AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
Fractional laser for wrinkles and sun damage
Fractional laser therapy is a mode of treatment in which laser energy is delivered in a grid pattern of multiple points.
- Stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen
- Damages overgrown scars and solar keratoses
- Treated skin is smoother, clearer and less wrinkled
Fractional laser therapy is a mode of skin that delivers laser beams in a grid pattern, damaging only a small percentage of the skin’s surface (hence the term fractional), while leaving the surrounding skin intact.
Fractional laser creates microscopic channels of thermal injury in the skin. These controlled micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing response, promoting the formation of new skin tissue.
Benefits of fractional laser
Stimulates collagen production
Fractional lasers penetrate the skin’s deeper layers, stimulating fibroblasts—the cells responsible for collagen synthesis. Increased collagen production improves skin elasticity, firmness, and overall texture.
Scar reduction
Overgrown scars, whether from acne, surgery, or injury, can be effectively treated with fractional laser therapy. The laser energy breaks down scar tissue, promoting smoother and more even skin.
Solar keratoses management and skin cancer prevention
Solar keratoses are precancerous skin lesions caused by sun exposure. Fractional lasers target these lesions, leading to their destruction and reducing the risk of progression to skin cancer. In some cases, fractional laser has been shown to reduce the likelihood of skin cancer developing in the treated area.
“In some cases, fractional laser has been shown to reduce the likelihood of skin cancer developing in the treated area.”
Wrinkle reduction
Wrinkles and fine lines are diminished as the treatment encourages collagen remodelling. The skin becomes plumper, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Ablative vs. non -ablative fractional laser
The intensity of treatment (i.e. how much energy is delivered in each pulse of light), determines how much skin damage occurs as a result of treatment.
- Non-ablative treatment uses lower amounts of energy. It’s less painful, less likely to cause bleeding and the downtime following treatment is shorter.
- Ablative treatment uses higher energy. It’s more destructive to unwanted lesions such as scars and solar keratoses. Ablative treatment usually causes pinpoint bleeding and can be painful.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Fractional ablative vs non-ablative
How it’s done
Fractional laser appointments usually last about 1 hour. If you would like to have numbing cream applied before your treatment (recommended for ablative treatments to large areas), your appointment lasts about 2 hours.
Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area in a thick layer. This is covered with cling wrap and left to incubate. The treatment area is then cleaned, and you will be asked to wear glasses or goggles to protect your eyes. To further reduce discomfort, the treatment area will be covered with a cooling gel and you will be able to direct chilled air over your skin with a hand-held device. The treating doctor, nurse or dermal clinician will systematically guide the laser over the treatment area. The fractional laser emits a pulse of light in a grid of 9 × 9 pixels about 1xm in diameter. The pulses are about 1 second apart. Each pulse makes a snapping sound, which can be quite loud, so we may provide earplugs.
Once the treatment area is completely covered, your skin will be cleaned, and a soothing balm or silicone gel and sunscreen will be applied.
How to prepare
Get better results and reduce downtime by following these steps.
Keep your skin as pale as possible. Avoid unprotected sun exposure on the area to be treated. Wear sunscreen and a hat if your face will be treated.
Don’t apply fake tan or take supplements that promote tanning.
Don’t apply tinted cosmetics, tinted moisturiser or tinted sunscreen to the area to be treated.
Don’t apply any of the following to your face (or other treatment area):
- Topical products containing retinoids, tretinoin, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs.
- Perfume or essential oils.
If you are taking medication, check the list at Dermnet and if you are taking any of these medications, ask your prescribing doctor if it’s safe to stop taking it for 2-3 days before your laser procedure. If not, contact us, and our doctor or registered nurse will provide advice.
In the morning, wash your skin using a gentle, non-soap cleanser.
Don’t apply any skin products to the area other than low-irritant sunscreen with no pigment.
Please don’t apply make-up on the day of treatment.
After your treatment
For the first few days, you need to manage discomfort and inflammation. Following that, avoid sunlight and skin irritants for several weeks.
Side effects and warnings
Side effects of fractional laser treatment include:
- Pain and bleeding during and immediately after treatment.
- Sunburn-like discomfort and redness of the treated area, lasting up to a week for aggressive ablative treatments (usually 1-2 days for non-ablative).
- Pin-point crusts or scabs.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Darkening, flaking and crusting of pigmented freckles, age spots, seborrheic keratoses, etc.
- Increased or decreased pigmentation.
Exclusion criteria
Laser treatments may not be safe if you:
- Have a medical condition made worse by bright or flashing lights, e.g. epilepsy, migraine, porphyria, photosensitive rash.
- Are taking medication where light exposure may cause a rash or other problems, e.g doxycycline.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Are suntanned or wearing pigmented products or fake tan.
In these situations, we may have to defer laser treatment or consider safer alternatives.
Avoid known photosensitising drugs and chemicals before light-based treatments such as laser, IPL/BBL and LED light therapy. If you are taking these medications, be sun smart every day.
More infoCold sores are a known side effect of surgical, laser and IPL treatments. You can reduce the risk by taking antiviral medication before treatment, or immediately if you notice the onset of cold sore symptoms after your treatment.
More infoRedness, swelling, blisters and sores are often a common result of aesthetic and skin cancer treatments. In most cases, they can be managed easily and settle gradually over the following weeks. However, it’s important to notify the clinic if you are very uncomfortable or concerned about your reaction being abnormal.
More info
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