What is a fractional laser?
A laser is a device that emits a very large amount of light in a short period of time. This special light is bundled into a laser beam. There are several different lasers. All of them emit a different kind of light (wavelengths). The wavelength and strength of the light determine which parts of the skin are damaged and which are not. This means that there are not 1 laser device, but several laser devices for different treatments of the skin. A laser treatment in which the laser light is divided into thousands of tiny laser beams is called a fractional laser treatment.
What are fractional lasers used for?
Fractional lasers are used to treat scars (for example, after acne), treat wrinkles and sun-damaged skin.
How does a fractional laser work?
On every square centimeter of skin, hundreds of tiny holes or wounds form. This is because with the fractional laser, the laser beam is divided into many small laser beams. These holes range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm in diameter. The skin between the holes is spared so healing is fairly quick. New connective tissue is created in and around the small holes after treatment. This can improve the skin.
What types of fractional lasers are there?
There are 2 types of fractional lasers:
- The evaporative fractional lasers (fractional CO2 and fractional Erbium:YAG laser) that burn many small holes in the skin.
- The non-evaporating fractional lasers that cause small "subcutaneous" wounds.
An evaporating fractional laser is often more powerful and will have a stronger effect than a non-evaporating laser. Whether an evaporative or non-evaporative fractional laser is chosen depends on the skin and abnormality. The effect is also determined by the strength of the laser settings used.
There are many different brands of fractional lasers and it is unclear which type is the best laser with the fewest side effects. In general, when a more powerful setting or laser is used, the effect is better but there are also more side effects.
How does the treatment work?
During treatment, you must wear glasses. This is because laser light is harmful to the eyes. The doctor, or the person treating you, will give you these glasses.
The treatment is moderately to very painful, depending on the settings used and the type of fractional laser. Therefore, the area to be treated on your skin is usually numbed with a cream or by injections.
How many fractional laser treatments are required?
At best, you can see a marked improvement with as little as 2 treatments. With less powerful settings, more than 5 treatments may be required.
What are the side effects of laser treatment?
Side effects may occur immediately after treatment. Sometimes you may not experience side effects for several weeks. Most side effects are temporary. In rare cases, you may experience side effects that do not go away.
The risk of side effects depends on such things as:
- The type of laser.
- Your skin tone.
- The spot on your body.
Your doctor, or the person treating you, will discuss the possible side effects with you.
Side effects that may occur after hours to days:
- Redness and swelling of the skin are common. These usually disappear on their own after a few days. Especially with very strong setting, you may sometimes have symptoms for several weeks. Redness which does not disappear is rare.
- Blisters, blisters and pimples are quite rare and occur due to damage or infection of the skin by the laser. If this develops, you should contact your practitioner.
Side effects that may occur after days, weeks or months:
- White/light spots (pigment reduction) occur mainly in people with darker skin color or skin that has been tanned by the sun. It is important to properly protect your skin from sunlight starting 6 weeks before treatment (see the section "What else can you do yourself?"). White spots are frequently seen after vigorous treatment. After a few months to a year, the white spots usually disappear. Sometimes the white spots do not disappear.
- Dark spots are most common in people with dark skin. To prevent dark spots, it is important to properly protect the treated skin from sunlight for 12 weeks after treatment. After a few months to a year, the dark spots usually disappear. Sometimes the dark spots do not disappear.
- Wounds and scars are rare.
Can anyone be treated with a fractional laser?
Yes, but if you have dark skin, you are more likely to develop light or dark spots after treatment.
What else can you do yourself?
If the treated skin is exposed to the sun, you have a higher risk of side effects. It is important to properly protect your skin from the sun. This is best done with clothing and/or a sunscreen (also called: sunscreen or sun milk) with a high protection factor (SPF 50). From 6 weeks before treatment until 12 weeks after treatment, the skin will need to be well protected from the sun. Sometimes it is wiser not to have the laser treatment done during the summer season.
After showering or bathing, gently pat the treated skin dry. Do not rub with a towel or washcloth as this can easily damage the skin.
Makeup, concealer cream, sunscreen and cosmetics should not be used until scabs or wounds have healed.
Do you have to pay for the treatment yourself?
This depends on how you are insured. You can find this in the policy conditions of your basic insurance or (any) supplementary health insurance. If the treatment is not covered by your health insurance, you must always pay the amount yourself.
If the policy conditions state that the treatment will be reimbursed, you still have to take into account your "deductible" that you pay for health insurance. It may mean that you have to pay the first treatment costs yourself. Always be well informed, so you will not be unpleasantly surprised.
General
Each laser has its own advantages and disadvantages. A laser can give wonderful results, but unfortunately it is not a panacea. Whether laser treatment is right for you depends on many things. Therefore, be well informed and ask your doctor, or the person treating you, what results you can expect.
Other
Each laser has its own advantages and disadvantages. A laser can give wonderful results, but unfortunately it is not a panacea. Whether laser treatment is right for you depends on many things. Therefore, be well informed and ask your doctor, or the person treating you, what results you can expect.
If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact us via the 'start treatment' button at 247dermatologist. | https://247dermatologist.com