Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Lasers: What’s the Difference?

Ania Sousa
Oct 14
2 min read

If you’ve ever researched laser skin treatments, you’ve likely come across the terms “ablative” and “non-ablative.” They sound technical but understanding what they mean can help you make informed, confident choices about your skin.

Both types of lasers use light energy to rejuvenate and restore the skin. The difference lies in how deeply they act, how they heal, and how much downtime they require.

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What Is an Ablative Laser?

Ablative lasers work by removing (or ablating) the top layer of skin the epidermis, while heating part of the underlying dermis.

That controlled removal triggers a powerful healing response: the body produces new collagen and fresh skin cells to replace damaged tissue.

Common ablative systems include:

CO₂ lasers (10,600 nm) — excellent for deep wrinkles and texture correction.
Er:YAG lasers (2,940 nm) — a bit gentler, with faster recovery.

Benefits:

Dramatic results for wrinkles, scars, and sun damage
Noticeable tightening and resurfacing
Fewer sessions needed (usually 1–2)

Considerations:

Longer recovery time (7–14 days of redness, rawness, and peeling)
Higher risk of temporary pigmentation changes
Requires strict sun protection and post-care

Think of it as a full renovation, incredibly effective, but you’ll need downtime while your skin rebuilds.

What Is a Non-Ablative Laser?

Non-ablative lasers are the gentler alternative. They leave the surface of the skin intact and deliver controlled heat energy beneath the surface to target water and collagen in the dermis.

This thermal energy stimulates fibroblast cells to produce new collagen gradually improving texture, tone, and elasticity without visible peeling.

Examples include:

Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) — improves tone and tightness.
Diode or Erbium (1,450–1,550 nm) — targets fine lines, redness, and pores.

Benefits:

Little to no downtime — mild redness for 1–3 days
Safer for most skin tones
Subtle, natural improvement that builds over time

Considerations:

Results appear gradually over several sessions
Not as aggressive for deep wrinkles or scarring

This approach is like a renovation in stages, steady, gentle, and ideal for maintaining healthy skin long-term.

Fractional Lasers: The Best of Both Worlds

Today’s fractional laser systems combine both principles. They deliver tiny columns (“microthermal zones”) of energy into the skin while leaving surrounding tissue untouched.

This allows faster healing and fewer side effects, since healthy cells help repair treated areas quickly

Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative, depending on how much tissue they remove or heat.

Ablative fractional: deeper resurfacing for texture and scars.
Non-ablative fractional: mild rejuvenation with minimal downtime.

Healing Time Comparison

Laser Type	Surface Removed?	Downtime	Risk Level	Best For
Ablative	Yes	7–14 days	Moderate–High	Deep wrinkles, scars, sun damage
Non-Ablative	No	1–3 days	Low	Mild aging, tone, texture
Fractional	Partial	2–5 days	Low–Moderate	Fine lines, pores, early sun damage

The Bloom & Beam Perspective

When Bloom & Beam Laser Studio opens, our focus will be on non-ablative and fractional rejuvenation — treatments that build results gradually through education, precision, and skin health first.

Because true transformation isn’t just about intensity it’s about balance, safety, and trust in the process.