Ablative and fractional ablative lasers.
The field of nonsurgical laser resurfacing for aesthetic enhancement continues to improve with new research and technological advances. Since its beginnings in the 1980s, the laser-resurfacing industry has produced a multitude of devices employing ablative, nonablative, and fractional ablative technologies. The three approaches largely differ in their method of thermal damage, weighing degrees of efficacy, downtime, and side effect profiles against each other. Nonablative technologies generate some interest, although only for those patient populations seeking mild improvements. Fractional technologies, however, have gained dramatic ground on fully ablative resurfacing. Fractional laser resurfacing, while exhibiting results that fall just short of the ideal outcomes of fully ablative treatments, is an increasingly attractive alternative because of its far more favorable side effect profile, reduced recovery time, and significant clinical outcome.
Brightman
Lori A
LA
Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, 317 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA. lbrightman@laserskinsurgery.com
Brauer
Jeremy A
JA
Anolik
Robert
R
Weiss
Elliot
E
Karen
Julie
J
Chapas
Anne
A
Hale
Elizabeth
E
Bernstein
Leonard
L
Geronemus
Roy G
RG
D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging; D016896:Treatment Outcome