ProFractional and Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Laser Treatment

As we all age we begin to see distressing signs of facial aging and sun damaged skin. Sun worshippers and smokers see these skin aging changes sooner. Fractional laser skin resurfacing or ProFractional lasers are a non-surgical anti-aging skin rejuvenation method that was introduced as an improved method for wrinkle removal and facial skin rejuvenation.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing was developed to eliminate many of the problems associated with traditional laser skin resurfacing. Traditional laser skin resurfacing was very effective at wrinkle removal, but recovery was long and difficult and the skin often turned white, called hypo pigmentation, 6 months after treatment. Fractional laser skin resurfacing was developed to remove wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin with minimal downtime, quick recovery and normal skin color and texture after the skin rejuvenation procedure.

A new technique called combined fractional laser skin resurfacing has been developed to improve wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation results. This new technique provides much better wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation, but also plumps and improves the texture of aging skin much better than previous techniques.

How Does ProFractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Remove Wrinkles and Rejuvenate the Skin?

The basic cause of skin wrinkles and skin aging changes is loss of collagen in the skin. Collagen in the deep layer of our skin provides moisture, nutritional support, skin plumping and elasticity which is the firmness and skin tightening component of our skin.

As we age, exposure to years of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, toxins in our diet and environment, and unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and tanning all contribute to the destruction of collagen in our skin. When collagen is lost, our skin looses texture, elasticity and fullness, and wrinkles and sagging skin result. For an analogy, think of a plump juicy plum with smooth skin. Place the plum into the sun for a period of time, water (like collagen in the skin) is lost and the plum turns into a wrinkled prune.

In an effort to protect itself, our skin surface responds to these aging changes by producing pigment to block the UV sunlight, and our skin thickens with extra layers of dry old looking skin.

All cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation methods attempt to restore skin to a youthful state by stimulating the skin to grow new collagen to replace lost skin collagen to plump and tighten loose skin.  In addition, many cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation methods strip away the damaged surface skin cells to remove pigment and dead thickened skin and stimulate new healthy looking skin cells to grow.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is a skin rejuvenation technique which removes dead surface skin cells and pigment and stimulates the deep layer of the skin, the dermis to produce new collagen to replace the collagen that has been lost by facial aging changes. In summary:

Skin aging is results in:

• Loss of collagen in the skin = wrinkles and loose skin
• Skin surface changes = dry, pigmented, course skin

All cosmetic laser skin resurfacing methods rejuvenate skin by:

• Removing aged skin surface cells and promoting new skin cell growth
• Promoting new deep skin collagen to plump wrinkles and tighten skin

What is ProFractional?

ProFractional™ uses a revolutionary laser microbeam to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of the skin. The treatment is limited to just the areas of the skin that need to be improved, so healing time is very rapid and there is little or no downtime after treatments at New Reflections Plastic Surgery in Freehold, NJ. ProFractional is an ideal way to improve the appearance of wrinkles and scars and it is comfortable and quick.

What conditions are effectively treated with ProFractional?

There are many different skin conditions that can be greatly improved through the remarkable ProFractional laser with New Jersey Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nikesh Patel. They include:

• wrinkles and fine lines
• smile lines
• post-traumatic scars
• acne scars
• age spots
• sun spots
• freckles
• aging and sun-damaged skin

To schedule your ProFractional appointment, email us today with the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the right of this page or call us at 732-354-3792 to schedule your complimentary evaluation.

How does ProFractional work?

The secret behind the successful results you'll enjoy with is laser energy that creates thousand of microscopic channels in the skin. These tiny channels are surrounded by areas of healthy skin that does not receive the laser treatments.

Treated areas of the skin invigorate the body's natural healing process and begin to produce new collagen, which plumps the skin and helps to smooth wrinkles, lines, scars and other skin imperfections. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nikesh Patel can show you how the results of ProFractional can help you enjoy younger, smoother, healthier skin.

Why is ProFractional or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Better?

Older CO2 laser resurfacing, called flat beam laser resurfacing produced excellent wrinkle removal and skin tightening, but recovery was very difficult, requiring weeks for the skin to heal. In addition, traditional laser skin resurfacing damaged pigment cells in the skin which caused the skin to turn white. These problems were caused by the fact that the older lasers treated the entire surface of the facial skin, thus healing required new skin cells to be produced by hair follicles and sweat glands in the skin. This was a very slow process requiring up to two weeks for new skin cells to cover the surface of the face.

New fractional laser skin resurfacing is effective but much safer than traditional CO2 resurfacing. The fractional laser resurfacing beam is broken up into many small beams so that the laser affects only small focused areas of the skin. Fractional laser resurfacing leaves skip areas on the skin that are left normal and undamaged. These untreated skin cells are able to rapidly heal the treated skin with new skin cells. The treated areas, called micro treatment zones are healed in hours to days rather than weeks as with CO2 treatments.

Fractional lasers are also able to penetrate the skin into the dermis much deeper than flat beam techniques. Deeper penetration causes more effective new collagen production. This characteristic results in improved skin plumping and better skin texture over time. Essentially, you will see an immediate improvement that will continue to improve over some time.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is an improvement over traditional laser resurfacing because skin healing is much quicker, and the risk of white skin, hypo pigmentation is much less.

What areas can be treated with ProFractional?

Just about all skin areas can be effectively treated with ProFractional at New Reflections Plastic Surgery in Freehold, New Jersey. The most common areas of treatment include the face, neck, hands and chest. You and your plastic surgeon can discuss your particular needs at your private consultation.

Fractional Laser and ProFractional treats scars and acne scars

Fractional lasers are a great benefit for treating scars. They can remove some of the problematic scar and acne scar tissue while leaving healthy tissue to help regenerate your skin. You may need 2-4 treatments to see phenomenal results depending upon the severity of your scars but the treatments are very comfortable and safe. Usually you will experience little to no downtime and be back to work and play in no time!

What is a ProFractional treatment like?

Men and women from throughout New Jersey come to Dr. Nikesh Patel in Freehold for their fast and comfortable ProFractional treatments. Treatments take place right in our office and normally take only between 15 and 30 minutes. A soothing, anesthetic cream may be applied before the treatment and you will have a gentle moisturizer placed on your face at the end of your treatment.

How many ProFractional treatments will I need?

In most cases, 1 to 4 ProFractional treatments are performed over a period of 3 to 6 weeks for maximum results. Your individualized treatment plan will be formulated by Dr. Nikesh Patel to meet your goals. He also may suggest other popular and effective procedures be combined with your ProFractional treatment including MicroLaserPeel™ to improve your wrinkles or a PhotoFacial to improve your complexion. Usually, these combined treatments yield more results with fewer treatments and less down time than if performed alone.

What can I expect after my ProFractional treatment?

After your ProFractional treatment you most likely will experience some reddening of the skin in the treatment area. This is usually no more than what you would experience after a light sunburn. In just one to three days most people can return to work and makeup can be applied in just a day or so after treatments. It is important to avoid ultra violet-light because your skin will be more sensitive until you have completely healed. So, stay out of the direct sunlight and always use an effective sun screen. You will find superb medical-grade skin care and sun screen products at New Reflections Plastic Surgery. Dr. Patel will guide you through the process and answer your post-treatment questions during your ProFractional consultation.

The benefits of fractional laser skin resurfacing or ProFractional are:

• Quicker skin healing
• Deeper penetration for better collagen production
• Less risk of hypo pigmentation
• Improved skin texture
• More gentle, quicker recovery
• Improved wrinkle removal, pigment removal and skin tightening

What Is Ablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing

For ablation the 2940nm Erbium laser and the CO2 laser can be used. These laser wavelengths are more powerful and vaporize the skin cells on the surface as well as causing inflammation deep into the dermis.

Because surface skin cells are removed, the ablative fractional lasers are more effective at removing wrinkles, pigment, and old dead skin cells. The downside is that some recovery is required for skin healing, however the down time is much less, about a third of the time required recovering from full laser resurfacing or full laser peel skin treatments.

The other benefit is that ablative fractional laser skin resurfacing requires only one treatment, as opposed to the 4 treatments required for non-ablative techniques.

Additionally, Erbium lasers tend to do less uncontrolled damage to the skin and this leads to more precise treatments that heal in less than half the time.

What Is Non-ablative Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing - Fraxel, Profractional Laser

The first fractional lasers were introduced several years ago and were non-ablative lasers. Non-ablative laser skin treatments go deep into the dermis of the skin to promote new collagen, but non-ablative lasers to not ablate or remove the surface skin cells.

Thus the non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing lasers remove wrinkles by building new collagen in the skin, but do not remove the surface aging changes of the skin.

The benefit on the non-ablative technique is that there is less recovery time for healing as the skin is not broken. You are pink after a treatment, but can wear makeup and no recovery time is required.

Because non-ablative treatments are weaker, you need 4 treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart for a good result.

Because the skin surface is not ablated, wrinkle removal is less effective with the non-ablative lasers, thus new ablative fractional laser resurfacing technology has been developed to improve results. The ProFractional laser provides this improvement while retaining minimal to no down time post procedure so you can return to work and play very quickly.

What is Combined Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing and Why is It Better?

For the newest and most effective cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatment Dr. Patel combines fractional lasers and laser peels to produce immediate improvement as well as continued improvement in the age of your skin over time. This combined treatment provides the most effective wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation treatment.

Your Fractional laser treatment and Laser Peel or Micro Laser Peel are done in the same treatment session. The results in terms of wrinkle removal, skin plumping, improved skin texture, pigment removal and general skin rejuvenation are excellent and better than either treatment done alone. And as a bonus you only need to sit for it once instead of twice!

How Is Combined Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Done?

The combined fractional laser skin resurfacing treatment is performed as a local procedure in the office with a topical anesthetic cream although it can be performed with nerve blocks if required. You will have the procedure while mildly sedated with oral medication that will help you to relax and be more comfortable during your treatment.

Your treatment should last about 30-45 minutes and then will want to go home an relax for the rest of the evening. During the first 24 hours you may want to place soothing soaks on your skin and apply ointment every few hours.

Depending upon how quickly you heal, by day 3 or 4 you may be almost completely healed and ready for makeup.

What Will I look Like After Treatment and How Long Is Recovery?

Your skin will be pink to red after treatment. The first 24 hours your skin will be moist and old skin cells will peel off and be removed by the soaks.

Your new skin will cover your face in 2 to 3 days, very different from the 2-3 weeks required for skin healing after traditional CO2 laser treatments.

Your face will remain pink for 5-7 days, but you should be able to wear make up by day 4. Of course this is based on your skin and your treatment so you should ask Dr. Patel before you do this. This is about a third or fourth of the recovery time from a deep chemical peel or a traditional CO2 laser treatment.

When Do I See My Final Result?

You will see a remarkable and immediate improvement in wrinkles and skin texture with fresh new skin forming several days after the procedure and continuing for several weeks depending upon your combination treatment. However, new collagen production, the main goal of this treatment does not begin for a few weeks and continues for one year after treatment.

The initial benefits are due to swelling of the skin which subsides at about 3-4 weeks and any combine Microlaser Peel resurfacing performed in conjunction with the ProFractional laser treatment.

You may start to see improvements in your skin after 6 weeks but you will continue to see dramatic improvements at 6 months.

Typically, wrinkle removal, skin tightening and improvement in skin plumping and skin texture are most obvious at 6 months to one year following treatment.

Content courtesy of plasticsurgery.org & LookingYourBest.com