Fractional laser Scottsdale

Laser skin resurfacing can be used to address a variety of different concerns about the skin’s appearance. There are several different types of laser treatment available, which can be used in different contexts in order to get the desired effect. One of the options we offer here in our office is fractional laser treatment. 

What does it actually mean for a laser to be “fractional”? When might this be the right choice for your laser treatment?

What does “fractional laser” mean?

With traditional, non-fractional laser treatment, the entire surface of the skin is exposed to the same laser energy. With a fractional laser (technically known as a fractionated laser), the difference is that the laser energy isn’t applied to all of the skin, but just to certain spots. Each spot where the laser touches the skin is called a microthermal zone, or MTZ. At each of these zones, the laser energy is intense enough to penetrate deeply into the skin. Each one is a tiny but deep column where the laser energy enters and causes heating of the tissues.

However, in between the zones, the skin is not exposed to the laser. In other words, only a certain fraction of the skin is exposed to the laser. The technician operating the laser can control what fraction of the skin receives the laser energy, and how intense the laser energy is, in order to achieve the desired effects.

In many ways, a fractional laser bridges the gap between other types of laser treatments. For non-fractional laser treatment, if it’s used at a higher energy level, then it generally causes significant side effects. The healing process can take a while, and not everyone is willing or able to commit to going through this process. However, when a non-fractional laser is used at a lower energy level, it may not be able to penetrate very deeply into the skin. Structural proteins like collagen and elastin are primarily found in the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin), so if the laser energy can’t penetrate into this layer, then its ability to address certain skin issues is limited. A fractional laser offers the ability to treat the deeper layers of the skin, without requiring too much downtime for recovery.

What are fractional laser treatments used for?

The fractional laser is able to target both the epidermis and the dermis. The pigment-producing cells of the skin are located in the epidermis, while the structural proteins are found in the dermis, so a fractional laser can address both of these types of tissue.

Fractional laser treatments can be used to address a variety of common concerns about facial appearance, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage (such as “sun spots”)
• Skin pigmentation changes
• Uneven skin texture
• Scarring (including acne scars)

In general, the healing process from fractional laser treatment is far easier than with a non-fractional laser. This is why it’s sometimes called the “lunchtime laser” treatment. The areas of skin where the laser doesn’t touch remain unaffected by the treatment, and so they are able to help heal the zones that have been treated. This results in far less downtime for recovery.

However, at the same time, the fractional laser affects only part of the skin tissue, rather than the whole skin surface. This limits its ability to address certain issues. For example, deeper wrinkles may not be able to be adequately addressed by the fractional laser, and a traditional laser or another treatment would get better results.

Fractional laser Scottsdale

If you have any concerns about your facial appearance, then we invite you to book a consultation appointment with Dr. Henderson. Fractional laser treatments are just one of your options. We also offer other types of laser treatments, and other nonsurgical options (such as chemical peels and injectable treatments). A surgical facelift may also be an option for you, and this can offer fantastic results for many people. To get Dr. Henderson’s personalized advice about what options would be best in your specific situation and what results in you could likely expect from each one, please contact our front desk to book your consultation.