Recently, the advancement of medical technologies and the widespread use of treatments that do not require surgical procedures have led to the development and diversification of laser treatments. The widespread prevalence of skin problems in many age groups has led to the focus of laser treatments on this area and brought with it current approaches.
Fractional laser, one of these treatment approaches, allows different problems such as skin aging, spotting and stretch marks to be treated successfully. Fractional laser, which basically aims to regenerate the skin and thus eliminate imperfections spontaneously, is one of the innovative treatment methods that can be safely applied for skin rejuvenation and imperfection removal.
What is Fractional Laser Therapy?
Fractional laser is a technique that enables laser treatment by converting a laser beam into multiple smaller laser beams (fractions), in other words a series of microbeams. The question of what is fractional laser can be answered as laser pulses formed by these micro beams. The micro laser beams used in the treatment act on the layer just below the top layer of the skin and create thermal damage columns here. These thermal damage columns are micro-sized damages that the skin needs to repair and while the skin repairs them, it also removes the defects in the area.
Thanks to the effect created by the fractional laser, treatment can be performed on both the epidermis and the dermis layer, which is the lower layer of the epidermis. Especially in skin resurfacing applications performed with this technique, the damage columns are interspersed between normal skin areas. This allows for a much faster healing and effective skin regeneration compared to a full layer of damage. It is also very effective in reducing side effects and shortening the healing process.
Who Can Use Fractional Laser?
Fractional laser treatment is a method that can be used in the treatment of many different defects in the skin, from reducing pigmentation to removing signs of aging. However, the most common areas of application include the following:
- Elimination of signs of aging such as wrinkles, line formation, spotting (skin rejuvenation)
- Treatment of sunspots and skin damage caused by sunlight
- Elimination of color changes and regional tone inequalities on the skin surface
- Treatment of scars
- Reducing the appearance of stretch marks
- Removal of acne scars and freckles
- Tattoo removal procedures
- Alleviation of surgical scars
What are the Benefits of Fractional Laser?
The most important effect of fractional laser on the skin is its regenerative and imperfection removal feature. This regenerative feature, which is needed in the treatment of all kinds of skin imperfections, is due to the mechanism of action of fractional laser beams on the skin. Laser beams stimulate collagen production in the skin. Collagen is the most important protein in the structure of the skin and is essential for maintaining the skin’s unique structure, elasticity and integrity.
After the regeneration process is initiated by creating damage to the skin with fractional laser application, it is easier to achieve a healthier and younger appearance thanks to the support of collagen synthesis. In addition, skin blemishes can be treated with the help of the anti-pigmentation feature of laser beams in people with general or regional pigment increase problems. Since the regeneration and healing of the skin is faster than the classical laser, a much more effective and faster treatment process can be targeted with fractional laser.
What to Do Before Fractional Laser?
In order to get the most effective result from fractional laser treatment, it is important to meticulously carry out the planning process before treatment. First of all, whether your existing skin problems are suitable for fractional laser treatment should be determined by a detailed physical examination by a dermatologist. During this examination, you should provide your physician with the necessary information about your existing skin problems, concomitant diseases, treatments you have received, medications and skin care products you use.
While you are preparing to receive fractional laser treatment, your physician may recommend you to use certain skin care products. Using them regularly will support the effectiveness of the treatment. If there are any creams or lotions that you are advised to use or discontinue before the procedure, your physician will provide you with the necessary information about them. You will then be scheduled for laser treatment and an appointment will be made for the first session.
How is Fractional Laser Treatment Performed?
Before fractional laser treatment, an anesthetic cream is usually applied to the procedure area in order to prevent mild pain that may be caused by the damage caused by laser beams on the skin surface. At the same time, since the device used in fractional laser treatment has a cooling feature, you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. If anesthetic cream is applied, after waiting for this cream to take effect for a certain period of time, the targeted numbness of the skin is achieved and the procedure can be started.
Just like in laser hair removal treatments, fractional laser beam shots are applied to the area with the help of the device and thus a session is completed. The average length of each session varies according to the size of the area where the procedure is applied. For small areas, a short period of ten minutes is sufficient, while for larger areas, the session duration can reach one hour.
What Should Be Considered After Fractional Laser Treatment?
It is usually possible to return to daily life and work life immediately after fractional laser treatment. However, it is important to pay attention to some issues both for the rapid healing of the skin and to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment. Immediately after the session, there may be a burning problem on the skin. Short-term cold compresses can help you prevent this burning.
It is expected that the skin will be more sensitive and open to external factors for a while after the procedure. Therefore, it is very important to keep the skin clean to prevent infections. The skin should be gently cleaned daily in line with the recommendations given by the physician, and if there are prescribed creams, they should be used as recommended.
Since dry skin may occur, the skin should be moisturized regularly and contact with extremely hot air or hot water should be avoided. In addition, it is very important to avoid exposure to sunlight during the healing process. Therefore, whether it is sunny or not, avoid going outdoors without using the high protection factor sunscreen recommended by your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fractional Laser
People who need this treatment are often curious about the features, advantages and disadvantages, and cost of fractional laser treatment, which has recently become widespread. Some of the frequently asked questions on the subject are as follows:
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRACTIONAL LASER AND NORMAL LASER?
Fractional laser is a laser system in which the classical laser is reduced to much more micro-sized beams and applied in pieces. Thanks to its device with a special technique, a series of micro beams are interspersed in the area, allowing normal skin and micro-damaged skin to intertwine and thus a more effective skin renewal process is performed. Thus, the healing speed of the skin can be greatly increased while reducing side effects.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF FRACTIONAL LASER?
Fractional laser is a safe treatment method with far fewer side effects than conventional laser treatment. However, some side effects such as infection, irritation, redness, mild pain and swelling, scaling, peeling and crusting of the skin may develop, albeit rarely. Most of these are short-term and temporary side effects that occur after the session. Following the recommendations given by your physician regarding the processes before and after the fractional laser will help you minimize such possibilities.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DOES FRACTIONAL LASER TAKE?
Most of the time, a minimum of 4-5 sessions, applied in sessions one month apart, is targeted. However, the total duration of the treatment will depend on the type of skin, the severity of the imperfections and the targeted appearance. In order to see the positive effects on the skin, approximately three months should pass after the treatment and the skin should be expected to heal completely. During the follow-up examinations after the sessions, the progress of the process will be checked by the physician and the course of treatment will be shaped accordingly.
Cost of Fractional Laser in Turkey
Fractional laser prices vary depending on factors such as the size of the area in need of treatment, the number of sessions planned and the type of skin problems. Therefore, you need a preliminary examination to get accurate information about treatment costs.
If you are suffering from existing skin problems or problems related to aging, you can consult your dermatologist to undergo an examination and get detailed information about fractional laser treatment.
