How do Fractional Laser Treatments work?

There seems to be a million kinds of fractional lasers out there, how do they work?

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Eva S in Seattle, WA

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Fractional resurfaing comparison

Fractional resurfacing uses the same concept of partial skin treatment to induce complete skin remodelling, but the systems can be very different. Most people describe fractional resurfacing (FR) like aerating a lawn, where vertical channels are punched into the skin. As the skin heals from that treatment, adjacent non treated skin still improves but also speeds recovery. this analogy gives you an idea of the variables. The channels can be wider, deeper, more dense, or be ringed by a... more

Fractionated lasers

Good question. The answer is no, they are not all the same. The main differences lie in the results and surrounding thermal injury. The perfect laser does not yet exist. CO2 gives a dramatic result but causes more thermal injury. Erbium gives a less dramatic result (which is why I like to do multiple passes depending on the area) but also causes less thermal damage. Your plastic surgeon can discuss all of the treatments during an examination. Good luck!