title: Fractional nonablative laser resurfacing: is there a skin tightening effect?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fractional photothermolysis, an approach to laser skin resurfacing that creates microscopic thermal wounds in skin separated by islands of spared tissue, was developed to overcome the high incidence of adverse events and prolonged healing times associated with full coverage ablative laser procedures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether fractional nonablative laser resurfacing induces skin tightening.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was performed to evaluate the clinical and histologic effects of fractional nonablative laser resurfacing and full coverage ablative resurfacing procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fractional nonablative lasers produce excellent outcomes with minimal risk and morbidity for a variety of clinical conditions, including photodamaged skin, atrophic scars, surgical and burn scars. Efforts to induce robust fibroplasia in histologic specimens and skin tightening in the clinical setting have yielded inconsistent results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of the histology of fractional laser resurfacing will help to optimize clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: New York Laser & Skin Care, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Arielle N B
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kauvar
mesh_terms: D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062326:Re-Epithelialization / Q000528:radiation effects; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects*