Fractionated lasers like the Profractional at Skinspirations have revolutionized the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, poor texture, stretch marks and acne scars. It's finally possible to look 5-10 years younger in just one week and with only 2-3 days of social down time!

"I didn't think anything could be done except for major surgery. To go through something this simple and it's like night and day. As bad as my skin was, 3 days later and Ta Da"     Skinspirations patient, Donna F.

Until recently, only deep CO2 laser resurfacing with it's associated weeks to months of redness could provide this kind of dramatic improvement. With the development of  Profractional fractionated laser skin resurfacing, similar results are obtained in just one or two treatments but without the prolonged healing period seen with CO2 lasers.

Before and after 2 Profractional treatments to eyes (Photo by C. Elliott, M.D.)

How Does the Profractional Work?

With fractionated laser skin treatments the laser beam is broken up or fractionated into many small micro beams that strike the skin's surface separately in a regular pattern leaving small areas of untreated skin intact between them (See figure below).

Cross section of the skin showing effects of fractionated lasers

Each micro beam vaporizes a column (microthermal zone) down into the skin to a depth up to 1.5 mm, with a depth and concentration of column density determined by Dr. Elliott to produce the best results. Each vaporized column essentially responds by replacing itself with brand new skin but with a much lower risk of scars or pigment loss than is seen with CO2 resurfacing. Because each tiny column is surrounded by uninjured skin, the deeper depths necessary for changing the foundation of the skin can be reached which has finally provided us with a treatment that dramatically improves acne scars.

Before and after 2 Profractional Laser treatments to scars (Photos by C. Elliott, M.D.)

The healing and remodeling that result from these vaporized columns produce new collagen to plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles and lines while the intact skin between the columns invigorates and speeds the healing process.

Before & after 2 Profractional treatments,   Photo by C. Elliott, M.D.

Fraxel, the company that produced the first fractionated laser, is probably the name most familiar to the public, but there are now multiple companies producing fractionated lasers of varying wavelengths. Some fractionated lasers require at least 4 treatments to reach even subtle improvement but with the development of the newest fractionated lasers like the Sciton Profractional, dramatic improvement can be seen in fine lines, redundant skin and  acne scars even with just one treatment.

Before and after a single Profractional treatment, (Photos by C. Elliott, M.D.)

A single Profractional Laser treatment will produce visible results that continue to improve as the skin remodels over the following months, but a series of 2 Profractional laser treatments usually provide results as dramatic as seen with full skin resurfacing. Profractional Laser treatments can be repeated after at least 4 weeks.

What is the Profractional Treatment Like?

After a consultation defining your goals and an examination of your skin, photos are taken and a cream anesthetic is applied for about 1 hour. Most patients find the Profractional treatment to feel "prickly" and feel it's tolerable with just cream anesthetic but oral pain medicine can also be provided if desired.

Immediately following the procedure there is usually redness and a sunburn sensation. Depending on the depth of treatment there may be some pinpoint bleeding for up to a day after a Profractional Laser treatment and several days of swelling around the eyes or when acne scars are treated. Redness usually resolves within a week but in very fair skinned people it can sometimes persist for several months. Any discoloration is easily hid by makeup or tinted sunscreen in as early as 3 days after the treatment. 

Prices for Profractional treatments range from $300-$1,900 depending on the size of the area treated and discounted packages of 2 treatments are available.