What Are Non Ablative Lasers?

A non-ablative laser generates beams of coherent light using a very narrow range of wavelengths.The light beams selectively target and heat the water chromophore in the skin. As a result the temperature of the tissue rises which stimulates neocollagenesis. There are various forms of non-ablative lasers and they typically have a good water absorption mechanism that impacts the water chromophores but does not cause ablation. Fiber lasers are commonly used for non-ablative treatments. A fiber laser is an optical fiber that is “doped” with elements designed to generate a laser beam at the desired wavelength. Erbium Glass is a typical fiber laser used for this purpose.

The non-ablative laser uses a wavelength that does not cause the water in the tissue to evaporate (ablate) but rather the laser energy heats the tissue in a controlled manner.  The rise in temperature stimulates neocollagenesis, a process in which new collagen is produced by the body.  Collagen is a fibrous protein that is responsible for giving the skin its elasticity and suppleness. By producing new collagen the skin regains is youthful appearance. Since the treatment does not involve tissue evaporation or ablation, treatment downtime is significantly reduced, which is also why it is preferred over ablative treatments by many patients.