IPLLAB • Fractional Laser Rejuvenation • Montreal & Laval

CO2 Laser vs Non-Ablative Fractional Laser — Montreal & Laval

Fractional laser rejuvenation without the open-wound recovery. 1 to 3 days of redness, not two weeks.

Searching for a CO2 laser in Montreal or Laval? Read this first. Fractional CO2 is an ablative laser: it vaporises the skin surface and needs 7 to 14 days of wound care. At IPLLAB we perform non-ablative fractional laser rejuvenation (1550 nm / Er:YAG in non-ablative mode) — the same fractional principle, delivered as heat columns under an intact surface. It treats fine lines, acne scars, pores, sun damage and stretch marks over a short series, on all skin tones, with no open wound. Explore our full range of services or book your free consultation today.

  • Montréal Plateau + Laval
  • Non-ablative fractional — skin surface stays intact
  • Face, neck & body
  • Scars, lines, pores & stretch marks
  • Safe for all skin tones
  • Free consultation + AI Skin Analysis

On this page

In short

CO2 laser is the most aggressive resurfacing laser: it removes the skin surface in microscopic columns and delivers a big result per session at the cost of 7 to 14 days of open-wound recovery, a real risk of pigmentation on olive and darker skin, and a physician-level procedure. Non-ablative fractional laser — what we perform at IPLLAB — heats the same microscopic columns in the dermis but leaves the surface intact. You get collagen remodelling, smoother texture and softer scars over 3 to 5 sessions spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, with 1 to 3 days of redness and no wound. It works on all skin tones and can be booked on a workday. Available for face, neck and body at our Montréal (Plateau) and Laval locations. Every plan starts with a free consultation; our AI Skin Analysis is free with 6- and 10-session packages.

Know The Difference

CO2 Laser vs Er:YAG vs Non-Ablative Fractional Laser

Same fractional idea, three very different recoveries. IPLLAB performs the non-ablative option.

Fractional CO2 laser
10 600 nm · ablative
Fractional Er:YAG laser
2 940 nm · ablative
Non-ablative fractional laser
1550 nm / Er:YAG non-ablative · IPLLAB
What happens to the skin Surface vaporised in columns, with heat spreading into the surrounding tissue Surface vaporised in columns, very little heat spread Surface stays intact; columns of heat remodel the dermis underneath
Open wound Yes Yes No
Downtime 7 to 14 days of oozing, crusting and peeling; redness for weeks 3 to 7 days of crusting and peeling 1 to 3 days of redness and mild swelling; makeup the next day
Result per session Strongest Strong Moderate, cumulative over a series
Sessions 1 to 3 1 to 3 3 to 5, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart
Olive & darker skin tones High risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation Moderate risk Suitable for all skin tones with conservative settings
Comfort Numbing cream essential; significant heat Numbing cream; sharp but brief Numbing cream optional; warm prickling
Infection & scarring risk Present — strict wound care required Present, lower than CO2 Very low — no wound to infect
Best for Deep static wrinkles, severe atrophic scars, fair skin, people who can hide for two weeks Precise resurfacing with less heat; medium-depth wrinkles and scars Fine lines, acne scars, pores, sun damage, stretch marks, overall texture — without visible recovery
Performed at IPLLAB No No Yes — Montréal & Laval

Why we chose non-ablative. Ablative CO2 gives the biggest single-session result, but for most of the concerns clients bring us — texture, pores, early lines, post-acne marks, stretch marks — a series of non-ablative fractional sessions reaches a similar place without the open wound, the two-week recovery or the pigmentation risk on the skin tones we see every day in Montréal. If your concern needs ablative resurfacing, we will tell you at the consultation and point you to the right place rather than treat it here.

Fractional Laser Rejuvenation

Non-Ablative Fractional Laser Benefits

Collagen remodelling for face, neck and body — no open wound, no hiding at home.

Non-ablative fractional laser at our Montreal and Laval medispa delivers energy in thousands of microscopic columns beneath an intact skin surface. Each column triggers a healing response that rebuilds collagen and elastin from the inside; the skin between columns is untouched, so recovery is measured in days, not weeks. Most people describe a warm prickling sensation and leave with a pink, slightly puffy glow that settles within one to three days. Browse our treatments for imperfections to see what fractional laser can address.

Face

Face

Non-ablative fractional laser for the face targets fine lines, enlarged pores, acne scars, post-inflammatory marks and uneven texture. Because the surface stays intact, it can be repeated every three to four weeks and combined with peels or RF microneedling in the same program. The result builds gradually: smoother, firmer, more even skin with no crusting and no visible recovery beyond a day or two of pinkness.

Neck

Neck

The neck and décolleté are thin-skinned areas where ablative lasers carry real scarring risk. Non-ablative fractional laser is the safer route: it stimulates collagen to soften crepey texture, horizontal neck lines and sun-damaged tone, with mild redness that fades in one to three days. Results accumulate over a series and are best judged at three months.

Body

Body

For stretch marks and scars on the abdomen, thighs, arms and hips, non-ablative fractional laser remodels the collagen inside the mark so it reads flatter and closer to the surrounding skin. Newer red marks respond faster than older white ones. A series of sessions is needed, but each one is a same-day return to normal activity — no dressings, no wound care.

What It Treats

What Non-Ablative Fractional Laser Corrects

✨

Acne scars & indented texture

Rolling and shallow boxcar scars respond well over a series, as new collagen fills in beneath them. Deep ice-pick scars improve less and may need another approach. Breakouts must be under control first — see our acne treatment page.

〰

Fine lines & early wrinkles

Crow’s feet, perioral lines and crepey texture around the eyes and mouth soften as the dermis thickens. Deeper folds that come from volume loss or muscle movement are a different problem and will not be solved by any resurfacing laser.

☀

Sun damage & uneven tone

Mottled tone and roughness from years of sun improve as the surface renews from below. For flat brown spots without texture change, a pigment-specific protocol usually makes more sense — see hyperpigmentation & melasma.

🩹

Stretch marks & surgical scars

On the abdomen, thighs and arms, the laser remodels collagen inside the mark across a series. Older white stretch marks improve more slowly than newer red ones, and neither disappears completely — the goal is a visible reduction in contrast and depth.

🔎

Enlarged pores & rough texture

Pores do not close, but thickening the collagen around them makes them read as smaller and the surface as finer. This is one of the strongest indications for non-ablative fractional laser. Best judged at three months.

🌿

Olive, brown & deeper skin tones

Ablative CO2 is a hard sell on richer skin tones because of pigmentation risk. Non-ablative fractional laser, with conservative settings and sun discipline, is the resurfacing route we can offer safely across the full range of skin tones.

Is non-ablative fractional laser the right choice for you?

I was looking for a CO2 laser — is this the same thing?
No, and that is the point of this page. CO2 is ablative: it removes the skin surface and needs one to two weeks of wound care. Non-ablative fractional laser leaves the surface intact and works underneath it. Per session it is gentler; over a series of three to five it reaches a similar place for most texture, pore, scar and stretch-mark concerns — without the recovery, the pigmentation risk or the medical-procedure setting.
I cannot take any visible recovery at all
You can book on a Thursday and be at work on Friday with light makeup. Expect pinkness and a little puffiness for one to three days. If even that is too much, PICO laser rejuvenation has essentially zero visible recovery — see PICO laser.
I have deep scars or heavy wrinkles
Severe atrophic scarring and deep static wrinkles are where ablative CO2 earns its downtime. We will tell you honestly at the consultation if your concern sits outside what non-ablative treatment can deliver, and combine it with RF microneedling where that gets you further.
I am still getting active breakouts
Treating skin that is actively inflamed risks new breakouts in the treated area and can worsen the scarring you came to fix. Bring the acne under control first, then treat the texture it left behind — the sequence matters more than the speed.
I take or recently took isotretinoin
Recent isotretinoin (Accutane) affects how skin heals and is a standard reason to postpone any resurfacing. So are active cold sores or infections in the area and a history of keloid scarring. Tell us at the consultation — these are timing and safety questions.

Step By Step

Your Fractional Laser Journey

From consultation through a couple of pink days to final result

1

Consultation & AI Skin Analysis

We establish what you are actually treating — scars, lines, pores, pigment or stretch marks — and whether non-ablative fractional laser is the right tool or whether another protocol suits you better. Skin tone, medical history, isotretinoin use and keloid tendency are reviewed here, and the plan is confirmed.

2

Preparation & numbing

Makeup comes off, the area is cleansed, and numbing cream is applied if you want it — many clients skip it. A test pass on a small area calibrates the settings to your skin before the full treatment.

3

The fractional pass

The handpiece moves across the area in a grid, heating microscopic columns in the dermis while the surface stays intact. Most people report warmth and a prickling sensation. Twenty to forty minutes depending on the zone, then a cooling gel.

4

Days one to three — pink and settling

Expect redness and mild swelling like a sunburn, sometimes a fine sandpaper texture as the treated columns shed microscopically. No crusting, no dressings. Mineral makeup the next day is fine. Keep it moisturised and out of the sun.

5

Weeks two to twelve — collagen remodelling

The pinkness ends long before the work does. Collagen keeps rebuilding for months, so texture, pores and scar depth continue improving well after each session. Daily sunscreen is not optional in this window.

6

The series & maintenance

Most concerns need 3 to 5 sessions spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, each building on the last. Once the series is done, results are long-lasting and maintenance is one or two sessions a year — sun protection does most of the preserving.

Non-ablative fractional laser trades a little intensity per session for a recovery you can hide under makeup. For most texture and scar concerns, that is the better deal. IPLLAB clinical team · Montréal & Laval

Client Voices

What Clients Are Saying

Honest words from clients who’ve experienced laser rejuvenation in Montreal and Laval.

  • I am so sorry 😥 I rated the wrong location it was a misunderstanding because of the they have the same name so sorry 😞 for the misunderstanding.

    Jawahir Rezayi Avatar
    Jawahir Rezayi
    2/18/2023
  • Good price, excellent services.
    I was scare of the pain of the laser, so I was waiting then my friend tell me about this place, I was so stress then I had my first appointments. I did not feel anything!!! Thx you IPL ❤️

    Alexya Snow Avatar
    Alexya Snow
    11/19/2020
  • Very good service.
    Comfortable atmosphere.
    Nice smell.
    I have evidently, and the doctor helped me to diagnose my case.
    I am so thankful and proud that Montreal has these clinics on the hillside.
    If you feel the week on the wheelchair, please come. The doctor will help you to come inside and be healed.

    Antonina Feneva Avatar
    Antonina Feneva
    3/25/2024
  • J'ai fait ma deuxième séance d'épilation au laser chez IPL Lab et je suis très satisfait des résultats! Ce n'était pas douloureux du tout! Merci, Veronika!

    Michel Bouvier Avatar
    Michel Bouvier
    10/20/2018
  • Teeth whitening professional level, love the results

    Marina R Avatar
    Marina R
    12/02/2022
  • It's a great experience! The place is beautiful and cozy, people are very welcoming! Anna is nice as a person and very professional! I also loved the facial products I got from her. I definitely stick to her service and treatments!

    Alesya Kornetskaya Avatar
    Alesya Kornetskaya
    7/26/2016
  • Very friendly staff
    Great service

    Scott O'Brien Avatar
    Scott O'Brien
    4/30/2021
  • I’m having body hair removal laser treatment And getting excellent result, why? Because they are doing their job professionally. I want to thank you IPL lab, specifically you, Ghazal, who are doing outstanding work. Five star indeed??????

    mahdi heshmati-moghaddam Avatar
    mahdi heshmati-moghaddam
    8/13/2020
  • Beautiful cozy place, friendly staff, great deals! The results of photo rejuvenation are visible after the first treatment! And hair removal is pleasant and painLESS.

    Lidia Zolotareva Avatar
    Lidia Zolotareva
    7/12/2016
  • Une très belle expérience, super service je suis très satisfaite et je le recommande �de très bons soins à prix accessible Merci infiniment Bouchra�

    Imen Chergui Avatar
    Imen Chergui
    7/28/2017

What To Expect

Non-Ablative Fractional Laser in Montreal & Laval — Before, During, After

Customized fractional laser protocols designed for natural-looking rejuvenation.

A good candidate for non-ablative fractional laser is anyone — across the full range of skin tones — who wants to improve fine lines, acne scars, pores, sun damage, stretch marks or uneven texture and cannot or does not want to take a week or two off for ablative resurfacing. Candidates should be in good health, have realistic expectations, and not have active infections, recent isotretinoin use, or a history of keloid scarring.

Numbing cream is offered for comfort. The handpiece is passed over the skin in a grid pattern, heating microscopic columns beneath the surface. Most people feel warmth and prickling rather than pain. A session takes twenty to forty minutes depending on the area, and a cooling gel is applied afterwards.

The skin is pink and slightly swollen, like a mild sunburn, for one to three days. There is no crusting or open wound; some people notice a fine sandpaper texture for a few days as the treated columns shed. Moisturise, use sunscreen daily, and skip actives (retinol, acids) for a week. Collagen remodelling continues for months, so the result keeps improving between sessions.

Before & after

Individual results vary from person to person and depend on the concern treated, the skin type and the number of sessions completed. These images are illustrative and are not a guarantee of outcome.

Free consultation · AI Skin Analysis

Not sure whether you need CO2 or non-ablative fractional laser?

Book a free consultation

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Common Questions

CO2 Laser & Non-Ablative Fractional Laser FAQ

Honest answers about what to expect from fractional laser rejuvenation.

No. IPLLAB performs non-ablative fractional laser rejuvenation (1550 nm / Er:YAG in non-ablative mode), not ablative CO2. We made that choice deliberately: for most texture, pore, scar and stretch-mark concerns a short non-ablative series reaches a comparable result without the open wound, the one-to-two-week recovery and the pigmentation risk that come with CO2. If your concern genuinely needs ablative resurfacing, we will say so at your free consultation.

Both are “fractional” — they treat the skin in thousands of microscopic columns and leave the tissue between them untouched. The difference is what happens in each column. A CO2 laser (10 600 nm) vaporises the column, removing skin and creating an open wound that heals over 7 to 14 days. A non-ablative fractional laser heats the column without breaking the surface, so healing happens under intact skin over 1 to 3 days. CO2 is stronger per session; non-ablative is repeated over a series and is safe across all skin tones. See the comparison table on this page. For independent background, see the Cleveland Clinic guide to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

Fine lines and early wrinkles, acne scars and post-acne marks, enlarged pores and rough texture, sun damage and uneven tone, stretch marks and surgical scars on the body. It can be used on the whole face, the neck and décolleté, or targeted areas. Explore our full list of services or browse treatments for imperfections.

Numbing cream is available but many clients go without it. During the treatment most people feel warmth and prickling as the handpiece passes over the skin in a grid. A session lasts twenty to forty minutes depending on the area. You can also explore our RF microneedling treatment as a complementary option for deeper scars and laxity.

One to three days of pinkness and mild swelling, similar to a sunburn. There is no crusting, oozing or open wound, and mineral makeup can be worn the next day. Some people notice a fine sandpaper texture for a few days as the treated columns shed. Avoid sun, saunas and active skincare (retinol, acids) for about a week.

Yes, with appropriate settings. Because the surface is not removed, the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation is far lower than with CO2 or Er:YAG ablative lasers. We use conservative energy and density on olive, brown and deeper skin tones and insist on strict sun protection between sessions. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery laser resurfacing overview explains ablative and non-ablative options in more detail.

Fractional laser is priced by zone and sold in packages — per-session rates by area are listed in the Prices section, and the Imperfections Deluxe packages below reach $150 per session on the 10-session plan, the best value, with mix & match sessions across all the treatments in this category. All prices are shown before taxes. The exact cost depends on the area treated and how many sessions your skin needs, which is why it is confirmed at your free consultation rather than quoted blind. Our AI Skin Analysis is free with the 6- and 10-session packages; on its own it is $150 + tax, with a full report printed or sent by email.

Yes — the AI Skin Analysis is free with the 6- and 10-session packages, our full treatment courses. On its own it is $150 + tax and includes a full report, printed or sent by email. The scan maps what is hard to judge in a mirror — texture and scar depth, pores, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation, redness — and we repeat it during your course to track your progress against your first images. It is an imaging tool that guides your plan, not a medical diagnosis.

Most concerns need 3 to 5 sessions spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart. Stretch marks and deeper scars sit at the higher end; fine lines and pores often respond sooner. Because collagen keeps rebuilding for months afterwards, the final result is judged about three months after the last session, not immediately.

Non-ablative fractional laser is available at both our Montreal and Laval locations. You can book a free consultation online or review our membership options for the best long-term value.

Investment & Plans

Fractional Laser Prices in Montreal & Laval

Three ways to access fractional laser — single sessions, packages, or membership.

Before you book

Fractional laser is not suitable in every case. Pregnancy, an active skin infection or cold sore in the area, recent isotretinoin, a history of keloid scarring, recent sun exposure or self-tanner, active breakouts in the treatment zone, and certain photosensitising medications are among the situations reviewed with you before any session. These treatments work alongside medical care, they do not replace it; if you are unsure, speak with your physician first. A consent form is signed before your first session.

Regular price: $350 + tax per session at our partner clinic. A single session with no commitment — ideal if you are visiting Montréal or want to try us first. If you move to a package afterwards, we recalculate: your session is credited at the package rate, just ask us to note it in your client profile. Fractional sessions are booked through the Imperfections Deluxe packages below, where sessions are mix & match across all the treatments in that category.

Full face

$250 price when purchase a package · before taxes · details in email coupon
  • Consultation and filling forms
  • Makeup removal and cleansing
  • Numbing cream on request
  • Preparation and test pass
  • Full face non-ablative fractional protocol

Scars / Stretch marks

$200 price when purchase a package · before taxes · details in email coupon
  • Scars & stretch marks treatment
  • Long-lasting reduction in depth and contrast
  • Treatment duration is 20 to 40 min
  • Warm prickling sensation, no open wound
  • Back to normal activity the same day

Neck + Decollete

$300 price when purchase a package · before taxes · details in email coupon
  • Non-surgical firming of the neck & décolleté
  • All year long, with sun caution in summer
  • 1-3 days of pinkness, no crusting
  • 3-5 sessions are recommended
  • Lock the deal with a package or membership!

Most Popular

Imperfections Deluxe Glass-Skin Packages

Our resurfacing packages — the lowest per-session cost on the page

Each price below is the total for the package, over the number of sessions shown on the card. Prices shown before taxes. Your contract is emailed to you after purchase and you may cancel at any time. Terms →

StarterImperfections Deluxe — 3 Sessions

Best for testing the protocol on one concern

Package price$750.00
Per session$250
Glass-skin resurfacing protocol✓

View package →

Most popularImperfections Deluxe — 6 Sessions

The usual starting point for scars and texture

Package price$1,200.00
Per session$200
Covers a full remodelling cycle✓

View package →

Best valueImperfections Deluxe — 10 Sessions

Mix & match — try all the treatments in this category

Package price$1,500.00
Per session$150
Lowest cost per session✓

View package →

Other resurfacing routes

Fractional laser combines well with these, and the 10-session package lets you mix and match between them.

💠

PICO Laser Skin Rejuvenation

10 sessions · face

Tone, dullness and pigment with no visible recovery — the option most clients choose before an event.

Price$900.00

View package →

🪡

RF Microneedling for Face

6 sessions · face

Collagen remodelling for indented scars and laxity, with radiofrequency added at depth. Minimal downtime.

Price$1,200.00

View package →

🌙

Hollywood Laser Peel

6 sessions · face

A gentle carbon-assisted peel for congestion, oiliness and surface dullness. The lightest option here.

Price$720.00

View package →

Shop all skin renewal care

Scars & Stretch Marks

Fractional Laser Rejuvenation Montreal & Laval

Smoother. Firmer. Renewed. The non-ablative approach to fractional laser skin renewal.

Non-ablative fractional laser is an efficient treatment for scars and stretch marks in Montreal and Laval. It creates tiny controlled heat columns under an intact surface, which boost collagen and elastin production. This leads to smoother, firmer skin and visibly reduces scars and stretch marks over a series of sessions. Temporary pinkness and mild swelling are common and fade within a few days. See all services or book online.

Two Locations

Fractional Laser Near Me in Montreal & Laval

Searching for a CO2 laser near you and wondering whether you actually need one? We welcome you at our two locations: 3889 St-Denis Street, Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal and 4220 St-Martin Boulevard West, Laval. Whether you are looking for fractional laser for acne scars, stretch mark treatment on the body, non-ablative rejuvenation for pores and fine lines, or simply a straight answer on CO2 versus non-ablative for your skin tone, our team helps you choose the plan that fits. Parking is available nearby. View our full service list or book online today.

Laval

Montreal

Long-lasting improvement

Fractional Laser for Scars & Stretch Marks

  • ✓ Free consultation & AI Skin Analysis
  • ✓ Two locations — Montréal & Laval
  • ✓ Non-ablative — no open wound, all skin tones
  • ✓ Flexible packages & memberships

Long-lasting improvement in scars and stretch marks with non-ablative fractional laser usually takes 3 to 5 sessions, 3 to 4 weeks apart. Each one stimulates collagen and elastin, and results keep building for months after the final session. Book a free consultation, explore our services, review membership options, or message us on WhatsApp 👋.

Book a free consultation →