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Acne Scar Removal Singapore · Pimple Scar Treatment Singapore · Pimple Scar Removal · S3 Resurfacing Laser · Subcision · Dr Sin Yong

S3 Resurfacing Lift — Acne Scar Laser Protocol

Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed 7 October 2026 · 29 min read · Doctor-performed, never delegated · Jump to questions

Dr Sin Yong · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edin) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction (Queen Mary, London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) · International KOL

A multi-depth acne scar removal protocol — Dr Sin Yong's specialised S3 Resurfacing Laser combined with subcision and 4D Scar Reconstruction. Planned for icepick, boxcar and rolling scars. A fractional CO2 protocol sequenced differently from conventional CO2 laser resurfacing, with settings adapted for darker skin types.

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Reconstruction Protocol

All Types

Icepick · Boxcar · Rolling

DEKA KOL

S3 Resurfacing Laser

500+

Physicians Reached

Reconstruction Protocol

All Types

Icepick · Boxcar · Rolling

DEKA KOL

S3 Resurfacing Laser

500+

Physicians Reached

Invited by Device Makers to Share His Expertise

International KOL for 14+ device brandsShared his clinical expertise with 500+ doctors across AsiaMBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edinburgh) · MSc with Distinction (Queen Mary, London) · MSc (Cardiff)Every treatment personally performed — never delegated

About This Treatment

A fractional CO2 laser is an ablative 10,600 nm laser that vaporises microscopic columns of skin and leaves untreated skin between them, so the surface heals from them while the dermis remodels collagen. Dr Sin Yong's S3 Resurfacing Lift uses the DEKA Tetra Pro fractional CO2 platform, combining point shots into scar pits with fractional passes, subcision and TCA CROSS.

Also called: fractional CO2 laser, 点阵激光, フラクショナルCO2

Key takeaways

A fractional CO2 laser is an ablative 10,600 nm laser that treats microscopic columns of skin and leaves untreated skin between them.
Dr Sin Yong's S3 Resurfacing Lift uses the DEKA Tetra Pro platform, with point shots into scar pits and fractional passes.
Scar type decides the plan: tethered, narrow-channel and broad-walled scars respond to different depths and techniques.
Subcision, TCA CROSS and volumetric correction may be combined; suitability is decided at scar assessment.
Dr Sin Yong, an aesthetic physician, plans and performs treatment, and recovery involves redness and crusting that need care.

On this page

Treating the Architecture of Acne Scars
The 4D Scar Reconstruction Protocol
Acne Scar Treatments in Singapore — How They Compare
Why S3 Resurfacing by Dr Sin Yong is Different
Dr Sin Yong explains
What is the difference between a fractional CO2 laser and a fully ablative CO2 laser?
Is a fractional laser the same as a fractional CO2 laser?
What should I expect after a fractional CO2 laser for acne scars?
Who should not have a fractional CO2 laser?
Erbium laser or CO2 laser for acne scars?
What decides the cost of acne scar treatment in Singapore?
What recovery looks like after S3 fractional CO2 resurfacing
Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on
Risks, side effects and when to call
Before you book
Myths we hear in clinic

Abstract macro illustration of skin surface rendered in amber glass — illustrative image — Illustrative image — not a patient.

Treating the Architecture of Acne Scars

Acne scar removal and pimple scar treatment in Singapore requires understanding that acne scars are architectural defects — not surface marks. Rolling scars are tethered by fibrous bands to deeper tissue. Icepick scars are narrow, deep channels through the dermis. Boxcar scars are broad depressions with sharply demarcated vertical walls. Each type requires a fundamentally different treatment approach. This page covers Dr Sin Yong's S3 protocol specifically; for acne scar treatment in Singapore — the overview of every option, start with the hub page.

S3 Resurfacing is delivered at multiple depths, so ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars can each be addressed at the level where they sit — narrow deep channels, sharp-walled depressions and tethered rolling scars respond to different depths rather than a single surface pass. Working the scar at several depths helps soften its depth and edges over a course of treatment. Dr Sin Yong often uses this multi-depth approach for treatment-resistant scars that have proven resistant to earlier treatment — including those previously treated with fractional CO2 laser or RF microneedling — where a single-depth approach has plateaued.

S3 delivers a concentrated beam of laser energy that reaches into the deeper dermal layers where scar tissue is anchored — the depth at which ice pick, boxcar, rolling and deeper acne scars sit. Working at these deeper dermal levels supports restoration across the full range of acne scars, rather than treating the surface alone. Dr Sin Yong's work in scar aesthetics combines his 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol with S3 — powered by DEKA laser technology — to treat complex, layered and treatment-resistant acne scars.

Dr Sin Yong's 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol is a comprehensive laser scar removal approach — addressing all four dimensions of scar architecture simultaneously: surface texture, dermal depth, subcutaneous tethering and volumetric deficit. Single-modality CO2 laser, fractional laser or microneedling treatments each address only part of this.

Close-up of uneven skin texture with raised and depressed areas — Assessment comes before any device or injectable is chosen.

The 4D Scar Reconstruction Protocol

Subcision — Release of Fibrous Tethering

Rolling and tethered scars are mechanically released using subcision — a needle technique that breaks the fibrous bands tying the scar base to deeper tissue. This allows the scar floor to rise before laser resurfacing.

S3 Resurfacing Laser Laser Resurfacing

The S3 Resurfacing Laser features Dr Sin Yong's specialised modified protocol. The S3 mode creates precise ablative columns within the scar — triggering collagen remodelling that restructures scar architecture.

TCA Cross (Chemical Reconstruction)

Icepick scars — too narrow for laser alone — are treated with high-concentration TCA (trichloroacetic acid) applied precisely to the scar channel. This produces collagen synthesis from within the track, progressively closing the depth.

Volumetric Correction

Where an established volume deficit exists within scar depressions, Radiesse (collagen stimulating agent) injected post-subcision provides both volumetric support at the time of placement and long-term biological collagen stimulation — restoring contour where structural remodelling alone cannot fully correct the deficit.

Results & Timeline

A course is planned individually after assessment, and the response is reviewed as it develops. Scar tissue is structurally remodelled rather than temporarily filled.

Acne Scar Treatments in Singapore — How They Compare

Patients researching acne scar treatment in Singapore encounter many options — CO2 laser, fractional CO2 laser, microneedling, RF microneedling, subcision. Understanding how each works clarifies why the 4D approach combines them.

CO2 Laser & Fractional CO2 Laser Singapore

Fractional CO2 laser and fractional laser Singapore treatments resurface the skin surface through ablative columns — effective for textural improvement but limited in depth penetration for deep icepick scars. Standard protocols carry significant erythema and PIH risk in darker skin types. Dr Sin Yong's specialised S3 protocol delivers fractional CO2 laser energy with a modified sequence and calibration designed with this risk in mind.

Microneedling & RF Microneedling Singapore

Microneedling treatment Singapore uses fine needles to create micro-injuries that stimulate collagen — useful for mild superficial textural improvement. RF microneedling Singapore adds thermal energy to deepen the collagen stimulus. However, neither addresses subcutaneous fibrous tethering — the primary cause of rolling scars — or the deep volumetric deficit of icepick and boxcar scars. Subcision is required for this dimension, which Dr Sin Yong combines with laser in the 4D protocol.

Subcision & Laser Scar Removal Singapore

Subcision releases fibrous scar tethering that pulls scars downward — the mechanism underlying rolling scars. Combined with laser scar removal in Singapore, subcision addresses tethering that resurfacing alone does not reach. Dr Sin Yong sequences subcision first in the 4D protocol, allowing the scar floor to rise before laser energy adds structural collagen above — so each step builds on the one before.

Why S3 Resurfacing by Dr Sin Yong is Different

A Specialised Modified Protocol

Conventional S3 fractional laser treatments follow a standard protocol — broad energy delivery across the treatment zone. Dr Sin Yong's approach is fundamentally different. He has developed and customised his own modified protocol that uses the S3 in a more targeted, sequenced manner: precision point-shot ablations are applied directly to individual scar pits first, followed by fractional ablation across the surrounding tissue. This sequence lets individual pits be treated at depth before the surrounding skin is resurfaced.

Treatment of All Scar Types — Including Icepick Scars

Icepick scars — deep, narrow channels through the dermis — are notoriously difficult to treat. Most conventional lasers cannot reach or meaningfully address the full depth of an icepick scar. Dr Sin Yong's customised protocol allows icepick scars to be addressed alongside rolling, boxcar and textural scars within the same session, without the need for separate modalities for each type.

Calibrated for Darker Skin Types

One of the most significant limitations of standard fractional CO₂ laser treatment in Singapore is the risk of prolonged erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — particularly in Asian and darker skin types, where melanocyte activity is higher and more reactive to thermal stimulation.

Dr Sin Yong's modified S3 protocol is calibrated to minimise thermal spread to surrounding tissue. This is intended to lower erythema risk, which is why Dr Sin Yong favours this approach in darker skin types, where the risk of PIH from conventional laser protocols would be unacceptably high.

For patients with darker skin tones, Dr Sin Yong's S3 Resurfacing is planned around PIH risk, with parameters adjusted to the individual skin type.

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Dr Sin Yong explains

Why scar treatment can plateau when one scar type is being overlooked. A short video from Dr Sin Yong’s Instagram, with captions.

Watch on Instagram: Why scar treatment can plateau when one scar type is being overlooked.

What is the difference between a fractional CO2 laser and a fully ablative CO2 laser?

A fully ablative CO2 laser removes the entire surface layer across the treated area, whereas a fractional CO2 laser removes only a grid of microscopic columns and leaves the skin between them intact. Both use the same 10,600 nm wavelength, absorbed by water in tissue; what changes is the pattern in which the energy is delivered.

That pattern matters for healing. In fractional treatment, the untouched bridges of skin between columns act as reservoirs from which the surface repairs itself, so the wound is a scatter of tiny channels rather than one continuous raw area. Fully ablative resurfacing is a more extensive wound with a longer, more demanding recovery, and in Fitzpatrick III to V skin it carries a greater risk of pigment change.

For acne scars, the fractional approach allows density and depth to be set separately: dense, deep columns where scars sit, lighter passes on the skin around them. Dr Sin Yong's S3 protocol on the DEKA Tetra Pro takes this a step further by placing point shots into individual scar pits first, then resurfacing the surrounding skin fractionally.

Is a fractional laser the same as a fractional CO2 laser?

No. Fractional describes how a laser delivers its energy, in microscopic columns, not which laser it is. Fractional delivery is used by ablative lasers, which vaporise tissue, and by non-ablative lasers, which heat tissue without removing the surface.

Fractional CO2 is the ablative form most associated with acne scar resurfacing. Erbium:YAG lasers are also ablative but are absorbed far more strongly by water, so they remove tissue with less surrounding heat; that means a lighter thermal effect and less of the tightening response that CO2 produces. Non-ablative fractional lasers leave the surface intact and work only through heat in the dermis, which suits shallower texture rather than deep scars.

So when comparing fractional laser options in Singapore, the useful questions are whether the laser ablates, how deep it reaches, and how the settings are adapted to your skin type. For shallower scars, redness and texture, Dr Sin Yong may suggest lighter options such as FSX Laser or Luminescence Laser instead of CO2 resurfacing; for deep and mixed acne scars, the S3 fractional CO2 protocol is the one he uses.

What should I expect after a fractional CO2 laser for acne scars?

Expect a healing phase rather than walking out unchanged: the treated skin is red, swollen and warm at first, then forms fine scabbing and peeling as the microscopic channels close. How long this takes varies with the depth and density used and with your own skin, and it is discussed before treatment so it can be planned around work and social commitments.

Aftercare is simple but matters. The skin is cleansed gently and kept moisturised with a bland product, scabs are left to separate on their own rather than picked, and active skincare such as retinoids and exfoliating acids is paused until the surface has healed. Make-up waits until the skin has closed over.

Sun protection is the part that cannot be relaxed. Newly resurfaced skin is prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in Asian skin under Singapore's sun, so shade, a hat and sunscreen are part of the treatment rather than an extra. A review is arranged so that any early redness or pigment change can be managed promptly, and further sessions are timed only once the skin has settled.

Who should not have a fractional CO2 laser?

A fractional CO2 laser is not suitable for everyone, and several situations call for delay or a different approach. Active acne is usually brought under control first, because resurfacing inflamed skin risks new marks. Any active skin infection in the area, or a current cold sore, means waiting; a history of cold sores is worth mentioning, since resurfacing can trigger a flare and preventive medication may be advised.

Recent or current isotretinoin is discussed carefully, as the timing of resurfacing around it is weighed case by case. A fresh tan or recent intense sun exposure raises the risk of pigment change, so treatment is usually deferred until the skin has settled. Pregnancy is another reason to postpone elective resurfacing.

A tendency to form raised or thickened scars, active melasma, and very reactive or easily pigmented skin are not automatic exclusions, but they change the plan, the settings or the choice of laser. These points are covered at consultation, alongside your medications and previous treatments, before any decision is made.

Fractional CO2 laser and the other acne scar options used alongside it, compared by what each can and cannot do
Option	What it does	What it cannot do	Typical recovery	Who it tends to suit
S3 Resurfacing Lift (DEKA Tetra Pro fractional CO2)	Point-shot ablation into individual scar pits followed by fractional passes across the surrounding skin, prompting collagen remodelling at several depths	Does not release the fibrous bands beneath rolling scars, and does not replace lost volume	Redness, swelling and scabbing while the surface heals; strict sun protection afterwards	Boxcar, ice-pick and mixed scarring, including scars that plateaued after earlier CO2 laser or RF microneedling
Subcision	A needle technique that cuts the fibrous bands tethering a rolling scar to deeper tissue, so the scar floor can rise	Does not resurface the surface or soften scar edges	Bruising and swelling over the treated area that settle on their own	Rolling and tethered scars, usually sequenced before laser in the 4D protocol
TCA CROSS	High-strength trichloroacetic acid placed into the base of each narrow scar to stimulate collagen from within the track	Not used across a whole area, and not suited to broad rolling scars	A small crust on each treated scar that sheds as it heals	Ice-pick scars and narrow, deep boxcar scars
RF microneedling	Needles deliver radiofrequency heat at a set depth to stimulate collagen with limited surface ablation	Does not release tethering and does not ablate scar edges the way a CO2 laser does	Short-lived redness and pinpoint marks	Milder textural scarring, or as a lighter option between resurfacing courses
Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite)	Injected after subcision to support a scar depression from beneath and stimulate collagen where volume has been lost	Does not change scar edges or surface texture	Possible swelling or bruising at injection points	Scars with an established volume deficit beneath them
Surgical scar revision (referred on)	Punch excision, elevation or grafting removes or raises an individual deep scar	Does not treat the texture around the scar	Sutures and wound care set by the operating specialist	Isolated scars too deep or wide for TCA CROSS or resurfacing; Dr Sin Yong refers these to a plastic surgery or dermatology specialist

Erbium laser or CO2 laser for acne scars?

An erbium laser and a CO2 laser are both ablative, but they handle heat differently, and that difference shapes what each does to an acne scar. The ablative erbium laser, Er:YAG at 2,940 nm, is absorbed by water many times more strongly than CO2 at 10,600 nm, so it vaporises tissue cleanly with only a thin zone of heat around each column. CO2 leaves a wider band of coagulation, which seals small vessels and drives the tightening and collagen response it is known for.

In practice, erbium resurfacing means a lighter thermal effect for a comparable depth of ablation, with less of the remodelling that heat provides. CO2 suits deeper scar edges where that thermal collagen response is wanted, provided the settings respect the pigment risk of Fitzpatrick III to V skin. Neither releases a tethered rolling scar; subcision still does that.

The word erbium also appears in erbium glass, a different, non-ablative wavelength of around 1,540 to 1,550 nm that heats the dermis without removing the surface. Erbium glass energy is part of Dr Sin Yong's FSX Laser for shallower scars, redness and texture; for deep and mixed scarring, the S3 protocol on the DEKA Tetra Pro is the fractional CO2 option he uses.

What decides the cost of acne scar treatment in Singapore?

The cost of acne scar treatment in Singapore is decided by the scars themselves: which types are present, how deep they sit and how much skin is involved. This site does not publish fees; they are set out at consultation once the scars have been examined and mapped.

The plan is the main variable. Ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars respond to different tools, and most faces carry more than one type, so a plan may combine subcision, TCA CROSS, S3 fractional CO2 resurfacing and, where volume has been lost beneath a scar, Radiesse. A plan built on one modality is a different undertaking from one that layers several.

Area and staging matter too. A focused zone on the cheeks differs from full-face or back treatment, and resurfacing is planned as a course with healing time between visits, each step reviewed before the next is timed. Skin type plays a part: in Fitzpatrick III to V skin, settings are chosen around pigment risk, which can shape how the course is paced.

Quotes are easiest to compare like for like: which scar types are being treated, with which methods, over how much skin, and what review and aftercare are included.

What recovery looks like after S3 fractional CO2 resurfacing

The sequence below describes phases, not a timetable: how quickly each passes depends on the settings used, the area and the person, and is discussed at consultation.

Immediately afterThe treated skin is red, swollen and warm, with pinpoint oozing; a healing phase is expected rather than walking out unchanged.
The first eveningGentle cleansing and a bland occlusive moisturiser; antiviral cover if prescribed; sleep with the head raised to limit swelling.
The following daysFine scabbing and peeling form as the microscopic channels close; scabs are left to separate on their own, never picked.
As the skin settlesPinkness fades gradually; active skincare such as retinoids and acids stays paused until the surface has healed, with strict sun protection.
Follow-upA review manages any early redness or pigment change promptly, and further resurfacing is timed only once the skin has settled.

Who it suits, who should wait, who is referred on

Tends to suit

Atrophic acne scars such as boxcar, rolling and ice-pick types
Texture and surface irregularity after acne
Scars that have plateaued after earlier treatment
People who can follow the recovery and sun-protection plan

Better to wait

Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Active acne flare, infection or cold sore in the area
Recent isotretinoin, reviewed individually
Recent tan or sunburn, or unrealistic goals such as complete scar erasure

Referred on

Raised, keloid or hypertrophic scars, which need a different plan
Complex or extensive scarring where a dermatology or plastic surgery specialist opinion is helpful

Who should not have this treatment

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Recent isotretinoin use, reviewed individually
Active acne, infection or cold sore in the treatment area
Tendency to keloid or hypertrophic scarring
Recent sun exposure, tan or sunburn
Conditions or medicines that slow healing, reviewed individually

People expecting complete scar erasure, with active acne, keloid-prone skin or who cannot avoid the sun during healing tend to respond poorly to this approach.

Risks, side effects and when to call

Redness, swelling, crusting and a raw or sandpaper-like feel are expected after fractional CO2 laser, and the skin heals from the untreated areas between the treated columns. Less often, pigment change, which is more likely in Asian skin, prolonged redness, infection, a cold sore flare or new scarring can occur. Combined techniques such as subcision and TCA CROSS add bruising or local reactions. Conservative settings, sun protection, gentle aftercare and not picking crusts reduce risk but do not remove it.

Contact the clinic the same day if

Thick, yellow or oozing crusts
Increasing pain, heat or spreading redness
Blisters or a cold sore in the treated area
Skin that darkens, or a raised or firm scar forming
Fever or feeling unwell

See what to do if something feels wrong after a treatment.

Before you book

Declare isotretinoin, photosensitising medicines and any recent laser, peel or microneedling
Tell the clinic about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cold sores and keloid history
Avoid sun exposure and tanning before the visit
Pause retinoids, acids and exfoliants if advised
Bring photographs of your scars over time and records of earlier acne scar treatment

Myths we hear in clinic

“A laser alone treats every acne scar type.”

Different scars sit at different depths, and some need subcision, TCA CROSS or volumetric correction as well.

“Fractional laser and fully ablative laser are the same.”

Fractional treatment leaves untreated skin between treated columns, so the skin heals differently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What treats deep or treatment-resistant acne scars?+

Deep and treatment-resistant scars sit in the deeper dermal layers, which more superficial treatments may not fully reach. Dr Sin Yong uses S3 — a concentrated laser powered by DEKA technology that works at deeper dermal levels — together with his 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol, to address ice pick, boxcar, rolling and deeper acne scars, including scars that have not fully responded to previous CO2 laser or RF microneedling. Each scar pattern is assessed individually at consultation on Orchard Road, Singapore.

Which acne scar types does the S3 Resurfacing Laser protocol treat? +

All scar types — rolling scars (combined with subcision), boxcar scars, icepick scars and textural irregularity. Dr Sin Yong's modified protocol includes point-shot treatment of individual icepick scars, which conventional laser protocols struggle to reach.

How many sessions are needed? +

A course is planned individually after in-person assessment. The response is reviewed between sessions.

Is the treatment painful? +

Local anaesthetic is applied before the laser treatment. Patients experience heat and some discomfort during the procedure. A period of downtime for the treated skin to heal is expected; recovery varies.

How is Dr Sin Yong's S3 Resurfacing different from conventional laser treatments? +

Dr Sin Yong uses a specialised modified protocol that is distinct from conventional S3 laser treatments. His customised approach enables point-shot ablations targeting individual scar pits, followed by fractional ablation — allowing all scar types including icepick scars to be addressed, with parameters set to lower the risk of erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This is the protocol Dr Sin Yong uses for darker skin types, where PIH risk is a central consideration.

Is there downtime? +

Yes. The S3 Resurfacing Laser is an ablative treatment and produces a period of healing; recovery varies. Redness, swelling and scabbing are expected and are signs of the healing response.

How does the S3 Resurfacing Laser compare to microneedling and RF microneedling in Singapore? +

Microneedling and RF microneedling Singapore treatments stimulate collagen through micro-injury and thermal energy — effective for mild textural scars. However, they do not address subcutaneous fibrous tethering (the cause of rolling scars) or the full depth of icepick scars. Dr Sin Yong's 4D protocol combines subcision with S3 Resurfacing Laser to address all four dimensions of scar architecture that microneedling treatments alone cannot reach.

What is the cost of acne scar treatment in Singapore? +

What acne scar treatment costs depends on which modality or combination of modalities is indicated, the extent and type of scarring, the areas treated and how the plan is staged. Ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars respond to different approaches, and most patients have more than one type present. Dr Sin Yong sets out the cost for your scar type and treatment plan at consultation.

Can back acne scars be treated? +

Yes. Back acne scar treatment in Singapore using the S3 Resurfacing Laser protocol is possible. Dr Sin Yong will assess the scar types, distribution and skin type at consultation to design the appropriate protocol for back scars, which may differ slightly from facial scar treatment.

Is subcision combined with laser better than laser alone? +

Yes — particularly for rolling and tethered scars. Subcision acne scar treatment releases the fibrous bands pulling the scar base downward, allowing the scar floor to physically rise before laser energy is applied. This is why the combination is preferred to laser scar removal Singapore alone for tethered scars, and why it forms the foundation of Dr Sin Yong's 4D protocol.

Is the S3 Resurfacing Laser a CO2 laser?+

Yes. S3 Resurfacing Lift runs on the DEKA Tetra Pro, a fractional CO2 laser working at 10,600 nm. What distinguishes it is Dr Sin Yong's protocol: point shots placed into individual scar pits, fractional passes across the surrounding skin, and settings adapted to the skin type, combined with subcision and TCA CROSS where the scar pattern calls for them.

Can a CO2 laser be used to remove moles or raised lesions?+

A CO2 laser can vaporise small benign moles and some raised lesions in fine layers. Because ablation leaves no tissue to examine under a microscope, each lesion is checked with dermatoscopy first, and anything with atypical features is removed by excision so it can be sent for histology instead. Suitability is decided lesion by lesion at consultation.

Is a YAG laser the same as a CO2 laser?+

No. YAG names the crystal in two quite different lasers. Nd:YAG at 1,064 nm is absorbed mainly by pigment and blood rather than water, so in its long-pulsed, Q-switched and picosecond forms it is used for laser toning, pigment, hair removal and vascular work without removing the surface; Dr Sin Yong uses 1,064 nm Nd:YAG for laser toning and laser hair removal. Er:YAG at 2,940 nm is an ablative resurfacing laser, closer in purpose to CO2. A CO2 laser at 10,600 nm is the ablative platform behind the S3 protocol for deep acne scars.

Is Fraxel the same as a fractional CO2 laser?+

Not usually. Fraxel is a device brand that, in everyday use, means a non-ablative fractional laser, mainly 1550 nm, which heats microscopic columns beneath an intact surface. A fractional CO2 laser at 10,600 nm, such as the DEKA Tetra Pro used for the S3 protocol, vaporises those columns instead, so it reaches deeper scar edges with a longer recovery and a greater pigment risk in Asian skin. The difference is set out in the Fraxel vs CO2 vs Tetra Pro article.

How much does CO2 laser cost in Singapore?+

The fee depends on the scar type and severity, the area, the passes and depths used, the consumables and whether subcision, TCA CROSS or volumetric correction is added. Because plans are individual, a quote follows scar assessment. Dr Sin Yong gives a written quote at consultation, and the consultation decides whether laser is advised.

Is CO2 laser for acne scars worth it?+

It tends to be worthwhile for people with atrophic scars who accept gradual change and a recovery period with crusting and sun avoidance. It is a poor fit for raised scars, active acne, or anyone seeking complete erasure. Scar type decides whether laser alone, a combined plan or another approach suits.

How long does CO2 laser last?+

It depends on the scar type, how deeply it was treated, your skin and healing, sun exposure and ageing, because collagen keeps changing. Remodelled collagen is not the same as filler, but scars can still evolve. No duration can be promised, and review timing is set at consultation.

What are the disadvantages of CO2 laser?+

It involves redness, swelling and crusting, and the skin needs careful aftercare and strict sun protection. Pigment change is more likely in Asian skin, and cold sores can flare. Change is gradual and varies between people, and some scar types need subcision or other techniques. It is not suited to active acne or keloid-prone skin.

Why Many Laser Treatments Underperform

The most common complaint from patients presenting to Dr Sin Yong is having undergone multiple laser sessions elsewhere with limited improvement. The reason is almost always the same: treatment addressed only surface texture while leaving fibrous tethering, scar depth and pigmentation untreated. Fractional CO2 alone cannot break subcutaneous bands beneath rolling scars or reconstruct icepick scar walls.

The S3 Resurfacing Lift uses a fractional CO2 system with FRACTIONAL + ULTRA modes allowing precise calibration of ablation depth and density for different scar types and skin tones. It is the foundation of Dr Sin Yong's 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol — combined with subcision, TCA CROSS and targeted filler for comprehensive multi-dimensional correction.

Question not answered here? Ask on WhatsApp, use the enquiry form, or browse 100 questions patients ask.

What is S3 Resurfacing Lift? S3 Resurfacing Lift is Dr Sin Yong's multi-depth acne scar protocol on the DEKA Tetra Pro fractional CO₂ platform. The method is matched to each scar type — ice pick, boxcar and rolling — and it is also used for scars that did not fully respond to earlier CO₂ laser or RF microneedling.

Key facts

Platform: DEKA Tetra Pro CO₂, S3 configuration
Protocol: Developed and refined by Dr Sin Yong
Scar morphologies: Ice-pick, rolling and boxcar — the three principal depressed scar types, which respond to different depths
Secondary effect: Collagen stimulation, giving an accompanying tightening response
Wider applications: Moles and raised lesions, rhinophyma, complex traumatic scars and keloids
Skin types: Parameters are calibrated across all Fitzpatrick types. Ablative resurfacing carries a higher risk of post-inflammatory change in darker phototypes, which is the constraint the protocol is designed around

“The method is matched to the scar, not the scar to the method.”
Dr Sin YongOn acne scar morphology

Scar Type Assessment

Icepick scars — Deep, narrow vertical scars extending to the deep dermis. Laser alone is insufficient. TCA CROSS is the modality used, triggering reconstruction of the scar channel from within.

Boxcar scars — Broad depressions with defined vertical edges. Shallow boxcars are suited to fractional CO2. Deeper boxcars require combination with subcision and filler.

Rolling scars — Broad, undulating depressions from fibrous tethering. Subcision is essential — laser alone does not release the tethering that creates the rolling appearance.

Dr Sin Yong photographs and maps each patient's scar pattern at consultation, identifying scar types and designing the specific combination protocol before treatment begins. No two acne scar patients receive the same protocol.

Dr Sin Yong

MBBS (NUS, Singapore) · MRCS (Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh)
MSc Practical Dermatology (University of Cardiff, UK) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction (Queen Mary University of London)
Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (Nanyang Technological University)

Fees & Consultation

What Determines Your Fee

The area being treated

A focused zone and a full-face plan are different undertakings, and the fee reflects the extent of what is actually treated.

What the assessment finds

The plan follows the examination — which scar types are present, how deep they sit, and what the skin itself needs determine the approach.

Single or combined modalities

Some plans use one technology; others combine modalities at different depths, staged over time.

This site does not publish fees; your fee is set out clearly at consultation, after Dr Sin Yong has assessed you — before anything is decided.

WhatsApp for a Fee Estimate

CO₂ laser Singapore — why the platform and the operator both matter

CO₂ laser Singapore covers a wide range of machines with a shared wavelength of 10,600 nm, absorbed by water in tissue. What separates them is pulse shaping, scanner control and the ability to stack fractional and deeper columns in one pass — which is what the S3 protocol relies on.

The DEKA SmartXide platform used here sits at IN Eternity Clinic, a designated DEKA Centre of Excellence. That designation describes the site and its clinical standard; it does not by itself change an outcome, and the settings chosen for Fitzpatrick III–V skin matter more than the badge.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last updated 5 October 2026 · Editorial policy

Acne Scar Assessment — Dr Sin Yong

The correct protocol depends on your specific scar morphology. Dr Sin Yong personally assesses every patient before recommending treatment.

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Acne Scar Treatment

How different scar types are diagnosed and matched to technique.

FSX Laser

For shallower scars, redness and skin texture.

Luminescence Laser

For shallower facial scars and melasma.

DEKA Centre of Excellence

The July 2026 clinical exchange and the platforms behind these protocols.

4D Scar Reconstruction

Layered scar work combining resurfacing with structural release.

International KOL

Invited expertise-sharing and symposium work across six manufacturers.

References

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