Fractional Laser Scottsdale

In the last few years, several fractionated lasers have come on the market, such as Fraxel, Portrait, and Total FX. These are still CO2 lasers, but they differ from standard CO2 lasers in certain ways.

What’s the difference between a fractionated CO2 laser and the regular CO2 laser?

The CO2 laser is the most commonly used laser on the market, and can be used effectively for a variety of different skin problems. The fractionated CO2 laser is very similar, but it’s used on a lower energy setting. Additionally, rather than being used across the entire surface of the skin (as with traditional laser resurfacing), the fractional CO2 laser is used to create discrete “spots” of thermal injury across the skin.

What types of problems can be treated with a fractionated CO2 laser?

Many types of skin problems can be addressed using this laser, including:

• Fine lines
• Superficial brown spots (“age spots” or “sun spots”)
• Uneven or irregular skin texture
• Uneven skin pigmentation

What are the advantages of the fractionated CO2 laser?

The fractionated CO2 laser produces significantly less downtime than a traditional laser. It also has a lower risk of side effects, such as scarring and skin pigmentation changes, which can sometimes occur with a traditional laser treatment.

What are the downsides?

Although this type of laser is ideal for those with superficial skin problems, the lower power of this laser also limits its ability to treat certain issues. For example, while fine lines can be treated with the fractionated laser, deeper wrinkles cannot be addressed effectively with this type of laser. The traditional CO2 laser, with its higher power, will produce a better result in this situation.