Overview of the Non-ablative Fractional Lasers

Non-ablative fractional Laser, such as Fraxel Laser, works by causing controlled thermal injury by delivering the laser energy in the form of microscopic columns. Non-ablative fractional Laser might be equipped with dual wavelengths of 1550 and 1927 nm. The non-ablative Laser keeps the top layer of the skin (stratum corneum) intact without removing it but can reach the underlying skin layers to stimulate collagen production, rejuvenate the skin and provide skin tightening and pigmentation correction. The fractional property is a brilliant addition to the non-ablative fractional laser technology to minimize skin damage and after-treatment downtime.

How do non-ablative fractional lasers work on the skin?

Non-ablative fractional Laser, such as Fraxel Laser, works by causing controlled thermal injury by delivering the laser energy in the form of microscopic columns. Laser beams penetrate as far as 1.5 mm. The water as chromophore converts the laser energy into heat. The fractional technology works by reserving vast skin areas undamaged. These areas function as reservoirs for regenerative cells that travel to the heated areas to promote healing and collagen production. The results will be tighter skin with a smoother texture and fewer wrinkles and pigmentation.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE NON-ABLATIVE FRACTIONAL LASER DUAL LASER?

Since a non-ablative fractional laser combines Laser’s fractional and non-ablative properties, the downtime after the treatment is way shorter than using an Ablative and non-fractional Laser such as CO2. Additionally, both wavelength of the non-ablative fractional laser dual has a lower affinity to water than the 10600 nm C02 laser. This results in fewer side effects such as Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation PIH. The low melanin absorption of Non-ablative fractional Laser makes it safe to treat all skin colours, including American African

WHAT IS THE PRE-TREATMENT PREPARATION

Glycolic acid and Retin-A (topical and oral) must be discontinued at least one week before the treatment. The continuation of the treatment depends on the treatment and the response to the Non-ablative fractional laser treatment.
Protect the treated skin from sun exposure using 30+ SPF sunblock or covering the area with clothes.
People with a history of a cold sore are advised to take a protective antiviral medication course one day before the treatment.
Freezing cream: It takes about 15 minutes to work efficiently, so please allow enough time by arriving early.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THIS PROCEDURE?

Most patients describe the treatment as an expanded vibe of medium to mild heat during the treatment. We apply a special freezing cream for 15 min before the Non-ablative fractional laser treatment to limit the discomfort during the laser treatment. The cooling nozzle integrates the Non-ablative fractional laser Dual handpiece to reduce pain and make the whole procedure more comfortable. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have sunburn, which generally reduces in 1 to 3 hours.

WHAT RESULT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER THE TREATMENTS?

The treatment downtime values between patients are between 3-7 days. Most of the discomfort is related to the heat, allowing enough time for the Freezing cream to work, and the use of the cryo chiller will make the Non-ablative fractional laser treatment more comfortable. The patient might experience immediate discomfort in swelling, redness, and pinpoint bleeding.
Swelling and Redness— This is a common side effect of a non-ablative fractional laser, and it usually subsides after a couple of hours to days, depending on the treatment settings. More aggressive treatments take a longer time.
Itching — The healing process is accompanied by itchiness, so there is nothing to worry about unless the patient has eczema or dermatitis
Acne or Cold sore — It is frequent to see acne and cold sore breaks after Non-ablative fractional laser treatment. Acne usually resolves alone, and it is recommended to take a course of antiviral Valtrex 1 day before treating highly susceptible patients.

HOW TO MANAGE DISCOMFORT AFTER NON-ABLATIVE FRACTIONAL LASER RESURFACING TREATMENT?

We advise patients to use cooling methods such as cold compresses on an hourly basis for the first day after treatment. It may help to elevate your head while sleeping by using two pillows on the night after the Non-ablative fractional Laser resurfacing Laser.

Patients might experience worsening redness and swelling for two or three days after treatment. Some dark spots may appear after treatment, and the skin colour might change to bronze. The skin texture might be described as sandpaper, and the out layers will start to flake and peel too, and it will be replaced with fresh new skin; this is what resurfacing means. The sloughing process starts 3-4 days after the treatment and might continue for 1-2 weeks. The side effect’s severity and the healing process length mainly depend on the setting used during the treatment. The higher setting is related to more aggressive treatment and longer downtime but better results.

After two weeks, the baby’s fresh skin might stay rosy pink for more than two weeks. Patients can use makeup to cover it if they dislike the pink colour.

How to Care for Your Skin After Treatment

Treat the area with a Non-ablative fractional laser, similar to sunburn treatment, to alleviate the heat sensation. Applying moisturizer and ice packs will help make the after-treatment less comfortable. A thin layer of Vaseline may be applied to protect and moisturize the treated skin.
Please allow the skin to slough and peel, do not scrub or use exfoliating products. Keep away from any irritants, such as harsh detergents and coarse clothes.
During the first week after the treatment, avoid alcohol, sun exposure, intensive exercise, and swimming, as the pool water might have some harsh chemicals.
Once the sloughing and peeling are completed, and the new skin gets the normal colour, you may use Retin A and glycolic acid products if necessary.
Using 30+ SPF sunscreen is very important to minimize long-term side effects and get the best results from the treatment. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before going out. Reapply another layer directly before going out. We also recommend using a hat during the first two weeks.
Ensure that the moisturizing creams are not too oily or occlusive; the best sunblock can also be used.

HOW MANY SESSIONS OF NON-ABLATIVE FRACTIONAL LASER DO I NEED?

This mainly depends on the skin condition and the lesion being treated. An average client needs between 2-3 sessions three months apart.

WHAT ARE NON-ABLATIVE FRACTIONAL LASER INDICATIONS?

Skin tightening

This treatment wipes out fine wrinkles and stimulates new collagen generation and a more delicate texture.

Scar and Stretch marks

Non-ablative fractional laser Laser improves collagen production by invigorating the dermis layer and encourages new cell development on the epidermis to smooth out the highest point of the scar and stretch marks.

Pigmentation and Melasma

Non-ablative fractional Laser showed better results in treating Melasma and Pigmentation in Caucasian patients when compared with darker skin patients.

All the Albany Cosmetic and Laser Center staff in Edmonton have extensive training and certified Laser aesthetician. They performed hundreds of Non-ablative fractional laser Laser treatments on different skin types and colours. Our satisfaction rate is over 90%, and we promise to work with our clients from Edmonton to achieve the best results. Any treatment