Fractional Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Patients seeking laser treatments for skin rejuvenation used to have to choose between powerful sessions that removed the top layer of skin and less-intense sessions that passed light through the surface while leaving it intact. The lasers that removed the skin’s top layer, known as ablative lasers, provided dramatic results, but required significant down time for healing. The less-intense lasers allowed patients to recover much more quickly,but the results were not as impactful

Fraxel fractional laser skin rejuvenation bridges those two options by providing beautifully visible results without requiring significant healing after.

The fractional laser skin rejuvenation device uses focused beams of single-wavelength light to vaporize microscopic areas of skin—in other words, just a fraction of the surface. Removing these tiny “dots” is enough to trigger a natural healing response, with specialized cells producing new collagen and other beneficial elements to repair the skin. Fresh collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin give the entire surface a smoother feel and more even look.

Since a significant amount of healthy tissue is left intact and unharmed around each vaporized dot, there is no need to wait for lengthy repairs. Healing happens relatively rapidly.

Because laser light is so focused, it is ideal for targeting specific cosmetic skin concerns. Fractional laser skin rejuvenation can be used to smooth surgical or acne scars and similar marks, reduce wrinkles, treat striae (stretch marks), and fade sun spots, signs of melasma, and other pigmentation irregularities.

The heat generated by a fractional laser skin rejuvenation treatment is ideal for breaking down pigmented lesions, since the darker-colored cells absorb more laser light and rapidly heat up. This heat is also what helps to trigger specialized cells known as fibroblasts to begin making new skin-supporting collagen.

Fractional laser skin rejuvenation is also ideal for targeting actinic keratoses, which are rough lesions caused by sun exposure.While the actinic keratoses are benign, they can develop into a form of skin cancer if left untreated.

If you have concerns about actinic keratoses or other possible cancer-related lesions, such as unusual moles, contact Carroll Dermatology for a skin cancer screening.

Carroll Dermatology offers laser hair removal and laser acne treatments, as well as Cool Peel CO2 laser resurfacing.Patients whose primary concern is sun damage, facial redness, or more general pigmentation and textural issues may consider intense pulsed light (IPL), which is different from a laser, but works in a similar way.

At Carroll Dermatology, we have the latest, most innovative technology available: The Helix laser gives us the ability to combine two wavelengths—ablative and non-ablative—to double the results with downtime controlled from as little as two days to up to two weeks. Schedule a consultation to discuss which treatment would be best for you.