Journal

The 3 most common types of skincare lasers

Skincare lasers fall into three broad families: ablative (removes surface layers), non-ablative (heats below the surface) and picosecond (ultra-short pulses that target pigment with minimal heat). They differ in downtime, sensation and what they treat best.

Ablative lasers

Ablative lasers remove thin layers of skin, prompting significant resurfacing. They can produce dramatic results for deep texture issues, but with real downtime — often days to weeks of healing.

Non-ablative lasers

Non-ablative lasers heat the tissue below the surface without removing skin, encouraging gradual rebuilding with less downtime. Results tend to be subtler and build over a series.

Picosecond lasers

Picosecond lasers like the PicoWay deliver energy in trillionths of a second, shattering pigment with very little heat in surrounding skin. That makes them versatile — tattoo removal, dark spots, texture and tone — with minimal downtime for most clients.

I chose a picosecond laser for Fade Aesthetics because it covers the widest range of concerns gently. It's not the right tool for absolutely everything, and I'll tell you when it isn't.

Common questions

Which laser has the least downtime?

Picosecond treatments typically have the least — a day or two of redness for most clients. Ablative resurfacing involves the most healing time.

Why don't you offer ablative treatments?

My practice is built around gentle, gradual treatments with minimal downtime. If your concern genuinely calls for ablative resurfacing, I'll say so and point you toward it.

Are more powerful lasers better?

Not automatically. The right laser is the one matched to your concern, your skin and your tolerance for downtime — settings matter more than marketing.

Reviewed by Rita Hoxha