Fotona Laser Treatments, Charleston SC

Reviewed by Ashley Harwyn, PA-C, ABAAHP | A4M Board Certified | Updated October 4, 2026

One laser platform, many uses. Here is how the options differ in depth and downtime, what the research really supports, and which page to read next.

Solcara Health offers laser treatments in Charleston and Mount Pleasant on a Fotona laser platform that combines two lasers: an erbium (Er:YAG) laser that we use either to remove a thin layer of skin or to warm it without removing anything, and a neodymium (Nd:YAG) laser. With those two lasers we treat rough texture, fine lines, mild loose skin, acne scars, some pigment and redness, crepey skin under the eyes, and the lips, and each of those treatments has its own page with the details. This page is the map. It sorts the options by what they do to your skin and how much recovery they need, so you can see which page to read next.

A map is only useful if it is honest about the terrain. Lasers have solid support for some jobs, like resurfacing wrinkled, sun-damaged skin, and much less for others, like tightening skin from inside the mouth.[1][4] FDA clearance of a laser covers specific uses, not every use a clinic may advertise. Where the evidence is thin, we say so on this page and on the treatment pages it links to.

Key takeaways

Laser treatments fall into two broad groups. Non-wounding (non-ablative) lasers heat deeper skin with little downtime but usually need a series of visits. Resurfacing (ablative) lasers remove skin and need about a week at home.[1]
In a pooled analysis of randomized trials, ablative lasers did not outperform non-ablative lasers for facial rejuvenation, though the trials were small.[3]
Darker skin can be treated with lasers but is more prone to burns and dark marks, so the laser, the settings, and the clinician's experience all matter.[2][6]
The Fotona clearance we reviewed covers uses such as resurfacing, wrinkles, and some acne and vascular lesions. It does not cover vaginal rejuvenation or incontinence.[5][7]
The FDA has not approved any laser for vaginal rejuvenation and has warned about burns, scarring, and pain. We send those questions to dedicated pages.[7]
Every laser plan at Solcara starts with a consult, not a treatment, and we will tell you when a laser is not the right tool.

Section 01 / Find your fit

Which laser treatment fits your concern?

The quickest way to sort laser options is by how much they wound the skin. More wounding generally means more downtime and more risk, and it can mean faster visible change. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes resurfacing as the most effective non-surgical way to tighten loose skin, and also notes that it carries more downtime and a greater risk of side effects such as scarring.[1] Gentler lasers that heat the deeper layers without breaking the surface trade speed for comfort.[1]

Here is how the treatments we offer line up, from lightest to deepest:

Source: American Academy of Dermatology. Your own timeline depends on your skin, the depth chosen, and the area treated.

Laser approach	What it does	Typical recovery	Solcara pages to read
Non-wounding heat (non-ablative)	Heats deeper skin while the surface stays intact[1]	Little or no downtime; often 3 to 5 sessions, with results building 2 to 6 months after the last one[1]	Skin Tightening, SmoothEye, LipLase
Light laser peel	Removes a very thin surface layer of skin	Mild redness and dryness, often like a light sunburn	Laser Facial
Full resurfacing (ablative)	Removes outer skin so new skin and collagen form[1]	About 5 to 7 days at home, with tightening and fewer wrinkles within about 2 weeks of healing[1]	Skin Resurfacing
Scar-focused plans	Matched to the type of scar, usually over a series of visits	Depends on how deep each session goes	Acne and Acne Scars, Scars and Stretch Marks
Pigment and redness	Targets brown spots or small blood vessels; the right laser depends on the spot[2]	Varies by laser and skin type	Hyperpigmentation, Skin Rejuvenation

Laser consult prep

Points to mention before anyone turns on a laser

Tap each one that applies to you. This is not a screening test and it does not decide whether a laser is safe for you. It is a short list of things Ashley will want to hear at your consult.

Recovery times are ranges, not promises; skin type, depth, and the area treated all shift them. The Fotona 4D protocol you may see advertised is a combination session: it pairs gentle heating (including from inside the mouth) with fractional resurfacing and a light peel in one visit. It spans the first two rows of the table, so we plan it at your consult, and the skin tightening page explains the heat-based part. If snoring is what brought you here, our NightLase page covers that laser and when a sleep evaluation should come first.

Skin Resurfacing

The deepest option, for texture, wrinkles, and sun damage. Read Skin Resurfacing.

Skin Tightening

Gentler heat-based treatments with little downtime, given as a series. Read Skin Tightening.

Laser Facial

A light laser peel with mild, short-lived redness. Read Laser Facial.

Acne and Acne Scars

How scar type decides the plan. Read Acne and Acne Scars.

Section 02 / Two lasers, real evidence

Erbium, neodymium, and what the research supports

The two lasers are listed for different jobs. The Fotona clearance we reviewed, an FDA 510(k) for the Dynamis Pro family, lists soft tissue resurfacing (including with a fractional handpiece) for the erbium laser, and lists treatment of wrinkles, mild to moderate inflammatory acne, and vascular and pigmented lesions for the neodymium laser.[5] We have not confirmed that this exact model is the one in our office, so we cite it only as the clearance we reviewed.

A 510(k) clearance means the FDA found the device substantially equivalent to devices already on the market, for the uses listed.[5] It is not proof that a treatment works for any given goal. That evidence comes from clinical studies, and its strength varies a lot by treatment.

For general facial rejuvenation, a 2022 meta-analysis pooled randomized trials comparing ablative lasers (erbium and carbon dioxide) with non-ablative lasers (including neodymium). Across 124 participants, ablative lasers did not produce better improvement or fewer side effects than non-ablative ones.[3] The trials were small, and the authors asked for larger ones.[3] That finding is one reason we usually start with the gentlest option that fits your goal.

Tightening from inside the mouth has much less behind it. In a 2020 split-face pilot study, 20 women received five monthly sessions of non-ablative erbium for the lines that run from nose to mouth, inside the mouth on one side and on the outer skin on the other.[4] The inside-the-mouth side showed thicker skin on imaging at four months, but overall appearance scores did not differ between sides, and patients were more satisfied with the outer-skin side.[4] There was no untreated comparison, and the authors said more studies are needed.[4] We think that is fair to know before you choose it.

Where lasers earn their place

Resurfacing rough, sun-damaged skin and wrinkles, improving some acne scars, and gently heating skin for modest tightening over a series of visits, with the plan matched to your skin type and the downtime you can take.

Where laser claims run ahead of the evidence

Promises of facelift-level lifting, permanent results after one visit, or tightening from inside the mouth backed only by small pilot studies, and intimate laser treatments the FDA has not approved for rejuvenation or incontinence.

Section 03 / Before you book

Skin tone, medicines, and safety before you book

The AAD notes that darker skin is more prone to burns and dark marks after laser treatment, and advises working with a clinician experienced in treating darker skin with lasers.[2] A 2022 review of 43 studies and 1,654 people with medium to dark skin (Fitzpatrick types IV to VI) found the overall rate of side effects from non-ablative lasers and similar devices was low.[6] Dark marks after treatment, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, were the most common problem at about 8.1%, and the risk rose with darker skin type, denser laser settings, and more total energy.[6] So we set the laser for your skin, not a preset.

Your medicines and habits matter too. You may need to pause topical retinoids, stop smoking, or take an antiviral or antibiotic your clinician prescribes before treatment.[2] Some medicines and supplements make skin more sensitive to laser light, so bring a full list.[2] Skin tightening is not a fit during pregnancy, with an active skin infection, or with certain medicines, and people with a lot of loose skin may not get much benefit from it.[1]

Sun protection is part of the treatment, not an afterthought. Avoid tanning before a laser, and use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher afterward.[2] The AAD also points out that laser results depend heavily on the skill of the person using the laser.[2] At Solcara, every plan is set by Ashley Harwyn, PA-C, who is board certified in anti-aging and functional medicine (A4M) and holds the ABAAHP credential.

Not sure which laser, or whether you need one at all? Call 843-981-0870 to book a consult. Ashley will look at your skin, go through your medicines and history, and tell you which option fits, what recovery to expect, and when something other than a laser would serve you better.

Section 04 / Intimate lasers

Intimate laser treatments: read the dedicated pages first

The same platform has settings marketed for intimate care, sold under names like IntimaLase and IncontiLase. We offer both, and we want you to know their regulatory status up front. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the FDA has not approved any laser or other energy-based treatment for vaginal cosmetic procedures, menopausal symptoms, urinary incontinence, or sexual problems.[7] ACOG adds that the FDA has warned these treatments can cause vaginal burns, scarring, pain with sex, and long-lasting pain.[7] The clearance we reviewed lists only a few gynecologic uses, such as treating certain lesions and warts, and none of them is tightening or bladder control.[5]

We do not make claims about those treatments on this hub. Instead, our vaginal rejuvenation and IncontiLase pages walk through the trials, the warnings, and the proven treatments that usually come first. If you have leaking, dryness, or pain, ACOG says your first resource should be an ob-gyn.[7] We agree that an exam and a diagnosis come before any device.

Section 05 / Visit day

What a laser visit at Solcara looks like

It starts with a consult. Ashley looks at your skin, asks about your goals, your health history, your medicines, and any past reactions, and then tells you which option fits, how many sessions it may take, and what recovery to plan around. Sometimes the answer is a peel, microneedling, or skin care instead of a laser. If so, you will hear that plainly, and you will not be pushed toward add-ons you did not ask about.

On treatment day, a prescription-strength numbing cream goes on first for most procedures. Most sessions take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment and the area. Afterward, mild redness, warmth, and dryness that feel like a light sunburn are common. Deeper resurfacing may need a few days of downtime, and we go over aftercare with you before you leave.

A laser is one part of caring for your skin, so when it is relevant we also look at nutrition and hormones through our nutritional therapy and hormone care. Our offices are at 496 Bramson Ct, Ste 120, in Mount Pleasant and at The Longevity Club, 163 Rutledge Ave, Ste 202, in downtown Charleston; ask which office offers your treatment when you book.

The short video below was made by Solcara Health about our Fotona laser treatments. It shows what the practice offers, not evidence of results, and individual outcomes vary.

Solcara Health on the Fotona laser treatments offered at the practice. About one minute. It describes services, not results, and individual outcomes vary.

Ask Ashley

Ashley Harwyn, PA-C PA-C, ABAAHP · Founder, Solcara Health Online

Tap a question to ask

Which laser treatment is right for me? That depends on what bothers you most and how much downtime you can take. Gentle heat-based treatments suit mild fine lines and early loose skin, with little recovery but several visits. Resurfacing suits deeper wrinkles and rough, sun-damaged skin but means about a week at home. A light peel sits in between. A consult is the honest way to decide, because skin type and health history change the answer.

Does laser treatment hurt? Most people feel heat or a snapping sensation. For most procedures we apply a prescription-strength numbing cream first, and sessions usually last 20 to 60 minutes. Deeper resurfacing is more uncomfortable than gentle heating, and the first few days afterward can feel like a sunburn.

How much downtime should I plan for? Gentle non-ablative treatments often need little or no downtime. The AAD notes full laser resurfacing usually means staying home for about 5 to 7 days, with tightening and fewer wrinkles showing within about two weeks of healing. Light peels fall in between, usually with mild redness and dryness. Plan deeper treatments around events, and avoid tanning before and after.

Is laser safe for darker skin? It can be, with the right laser, careful settings, and an experienced clinician. Darker skin is more prone to burns and dark marks after laser. A large review of studies in medium to dark skin found the overall side effect rate was low, but dark marks occurred in about 8 percent of people and rose with higher energy. We adjust settings to your skin.

Is the Fotona laser FDA approved? Lasers like this reach the market through FDA 510(k) clearance, which is not the same as approval. The Fotona clearance we reviewed lists uses such as skin resurfacing, wrinkles, some acne, and vascular and pigmented lesions. It does not include vaginal rejuvenation or incontinence, and the FDA has not approved any laser for those uses. Clearance also does not prove a treatment works for every advertised goal.

How many sessions will I need? It varies by treatment. The AAD notes that gentle heat-based tightening often takes 3 to 5 sessions, with results appearing gradually over 2 to 6 months after the last one. Scar plans usually take a series too. Ashley will give you a realistic number at your consult.

Find the laser that fits your skin, or hear why another option fits better

Book a laser consult with Ashley. You will leave with a clear plan, a realistic recovery estimate, and no pressure to add anything.

BOOK A CONSULTATION →

Or call 843-981-0870

About the author

Ashley Harwyn, PA-C, founder of Solcara Health in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ashley Harwyn, PA-C, ABAAHP

Founder, Solcara Health · Diplomate, American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners (ABAAHP)

Ashley has practiced medicine for more than fifteen years. Her path into it began at home, with a family member born with a congenital heart defect and a childhood spent watching how much the quality of a clinician's attention could change the shape of a life. She has since practiced across a range of settings, including medical mission work in Uganda, before founding Solcara to build the kind of practice she kept wishing existed, one that treats patients as whole people and tells them the truth about what the evidence does and does not support.

Full bio →

Medical Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, and reading it does not create a patient-provider relationship. It describes general medical information and categories of care, not a recommendation that any individual start, stop, or change any test, treatment, or medication. Any diagnosis or treatment decision requires evaluation by a qualified, licensed clinician who knows your personal and family history. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making medical decisions. Information reflects sources available as of October 4, 2026.

Ashley Harwyn, PA-C, ABAAHP, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners (ABAAHP) through A4M and the founder of Solcara Health. Solcara serves South Carolina from Downtown Charleston (163 Rutledge Ave, Ste 202, The Longevity Club) and Mt. Pleasant (496 Bramson Ct, Ste 120).

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