If you're interested in laser skin resurfacing, there is some information it is wise to acquaint yourself with. The types of laser treatments available vary slightly, and there is interesting data about how both work to make skin look younger.

Types of Laser Treatments

Nonablative

Non-ablative treatments use a less intense laser beam for skin treatment, and are considered 'non-wounding'. Although a powerful laser beam is used to damage the skin, in order to produce collagen to boost the look of facial tissues, this is considered a 'gentler' version of this popular treatment. Laser damage is employed to stimulate growth of factors deep within the skin, mainly collagen, which contributes to visible facial appearance. Non-ablative treatments are touted as good for treating irregular skin pigmentation or tone. The epidermis, in this treatment, is not affected, as lasers bypass this superficial tissue and work on deeper layers in the skin (the dermis) in the form of rejuvenating youthful appearance through upping collagen production. This treatment can be performed with different kinds of lasers, and a device that is called an intense pulsed light (IPL) device.

This less damaging treatment provides a more gradual change, over time, and can improve the texture of the skin as well as tone.

Ablative

Ablative skin treatments, on the other hand, use a more intense laser that causes temporary changes to both the epidermis and the dermis. These treatments are considered 'wounding'. This stimulation of skin tissues does the exact thing that non-ablative therapy does: stimulates the growth of collagen and other factors in the facial tissue. Of the two treatments, it is more powerful (causes more extensive tissue damage on the cellular level to both layers of skin). Enthusiasts find it more effective at fighting the deep wrinkles, fine lines, and most dominantly increases the elasticity of sagging skin. Since the lasers are hotter, essentially, scarring and side effects can be more pronounced with ablative treatments. Different types of ablative laser treatments include carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, erbium laser, and combination laser systems.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Fractional Laser Resurfacing, the focus of the issue of skin resurfacing, is growing in popularity as a less destructive ablative treatment. This process was introduced in 2001, and still uses lasers to damage key areas of the skin. There are not wide areas of skin that are kit by the laser, in this therapy, instead of having the laser beam being blocked to a large portion of the tissue, with the laser being spread into a polka dot type pattern. It provides microscopic columns of tissue left untreated. The treatment area is spread out, and scarring is subsequently lessened with this interesting method. The side effects are lessened, healing time is shorter, and many people choose this particular method for the use of resurfacing rough, aging skin to a softer and more youthful appearance. This treatment can be done with both ablative and non-ablative lasers.

What Laser Treatments Can Do For You

Laser skin resurfacing is gaining speed as a reliable treatment for aging skin. Over the years, and as treatments are perfected, the results are enough to keep fans coming back again.

Laser resurfacing is proven to decrease some of the appearance of fine lines that contribute to aging in the skin. It is also very effective at the treatment of uneven skin tone and can improve the complexion visibly, reducing the appearance of scars and UV damage.

Knowing what the recovery is like for each method is key to choosing, as is the type of results you are looking for. There is lots of information out there on laser skin resurfacing and should make the decision easier to make.