From Lasers to Threads: What’s Right for You?

By Greta 2025-05-29

When it comes to dot laser, it is considered a relatively basic entry-level project. Scars, acne pits, acne marks, stretch marks, acne, large pores...are no problem, but the exfoliation and non-exfoliation modes are difficult to deal with! Whether it is exfoliation or non-exfoliation, they all achieve the purpose of firming, scar removal, and anti-aging by emitting tiny beams, but their "gentleness" and recovery period are very different~ The difference between exfoliation and non-exfoliation modes

Whether it is exfoliation or non-exfoliation, they all achieve the purpose of firming, scar removal, and anti-aging by emitting tiny beams, but their "gentleness" and recovery period are very different~

The difference between exfoliation and non-exfoliation modes

Due to different wavelengths of water absorption, the intensity of the thermal effect produced is also different, so it is divided into exfoliation dot laser and non-exfoliation dot laser.

Exfoliation dot laser

[Principle] The beam acts on the skin to form a uniformly arranged micro-thermal injury area, stimulating dermal tissue regeneration, new collagen fiber synthesis, and collagen remodeling, using the "break and then build" method to improve the problem.

[Representative] Fractional CO2 laser (10600nm), fractional erbium laser (2940nm)

[Suitable symptoms] Acne scars, severe scars, deep wrinkles, etc.

[Recovery period] Usually takes 7-14 days, with scabs and peeling during this period

[Effect] Significant, but with risks and discomfort

Non-ablative fractional laser

[Principle] The heat energy generated is much lower than that of ablative fractional laser. Without damaging the epidermis, a non-ablative coagulation zone of fixed depth is formed, the stratum corneum is basically retained, there is no loss of dermis, and the skin texture is comprehensively improved.

[Representative] Erbium laser (1540, 1550nm, etc.), Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (1320nm)

[Suitable symptoms] Mild to moderate wrinkles, large pores, uneven skin tone

[Recovery period] Almost no downtime, slight redness and swelling can disappear on the same day or the next day

[Effect] Gradual improvement, multiple treatments are required for cumulative effect

Which is better, ablative VS non-ablative

The difference between ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers is whether the original skin tissue is destroyed. Both have their own advantages. Choose according to your own needs. There is no better effect.

Ablative fractional laser: directly vaporizes the original damaged skin tissue, and regenerates new skin on this basis, which is equivalent to directly changing a new layer of skin.

▶ Non-ablative fractional laser: does not destroy the original skin tissue, promotes the growth of fibers and collagen in the relatively deep dermis, does not affect the surface skin, and repairs the internal skin to become tighter.

Number of treatments for each

✔Non-ablative: less damage, faster recovery, weaker efficacy

✔Exfoliation: greater damage, slower recovery, stronger efficacy

In simple terms, three non-ablative treatments are equal to one exfoliation, but both require multiple treatments, and the number of exfoliation treatments is relatively low.

Recovery time for each

✔Non-ablative: you can wash your face and apply a mask that night, and you can put on makeup the next day; it takes 1 month to fully recover (it varies from person to person)

✔Exfoliation: you cannot get wet within 3 days, and you can wash your face after 5 days; it takes 2~3 months to fully recover (it varies from person to person)

Exfoliation has a recovery period, while non-ablative has no recovery period. The probability of pigmentation in exfoliation is higher than that in non-ablative treatment, but non-ablative treatment has too much energy, and too high a treatment density can also easily lead to pigmentation.