In the beauty market, fractional lasers have received a lot of attention. Among the current aesthetic devices, fractional CO2 lasers and fractional thulium lasers are very popular machines.
So what is the difference between CO2 lasers and thulium lasers? They have many similarities and many differences. This article will analyze CO2 laser VS thulium laser in detail, analyze and compare the similarities and differences between the two lasers from multiple dimensions.
Similarities between CO2 laser and thulium laser:
The output mode is the same.
Both CO2 laser and thulium laser are fractional lasers, and their laser output is a regular dot matrix beam.
Fractional laser can act on the skin surface by emitting tiny laser beams like dots. These tiny laser beams produce tiny thermal damage areas on the skin, while the surrounding skin tissue is not greatly affected. This special mode of action can accurately stimulate the skin’s self-repair mechanism and promote the production of collagen.
90% treatment range is the same.
The two lasers have common aesthetic treatment functions:
- Anti-aging and wrinkle removal
- Treatment of moderate to severe acne and enlarged pores
- Assisted treatment of age spots and freckles
- Assisted treatment of depressed scars and hypertrophic scars
- Assisted treatment of alopecia areata
- Enhanced product absorption
- Vaginal firming treatment
Differences between CO2 laser and thulium laser:
The working theory is different.
How does CO2 laser therapy work?
Fractional CO₂ laser is a gas laser that uses CO₂ gas as a working medium to generate laser light; the fractional laser is the output mode of the laser. After focusing the laser light of a specific infrared wavelength, the laser is controlled by a computer and automated mechanical technology to form small irradiation points with intervals, and normal skin tissue is preserved between each irradiation point.
The working principle of CO₂ fractional laser is focal photothermolysis and stimulating regeneration effect. The wavelength is 10600nm, the target color base is water, and it belongs to the category of micro-ablative & ablative treatment.
How does thulium laser therapy work?
Fractional thulium laser is a solid laser with a wavelength of 1927nm/1940nm. It is a long-pulse infrared laser. It emits light in a dot-matrix scanning manner. The main target color base of thulium laser is water, but melanin and hemoglobin in the skin also absorb laser energy. It belongs to the category of non-stripping-micro-stripping treatment. The effect on the skin is a true-epidermal effect. The heat accumulation and temperature rise of the dermis are higher than those of the epidermis.
Thulium laser has a deep penetration depth and a significant thermal diffusion effect on the skin. It is one of the important lasers in 3D mesodermal whitening and anti-aging therapy.
10% treatment range is different.
Most of the functions of thulium laser are similar to CO2 laser, but thulium lasers also have unique therapeutic functions, such as assisting hair growth.
In multiple studies, it has been shown that 1927nm fractional thulium lasers can have a good promoting effect on the regeneration of head hair! According to our Litong Laser training institution’s 5 years of thulium laser teaching training and clinical experience, it is concluded that if thulium lasers are used alone and there are still some fine hairs on the hair follicles on the head, treatment once a month, three courses of treatment, that is, three months later, hair will grow, is often used to increase the hairline. If it is combined with products, the effect will be better. Thulium laser has a special effect, which is to open the skin microchannels and help the product enter the dermis better.
For detailed treatment methods, please see: Fractional 1927nm Thulium laser hair growth treatment.
Laser prices are different.
What is the price of fractional CO2 laser?
The price of CO2 laser is usually determined by two situations. The first is the laser tube, which usually has two options, RF tube and glass tube. The second is determined by power. Usually 30W power is used to remove acne, rejuvenate and anti-aging, and 60W power is used to remove acne pits and proliferate substances. These two powers are suitable for beauty salons and personal use, while 100W and above power requires professional operation and is suitable for hospital surgeons. Non-professionals should not use it carefully. The price is lower than that of thulium laser.
The price of fractional CO2 laser is between 2,000 USD and 10,000 USD. The price is closely related to the configuration of the machine parts, the source of the laser source, and the certificate.
What is the price of fractional thulium laser?
The price of thulium laser is usually determined by power and laser bar. The higher the power, the more expensive the price, the stronger the energy, the better the quality of the laser bar, and the more stable and safe the output. Compared with CO2 laser, the price of thulium laser is much more expensive, mainly because of its unique characteristics and the need for a more powerful laser bar.
The price of thulium laser is between US$5,000 and US$20,000, which is determined by the machine’s certificate (FDA certification/CE certification), laser power (5W/10W/15W/20W/30W), laser material (fiber/diode), and laser source origin (Germany/USA/China).
Laser types are different.
Ablative laser.
After fractional CO2 laser treatment, the face is uniform with small dots, the face is red, and there is slight scab.This is because CO2 laser is an ablative laser, and its reaction on the skin surface is an ablative treatment.
Non-ablative laser.
After Thulium laser treatment, the face is redder, but there is no obvious injury. It is safe and effective. At this time, you will get the most benefit by introducing products or applying masks.1927nm thulium laser is a non-ablative laser that does not leave wounds on the skin surface. And high-quality thulium laser can restore the skin to its original state within 2 hours.
Downtime and skin recovery time are not the same.
The downtime recovery time of CO2 laser is 3 to 6 months. This is because CO2 laser ablative treatment will cause the dermis layer of the skin to completely fall off, which requires a long time to repair. Therefore, the treatment cycle of CO2 laser is as short as once every 3 months or once every 6 months.
The downtime recovery time of thulium laser is 1 week. In fact, thulium laser is a non-ablative treatment, and theoretically no downtime is required, but all laser treatments may have the side effect of darkening the skin, so you need to pay attention to sun protection for a week.
Due to the function of thulium laser to open the skin channel, many customers will use skin care products after thulium laser treatment, so they need to use skin care products for a week to increase the treatment effect, so the treatment cycle of thulium laser is once every half a month or once a month.
How to buy these two lasers?
If you need to buy a quality fractional CO2 laser, you can check out this product page, which is Liton Laser’s top-selling device: Professional Fractional CO2 Laser Sales.
If you need to buy German imported laser source and CE certified fractional thulium laser, you can check this product page: Fractional 1927nm Thulium Laser for sale.
