
During treatment, cooled air is blown on the skin and the area is worked in sections. Afterwards it feels hot and tight, like a strong sunburn, easing over a day or two. Swelling often peaks in the first three days, and fine brown crusts form and flake by about day five to seven, revealing pink new skin. Use only the recommended ointment at first, do not pick, sleep slightly propped up, avoid direct sun and use sunscreen once the skin has closed. Report blisters, yellow crusts, increasing pain or darkening promptly.
Where this happens
Assessment and non-invasive care — SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall #B1-28, 1 Raffles Link, Singapore 039393. Underground from City Hall MRT and Esplanade MRT; a short walk from Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Suntec and Bugis. Open daily 11am–8pm.
Medical treatment — IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210, beside Orchard MRT (three stops from City Hall on the North-South line). Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, closed Sunday. Treatments are performed by Dr Sin Yong. WhatsApp +65 8815 3008.
Enquiries to SkinRev Lab about medical treatments are passed to IN Eternity Clinic, where Dr Sin Yong performs them.
Clinic page: Fractional CO₂ Laser (Tetra Pro S3) at IN Eternity Clinic ↗
What the research says
The evidence,
with sources
A meta-analysis of six randomised and four non-randomised studies found that fractional CO₂ laser significantly improved overall scores on the Vancouver Scar Scale for surgical scars, including vascularity, pliability and height, with mainly mild pain and temporary redness as side effects. For acne scars, a 2022 international consensus of 24 dermatologists and plastic surgeons concluded that energy-based devices, with ablative fractional lasers among those most often chosen, are a first-line treatment for many atrophic scar types, and gave specific guidance for skin of colour.
The risk of pigment change is the main trade-off. In stretch marks, a meta-analysis comparing fractional microneedle radiofrequency with fractional CO₂ found similar improvement but significantly more post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after CO₂. A 2026 meta-analysis of randomised studies in acne scars found CO₂ gave greater scar improvement than microneedling radiofrequency but with more pain, longer redness and a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. These findings support choosing CO₂ when its extra effect is worth the extra recovery, and individual results vary.
References
- Shen S, Cai Y, Song X, et al. The efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser in surgical scars treatment: a system review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;47(1):340-350.
- Salameh F, Shumaker PR, Goodman GJ, et al. Energy-based devices for the treatment of acne scars: 2022 international consensus recommendations. Lasers Surg Med. 2022;54(1):10-26.
- Aktoz F, Yilmaz N. Comparing fractional microneedle radiofrequency and fractional CO2 laser for striae distensae treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2024;39(1):271.
- Argobi Y, Tobeigei F, Alasiri FI. Fractional CO2 laser versus micro needling radiofrequency for post acne scarring: a meta-analysis of RCTs. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(3):e70765.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
How much does fractional CO2 laser in Singapore cost at IN Eternity Clinic?
Pricing is given at consultation at IN Eternity Clinic, because it depends on the size of the area, the number and type of scars, and whether other steps such as subcision are combined. It is worth weighing the cost alongside the recovery time and the number of sessions you are likely to need, which Dr Sin Yong will explain.
How long is the downtime after CO₂ laser?
Plan for about a week. The skin feels hot and tight for a day or two, swelling often peaks in the first three days, and fine brown crusts form and flake by around day five to seven. Pinkness then fades over two to four weeks and can be covered with make-up once the skin has closed. Most people schedule treatment before a quiet week.
Is fractional CO₂ safe for Asian skin?
It can be used, but the risk of temporary darkening, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is higher than with gentler options. Settings are chosen to limit heat spread, skin is prepared beforehand, and strict sun protection afterwards is essential. These steps lower the risk but cannot remove it. People who darken easily may start with radiofrequency microneedling or a non-ablative laser instead.
Can CO₂ laser remove a surgical scar completely?
No. It can make a scar flatter, softer and closer in texture and colour to the surrounding skin, and studies show meaningful improvement for many people, but a scar cannot be turned back into untouched skin. Results build over months as collagen remodels, and individual results vary. Starting within the first months after surgery may help, once the wound has fully healed.
Does fractional CO₂ work on stretch marks?
It can improve their texture and make them less noticeable, especially when they are textured or widened. Studies comparing it with radiofrequency microneedling show similar improvement, with more pigment risk after CO₂. Newer red stretch marks and older silvery ones respond differently. Dr Sin Yong will explain which option suits your skin type and how much recovery time you can take.
How is S3 different from a standard CO₂ laser treatment?
A standard fractional pass treats the whole area at one depth and density. The S3 protocol treats each scar individually with targeted point-shots, then uses a fractional pass on the surrounding skin so the scar blends in, with depth set differently for the scar and the skin around it. It is often combined with subcision or chemical reconstruction for specific scar types.
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