Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing In Putney Heath

A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can be directed into certain areas or tissues within the skin. These beams of light are produced in one wavelength or colour at a time, and can vary in terms of their strength and the type of tissue that they can target.

The process of directing a light source to target a selected area of the skin to damage it is technically known as "selective photothermolysis"; where “thermolysis” refers to ‘decomposition by heat’ and “photo” refers to ‘light’.

Ablative Lasers

So - called "ablative" or skin resurfacing lasers briefly direct an intense burst of laser energy onto the surface of the skin. This energy heats water within the surface layers of the skin, causing both the water and the tissue of the skin to turn to vapour. Every time the laser passes over the skin, some of the outermost layers of the skin are removed in a precise and controlled way to the appropriate depth.

The skin then heals over a period of time, as new layers of collagen are produced. The skin can literally resurface itself, causing an improvement in the appearance of sun damaged or acne scarred skin. After the treatment, the skin will look much healthier than it did previously.

This intensive treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and pigment (or skin colour) changes on the face, neck, and other parts of the body. They can be used in sensitive areas, such as lines around the lips, eyes and even eyelids, or over the whole of the face. Acne and other types of scars and certain stretch marks can also be improved.

There are two main types of ablative laser - the original machines used were carbon dioxide lasers, and more recently erbium:YAG laser systems have been introduced.

Non - Ablative Lasers

The so called non-ablative lasers have been a more recent introduction in types of aesthetic equipment for skin rejuvenation.

These lasers have lower energy levels than ablative lasers (which resurface or remove the outer layer of skin completely), and try to cause damage within the dermal layer of the skin without removal of the outer epidermal layers. That is to say that the laser treats the layers of skin under the surface without damaging the surface too much. This lessens the recovery period after the treatment and reduces the number of complications that can occur.

It is thought that the laser's heat in the dermal layers causes collagen to be produced which helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, the results from this type of procedure are less obvious than those which can be achieved with ablative laser skin resurfacing during which the surface of the skin is removed.

The use of different types of lasers by cosmetic clinics has increased significantly in recent years. The new non-ablative laser machines are aimed at giving maximum treatment results with minimum recovery time after the treatment. More recent still is the arrival of other non-ablative light machines, such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Light Heat Energy (LHE) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) systems that can be more flexible in their use than some other lasers.

Fraxel™

The original Fraxel™ laser machine fired a 1550nm diode pumped erbium fibre laser beam which is then split into thousands of microscopic beams, producing tiny dot, or pixel-like treatment zones on the skin; referred to by the manufacturer as MicroThermal Zones (MTZs).

At 1,500 – 2,500 MTZs per cm2 (depending on machine settings), the MTZs are invisible to the naked eye, other than as an overall “bronzed” look they give to the skin. Each MTZ is about 30 - 70 microns in diameter, (a micron is one millionth of a metre), and 400 - 700 microns deep. This is in contrast with the typical depth of 200 - 400 microns achieved with ablative resurfacing; where any deeper and you risk scarring. The Fraxel™ laser treats between 12 - 20% of the skin with each treatment session.

As with ablative lasers, the Fraxel™ is also attracted and absorbed by water in the tissues; however in this case the stratum corneum, (the outermost layer of the skin, consisting of dead cells that slough off) is more or less spared from damage by its low water content, meaning it has a low absorption of laser energy.

The manufacturer, Solta Medical have since replaced their original Fraxel® SR Laser with a range of devices including the Fraxel re:fine, re:store (and re:store dual) and the re:pair.

Pixel® 2940

Launched in the US in April 2006, the FDA approved Pixel® 2940 from Alma Lasers (distributed in the UK by Advanced Beauty Cosmetics Ltd) is a 2940nm Er:YAG ablative laser delivered to the skin through a micro optics lens which creates 49 (7x7) or 81 (9x9) pixel sized ablation dots on the skin within an 11mm x 11mm treatment zone.

Alma Lasers market the Pixel® 2940 as ‘combining the proven effectiveness of an ablative approach with the patient comfort level and convenience of a non-ablative approach’.

Unlike traditional ablative lasers, used only on the face, the Pixel® 2940 is targeted at treatments on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands, giving it a wider scope for treating aged and sun damaged skin.

Lux 1540 Fractional

The Lux 1540™ Fractional device from Palomar (distributed in the UK by Eden Aesthetics) is a 1540nm erbium glass fibre non-ablative laser, which is delivered to the skin in tiny microbeams, in combination with contact cooling of the skin’s surface.

The Lux 1540™ can penetrate up to a depth of 1mm into the skin, whilst also leaving the skin’s surface intact, creating tiny columns of treated (or coagulated) tissue which are surrounded by the healthy tissue. With a choice of treatment size heads for skin resurfacing and wrinkle reduction, the Lux 1540™ can produce 100 microbeams/cm2 columns for deep coagulation (up to 1mm) with a 10mm head, or 320 microbeams/cm2 narrower columns for relatively shallow coagulation, with the 15mm head.

It was approved by the FDA in February 2007 for ‘skin resurfacing procedures and dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue’.

Others

Fractional lasers are a growth area within the laser technology field, with more and more companies entering the marketplace, either with new devices or modifications of existing machines. Some others you may find include:

Affirm™ from Cynosure – This is a 1440nm Nd:Yag non-ablative laser with Cynosure’s proprietary Combined Apex PulseSM (CAP) technology. This is a special lens mounted over the end of the laser that consists of approximately 1,000 diffractive elements per cm2 which put simply ‘bends’ the wavelength of light emitted from the laser so as to affect more surface area per single pulse of the laser. The Affirm™ targets the superficial layers of sun damaged skin, and delivers both a high and low energy of light within the treatment zone, due to the lens configuration, which they claim enhances collagen remodelling whilst also stimulating collagen production.

Active FX from Lumenis – This is based on the company’s existing UltraPulse Encore technology, which underwent computerised modifications, and now comprises a single treatment system for ablative fractional photothermolysis with a CO2 laser. Active FX is the most aggressive of the fractional laser devices introduced to the market so far. As such treatment with this device requires a topical anaesthetic and produces the most lengthy down time for this type of procedure.

Profractional from Sciton - This 2940nm fractional ablative laser device was launched in the US in April 2006 and in the UK in April 2007, (distributed by Sigmacon Ltd). The manufacturers claim that it differs from other fractional devices because of the method of delivery of the laser energy, which it says makes for a more comfortable treatment experience by reducing any unnecessary heat build-up. With a treatment head of 20mm x 20 mm, the Profractional can produce a variety of pattern configurations (dots) on the skin depending on the condition and area being treated. These dots can penetrate from 25 to 1500 microns in depth, depending in the settings used. The Profractional can treat from 1.5% – 60% of the skin within a treatment zone.

Careful discussions regarding your reasons for wanting treatment are very important before you begin the treatment. You must also make sure that this treatment can deliver what you want and how you would like to look afterwards. Your practitioner should be able to answer all these questions.

A medical history should also be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undertake treatment. You may be asked to read detailed information and sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with the procedure.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a "before and after" comparison at a later date.

Procedure

The way that the procedure is performed and the preparations involved will depend on the specific device that the practitioner is using. The type of device used will have a bearing on the need for contact gels, cooling systems, topical anaesthetics etc.

As an illustration we will describe the process involved with treatment using the Fraxel™ laser.

The skin is first cleansed and a topical local anaesthesia may also be applied to increase patient comfort during the procedure, the handpiece also has a built in cooling mechanism.

The laser treatment head is then passed over the surface of the treatment area in a series of horizontal and vertical overlapping passes, until an erythema or mild redness is noted in the skin by the practitioner.

The anaesthetic are washed off immediately after treatment.

A typical treatment of the face will take approximately 20-25 minutes.

Repeat Procedures

Unlike with ablative laser resurfacing, where one treatment is usually enough; multiple treatment sessions are often required with fractional resurfacing to obtain optimal results, although as the machines have developed over the years many are now claiming a single treatment session only.

The number of treatment sessions required depends upon the individual patient and the condition undergoing treatment; your practitioner will be able to create an appropriate treatment regime for you.

Fractional photothermolysis or laser skin resurfacing offers speedy healing and minimal to no downtime.

Depending on the area of your body treated and the type of device used, the procedure is said to be well tolerated; feeling like a mild prickling or burning sensation, or like elastic bands flicking on the skin. However, your practitioner may apply a topical anaesthetic to your skin prior to treatment to reduce any pain and discomfort, and offer you a chilled air device to hold over the treatment area yourself.

For several hours afterwards the skin will feel tight and have the appearance of a “sunburned” look. The skin will continue to look “pinkish” for 2 - 7 days (depending on the device used) and any swelling, which should be minimal, usually disappears after 1 – 3 days.

With Fraxel™, a bronzed, sun tan look caused by the dead, burnt cells at each MTZ will then remain for 3 – 14 days before naturally exfoliating.

Generally, as the skin heals itself, you will find mild to moderate skin flaking, which may last for up to 2 weeks.

Side effects or risks are minimal with this type of treatment and typically involve swelling and redness. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring, with no oozing or crusting of the skin having occurred according to the manufacturers.

Compared to laser resurfacing, there appears to be a reduced risk of hyper- or hypo- pigmentation (areas of darker or lighter skin colour) with fractional photothermolysis. This is thought to be due to the fact that areas of healthy tissue are kept intact between the treated areas, unlike with ablative lasers, meaning that lasting pigment change does not occur.

If the practitioner uses the laser at higher powers, there is a risk of mild blistering (mainly on the chin and temple areas) and/or temporary skin discoloration, especially in darker-skinned patients.

Patients generally not suitable for any form of light treatment are those who have a history of skin sensitivity to light or scarring problems, an active herpes (cold sores) infection or other skin infections such as impetigo at the site to be treated.

Patients who have used isotretinoin in the last year would also not be suitable candidates.

Depending on the type of fractional laser device used there may be issues of safety for people with some darker skin types, particularly Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V and VI; Hispanic, Latin, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern and both lighter and darker toned black skin. Always seek advice about your skin type from an experienced laser professional.

Although there is no clinical evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant or nursing women, you would generally be advised to wait until after you have given birth and finished breast feeding before embarking upon a course of treatment.

You will not be able to access this treatment via the National Health Service (NHS).

Private costs for fractional laser skin resurfacing treatments depend on the area(s) being treated and the type of device being used, as this will impact on the need for additional single patient disposable items such as gels, dyes and treatment tips which will incur extra costs.

For example, a Fraxel™ treatment session can range from approximately £450 - £600 for one small area of the face (e.g. forehead, cheek) or neck to £950 for a full face or décolletage (the area between the neck and breasts) treatment to up to £1,500+ for full face, neck and chest areas.

A Pixel® 2940 treatment session can start from approximately £300 for a full face treatment.

Traditional ablative laser resurfacing has been shown to be very effective in improving deeper lines and wrinkles associated with sun damaged skin. The downside is the recovery time and potential complications.

As a consequence of this, the development of lasers has focussed on non-ablative laser and IPL light sources that do not remove the surface of the skin, but still cause visible improvement of lines and wrinkles. These alternatives do not, as yet, produce such dramatic and long lasting results as ablative lasers, but they are safer and involve virtually no recovery time. Please see our laser/IPL/LHE skin rejuvenation section for more details.

The fractional laser arena can also be divided into fractional ablative and fractional non-ablative devices.

Whilst not 100% as effective as traditional ablative laser procedures, (depending on the depth and severity of the wrinkles being treated), fractional laser skin resurfacing (ablative and non-ablative) appears to achieve comparable skin improvements as obtained with conventional ablative laser skin resurfacing but with fewer potential side effects.

However whether standard ablative or fractional ablative technologies are a clear performance leader is still to be determined. Similarly, the argument for ablative fractional versus non-ablative fractional is heavily contested within the industry. We will watch this space…