Laser Skin Treatments

What is the Difference between Ablative and
Non-Ablative Laser Skin Treatments?

There are many laser skin resurfacing treatments available on the market. So if you’re thinking about laser resurfacing to treat fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and other skin conditions it’s important to understand all of your options.

In general, laser skin resurfacing treatments fall into one of two categories: ablative lasers and non-ablative lasers. Both ablative and non-ablative resurfacing can give you dramatic improvements, but they do differ significantly in many ways.

Ablative Laser Skin Treatments

Ablative lasers – such as CO2 and Erbium – are more invasive. They work by actually completely vaporizing the outer layers of the skin.

This process forces the skin to heal itself – restructuring in the process – which increases collagen production. And increased collagen results in plumper, tighter, more “elastic” and youthful looking skin.

Ablative lasers can be used to treat signs of aging, acne scarring, some pigmentation irregularities and unwanted lesions. One advantage of ablative laser treatments is that results generally last a year or longer.

However the downside to ablative lasers is the much longer recovery time, as well as a higher degree of risk than non-ablative lasers.

Most patients require 1 to 2 weeks of recovery time after ablative laser treatment because of the excessive redness, discomfort and skin peeling. For most patients, 2 weeks away from work or their social life is unacceptably long, when non-ablative lasers offer much less downtime.

Risks associated with ablative lasers also include:

• Redness or swelling
• Acne
• Infection
• Skin color changes
• Blisters or Scarring
• Hyperpigmentation (dark or grey spots)

Non-Ablative Laser Skin Treatments

Today’s generation of state-of-the-art non-ablative lasers – including Fraxel – are far less invasive than ablative laser treatments. They work by heating up the top layers of the skin, without actually destroying it.

This process still forces the body to “heal” itself by stimulating the body’s collagen production. As a result the newly produced collagen fills in unwanted skin imperfections such as fine lines or wrinkles.

Because non-ablative lasers do not resurface the skin as invasively as ablative lasers, patients benefit from almost no downtime, and the risk of undesirable side effects is greatly reduced.

With non-ablative laser resurfacing the only “downtime” is typically a day or two of mild redness, which can be covered easily with makeup so you can continue with your regular work and activities.

Also, unlike ablative lasers which can cause hyperpigmentation, Fractional Laser Resurfacing can actually improve some pigmentation conditions such as Melasma.

And because Fraxel is so safe, it can also be used on other parts of the body – including the chest and hands – to reverse the signs of aging.

Birmingham Laser Skin Treatments

Dr. Ali uses state-of-the-art, non-ablative Fraxel Laser to treat acne scars, as well as to correct all skin problems associated with aging, including enlarged pores, sun damage, dull skin, skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

With state-of-the-art Fraxel Dr. Ali offers true skin renewal, restoring it to its fresh, youthful state.

Best Laser Skin Treatments – Birmingham, MI

Birmingham double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali offers the absolute best, state-of-the-art technologies in skin treatments, and wrinkle and line reduction.  In addition to Nordlys Ellipse IPL laser skin treatments, we also offer Fraxel 1550 laser treatments as well as ThermiSmooth radio frequency skin treatments.

Each laser skin treatment begins with a professional skin consultation. Treatments are selected and optimized to meet the specific needs of each client with the most innovative and comprehensive products and technologies. For optimal results offer custom packages of laser treatments, under the guidance of medical aesthetician Our Aestheticians.

Schedule a laser skin treatment – and then relax in our Birmingham Med Spa, while we make you look and feel younger and even more attractive!

Schedule a Laser Skin Treatment at our Birmingham Med Spa: 248.335.7200