Ablative Laser Resurfacing
A deeper approach to skin renewal
Ablative laser resurfacing renews the skin by removing its outer layers in a controlled way, revealing newer skin and stimulating collagen production in the layers beneath. It is among the more intensive resurfacing approaches and is often considered for more pronounced texture concerns, deeper wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. At Dermapure, every treatment is delivered by our trained specialists and personalized to your skin, your concerns and your goals.
What Is Ablative Laser Resurfacing?
Ablative laser resurfacing uses a wavelength of light that is absorbed by the water in the skin to vaporize the outer layers in a controlled way. Removing these layers prompts the skin's natural repair process and stimulates collagen production, supporting smoother texture and more even tone as the skin renews. Ablative energy can be delivered across the full surface of the skin, or fractionally, in microscopic columns that treat only part of the skin at a time while leaving the surrounding tissue intact to support a faster recovery. Because it renews the surface itself, ablative resurfacing generally involves more recovery time than non-ablative options, which your specialist will discuss with you.
Our Ablative Laser Treatments
CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser is the most established ablative resurfacing technology, using a 10,600 nm wavelength strongly absorbed by water to renew the skin and stimulate collagen production. It can be delivered across the full surface for a more complete resurfacing, or fractionally, in microscopic columns that support a shorter recovery. It is often considered for more pronounced concerns, such as deeper wrinkles, acne scars, uneven texture and sun damage. Your specialist selects the most appropriate approach for your skin and your goals during your consultation.
MicroLaserPeel
MicroLaserPeel is a precise erbium (Er:YAG) treatment that uses laser energy to remove a thin, even layer of the skin's surface, encouraging the skin to renew itself. It can be tailored from a lighter refresh to a deeper exfoliation depending on your skin and your goals, refining texture and tone while softening the look of fine lines. Because only the surface layer is treated, recovery is typically shorter than with deeper ablative resurfacing.
Fraxel
In its ablative version, Fraxel is a fractional CO2 laser, the most intensive of the Fraxel options. It delivers focused light in microscopic columns that vaporize tiny zones of skin, which the body then replaces with new collagen and elastin as it heals. It is often considered for deeper lines and wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, sun damage, age spots and uneven texture. Because it removes tissue, it involves more recovery than non-ablative resurfacing, typically with redness, swelling and some crusting as the skin renews over about a week. Your specialist will tailor the depth to your skin and your goals.
Ablative Laser Technologies
Ablative resurfacing relies on wavelengths that are strongly absorbed by water, which is what allows the laser to vaporize the outer layers of the skin.
CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser is a carbon dioxide gas laser that emits a 10,600 nm wavelength strongly absorbed by water. It is the most established ablative resurfacing technology and is often considered for more pronounced texture concerns, deeper wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. It can be delivered fractionally to support a shorter recovery.
Erbium (Er:YAG) Laser
The erbium laser, or Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet), emits a 2,940 nm wavelength with a particularly high affinity for water. This allows precise removal of tissue while limiting heat spreading to the surrounding skin, which can make recovery shorter than with the CO2 laser. It is available in both full-field and fractional modes.
Erbium YSGG (Er:YSGG) Laser
The Er:YSGG laser (erbium-doped yttrium scandium gallium garnet) emits a 2,790 nm wavelength absorbed by water. Its absorption sits between that of the Er:YAG and CO2 lasers, so it removes the outer layers while delivering a bit more residual heat to the surrounding tissue to support collagen renewal. It is available in both full-field and fractional modes.
Follow-up and Maintenance
Ablative resurfacing results develop progressively as the skin heals and new collagen forms, often continuing to improve over several weeks to months following treatment. Depending on the depth of treatment and your goals, results from a single deeper session can last a long time, while lighter or fractional treatments may be planned as a short series. Follow-up sessions can be suggested over time to support and maintain your results, particularly as ongoing sun exposure and the natural aging process continue. Results vary from one person to another, and your treatment plan is built and adjusted with our team during your consultation as part of a longer-term approach to skin health.
Side Effects & Contraindications
As with any laser treatment, ablative resurfacing can cause side effects. Because it renews the surface of the skin, some reactions are expected as part of healing, while others are less frequent and deserve attention.
- Common side effects: Redness, swelling, a sensation of warmth, crusting and peeling at the treatment site are expected as the skin renews. These tend to be more noticeable and last longer than with non-ablative treatments, often over several days to about two weeks depending on the depth of treatment.
- Less frequent side effects: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation may occur, particularly on darker skin tones or with sun exposure. Infection, prolonged redness, temporary changes in skin texture and, rarely, scarring are also possible. Cold sore reactivation can occur in people with a history of oral herpes (HSV-1), and preventive measures may be discussed beforehand.
- Who should avoid ablative laser resurfacing: It is generally not recommended during pregnancy, on tanned or recently sun-exposed skin, on active skin infections at the treatment site, with recent use of oral isotretinoin, with a personal history of keloid scarring, or with certain photosensitizing conditions or medications, without prior evaluation. Suitability for darker skin tones is assessed carefully, as ablative lasers carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes.
Add-Ons Treatments Often Combined With Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Exosome Therapy
Exosome therapy uses plant-based exosomes, tiny vesicles rich in peptides, micro-RNAs and growth factors that help calm inflammation, support collagen production and accelerate tissue repair. They are applied topically to freshly treated skin, where the microchannels created by the laser help them absorb into the upper layers. Exosome therapy is especially valued after resurfacing to soothe the skin, support a faster recovery and help results develop.
VAMP
VAMP is a topical regenerative treatment applied immediately after procedures that gently affect the skin barrier, such as laser resurfacing. Its key ingredient is PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotides), a DNA compound derived from salmon that is recognized in regenerative medicine for its supportive role in skin repair and renewal, and its formula also includes hydrating hyaluronic acid and essential amino acids. Delivered through the microchannels created during treatment, VAMP helps support hydration, texture and overall skin quality as the skin recovers.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP uses your own biology. After a small blood draw, the sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet-rich plasma, a fluid rich in growth factors that support collagen and elastin production, circulation and tissue repair. Applied to freshly treated skin through the microchannels created by the laser, PRP is often combined with resurfacing to support healing, refine texture and improve overall skin quality. Because it comes from your own blood, it is highly biocompatible.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)
PRF is a second-generation option also drawn from your own blood, but spun at a lower speed and without additives or anticoagulants. This creates a soft fibrin matrix that releases growth factors gradually over several days, so PRF tends to work more slowly than PRP while supporting regeneration over a longer period. Applied to the skin after resurfacing, it helps support collagen production, firmness and a smoother, more even appearance as the skin recovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing?
Ablative lasers remove the outer layer of skin, while non-ablative lasers heat the deeper layers without removing the surface. Ablative resurfacing tends to address more pronounced concerns and stimulate more collagen, but it involves more recovery time. Non-ablative resurfacing is gentler with little downtime, but usually requires more sessions for a comparable result. Your specialist will help you weigh the two based on your skin, your concerns and how much recovery time suits you.
What skin concerns can ablative laser resurfacing treat?
Ablative laser resurfacing is often considered for deeper wrinkles and fine lines, acne scars and other scars, uneven or rough skin texture, enlarged pores, sun damage and age spots, and a loss of firmness. The right approach depends on your concerns, your skin and your goals, and is determined during your consultation.
Is ablative laser resurfacing painful?
A topical numbing cream is typically applied beforehand, and cooling may be used during the session to support comfort. Most people describe a warm or prickling sensation. Because ablative treatments are more intensive, your specialist will discuss comfort measures suited to the depth of your treatment.
What is recovery like after an ablative laser treatment?
Recovery depends on the depth of treatment. The skin is usually red and may swell, then forms light crusting and peels over several days to about two weeks as it renews. Most people plan some social downtime, especially after deeper or full-field treatments. Your specialist will give you a realistic timeline and tailored aftercare instructions.
What should I do after an ablative laser treatment?
Keep the skin clean and moisturized, avoid touching, scratching or picking, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen while strictly avoiding sun exposure as the skin heals. Your specialist will provide tailored aftercare instructions, which may include a gentle home-care routine. A serum such as EXO-GF Serum, formulated with plant-derived exosomes and growth factors, can be used at home between treatments to help support visible recovery and skin comfort.
Can ablative laser resurfacing be performed on darker skin tones?
Ablative laser resurfacing is generally not recommended for darker and Black skin tones. Because ablative lasers remove the surface layer of the skin, they carry a high risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on richly pigmented skin. For these skin tones, a non-ablative approach or another treatment is usually the safer choice. Book your consultation so your specialist can assess your skin and recommend the most appropriate option for you.
How long do the results last?
Results develop gradually as collagen forms and can last from months to longer, depending on the treatment, your skin and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure. A consistent skincare routine and sun protection help support results over time. Results vary from one person to another.
Why Choose Dermapure
With laser skin resurfacing, the expertise of your specialist makes all the difference. The settings, the choice of technology and the technique all need to be tailored to each skin type, and this is what helps achieve good results while reducing the risk of side effects such as burns or changes in pigmentation. At Dermapure, every treatment is performed by our specialists, who continually deepen their training in laser technologies and treatment protocols. And because we are the largest network of medical aesthetic clinics in Canada, our teams share their knowledge and clinical experience, so your care benefits from the expertise of the entire network.
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