Principle
Fractional laser is based on focal photothermal effect, using some special technical means (scanning hand tool or lens, etc.), so that the laser emits many tiny beams with the same diameter and size,the light beam acts on the skin to form many uniformly sized and evenly arranged micro-thermal damage areas, while the surrounding tissue of the light beam is not damaged.
This is a process of thermal injury and post-injury repair, which promotes dermal tissue regeneration, new collagen fiber synthesis, and collagen remodeling, thereby improving acne scars.
Efficacy
Fractional laser is mainly suitable for the treatment of superficial scars, atrophic scars, large pores, acne pits and acne marks, and also has a certain effect on improving stretch marks.
Price
The reference price is about 1500-6500 yuan once, and the price will vary depending on the region, doctor, equipment, and effect area.Generally, it is not necessary to choose a specific season for fractional laser treatment, it can be used in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Classification
According to the strength of the laser’s absorption of water and whether it has a gasification effect on the skin tissue, it can be divided into ablation (gasification type) fractional laser and non-ablative (non-gasification) fractional laser.
When the laser beam irradiates the skin to form a columnar area of thermal degeneration, it is called non-ablative fractional laser. If the final formation is a real aperture, it is called ablation fractional laser.
ablative fractional laser
Exfoliative fractional lasers mainly include carbon dioxide fractional lasers (10600nm) and bait fractional lasers (2940nm).
Among them, the thermal effect of carbon dioxide fractional laser is the strongest, and the effect of treating acne pits is better. Its operation process is like stamping a “checkerboard” on the face, which is also similar to a point-and-shoot camera/printer.
According to the younger brother who went to Xichuan Clinic to experience the carbon dioxide fractional laser, the parts of his face that were hit with deeper energy (2400nm) would turn brown, and the parts with lower energy (1800nm) would turn white and then red.
The advantages of ablative fractional laser are that the effect is significant and the duration is long. You can feel the obvious improvement of the acne pits in a single time, but you still need to insist on multiple treatments to have better results. One course of treatment is about 4-5 times. , every 1-2 months.
However, there are not many adverse reactions, such as erythema, edema, crusting and scaling. The epidermal regeneration time is generally within 48 days and usually recovers within 5-7 days, but side effects such as abnormal pigmentation, scarring, herpes simplex virus reactivation, and itching may also occur.
Taboo crowd & uncomfortable crowd
Taboo crowd
People with active infection (mainly herpes virus infection), people who have recently tanned (especially within 4 weeks), people who are in the active period of skin inflammation, people with symptoms of damaged skin barrier (such as increased skin sensitivity) ,patients with suspicious malignant lesions in the treatment area, patients with organic lesions in important organs, pregnant and lactating women.
Unwell people
People who have not been treated for acne (if the acne is still left after treatment, wouldn’t it be blood loss?), people with a history of poor wound repair, keloids, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,and other medical cosmetic methods (such as other types of lasers, chemical peels, etc.) have been performed on the same site.
Post-operative care considerations
Postoperative adverse effects of fractional laser include delayed erythema, hyperpigmentation, and increased skin sensitivity. Postoperative care is based on the principles of promoting healing, sun protection, and moisturizing, with particular attention to the repair of skin barrier function.
1.Eschar will be left after exfoliative laser irradiation. Don’t pick it out by yourself, just wait for it to fall off naturally.
2.Try to avoid sunlight exposure, and strictly apply sunscreen, otherwise pigmentation will be left and affect the appearance, and you will have to spend money to remedy it.
3.Wet compresses with normal saline can be used, followed by mild moisturizing products, generally not covered with dressings.
Further reading：What is a fractional CO2 laser?
