DEKA (Cartessa) SmartXide Tetra (CoolPeel)

CO2 Fractional/Ablative · Fractional CO2 with ultrashort H-pulse

CurrentFDA ClearedBe the first to review

What it's actually cleared for: Fractional CO2 cleared for skin resurfacing, ablation and coagulation of soft tissue; CoolPeel is a treatment mode

Last verified: August 6, 2026 · How we verify

New: $90k–$125k|Used: $45k–$70kmarket estimate, no email required

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Bottom line

Two businesses in one box: a full-strength fractional CO2 for real resurfacing revenue, plus CoolPeel — a brilliantly marketed light-downtime CO2 treatment that did for DEKA what HALO did for Sciton. Consumable-free economics and a consumer brand that drives patients make the ROI genuinely attractive at ~$100k-160k acquisition. Trade-offs: in the US you're married to Cartessa for sales and service, and CoolPeel results are intentionally modest — manage expectations or eat refunds.

Overview

CoolPeel low-downtime CO2 marketing juggernaut

How it works

The science

Fractional ablative CO2 at 10,600nm — vaporizes micro-columns of tissue with surrounding thermal coagulation, the gold standard for wrinkles, texture, scars, photoaging. The distinguishing trick is pulse-shape control: multiple waveforms, including a very short high-peak-power pulse enabling CoolPeel — superficial ablation with minimal residual heat, so patients get a resurfacing effect with ~1-3 days of redness instead of 1-2 weeks of oozing recovery. Turn the settings up and the same box does traditional deep fractional CO2 and periorbital resurfacing.

Patented tech

H-Pulse is DEKA's high-peak-power ultra-short pulse shape — the engineering basis of CoolPeel; PSD (Pulse Shape Design) is the umbrella for selectable waveforms; CoolPeel itself is a trademarked consumer treatment brand. Clever pulse engineering plus best-in-class treatment marketing.

Origin

DEKA M.E.L.A., Calenzano (Florence), Italy — part of publicly traded El.En. Group; US distribution and service exclusively via Cartessa Aesthetics.

FDA & regulatory status

FDA ClearedCleared via 510(k)

What it's actually cleared for:

Fractional CO2 cleared for skin resurfacing, ablation and coagulation of soft tissue; CoolPeel is a treatment mode

510(k) numbers

K240497; K172362

Regulatory data is compiled from public FDA 510(k) records and may lag recent clearances. Always confirm status with the manufacturer before purchase.

Treatment economics

What practices charge

CoolPeel averages ~$1,000 (range $600-1,500), usually a series of 2-3 spaced ~4 weeks, then annual maintenance. Full-depth Tetra CO2 commands $2,000-4,000+ as a single-session event. Practices ladder patients from CoolPeel into deeper treatments.

Consumables & recurring cost

Effectively none — no tips, cards, or per-shot fees — central to the pitch against Fraxel. Budget the post-warranty Cartessa contract and periodic optics/scanner maintenance.

Ideal for

Best-fit practice

Growth-mode medspas wanting a marketable flagship for the 30-55 prejuvenation demographic plus real CO2 capability for older, heavier-damage patients. Best on Fitzpatrick I-IV; ablative CO2 on darker skin types requires serious expertise regardless of brand.

Compliance

Medical director & delegation

Class II prescription device; ablative lasers sit at the restrictive end of most states' delegation rules — expect physician or advanced-practice-provider requirements in many states.

Contraindications & screening

Pregnancy, isotretinoin within ~6-12 months, active acne/infection, herpes history (antiviral prophylaxis), keloid tendency, recent tanning, Fitzpatrick V-VI at ablative settings.

Ownership

Warranty & service

1-2 years via Cartessa; the single-distributor service model means no third-party leverage — negotiate multi-year service into the purchase price up front.

Resale & used market

Used Tetras trade actively at ~$50k-90k with CoolPeel keeping demand healthy; Cartessa support for gray-market/second-owner units can be limited, suppressing prices outside authorized channels.