Non-ablative Non-fractional Lasers

Compare To Other Treatments

The charts below show the chances of developing various side effects from the non-ablative non-fractional laser treatment. For some side effects, we currently do not have enough data to provide a percentage.4,5

Certain/Likely Side Effects

SHORT TERM Limited skin redness (erythema)incidence not known
SHORT TERM Swelling (edema)incidence not known
SHORT TERM Painincidence not known
SHORT TERM Flaking/skin peelingincidence not known
SHORT TERM Burning sensationincidence not known

Possible/Rare Side Effects

SHORT TERM Blister formationup to 6.3%
SHORT TERM Infectionincidence not
known

One study has looked at the side effects of treatment with non-ablative non-fractional lasers.

  • Study 1:

    • Authors: Bhatia et al.4
    • Total # of patients: 16
    • # of female patients: (not reported)
    • # of male patients: (not reported)
    • Age of patients: Average: 42
    • Laser type: Nd:YAG laser
    • Laser settings: 10 mm spot size, 18-20 J/cm2
    • Duration of treatment and follow-up: 6 treatments, follow-up at 3-12 months
    • Side effects: Blister formation: 6.3%

Study 1: In a study published in 2006 in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, Bhatia and colleagues treated 16 patients with acne scarring with a 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser. Patients received 6 treatments at intervals of 1 month and were interviewed sometime between 3 and 12 months after treatment to discuss side effects. One patient reported a transient blister that developed after one of the treatment sessions and later healed without leaving a scar.4

Systematic review: In a systematic review published in 2020 in the journal Lasers in Medicinal Science Modena and colleagues found 17 randomized clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of non-ablative non-fractional for the treatment of acne scars. The most commonly reported side effects were: redness, swelling, flaking or peeling, pain, and burning.5

References
  1. Sobanko JF, and Alster TS. Management of acne scarring, part I: a comparative review of laser surgical approaches. Am J Clin Dermatol. 13(5), 319-30 (2012)
  2. Preissig J, Hamilton K, and Markus R. Current laser resurfacing technologies: A review that delves beneath the surface. Semin Plast Surg. 26(3), 109–116 (2012).
  3. Alexis AF, et al. Nonablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scarring in Patients With Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes IV-VI. Dermatol Surg. 42(3), 392-402 (2016).
  4. Alster TS, and West TB. Resurfacing of atrophic facial acne scars with a high-energy, pulsed carbon dioxide laser. Dermatol Surg. 22(2), 151-4 (1996).
  5. Modena DAO, Miranda ACG, Grecco C, Liebano RE, Cordeiro RCT, Guidi RM. Efficacy, safety, and guidelines of application of the fractional ablative laser erbium YAG 2940 nm and non-ablative laser erbium glass in rejuvenation, skin spots, and acne in different skin phototypes: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 35(9), 1877-88 (2020).