Fractional Resurfacing Laser

Our skin is silky, smooth, and evenly colored from birth. Things can change as we grow and face life. During adolescence, acne may affect us. Stretch marks from pregnancy may appear on some women. Others might have scars from surgery or an accident. Of course, aging also has an impact on the skin. The good news is that if you don't want to, you don't have to live with these scars and marks. Non-ablative (non-wounding) laser resurfacing, also known as fractional laser resurfacing, is a non-invasive, non-surgical therapy designed to lessen the appearance of skin flaws. This gentle laser therapy can make you look better, which will make you feel better about yourself, whether you're upset by acne scars, stretch marks, or the fine lines that come with aging.

 

Skin Resurfacing Laser

Skin resurfacing laser is a procedure used to treat problems with the skin's texture, tone, pigmentation, and other aspects. Multiple skin damage types can be addressed comprehensively at once, and with enough well-executed treatment sessions, patients' skin should appear healthier, younger, and more uniform.

The water and chromophores (i.e., atoms essential for a structure's color) in the skin absorb the light energy pulses that the laser delivers. The delicate process that facilitates the shedding of dead surface cells is produced when the light energy is transformed into heat energy, which vaporizes small portions or layers of skin at a time.

New skin cells replace the old, broken ones that the laser vaporized away over the following months, and neocollagenesis (the synthesis of new collagen in the skin) will start to take place, giving your skin a more youthful look. Collagen, along with hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) and elastin, is one of the essential components of skin, acting as a structural support system that keeps the skin soft and flexible.

Older types of laser skin resurfacing that were applied to the hands, chest, or neck did not heal as well, increasing the risk of skin thickening and scarring. However, one of its more recent variations, known as fractional resurfacing laser, more accurately targets microscopic rows while causing little to no harm to surrounding tissue. As a result, the skin is left visibly better without any bleeding, scabbing, or other unfavorable side effects.

The laser should be used by a qualified and experienced laser technician in a series of adequately spaced-out treatment sessions for this fractional skin resurfacing to be truly effective. While a full recovery will take longer, you will not experience the downtime associated with more aggressive therapies. Many patients have completed their five sessions (two to four weeks apart) of therapy in time to meet their goals.

 

Erbium: YAG Laser

Erbium: YAG laser in a multimodal mode, MCL 31 Dermablate can repair deep lines, wrinkles, acne scarring on the face, and stretch marks by producing new skin layers. It can also easily peel away loose skin to fix facial abnormalities. Modern skin resurfacing lasers like the erbium laser have made substantial advancements over earlier skin resurfacing lasers. Erbium laser is the most popular option for rejuvenation among both men and women due to its minimal side effects, including a decreased sense of pain and more noticeable outcomes.

During the procedure, the skin's top layer is removed to activate the body's cellular immune responses and prompt the growth of a new layer of skin. The treated area will get red and swell after this surgery, but these side effects will disappear quickly. In comparison to other forms of laser resurfacing, the Erbium laser's fractional mode of treatment allows for a quicker recovery.

To access a younger-looking bottom layer of skin, the epidermis (upper layer of skin) is peeled during the procedure. Additionally, the process activates collagen, which promotes additional skin tightening and stimulates the dermal cells to form a new, fresh epidermal layer. To remove or diminish superficial or somewhat deep wrinkles, dermatologists or surgeons must cut through layers of skin.

 

Nonablative vs Ablative Fractional Resurfacing Laser

Ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing methods are both available. To lessen or completely get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other skin disorders brought on by aging, sun damage, and other trauma, both procedures use lasers calibrated to particular wavelengths. You can discuss which kind of laser skin resurfacing is best for your skin condition and your desired outcomes when you come in for your initial appointment with your aesthetic doctor.

• Ablative laser resurfacing. Ablative laser resurfacing causes new skin to develop by heating the top layer of skin and evaporating both water and tissue. It's perfect for problems with the skin's surface like fine wrinkles and tiny blemishes produced by aging and sun damage. Skin types I through III should consider this choice. An application of an ablative laser procedure is laser skin resurfacing.
• Nonablative Laser Resurfacing. In non-ablative laser resurfacing, the laser accesses the epidermis and dermis as well as the top layer of skin to evaporate water molecules, promoting the formation of fresh skin and collagen. It is recommended for more serious skin issues like scarring or long-term UV exposure. Every skin type can use this option. A non-ablative procedure is a fractional laser resurfacing procedure carried out with the StarLux 500 device.

 

Fractional Resurfacing Laser Benefits

Key benefits of fractional laser resurfacing include:

• Acne scar removal. Different degrees of acne scarring and hyperpigmentation can be addressed because the fractional laser can penetrate deeper into the skin's surface. The severity and kind of scarring will influence how well the treatment works. In your consultation, your aesthetic doctor will go through this with you. Doctors strongly advise waiting until any active breakouts have ceased before scheduling a fractional laser resurfacing appointment or first considering laser acne therapy.
• Stretch mark removal. Because fractional laser resurfacing is noninvasive and targets both the epidermis and dermis, it is a successful laser stretch mark removal technique. Stretch marks on the breasts, abdomen, thighs, and arms might be lessened with this technique. It's vital to remember that the fractional laser will likely have little effect on older stretch marks and will work better on more recent ones.
• Age-reversing therapy. Once more, the fractional laser is excellent for treating the effects of aging on the face because it is so light on the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles, an uneven skin tone and texture, and large pores can all be improved by fractional laser resurfacing. Additionally, it can increase collagen formation, which can plump the skin and increase its elasticity. No anesthesia is needed, fractional laser resurfacing is almost painless, and recovery time is brief.

 

Fractional Resurfacing Laser Candidates

Numerous genetic and environmental factors can cause the skin to become damaged or have its look altered. Sun exposure, acne, hormones, an unhealthy diet, and some repetitive movements can all cause the skin to become fragile and damaged. Males and females of any age who experience any of the following symptoms or find them bothersome are the ideal candidates for fractional laser resurfacing. The procedure can be used to repair stretch marks and scars on various parts of the body such as the hands, neck, and chest, in addition to the face.

Problems treated with fractional laser resurfacing include the following:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Scars from acne on the face or body
• Hyperpigmentation (melasma or chloasma)
• Incisional scars
• Irregular surface or skin tone
• larger pore size
• Stretch marks
• Scars from chicken pox

Expected results of fractional laser resurfacing includes:

• Improved skin texture
• More uniform skin tone
• Reduce your appearance's aging
• Erase stretch marks
• Reduce chicken pox and acne scarring
• Feel your skin tightening

 

Fractional Resurfacing Laser Procedure

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that is carried out in the office under the supervision of board-certified specialists. The number and size of the treatment areas, as well as the number of laser sessions to be performed on each, determine the length of each treatment session.

Once the treatment areas have been determined, they are cleansed and marked to prevent unintentionally exposing newly treated or nearby areas to the laser. To lessen any discomfort, topical anesthesia may be used. To protect your eyes from the laser, doctors might also provide you with some glasses.

The laser will produce pulses that are a fraction of a second long as it moves across the skin. A rubber band snapping against the skin is how most patients describe the sensation of the laser pulses. To cool the skin and remove whatever surface tissue the laser has vaporized, the skin may be cleaned with a saltwater or water solution in between passes.

The kind of skin and extent of the damage that needs to be repaired in the area determine how many passes are necessary. On thinner skin, such as the area around the eyes, fewer passes should be made. More passes can be necessary on skin that is thicker, such as scar tissue or regions with severe lesions. Doctors clean up the area after the treatment and could use an ointment to cool the skin.

 

Fractional Resurfacing Laser Recovery

Because no two cases are alike and healing times can differ, recovery following fractional skin resurfacing can differ from patient to patient. Generally speaking, recovery times increase with treatment area size. The skin may feel heated, red, and/or somewhat puffy just after a fractional skin resurfacing procedure. These adverse reactions are transient and typically go away within the first week after a therapy session.

Along with them, there can also be some crusting, scabbing, darker spots, or small blisters; it can take these two weeks following therapy for them to go away. Be aware that before they begin to disappear, freckles, age or sun spots, and other pigmentation issues may seem darker. Final results start appearing about four weeks after the final fractional skin resurfacing therapy session, and the repaired skin will look and feel smoother, with a more even tone and refined pores, about two to three weeks after the procedure.

Following their initial set of treatments, many of the patients decide to have two to three additional skin resurfacing sessions each year, and/or they opt for alternative treatment modalities like the Cutera laser, intense pulsed light (also known as a photo-facial), or spa-style skin rejuvenation using chemical peels or microdermabrasion. Skin resurfacing is not different from other minor procedures in that patients or clients will receive the best outcomes most safely possible thanks to the high standards and experience that only a facility run by a dermatologist can uphold.

 

Fractional Resurfacing Laser Risks

No technique is without risk. The hazards of laser skin resurfacing include infection, scarring, aberrant pigmentation, burns, and other heat-related problems. In rare instances, laser therapy may activate latent viruses like herpes or infections.

A mild flicking or elastic band sensation on the skin as the laser is fired, together with some warmth, is generally regarded to be the most common adverse effect of therapy. Deeper wrinkles and scars may cause more discomfort and heat effect during treatment; however, your doctor can effectively manage this for you if necessary. To alleviate any discomfort, they utilize a cold air device.

Although rare, side effects can include swelling, erythema (redness), edema (swelling caused by inflammation), hypo- or hyper-pigmentation (dark or bright patches appearing on the skin), and post-procedure infections. It is quite rare for people to suffer minor shock-like symptoms right away after the treatment.

The skin may feel firmer or tighter and smoother to the touch immediately after treatment. In the days following treatment, redness (like a sunburn) and skin peeling (from the dots) are to be predicted; neither pain nor discomfort are anticipated. Sunscreen should also be applied to the treated area. Following the process, a medium layer of Vaseline is placed, and doctors provide you with a take-home package of creams to use at home (this is included in the expense of the procedure).

 

Skin Resurfacing Laser Cost

The location and training of the physician doing the treatment will have an impact on the cost of laser skin resurfacing. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average price of an ablative laser resurfacing procedure is $2,500, while a non-ablative procedure is $1,440.

 

Conclusion

Only a portion of the skin is damaged by fractional laser resurfacing, allowing healthy skin around the treatment area to serve as a barrier and accelerate healing and recovery.  The YAG Er: pixel laser penetrates the skin with a matrix of small laser beams, each no bigger than a human hair, leaving the majority of the surrounding skin untouched. Because the cells in the area are unaffected, they can enter the microscopic injury and speed up recovery. New collagen is produced in the treated area as a result of the activation of a healing response. In addition to this ablative action on the skin's surface, collateral collagen fibers are tightened, which has a soothing effect. Depending on the intended results, the practitioner might change the technique and power settings.