“Laser” covers a lot of very different treatments. A CO2 laser and a Clear + Brilliant session are as different as a deep peel and a facial. So the honest answer to “microneedling or laser?” depends on which laser, and on your skin.
Lasers can do more in fewer sessions. Microneedling is safer for more skin types and costs less. A deep CO2 laser gives the biggest change for wrinkles and scars, but you’re healing for up to 2 weeks. Microneedling uses no heat, works on all skin tones, and you’re back to normal in days. It just takes more sessions. If you have darker skin, start with microneedling, not a resurfacing laser.
Microneedling vs laser treatments at a glance
| Treatment | What it is | Best for | Downtime | Typical cost | Darker skin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microneedling | Tiny needles, no heat. Your skin builds collagen | Acne scars, texture, pores, fine lines | A few days of redness, up to a week | $350 per session (median, our directory) | Safe for all skin tones |
| Clear + Brilliant | Gentle fractional laser, often called “baby Fraxel” | Early aging, dullness, pores | Little to none | $1,150 for a starting series (RealSelf) | Ask your provider |
| Fraxel | Stronger fractional laser that leaves the surface intact | Sun damage, fine lines, scars | Several days of redness and peeling | $1,433 per treatment (RealSelf) | Higher risk of dark marks |
| CO2 laser | Ablative laser that removes layers of skin | Deeper wrinkles, deeper scars | Up to 2 weeks; skin heals in 5 to 21 days | $3,078 (RealSelf) | Often not recommended for very dark skin |
| IPL | Broad-spectrum light, not a true laser | Redness, brown spots, sun damage | Little to none | $625 (RealSelf) | Often not recommended for darker skin |
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RealSelf figures are what members report paying and may cover more than one session. Sources: Cleveland Clinic on laser resurfacing, AAD on microneedling, RealSelf Fraxel, RealSelf CO2, RealSelf Clear + Brilliant, our microneedling cost survey.
Typical downtime. Your provider’s settings change this a lot.
Is microneedling better than laser?
For most people with acne scars or texture, microneedling is the safer first step. It’s cheaper per session and works on every skin tone. Lasers win when you want a big change in fewer sessions and you can take the downtime.
The biggest fork is your skin tone. Cleveland Clinic lists very dark skin as a reason you may not be a good candidate for laser resurfacing. Microneedling doesn’t use heat, so it doesn’t carry the same risk of discoloration.
Microneedling also has clear regulatory backing for scars. The FDA has authorized microneedling devices to improve facial acne scars, facial wrinkles and abdominal scars in adults 22 and older (FDA).
Ablative vs non-ablative lasers: what’s the difference?
Ablative lasers remove layers of skin. Non-ablative lasers heat the skin underneath and leave the surface in place. That one difference drives most of the gap in results, recovery and risk.
- Ablative (CO2, erbium): the strongest results for wrinkles and scars, and the longest healing. Cleveland Clinic says CO2 recovery takes up to 2 weeks.
- Fractional: treats tiny columns of skin and leaves the skin around them untouched, so it heals faster. Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant work this way, as does fractional CO2. So does the Moxi laser.
- IPL: not a laser at all. It’s a flash of broad light aimed at color in the skin.
Which is better for your skin concern?
| Your concern | Usually the better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indented acne scars | Microneedling, or a fractional laser | Both build collagen under the scar. Microneedling is lower risk on darker skin |
| Raised acne scars | Laser or injections | The AAD lists lasers among the treatments for raised scars. Microneedling isn’t the tool here |
| Fine lines | Microneedling or a gentle laser | Both work over a series |
| Deep wrinkles | Ablative laser (CO2) | Strongest single treatment, with the longest recovery |
| Sun damage and brown spots | Laser or IPL | Light and heat target pigment directly |
| Redness | IPL | It targets the color in red, visible vessels |
| Large pores and texture | Microneedling or Clear + Brilliant | Low downtime, built for texture |
| Loose or sagging skin | RF microneedling | Adds heat for tightening. Resurfacing lasers aren’t a fix for sagging |
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Sources: AAD on acne scar treatment, Cleveland Clinic. A provider should confirm what fits your skin.
Microneedling vs CO2 laser
A CO2 laser removes thin layers of skin. It’s one of the strongest treatments for deep wrinkles and scars. It’s also the hardest recovery: up to 2 weeks, with raw, crusting skin at first, and pink skin for weeks after.
Microneedling does far less per session. But you’re back at work the next day, and it’s a fraction of the cost. If you can’t take two weeks off, or you have darker skin, microneedling is the realistic choice.
Microneedling vs Fraxel
Fraxel is a fractional laser. It treats tiny columns of skin and leaves the skin around them intact. That’s why it heals faster than a CO2 laser. Expect several days of redness and peeling.
Fraxel and microneedling both target scars and texture. Fraxel uses heat, so it does more for sun damage and brown spots. Microneedling is cheaper and lower risk on darker skin.
Microneedling vs Clear + Brilliant
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser, often called “baby Fraxel.” There’s little to no downtime, and it’s sold as a series. It’s good for early aging, dullness and pores.
It’s not built for real acne scars. For those, microneedling goes further. RealSelf members also rate Clear + Brilliant “worth it” only 57% of the time. Set your expectations before you buy a series.
Microneedling vs IPL
IPL isn’t really a laser. It’s a broad flash of light that targets color in the skin. That makes it good at redness and brown spots, and not much use for scars.
So these two do different jobs. If your problem is redness or sun spots, IPL fits. If it’s scars or texture, microneedling fits. Because IPL targets color, it often isn’t recommended for darker skin.
Which is safer for darker skin?
Microneedling. The American Academy of Dermatology calls it safe for all skin tones. Heat-based treatments are the ones that can leave dark or light patches on darker skin.
If you have darker skin and want more tightening, ask about RF microneedling. The AAD says it’s safe for all skin tones too, and some small studies suggest results similar to a laser with less downtime. Those studies were small, so more research is needed. The FDA also issued a safety communication in October 2025 about risks with certain uses of RF microneedling, so choose an experienced provider. Check where your skin sits on the Fitzpatrick scale before you book anything with heat.
Recovery: what to expect day by day
Microneedling
Day 0 to 1: red and warm, like a sunburn. Back to work right away. No makeup for 24 hours.
Days 2 to 7: redness fades. Some dryness or flaking. See microneedling aftercare.
Months 3 to 6: results build as collagen forms.
CO2 laser
First days: red, swollen and raw. Skin may ooze or crust. Don’t pick it.
Days 5 to 7: skin dries and peels. New skin is pink.
Next 2 to 3 months: the pink slowly fades.
Sources: AAD, Cleveland Clinic on microneedling, Cleveland Clinic on laser resurfacing. Gentler lasers heal much faster than CO2.
Who should skip laser resurfacing?
Cleveland Clinic says you may not be a good candidate for laser resurfacing if you have active acne, very dark skin, deep wrinkles or a lot of loose, sagging skin. For microneedling, the AAD says to skip it if you heal poorly, form keloid scars, have a weakened immune system, or are being treated for skin cancer or with radiation in the area.
Should you do microneedling or laser first?
There’s no fixed order. What matters is that your skin fully heals from one before the other starts. If you’re building a plan for scars, your provider will usually start with whichever treatment fits your skin type and downtime best, then add the other later.
Can you combine microneedling and laser?
Yes, many clinics do, but never on the same day. Your skin needs to fully heal between them. The gap depends on the laser, from a couple of weeks after a gentle laser to much longer after a CO2. Let your provider plan the order.
Find a top-rated microneedling provider
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Frequently asked questions
Is microneedling as good as laser for acne scars?
For many people, yes, over a series of sessions. A strong laser can do more per session. Microneedling gets there more slowly, with less downtime and less risk on darker skin. See microneedling for acne scars.
Is microneedling cheaper than laser?
Per session, usually. The median microneedling price at the med spas in our directory is $350 a session. RealSelf members report paying about $1,433 for Fraxel and $3,078 for a CO2 laser.
Which has less downtime, microneedling or laser?
It depends on the laser. IPL and Clear + Brilliant have almost none. Microneedling means a few red days. Fraxel means several days of peeling. A CO2 laser can take up to 2 weeks.
Is IPL a laser?
No. IPL uses a broad flash of light, not a single laser beam. It’s best for redness and brown spots, not scars.
Is 40 too old for microneedling?
No. The FDA has authorized microneedling devices for adults 22 and older, with no upper age limit. Fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin are among the things the AAD says microneedling treats.
Should I do microneedling or laser first?
There’s no fixed order. Let your skin fully heal from one before starting the other, and have your provider plan the sequence.
ProNeedling is reader-supported and may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified provider about your skin before starting any treatment.
Kathy is a certified nutrition & health coach, long-time model, and lifelong skincare devotee. After years in the fashion industry, where your skin is your business card, she went deep on what actually works and founded ProNeedling. She tests the tools, treatments, and products we cover.