Fractional rejuvenation: Innovative technology repairs damaged skin inch by inch

Speaking yesterday, dermatologist Tina S. Alster, M.D., clinical professor at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., discussed fractional rejuvenation and how this technology can be used to treat damaged skin.

"The innovation of fractional rejuvenation is its ability to treat only the areas of the skin that are damaged," Dr. Alster says. "This more focused treatment promotes faster renewal of the underlying skin cells and tissue - creating a fresher and healthier appearance of the entire skin surface."

Fractional rejuvenation uses a non-ablative laser assisted by a computer that precisely reads the contours of the treatment area. These contours are contrasted on the skin by a blue tint applied prior to treatment, which specifically darkens the damaged areas of the skin. The laser then directs thermal beams into these darkened areas of skin in precise increments.

"Fractional rejuvenation offers the best characteristics of both ablative and non-ablative lasers," Dr. Alster says. "Patients receive the deeper revitalization of the ablative laser with the shorter recovery process of the non-ablative laser."

Following treatment, the untreated skin tissue begins rapidly assisting the cells targeted by the laser to begin forming new collagen and elastic tissue. Skin repair begins 24 hours after the initial treatment. After a few bi-weekly treatments, patients will begin to notice improvement of the tone and texture of their skin, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

This treatment is designed to treat the appearance of photodamaged skin, including discoloration and deep wrinkles, acne and traumatic scarring and pigment irregularities, such as melasma. Nonfacial skin also can benefit from this treatment, including the hands, chest and neck. Side effects of fractional rejuvenation are minimal and typically involve swelling and redness, which fades over several days.