Laser Treatment of the Skin

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical procedures, including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots, and smoothing fine lines of the face. Lasers use a high energy single wavelength of light to target a specific colored molecule or “chromophore” in the skin. Some types of lasers send light pulses into the deeper dermis, while leaving the more superficial epidermis intact. These devices are used to treat brown spots and spider veins, but the change in skin tone and texture is negligible. This allows quick recovery, but may require multiple treatments to achieve the specific goal. CO2 lasers target water which results in vaporization of the top portion of the skin. Therefore, CO2 lasers use an ablative method: removing the epidermis and some of the dermis. The results are very good but the healing time is significant: red, raw, and initially weeping skin for several weeks after treatment.

Fractional Skin Resurfacing

Fractional Skin Resurfacing is the only method which offers both excellent results and very little downtime. Fractional Skin Treatments deliver light in an array of narrow, focused “microbeams” to create columns of heat within the skin. These microbeams penetrate deep into the dermis for the most effective, long-term results obtainable. The heated tissue within the columns starts a natural healing process that forms new, healthy tissue. This results in a decrease in sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring and a fresher, more youthful skin tone and texture. The Fractional approach stimulates quick healing, with no lasting redness.

How does it work?

Fractional Skin Rejuvenation is designed to alter only portions of the target skin tissue. Fractional Skin Rejuvenation creates multiple, microscopic, thermal columns within the skin. Together these micro-treatments cause a change in the collagen and elastin below your skin’s surface, which gradually improves the appearance of the skin. It also results in a healing process with minimal downtime.

In addition, Fractional Skin Rejuvenation penetrates to a very precise, controlled depth, making the procedure safe and predictable, while reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems.

Why choose Fractional Skin Resurfacing?

Most patients choose it because it:

• Decreases sunspots
• Requires minimal recovery time
• Minimizes the risk for of bruising, crusting or scarring
• Does not cause bleeding
• Provides a level of control that cannot be achieved with any other lasers
• Provides a fresher, more youthful skin tone and texture

How many treatments will I need?

This varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of the condition, your skin type and your desired results. Fractional Skin Rejuvenation produces a gradual remodeling of collagen within the skin. Most patients respond after only 1-2 treatments. Improvements in the appearance of your skin will continue 6 to 12 months or more after the last treatment.

What area can I have treated?

Fractional Skin Resurfacing can be applied to any area of the body, including the face, chest, arms, legs, and hands.

What is the treatment like?

First, the area to be treated is cleansed. A topical anesthetic ointment is applied. A cooling device is used for a more comfortable treatment.

The fractional hand piece reads the discreet contours of your skin treatment area. Your treatment is performed using pulses of laser light that deliver microbeams of energy into the skin. After the treatment, your skin is washed off. Treatments usually last 10-30 minutes, depending on the surface area treated.

What should I expect after treatment?

You may experience lingering redness, warmth, swelling, or tightness in the treated area, which fades within the first day or two after treatment. Swelling generally lasts two to three days. Redness may last up to a week. Cosmetics may be applied on day three to four.

A series of treatments may be required to achieve your desired results.

Matrix Fractional CO2 Laser Post Treatment Care Instructions
Forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open, view and/or print. Acrobat Reader is free and can be downloaded and installed by clicking here.