Fractionated Lasers

Fractional Laser Resurfacing Treatment

The laser head is evenly tracked over the treatment area. The skin is kept cool just after treatment with cold packs. The actual treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. As the anaesthetic wears off, a sensation of heat or “sunburn” may be experienced, lasting about 30 minutes. This is easily relieved by cool compresses. Elevation of the treated area on the evening of treatment will help keep any swelling to a minimum and discomfort is easily controlled with cool (not ice) compresses and pain medications such as Panadol.

In the week after treatment, the skin may become dry and red, similar to that experienced after a sunburn. This “bronzed” appearance and dryness is from the surface of each laser “spot” which will separate and slough off. During this time, potentially irritating skin products such as AHAs or Retinoids should be avoided and only moisturizers and zinc oxide sunscreens should be applied. The redness and bronzing will gradually improve over a week or so.

Some patients will experience mild to moderate swelling for a few days after treatment and in rare cases, “streaking” or mild blistering of the skin may occur.

Vaseline should be applied to the area until healing takes place, which usually occurs within a week.

Possible Complications

Complications of Fractional Laser Resurfacing are rare. Mild blistering, especially on the chin and temples may occur at higher powers and densities, which will typically heal normally. Scarring from the procedure is virtually unknown. Hyper-pigmentation may occur in darker skinned patients, or patients prone to discoloration. Such patients can be pre-treated with bleaching agents to minimize any tendency towards discoloration. Patients with a history of lip blistering are treated with antiviral medications just before, and for a week after treatment. Fractional lasers very rarely cause an outbreak of acne, the cause of which is unknown.

Unlike “traditional” or ablative laser resurfacing, Fractional Laser Resurfacing may be used safely on areas other than the face. One of the most exciting applications of Fractional Laser Resurfacing is for striae (stretch marks”). A recent pilot study of 20 patients showed great improvement in the appearance and texture of mature (white) striae after three treatments performed at moderate settings. Redness in the treated areas does seem to persist longer than on the face, but fades in time.

Fractional laser resurfacing is a safe and effective treatment for the appearance of sun damaged and wrinkled skin and acne scarring. The procedure has an excellent safety profile, with minor blistering being very uncommon, and scarring virtually unknown. A lifetime of aggressive sun protection is paramount in maintaining the improvement for this and other skin procedures.

For more information please call 1300 138 797 or email info@cosmosclinic.com.au

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