Profractional Laser by Sciton is It Good for Skin Tightening?

Ablative lasers are those that vaporize the epidermis and papillary dermis.  This includes CO2 and Er YAG.  They can be used to remove the entire epidermis, either full or partial thickness.

Nonablative devices do not wound the epidermis.  These include IPL, radiofrequency, ultrasound and other devices that affect the dermis but not the epidermis.

Fractional CO2 and ErYAG lasers are fractionally ablative, although in the literature they are sometimes divided into CO2 being ablative because of the zone of heat necrosis in the dermis and ErYAG non ablative because that necrosis zone is absent and there is just vaporization.  I believe they are both fractional ablative because there is destruction of the epidermis in some form.

Because the fractional devices like Sciton Profractional vaporize columns of epidermis and dermis, there is both contraction of untreated skin around the areas of vaporization and stimulation of new collagen production, which does result in tightening and rejuvenation of the skin.

Thank you for sharing your question. Profractional treatments will effectively improve skin tightness if it is used at a sufficient depth to cause injury to the deep dermis. Dermal injury  leads to an increase in the quantity/organization of collagen and improvement in solar elastosis.  Although improvement may be limited under the eyes, perioral wrinkles/rhytids are improved. Perioral rhytids can be further improved with the addition of dermabrasion. I hope this helps. Take care. 

Great question.  I have been using both lasers for several years and they work great together.  The profracional goes deeper and the Microlaser Peel treated some of the surface discolorations. Be sure to get on a good skin care program and wear your sunscreen!!

Good Luck,

 

Robert F. Gray, MD, FACS