What is ProFractional™?
The Sciton ProFractional™ laser is a quick and comfortable laser procedure  used to improve the overall appearance of your skin using a laser microbeam to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of your skin. And because only a fraction of the skin is directly treated with the laser, healing of the skin is in a matter of days rather than weeks.

The ProFractional™ laser is used to treat:

• Wrinkles and lines

• Post-traumatic scars

• Acne scars

• Tightening of the skin

• Aging and sun-damaged skin

   Before 150 micro ProFractional™          1 month after

How does it work?

The ProFractional™ laser uses laser energy to create thousands of microscopic channels in the skin which are surrounded by areas of healthy, untreated skin. The zones of untreated skin invigorate the body’s natural healing process, and the treated areas stimulate production of new collagen, plumping up the skin and smoothing out wrinkles, lines, scars and other irregularities.

By delivering energy deep into the dermal tissue, fractional resurfacing selectively injures collagen molecules, causing wound-healing response and stimulating fibroblast activity. Fibroblasts turn on new collagen production, rejuvenating the collagen matrix and plumping the skin from the inside out.

The ProFractional™ XC Laser differs by giving you additional options to further individualize your ProFractional™ treatment. With the XC Laser, the treatment is done at a significantly higher speed and has user-controlled, variable-depth thermal heating. This particular treatment is best suited for those wishing to tighten the skin, as well as improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With ProFractional™ XC Laser, we can precisely control thermal injury and post treatment inflammation. Specific needs should be discussed with your physician to determine if ProFractional™ XC Laser is right for you.

Who should consider a ProFractional™treatment?

Candidates for the ProFractional™ laser are those with scars, wrinkles or sun damage who want younger-looking skin. The face, neck chest and hands can be treated with the ProFractional™ laser and procedures take from 30-45 minutes depending on the condition of the skin and the size of area being treated.

What can I expect from the treatment?

Gradual improvement in the areas of concern.  Ten-40% of the skin is removed.  The surrounding skin helps to heal this skin in 3-7 days, rather than 6 weeks for CO2 resurfacing procedures.  You will continue to see improvement for up to 6 months as the collagen remodels and rebuilds.

Do I have to wear any type of dressing or bandage after the procedure?

No! ProFractional™ treatments is NOT like a CO² or deep chemical peel and requires nothing more than a protective ointment such as Aquaphor or Vaseline. This is used as a barrier to keep the air away from your skin while you grow new epithelium (like baby skin cells). You will probably use it for one to two days. After that, a moisturizer can be used.

How long is the healing process?

The healing process varies from patient to patient but will generally take from two to seven days. The procedure can be performed on Thursday or Friday and you can return to work the following Monday. Immediately following the procedure you will feel as if you have a bad sunburn. You will have minor sloughing and itchiness the following day. By day two, redness will begin to fade and by day three any redness can be easily covered by makeup.  This time frame varies based on the depth of your treatment.

We will advise you on how best to protect your skin to maintain the benefits you will see from your ProFractional™.

What areas can be treated?
Any area of your body can be treated. The most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sun light. The most popular treatments are for the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders.

What will my treatment consist of?

Getting Started
Our physicians in a consultation determine an ProFractional™ treatment plan for each new patient, accounting for the desired outcome and time available for healing.  We will discuss pre op precautions, such as stopping retinoids and acid treatments 3  days prior and taking Valtrex if you have a history of fever blisters or cold sores.

What to Expect
The procedure is gentle, non-invasive, and safe. There should be minimal discomfort, however this varies from patient to patient and depends on the depth of the treatment. Our forced air cooling device along with numbing cream will aid in comfort during the procedure.  Pain medication and a relaxer may be needed for more aggressive treatments.

The treatment involves precise removal of small columns of skin at the depth determined by your physician. Pinpoint bleeding may occur. Patients often describe a slight stinging sensation, like the snapping of a rubber band, in the treated areas. Most individuals find this to be very tolerable. Total time spent in the office will vary depending on the area treated and patient response.

What will I look like immediately after ProFractional™ treatment?

Erythema, edema and a sunburn sensation will be noticed in the treatment area for a few days after the treatment. Incidental pinpoint bleeding may occur, which will subside within a short time after the treatment without any intervention. Occasional patterned hyperpigmentation may occur but it will resolve in a few days. The healing time will differ, depending on the treatment settings used.

How do I care for my skin after the treatment?
It is important to follow your physician's instructions. We will recommend skin care products and provide instructions on how to use them. These will minimize your risk of inflammation or redness and ensure the shortest healing time.

Within weeks, your treated skin will feel smoother, fine wrinkles and pores will be less noticeable, and sun spots or uneven pigmentation will fade. Results depend on your condition, the number of treatments, and the area treated. Your physician will provide you with complete information about the post treatment care and results.

You will be sensitive to ultra-violet light and you must avoid direct sun exposure until fully healed. Sun tanning and tanning beds should be avoided for 1 month before and after each BBL session. A broad spectrum sunblock with zinc oxide and/ or titanium dioxide as the primary ingredients should be used on a daily basis.

How many treatments will I need?

This laser can be adjusted for a few deep treatments with more downtime or multiple lighter treatments with less downtime. Treatments are typically done in a series of one to four treatments spaced three to six weeks apart, depending on your needs and response to treatments. We often combine the ProFractional™ laser with a MicroLaserPeel™ or other popular aesthetic procedures to further enhance your treatment results.

                        Before                                               After

Learn more about Broadband Light (BBL) photorejuvenation for unwanted brown and red in the skin.

Learn more about SkinTyte photorejuvenation.

Learn more about the MicroLaserPeel.