Choosing Between Ablative or Non-Ablative Treatment, Including Fraxel® DUAL Laser
When considering laser treatments for skin rejuvenation, it’s essential to understand your various options to ensure you’re finding the right treatment for you. You may have heard the terms “ablative” and “non-ablative” while learning about your options for laser skin resurfacing near you. But what does this jargon mean?
The biggest differentiator in these treatment types relates to how much skin is resurfaced as part of the treatment process and therefore and the necessary downtime needed to recover from the treatment. Many people are eager to know the benefits and drawbacks of each and commonly, where Fraxel laser resurfacing treatments fit in on the spectrum.
Exploring Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Ablative and non-ablative laser treatments resurface the skin by administering microscopic heat damage over a fraction of the skin at a time, initiating the skin’s healing process, bringing circulation and restoring collagen to the treatment area. This method stimulates the body’s natural healing process that repairs the skin, addressing long-term surface damage and signs of aging.
Ablative Lasers
Ablative lasers remove the top layer of skin, stimulating the natural collagen production process so the body repairs the skin. This type of laser is highly effective for treating deep wrinkles, scars, and other significant skin issues.
However, because of their more significant effects on the top layer of skin, ablative laser treatments come with longer downtime and recovery and a higher risk of side effects such as redness, swelling, and rarely infection.
An ablative laser is an effective treatment to tackle deep-rooted scars and long-term or deep set wrinkles or irregularities. However due to the intensity of the treatment and longer downtime and recovery, medical providers should only consider ablative lasers if the patient is not a good candidate for a gentler non-ablative treatment.
Ablative laser treatments might be the best choice for you if you:
- Have significant signs of facial aging.
- Have deep scars, or pitted or atrophic facial scars.
- Want to see significant results fast.
- Can take time off from work to recover.
- Are not a good candidate for regular non-ablative laser treatment options like Fraxel® laser.
Non-Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers, such as Fraxel® laser, target deeper layers of the skin without damaging the surface. They work by heating the underlying skin tissue, which promotes collagen production and leads to smoother, firmer skin over time.
Non-ablative lasers are less intense than the ablative laser options. They use a similar mechanism, but do not remove the top layer of the skin. These treatments have minimal downtime, making them suitable for people who want to avoid an extended recovery period.
Non-ablative laser treatments are typically used for treating mild-to-moderate skin concerns like fine lines, pigmentation, and sun damage. Examples of non-ablative lasers include Fraxel laser treatments including Fraxel® DUAL laser.
Non-Ablative laser treatments may be the best choice for you if you:
- Are between 25 and 65 years old.
- Have mild to moderate signs of aging, with minimal skin sagging.
- Are willing to undergo multiple treatments before seeing results.
- Are looking for a treatment that doesn’t require much downtime or recovery.
Where Does Fraxel® DUAL Laser Fit Into This?
Fraxel® DUAL Laser is a non-ablative treatment that addresses a number of mild to moderate skin concerns. This highly versatile option can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture and tone concerns, sun damage, slightly sagging skin, acne scars, and small surgical scars.
Due to Fraxel®’s broad application, and minimal downtime, many people are good candidates for the treatment and favor the convenient recovery time compared to the longer downtime of ablative treatment options.
It’s important to remember that a series of several separate treatments are usually required for Fraxel® DUAL laser to see significant results. Other than some mild redness or swelling, the skin is not visibly affected, and most patients can resume their normal routine right away.
Choose Cosmetic Laser Centers For Professional Laser Skin Resurfacing Near You
At Cosmetic Laser Centers, we help our patients boost their confidence and become the best version of themselves. Our non-ablative Fraxel® DUAL laser skin resurfacing can help you achieve your skin goals with minimal downtime. Book a consultation today to learn if this laser treatment is right for your skin.