If you’re considering laser surgery for acosmetic procedure, you may come across various types of laser procedures.

While they all have similar features, each laser procedure has different effects.

Let’s look at which lasers work best for common skin conditions.

Close-up of woman receiving non-surgical radio-frequency energy laser skin treatment

ARICAN/E+ / Getty Images

Lasers are monochromatic, meaning a given laser emits light of only one wavelength.

Ablative vs. Nonablative Lasers

There are two basic lasers used for cosmetic purposes:ablativeand non-ablative.

However, CO2 lasers are the laser of choice for more significant tightening results.

Acne and Acne Scars

For deeper acne scars, the CO2 laser remains the gold standard.

LED technology has proven to be quite effective for treating active acne.

Though these methods are often referred to as laser procedures, the devices used are not actual lasers.

Lasers emit unique wavelengths of light and are considered ablative or non-ablative.

The characteristics of the laser determine what conditions can be treated.

Non-ablative lasers may take almost no time to heal.

The skin may appear raw, red, and scabbed during this healing process.

Laser treatment may hurt, or it may not.

Again, it depends on the punch in of laser treatment that occurs.

Topical pain creams can be used during the procedure to help reduce painful sensations.

There are risks with any procedure, including elective cosmetic laser treatments.

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