Fractional resurfacing treatment: overview
Fractional resurfacing treatment is a non-invasive treatment that uses a laser device that targets a fraction of the skin at a time. This device called a fractional laser provides precise microbeams of laser light into the lower layers of the skin, which creates deep, narrow columns of tissue coagulation.
The procedure can be used on the chest, neck, face, arms, and hands. Discomfort during the procedure is very minimal. This treatment produces long-lasting results with virtually no downtime. Rotational treatments every one- to four-week may be needed to achieve the desired results.
The fractional laser treatment has bridged the gap existing between the non-ablative and ablative laser procedures used to treat sun-damaged and aging skin. While ablative laser procedures work mainly on the epidermis (surface skin cells) and non-ablative work solely on dermal collagen (mid-layer of skin) only, fractional resurfacing treatment works at both the dermal and the epidermal layers of the skin. The first fractional laser resurfacing device marketed was the Fraxel®.
What can we treat with fractional resurfacing?
It can be used for the following treatments:
- Facial lines and wrinkles (rhytides)
- Sun damage
- Skin pigmentation associated with photoaging
- Surgical and acne scarring.
- Poikiloderma of cuvette
- Stretch marks
Fractional resurfacing treatment can be used on any part of the body but particularly useful on the chest, neck, and hands when compared to traditional ablative modalities.
The fractional resurfacing procedure can be used for all skin types patients, but the techniques vary depending on patient skin type, age, sun exposure, and body location. Fractional resurfacing procedures can be combined with surgery and other skin treatments.
Fractional resurfacing procedure side effects or complications
This treatment appears to be well tolerated by most patients. Shaving or application of mineral make-up can be done soon after treatment. In most cases, patients can return to work directly after treatments or the following day, depending upon their skin condition and treatment.
However, some of the side effects and complications that may occur after aggressive or ablative fractional laser treatments, particularly on neck skin, include:
- Excessive desquamation (scaling, peeling) and some crusting
- Swelling for up to one week after treatment
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation
- Acneform eruptions,
- herpes simplex,
- bacterial and candida infections
What to expect after the procedure
Recovery time following treatment is minimal. Many patients observe positive changes within a few days. However, patients should expect:
- Redness
- Warmth
- Tightness
Patients should avoid sun exposure four weeks after treatment.
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