Are multiple laser treatments as effective as 1 deeper laser treatment?

Question

I am 55 and wanting laser treatment to even out skin tone and wrinkles.

Shanthala Shivananjappa, MD · Answer

This is a great question, and the answer depends on multiple factors, including the severity of sun damage, the degree of photoaging, skin type, ethnicity, and downtime availability.
Multiple Non-Ablative Laser Treatments vs. One Deep Ablative Laser Treatment
	•	Non-ablative lasers work by heating the skin without fully removing layers. These treatments require multiple sessions to gradually improve skin tone, texture, and fine lines with minimal downtime.
	•	Ablative lasers (such as CO2 laser and UltraClear Laser Coring) physically remove the outer layers of skin, triggering a more aggressive collagen remodeling and skin-tightening process. While these provide more dramatic results in a single session, they also require a longer healing period.

Which Approach Is Best?
These are some of the essential things to consider before choosing laser resurfacing.
	1.	The degree of sun damage and photoaging. Some people at 55 have mild concerns that respond well to non-ablative lasers, while others with more severe wrinkles and skin laxity will benefit from a single, more profound resurfacing treatment.
	2.	Your skin type and ethnicity. Non-ablative lasers are generally safer for darker skin tones due to the lower risk of hyperpigmentation. Deeper ablative lasers, such as CO2, have more side effects and downtime compared to UltraClear Laser-Coring and hence should be used cautiously in certain skin types.
	3.	Your downtime and treatment goals. Non-ablative lasers may be a good option if you prefer less downtime and are willing to commit to multiple sessions. However, if you want significant improvement in one session and can accommodate healing time, then ablative laser resurfacing is likely the better choice.

Is One Deep Laser Treatment More Effective?
Suppose your goal is to achieve the most noticeable improvement in skin tone and wrinkles with fewer treatments. In that case, a single deep ablative laser treatment will typically be more effective than multiple non-ablative sessions. However, the right choice depends on how much correction is needed.
Recommendation
It is difficult to determine the best approach without seeing your skin. I recommend a consultation with an experienced laser specialist who can assess the severity of photoaging, your skin type, and your expectations to guide you toward the most effective treatment plan.

I hope this helps. 
sincerely
Dr. Shanthala

Timothy M. Greco, MD, FACS · Answer

This is dependent on a multitude of factors including the type of laser, energy used, pulse duration and spot size of the laser.

Are multiple laser treatments as effective as 1 deeper laser treatment?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are multiple laser treatments as effective as 1 deeper laser treatment?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.