The recognition of laser treatments for aesthetic improvement is seeing dramatic growth. With a long history of use by the medical community for surgery, optometry, dentistry as well as other applications, the laser has been embraced by the dermatology and plastic surgery industry, taking over procedures as varied as hair removal, acne treatment, vein removal, tattoo removal, and skin rejuvenation.

For many procedures, lasers are already considered the minimally invasive alternative, yet there's still a push to use lasers that require even less downtime. Enter non-ablative lasers - technology that may provide dramatic skin rejuvenation results with minimal downtime.

Probably the best way to define non-ablative lasers is to first explain ablative lasers. The distinction between the 2 is important for patients and doctors to understand since they select Sentient laser skin rejuvenation procedures.

Ablative lasers (such as CO2 lasers) use heat and light to vaporize damaged cells from the surface of the skin and also to penetrate into the deeper layers. Often known as "resurfacing," these ablative treatments can improve skin texture, smooth moderate wrinkles, and correct pigmentation problems.

Non-ablative lasers use light to penetrate beneath the skin without removing outer layers. The most typical kinds of non-ablative lasers are IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), BBL (Broad Based Light) and fractional laser. When delivered to the dermis, the laser energy encourages the production of collagen and facilitates skin renewal from within. Non-ablative lasers can treat age spots, acne, veins, redness, sun damage, minor wrinkles, scars, and poor skin texture.

During ablative laser treatments, patients often need to be sedated with local anesthesia. After the procedure, a healing period of several days to a few weeks should be expected, during which there will be significant discomfort, swelling and scabbing. Patients should plan to take time off work.

Non-ablative lasers, in contrast, do not usually require downtime or recovery. Unlike ablative treatments, the non-ablative procedure isn't performed with general anesthesia or sedation, although some patients report minimal discomfort (often when compared with the snapping of a rubber band) that may be mitigated with a topical anesthetic. Post-procedure discomfort is minimal. Patients are typically able to return to their daily activities immediately, although they may appear "flushed." Even though the effect on the skin is less dramatic, non-ablative lasers will still be able to achieve substantial improvement.

The selection of a qualified physician is as important with non-ablative lasers because it is with some other cosmetic treatment, in spite of the idea that they are minimally invasive. A health care provider must possess the education and experience to find out candidacy and select from among-the many products on the market. In actually performing the procedure, the physician must be well-versed in the details and application of the laser technology to achieve improvement without damaging the skin. Patients should carefully review their physician's credentials just before selecting and embarking upon a photograph rejuvenation treatment plan.