When it comes to achieving smoother, younger-looking skin, today’s laser technology offers something for everyone, but understanding the options can feel overwhelming. At CaloSpa®, we customize your laser treatment to your goals, helping you understand the differences between non-ablative and ablative lasers for your skin’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a gentle glow-up or a dramatic renewal, we’re here to help you better understand your laser skin treatment options and find the solution that best fits your skin goals and lifestyle.
Understanding Laser Skin Treatment Basics
Laser skin rejuvenation isn’t one-size-fits-all at CaloSpa®. We offer a full spectrum of treatments, from gentle refreshes to more transformative resurfacing. Let’s take a closer look at your options.
MOXI®: A Gentle Refresh
Non-ablative lasers, such as our popular MOXI® treatment, work by gently heating the deeper layers of the skin without disrupting the surface. This stimulates collagen production, evens skin tone, and restores a youthful glow—all with little to no downtime. It’s an excellent choice if you want noticeable improvement and the ability to return to daily activities quickly.
HALO®: The Best of Both Worlds
As the world’s first hybrid fractional laser, HALO combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths in a single treatment. This means you can experience the resurfacing power of a deeper treatment along with the faster healing of a gentler one. HALO is especially effective for sun damage, uneven tone, and texture, and it’s customizable to fit your desired level of correction.
Forever Young BBL®: Age-Defying Light Therapy
BroadBand Light Therapy (BBL) takes a different approach, using pulses of broad-spectrum light to target pigmentation, redness, and visible signs of aging. Forever Young BBL is known for clearing sun spots and broken capillaries. Research suggests that BBL may influence gene expression in skin cells, helping them behave more like younger skin and slowing visible signs of aging over time. With no downtime required, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular go-to solution for achieving youthful-looking skin.
Contour TRL®: Transformative Resurfacing
If you’re after the most dramatic results, we’ll likely steer you toward ablative lasers such as Contour TRL. By removing precise layers of damaged skin, Contour TRL addresses concerns like deep wrinkles, acne scars, and significant sun damage. Although recovery is more extensive compared to non-ablative options, the results are transformative and long-lasting. It’s an excellent option if you’re able to set aside a bit more downtime.
Non-Ablative vs Ablative Laser Treatments: What’s the Difference?
Let’s compare and contrast each solution side-by-side:
| Treatment | Best For | Downtime | Results Timeline | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOXI® | Early signs of aging, uneven tone, preventative maintenance | Minimal (redness for 1–2 days) | Visible glow within a week; full results with series | Gentle refresh, quick recovery |
| HALO® | Sun damage, uneven tone/texture, fine lines | 5–7 days of redness/peeling | Improvement within 1 week; continues over months | Hybrid of ablative + non-ablative for balanced correction |
| Forever Young BBL® | Sun spots, redness, broken capillaries, overall skin aging | None (makeup can be worn next day) | Results build after 1–2 sessions; ongoing maintenance recommended | Targets pigment/redness, slows visible aging over time |
| Contour TRL® | Deep wrinkles, acne scars, severe sun damage | 7–14 days of recovery | Significant improvement once healed; long-lasting results | Dramatic resurfacing and collagen renewal |
While our quick comparison table is designed to be a handy visual aid, visiting us in person helps you better understand your options.
Which Option Fits Your Lifestyle?
We understand that your concerns and goals are unique, and we love helping patients of all ages and skin stages achieve their ideal, refreshed look. We often hear:
I’m in search of a lunchtime treatment: Our busiest patients find that non-ablative lasers work best for an on-the-go lifestyle. MOXI allows you to return to work or daily activities almost immediately.
I’ve got mild to moderate concerns: If early wrinkles or enlarged pores are a concern, we typically recommend non-ablative treatments like MOXI or BBL to restore a youthful, radiant glow to your dull or damaged skin.
My concerns go deeper: Issues such as etched-in wrinkles, uneven texture, or acne scarring are best addressed with Contour TRL or other powerful ablative resurfacing solutions. They offer transformative results but require more downtime.
I need to look camera-ready: If you’re preparing for a wedding, reunion, or special occasion and have time to plan for recovery, ablative laser resurfacing may give you the dramatic refresh you’re after.
Not sure what you want or need? Again, that’s what our aesthetic experts are here for. Come in and we’ll explore what’s right for you.
Discover Your Ideal Laser Treatment
Glowing skin begins with a thorough evaluation of your concerns, schedule, and desired outcomes. Whether you’re looking for a subtle boost or a significant transformation, our team of laser specialists will guide you toward the laser treatment that fits you best. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (502) 814-3000 to begin exploring your options.
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