Laser treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all. “Best laser” really means best match for your skin concern, skin tone, and how much downtime you can realistically handle. This guide breaks down the main types of laser and light-based treatments, what they’re good for, and how to decide what you actually need.
Table of Contents
Laser Resurfacing Types: Ablative, Non-Ablative, and Fractional
People get confused because these terms describe different things:
Ablative vs non-ablative describes whether the laser removes the surface skin.
Fractional vs non-fractional describes how the laser is delivered (in a full sheet vs microscopic columns).
A laser can be:
Non-ablative + fractional (common)
Ablative + fractional (very common)
Ablative + non-fractional (classic “full resurfacing”)
(Less often) Non-ablative + non-fractional
1) Ablative lasers
Ablative lasers remove (vaporize) part of the skin surface to resurface it. This creates a controlled wound that triggers new collagen formation and smoother skin texture.
There are two major forms:
Fully ablative (non-fractional) resurfacing: treats the entire surface area
Fractional ablative resurfacing: treats microscopic columns (leaving islands of intact skin for faster healing)
What ablative is usually best for
- Deeper wrinkles (especially etched lines)
- Moderate-to-severe sun damage and rough texture
- More significant acne scarring (often combined with other techniques for certain scar types)
- Crepey texture where you need a true resurfacing effect
Typical number of sessions
Often 1 major treatment, sometimes followed by a conservative touch-up later
Some fractional ablative plans are done as 1–3 sessions depending on goals and downtime tolerance
Typical downtime
Usually several days to weeks, depending on depth, density, and whether it’s fully ablative or fractional ablative (see the next section). Aftercare matters a lot.
Common brand/device examples that are ablative
2) Non-ablative lasers
Non-ablative lasers heat targeted layers of skin without vaporizing/removing the outer layer. They stimulate collagen and/or target pigment or blood vessels while keeping the surface intact.
What non-ablative lasers are best for:
- Early fine lines and mild crepey texture
- Mild uneven tone and early sun damage (device-dependent)
- Enlarged pores and mild roughness
- Redness (rosacea flushing, post-acne redness) and certain visible vessels (device-dependent)
- Overall skin quality (“glow,” smoother look)
What non-ablative usually does not fix well
- Deep wrinkles (upper lip lines, etched lines)
- Moderate-to-severe acne scarring (especially icepick scars)
- Significant skin laxity
Typical downtime
Often none to a couple days of redness/swelling, depending on intensity and what’s being treated.
Common brand/device examples that are non-ablative
Laser Genesis (often described as a gentle non-ablative rejuvenation treatment)
- Fraxel® II re:store
Aerolase Neo / Neo Elite
Lutronic Spectra (often used for toning/rejuvenation in certain modes)
3) Fractional lasers
Fractional means the laser treats skin in microscopic columns (sometimes called microthermal zones), leaving surrounding skin untouched to speed healing.
Fractional is not a “third strength level.” It’s a delivery method that can be:
Fractional non-ablative (heats columns, surface remains intact)
Fractional ablative (removes columns of skin for stronger resurfacing)
What fractional lasers treat best
Fractional lasers are commonly chosen for:
Texture and pores
Fine lines
Sun damage and uneven tone
Acne scarring (especially shallow-to-moderate scarring)
Fractional non-ablative vs fractional ablative (decision shortcut)
Choose fractional non-ablative if you want:
Meaningful texture improvement with moderate downtime
Lower risk and faster recovery than ablative
Choose fractional ablative if you want:
Stronger resurfacing for wrinkles/scars
More downtime than non-ablative, often less than fully ablative resurfacing
Typical downtime
Fractional non-ablative: usually a few days of redness/swelling; skin can feel rough/“sandpapery”
Fractional ablative: longer downtime with more peeling/crusting; recovery depends heavily on settings
Common fractional brand examples
Fractional non-ablative
Fraxel Dual
- LUX 1540 Fractional Laser
Clear + Brilliant
Lutronic LaseMD
Cynosure Icon 1540
Fractional ablative
DEKA SmartXide DOT
- SmartSkin C02
Candela CO2RE
Sciton ProFractional (fractional Er:YAG)
Hybrid fractional (ablative + non-ablative in one session)
Sciton HALO (commonly described as hybrid fractional resurfacing)
Which Laser Treatment Should You Choose?
Use this as a guide for what laser treatment to ask for at your local med spa:
Redness without visible vessels: non-ablative
Broken capillaries/visible vessels: non-ablative vascular lasers
Brown spots + sun damage + early texture: fractional non-ablative
Texture/pores + fine lines (want noticeable change): fractional non-ablative
Acne scars + wrinkles (want stronger change): fractional ablative
Deep wrinkles + significant texture change (if you can accept downtime): ablative resurfacing (fractional or fully ablative)
Laser treatments work best when you stop thinking in terms of “the best laser” and start thinking in terms of the right category for your skin goal. Ablative lasers deliver the most dramatic resurfacing for deeper wrinkles, rough texture, and more significant scarring—but they also come with the most downtime. Non-ablative lasers are the low-downtime option for early signs of aging, redness, and overall skin quality, with results that build gradually. Fractional treatments sit in the middle, offering a wide range of outcomes depending on whether they’re fractional non-ablative or fractional ablative.
If you’re unsure what to ask for, narrow it down to two things: your top concern (redness, pigment, texture, scars, wrinkles) and how much downtime you can realistically commit to. From there, a qualified provider can match you to the right device, settings, and treatment plan—because the best results don’t come from chasing a laser name, they come from choosing the right approach for your skin.