A carbon dioxide laser in combination with a computerized pattern generator creates recipient sites for hair grafts more effectively than traditional methods. That's the finding of Dr. Barry DiBernardo, who presented a paper advocating the use of CO2 lasers at the annual meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery in Barcelona, Spain. A CO2 laser issuing short high-power pulses creates openings for hair grafts with less bleeding and thermal damage than a traditional steel punch.