Choice of:

• One Laser Treatment for Acne, Pigmentation, Skin Rejuvenation, or E-Light
• Two Laser Treatments for Acne, Pigmentation, Skin Rejuvenation, or E-Light
• Four Laser Treatments for Acne, Pigmentation, Skin Rejuvenation, or E-Light

Nonablative Lasers: Shining a Light Beneath the Skin

Although some lasers are powerful enough to cut metal, some can penetrate skin without damage. Check out Groupon’s guide to nonablative lasers to learn more.

In the world of cosmetic laser procedures there are two basic players: ablative and nonablative lasers. Ablative lasers use high temperatures to vaporize the top layers of skin and reveal the younger skin beneath, whereas nonablative lasers breeze through that top layer without harming it and instead heat the dermal tissue below.

Each laser has its own specialty. The excising power of ablative lasers helps them smooth out texture and moderately deep wrinkles. Nonablative lasers work best for acne scars and discoloration, improving the appearance of fine lines only after several treatments. That’s because they take effect from the ground up, producing a smoother surface gradually by prompting the growth of more collagen below. This gradual approach means that nonablative lasers sidestep some of the drawbacks of ablative lasers, such as recovery times that can last up to two weeks and side effects such as swelling and crusting.

Like an underachieving star, all lasers operate by emitting light of a single wavelength. By calibrating that wavelength to target particular discolorations in the skin, such as sunspots or hyperpigmentation, nonablative lasers soak into the tissue and heat it up. Different types of lasers best treat different skin conditions: midinfrared lasers work for acne scarring, long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers target red coloring, and Q-switched lasers fade brown spots.