Dreaming of tighter, brighter, clearer skin? It’s time to give a laser facial a try. From intensive treatments to gentle, skin-renewing facials, there are many ways your skin can benefit from the power of light.
If you’re curious about what a laser facial treatment is, what it does, and what makes SEV’s latest treatment such a hit, welcome to Laser Facial 101. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about laser treatments in general, and SEV’s Laser Facial in particular.
What Is a Laser Facial Treatment?
A laser facial is any facial treatment that utilizes laser technology to stimulate, repair, and improve the look and function of the skin.
A laser is a concentrated, amplified light that travels on a specific wavelength. During a laser facial, the light penetrates the skin and gets absorbed by chromophores (light-absorbing molecules) like melanin, hemoglobin, and water.
Once absorbed, the light converts into heat, providing specific and targeted stimulation that improves various skin processes and behaviors. The laser’s wavelength impacts how the laser penetrates the skin and which types of molecules it’s attracted to, while the energy level, pulse duration, and spot size impact the laser’s intensity and depth of impact.
What Does the SEV Laser Facial Do?
It’ll be easier to ask what the Laser Facial doesn’t do! SEV’s Laser Facial is a gentle and versatile laser treatment. It works in a few different ways to improve skin functions and alleviate a broad range of concerns.
Induces Collagen and Elastin
One of the most impressive things the Laser Facial can do is tighten and rejuvenate the skin. The laser’s light penetrates through the top layers of the skin to heat the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. The heat isn’t strong enough to damage, but it does stimulate dermal fibroblasts which increases collagen and elastin production.
Since collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for the skin’s firmness, this helps to tighten the skin, visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Studies show noticeable improvements in signs of skin aging with just 7 treatments.
Targets Acne Bacteria and Unclogs Pores
The laser facial targets the acne bacteria, helping to prevent breakouts at the source. The heat also breaks down pore-clogging sebum and keratinocytes, for both short and long-term reduction in blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes. Research shows a significant improvement in acne following approximately 6 treatment sessions.
Disperses Hyperpigmentation
Areas of discoloration, like sun spots and dark acne marks, absorb more of the laser’s light. The targeted heat breaks up the pigment deposits, allowing the body to clear away the melanin. This makes regular Laser Facials an incredibly promising solution for many types of hyperpigmentation. The only exception is melasma, for which the Laser Facial is not recommended.
Reduces Texture and Acne Scars
The laser’s collagen-stimulating effect isn’t only great for reducing wrinkles and skin laxity. It also helps visibly improve the look of acne scars, large pores, and other skin texture concerns. The heat triggers the skin’s self-repair mechanisms, renewing it and improving textural problems.
Studies have shown mild to moderate improvement in scarring in as little as 5 treatments, so there’s potential for even greater improvement with more consistent sessions.
Fades Redness
One of the most unique benefits of laser facial treatments is their ability to reduce persistent facial redness. The light is attracted to hemoglobin concentrated in blood vessels. This generates heat that coagulates the visible vessels and disperses the redness, resulting in lasting clarity with enough sessions.
Improves Circulation & Oxygenation
Heating the dermis helps improve circulation and oxygenation. Increased oxygenation supports the skin’s metabolic activity in the long term, while enhancing circulation delivers more nutrients to the skin and creates an immediate radiant glow.
Facial Laser Treatment Benefits
The Laser Facial corrects just about any skin concern you can imagine, so what more could you ask for? Well, there are a few more laser treatment benefits worth highlighting:
- Many Effects in One: Targets multiple concerns at once, including: signs of aging, acne, texture, pigmentation, and more.
- Quick & Effortless: Only 15 minutes from start to finish — you can fit a Laser Facial into your lunch hour, and still have time for a quick meal!
- Comfortable: Zero pain — just gentle heat.
- No Downtime: You’ll be able to return to your daily activities right away!
- Short & Long-Term Effects: See an immediate improvement to your complexion, with results building even more over time, especially with regular treatment.
- Beneficial For All Skin Types: Sensitive, oily, dry, combination, normal, or maturing — everyone can enjoy this renewing treatment.
Understanding Ablative vs Non-Ablative Laser Facials
Laser facial treatments vary widely in their intensity and what they target, but they generally fall into two main categories: ablative and non-ablative.
Ablative Laser Treatments
Ablative laser treatments remove layers and layers of skin from the surface. They’re usually carried out with CO2 or Er:YAG lasers, and can vary in their level of intensity.
Milder ablative treatments only remove a few surface layers of skin while fully ablative treatments completely vaporize the epidermis, revealing the dermis below.
Your skin will need anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to heal after an ablative treatment, often with extensive aftercare. For these reasons, ablative laser facials are usually only recommended for once or twice a year.
Treatments are often painful, usually requiring topical numbing before a session. The more intensive the ablation, the greater the skin renewal, but also greater the risks.
Once recovery is complete, a treatment can significantly reduce wrinkles, pigmentation, and textural concerns. However, the risk of adverse events is significantly greater as well: Potential complications include persistent discoloration, infection, and scarring.
The SEV Laser Facial: Non-Ablative and Gentle
Non-ablative laser treatments trigger gentle renewal in the lower layers of the skin without damaging the upper layers. They have minimal, short-lasting side effects, and can be done on a regular basis.
SEV’s Laser Facial is one of the gentlest non-ablative laser facials. It uses an Nd:YAG laser with a 1064 wavelength to target the dermis (the central, thickest layer of the skin) with minimal impact on the epidermis (the upper layer of the skin).
This Laser Facial’s short pulse duration and gentle energy output mean that it’s perfectly calibrated to stimulate, purify, and repair the skin without causing any damage, discomfort, or downtime. It can be done regularly every 2–4 weeks, for continuous improvement and ongoing prevention of photoaging and other skin concerns.
Are Laser Facial Treatments Safe?
Yes! The technologies used for laser facial treatments are regulated by the FDA as medical devices, and are backed by clinical testing for safety and efficacy.
SEV’s Laser Facial is particularly safe. It’s precision-calibrated to stimulate renewal below the skin without any damage or discomfort. The settings are even gentler than those we use for laser hair removal!
Side Effects
After the SEV Laser Facial, you may experience mild and quick-fading redness or swelling. In rare cases, there’s a potential risk of developing temporary hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, which can be mitigated with proper SPF usage.
If you opt for a more aggressive laser facial than the ones we offer at SEV, you can expect more severe and prolonged side effects, including lasting redness, pain, or itchiness.
Risks
Any facial laser treatment comes with the risk of burns, especially if it’s a very powerful treatment or if the settings selected aren’t appropriate for the client. This can also lead to blistering, scarring, hyper- or hypo-pigmentation, and even infections. These risks are extremely low with SEV’s Laser Facial, thanks to the gentle settings used.
There is a heightened risk from sun exposure, so you must practice safe sun protection habits. That means wearing sunscreen consistently in the 2 weeks before and after your treatment. We also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat if spending prolonged time in the sun.
Finally, laser treatments come with a risk of ocular injury. Responsible providers will always offer some form of eye protection during treatment.
Recovery & Downtime
The need for recovery or downtime depends on the type of laser facial you opt for. With the SEV Laser Facial, there is no downtime. You’ll be able to return to your daily activities right away. Make sure to take gentle care of your skin and avoid unprotected sun exposure for a few weeks after your treatment.
With ablative laser treatments, which are more intensive, downtime can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. During that time, you may experience redness, tenderness, and even scabbing, and you may need to practice complete sun avoidance and apply specific products to heal the skin.
Try the SEV Laser Facial (Your First Treatment’s On Us!)
No matter what skin concern you’re facing, chances are that the Laser Facial can help.
From acne and scarring to wrinkles or redness, it’s an incredible corrective solution that’ll make your skin tighter, brighter, and clearer. Its stimulating effects help the skin repair and regenerate more efficiently, so it’s also phenomenal for preventing signs of aging and breakouts.
It takes only 15 minutes, with no discomfort or downtime, so you’ll have no trouble fitting it into your schedule.
The best part? You can try the Laser Facial for free.
Book an appointment at your nearest SEV location with the code HELLOGLOW and enjoy your first SEV Laser Facial on us.
References
- Seukeran, D. C. (2015). Lasers and the skin. The PMFA Journal. https://www.thepmfajournal.com/features/post/lasers-and-the-skin
- Verma N, Yumeen S, Raggio BS. Ablative Laser Resurfacing. [Updated 2023 Apr 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/
- Dayan, S. H., Vartanian, A. J., Menaker, G., Mobley, S. R., & Dayan, A. N. (2003). Nonablative laser resurfacing using the long-pulse (1064-Nm) nd:YAG laser. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 5(4), 310–315. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.5.4.310
- Artzi, O., Koren, A., Shehadeh, W., & Friedman, O. (2021). Quasi long-pulsed 1064nm Nd:YAG (micro pulsed) technology for the treatment of active acne: A case series. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 20(7), 2102–2107. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14128
- Alexis A. F. (2013). Lasers and light-based therapies in ethnic skin: treatment options and recommendations for Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. The British journal of dermatology, 169 Suppl 3, 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.12526
- Keller, R., Belda Júnior, W., Valente, N. Y., & Rodrigues, C. J. (2007). Nonablative 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treating atrophic facial acne scars: histologic and clinical analysis. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 33(12), 1470–1476. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33318.x
- Loyal, J., Carr, E., Almukhtar, R., & Goldman, M. P. (2021). Updates and Best Practices in the Management of Facial Erythema. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 14, 601–614. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S267203
- Prohaska J, Hohman MH. Laser Complications. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532248/
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