Lasers have become a popular method to restore skin to a youthful appearance. One such technique, known as ablative “fractional” skin resurfacing, removes dead surface skin cells and pigment and stimulates the deep layer of the skin to produce new collagen to replace the collagen lost by facial aging changes. This new ablative “fractional” laser resurfacing technology has been heavily pursued in the last few years.

What is “micro fractional” Laser Skin Resurfacing and why is it better?

I would like to detail the newest, and what I consider the most effective, cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatment … “micro fractional” laser skin resurfacing. For removal of damaged tissue and deep heating of the skin, specialized lasers including the “micro fractional” CO2 laser are used. The CO2 lasers are powerful in their ability to vaporize the skin cells on the surface as well as cause 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 old time flat beam laser 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. After many years of research and testing, we feel that ablative treatment provides the most effective wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation treatment. The results in terms of wrinkle removal, skin plumping, improved skin texture, pigment removal and general skin rejuvenation are excellent.

How Is Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Done?

So you may find it disturbing to imagine the result of firing laser beams at your face! Let’s talk about what really happens when you undergo a laser transformation. The “micro fractional” laser skin resurfacing treatment can be done in the office setting with a topical and/or local anesthetic. Your face will be cleansed and a topical numbing cream applied. You may be prescribed a tranquilizer and an analgesic to help you relax and be more comfortable during treatment. After your treatment, cold wet compresses are applied to the skin along with a soothing ointment before you go home. During the first 24 hours you will place soothing soaks on your skin and apply ointment every few hours. By day 2 or 3 you will finish the soaks and only apply ointment as you need it. You will be given analgesic tablets in case you need them and Valtrex to protect you from a herpes skin outbreak. You may be given prophylactic antibiotics to protect against skin infection during healing.

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 the older flat beam laser treatments. Your face will remain pink for 5-7 days, but you can wear make up by day 4. This is about a third or fourth of the recovery time from a deep chemical peel or an old time flat beam laser treatment.

When Do I See My Final Result?

You will see a remarkable improvement in wrinkles and skin texture with fresh new skin starting at 10 days and for the first 3 weeks. However, new collagen production, the main goal of this treatment does not begin for 6 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 so expect to see your wrinkles return initially. However at 3 months you will really start to see the improvement in your skin and at 6 months results can be dramatic. In my experience, wrinkle removal, skin tightening and improvement in skin plumping and skin texture are most obvious at one year following treatment.

By Paul L. Hester, MD, American Board Family Practice, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Laster Medicine and Surgery