Technology/Mechanism: This is a gentle, non-ablative procedure that combines a topical carbon solution with a specialized Q-switched or Picosecond Nd:YAG laser.

The carbon solution is applied to the skin, where it penetrates the pores.

The laser light is highly attracted to the black carbon particles. When the laser passes over the skin, it vaporizes the carbon, taking with it the dead skin cells, oil, and impurities from the top layer.

The process also creates a mild thermal effect, stimulating collagen production in the dermis.

Technology/Mechanism: This is an ablative laser resurfacing treatment that uses a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser. Crucially, it uses a fractional delivery system, meaning the laser beam is broken into thousands of tiny columns (micro-thermal zones).

The laser creates microscopic wounds that vaporize small sections of the skin, removing damaged tissue from the surface layer and the underlying layer .

This leaves surrounding tissue untouched, which promotes faster healing and significantly reduces downtime compared to fully ablative CO2 lasers.

The deep heat kick-starts an intense process of collagen and elastin remodeling.

Technology/Mechanism: The Cutera Pearl uses a specific wavelength (often an Erbium:YAG or similar laser) for ablative or fractional resurfacing. It targets the water in the skin tissue.

Ablative: It precisely vaporizes the top layer of the skin (epidermis) in a very controlled manner.

Non-Ablative (or less aggressive): Newer versions often use a milder, fractional approach.

The controlled wound-healing response promotes the growth of new skin and tightens the remaining skin.

Technology/Mechanism: The Erbium:YAG laser (such as the one found on the Rohrer Spectrum system) operates at a specific wavelength (∼2940 nm) that is highly absorbed by water. This allows for very precise, superficial ablation (removal) of the skin layer-by-layer.

Because the laser energy is quickly absorbed by water, there is minimal heat transfer to the surrounding tissue, which results in a quicker recovery compared to CO2​ lasers.

The treatment can be adjusted from very light "laser peels" to deeper resurfacing.

Technology/Mechanism: This is a broad category that can include non-ablative lasers (which heat the lower layer without removing the top) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems (which are technically not lasers but use a broad spectrum of light).

The most common mechanism is selective photothermolysis, where the light energy targets specific chromophores (color-attracting molecules) in the skin—melanin (pigment) or hemoglobin (blood/redness).

Targeting melanin shatters the pigment; targeting hemoglobin coagulates blood vessels. Both processes induce controlled damage that the body clears away, while the heat stimulates a mild collagen response.