What is the difference between an ablative and a non-ablative laser?

Laser Treatment, West Malling, Kent

If you’ve been researching laser treatments to tackle fine lines, sun damage, or uneven texture, you’ve probably come across the terms ablative and non-ablative. Understanding the difference between the two can help you feel more confident about what’s right for your skin, and how much downtime you’re willing to take.

At our clinic, we use the Nordlys system by Candela, which offers two powerful non-ablative fractional laser treatments, Frax 1550 and Frax 1940, designed to rejuvenate the skin from within, with minimal disruption to the surface. But what does that actually mean? Let’s break it down.

What’s the difference between ablative and non-ablative lasers?

Ablative lasers work by completely removing the outermost layers of the skin. This creates a controlled injury that triggers the body’s wound-healing response, resulting in smoother, firmer skin once the area has healed. These treatments can be highly effective for deeper wrinkles, scars, and significant sun damage, but they come with notable downtime, often involving redness, peeling, and several days, or even weeks, of recovery.

Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, don’t completely remove the skin. Instead, they leave the epidermis in tact whilst targeting the dermis, tightening and renewing the skin over time, without removing any tissue. Because the outer layer of skin stays intact, downtime is minimal and recovery is much quicker. This makes non-ablative lasers ideal for people looking for real results without the recovery of a more invasive treatment. 

What makes the Nordlys Frax lasers different?

The Nordlys platform offers two non-ablative fractional lasers: Frax 1550 and Frax 1940. Both deliver controlled heat into the skin using tiny, focused columns of energy, just deep enough to stimulate a healing response without damaging the surrounding tissue.

• Frax 1550 penetrates deeper into the dermis and is ideal for improving skin texture, reducing fine lines, and softening acne scars.
• Frax 1940 targets the more superficial layers of the skin, helping to smooth surface irregularities, refine pores, and brighten dull, uneven tone.

Because these lasers are fractional, they only treat a small fraction of the skin at a time, leaving healthy skin in between to support rapid healing. This translates to effective collagen stimulation, with little to no downtime, typically just a day or two of redness or mild swelling.

What concerns do non-ablative lasers treat best?

The Nordlys Frax lasers are a great choice if you’re dealing with:

• Early signs of ageing (fine lines, crepiness)
• Sun damage or pigmentation
• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Large pores
• Acne scarring
• General dullness or skin fatigue

We often recommend them as part of a long-term skin maintenance plan to keep the skin strong, firm, and resilient, especially for patients who want to age well, without aggressive treatments. 

Which should you choose – ablative or non-ablative?

If you’re looking for significant resurfacing and are happy to take a few days (or weeks) off to recover, an ablative treatment might be suitable. But for most patients, non-ablative fractional lasers like Frax 1550 and Frax 1940 offer an excellent balance of results and recovery.

They’re ideal if you want visible skin improvements, without the downtime or intensity of more invasive laser procedures. And because there’s no open wound, the risk of complications is much lower. 

Let’s find the right treatment for your skin

Choosing the right laser isn’t about picking the most powerful, it’s about choosing what’s right for your skin type, your concerns, and your lifestyle. During your consultation, we’ll assess your skin in detail and design a plan that supports both your short-term goals and long-term skin health.

Whether it’s Frax 1550, Frax 1940, or a combination with other skin-boosting treatments, we’ll guide you every step of the way. If you’d like to learn more about the options, click here to here or to book a consultation with an Illuminate Skin Clinic, Kent, expert.