ABLATIVE Laser Resurfacing

Dr Liz Dawes-Higg using Laser treatment for Dermatology.

Ablative lasers are advanced medical devices that precisely remove the outer layers of skin (epidermis and part of the dermis), triggering a powerful wound-healing response and new collagen production. This process makes them highly effective for treating acne scars, deep lines and wrinkles (rhytides), sun damage (photoageing), skin texture irregularities, and certain benign skin lesions. The most commonly used ablative lasers in dermatology are the carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser (10,600 nm) and the erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser (2,940 nm), both of which can be delivered as fractional or fully ablative treatments.

how do CO2 and Er:YAG lasers work?

Both CO₂ and Er:YAG lasers use water in the skin as their main target (chromophore). When laser energy is absorbed by water in the skin cells, it causes rapid vaporisation (ablation) of targeted layers, followed by controlled thermal coagulation and collagen remodelling. This dual action removes damaged skin and stimulates the body to produce new, healthy tissue.

Key Differences:

CO₂ Laser: Offers deeper penetration and stronger collagen remodelling, making it ideal for moderate to deep acne scars, wrinkles, and skin tightening. It provides excellent bleeding control but has a longer recovery time.
Er:YAG Laser: Absorbed more efficiently by water, resulting in precise ablation with minimal thermal damage. This means faster healing and less downtime, making it suitable for milder textural issues, superficial scars, and fine lines, especially in sensitive areas.

what can ablative lasers treat?

Moderate to deep acne scars
Deep lines and wrinkles (especially around the mouth and eyes)
Significant sun damage and skin laxity
Benign skin growths
Skin tightening via collagen remodelling
Mild to moderate texture issues
Early signs of ageing

How Many Treatments are Needed?

This will depend on what skin condition you are having treated. Typically 1 - 2 treatments are needed for rejuvenation. For scarring this is usually 4 or 5 treatments.