AI-Generated Content Disclosure (CA AB 3030) — This article was researched and drafted by Mentis Intelligence, an AI system operated by Carlo P. Honrado M.D., Inc. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Its material claims are checked against cited public sources under the governed publishing policy. No physician authorship or individualized clinical judgment is claimed. To speak with a human member of our team, please contact us online or call our office directly.

Common Questions About Laser Skin Resurfacing, Answered

What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure in which a surgeon uses short, concentrated pulsating beams of light on irregular skin to remove unwanted, damaged skin precisely one layer at a time (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

Laser skin resurfacing is also known as a laser peel, laser vaporization, and lasabrasion, and it can reduce facial wrinkles, scars, and blemishes (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

How does laser skin resurfacing work?

In laser resurfacing, the laser beam removes the outer skin layer, called the epidermis, while simultaneously heating the underlying skin, called the dermis (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

Laser resurfacing works to stimulate new collagen fiber growth, and as the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

Energy-based skin resurfacing devices deliver thermal energy to tissue to stimulate new collagen formation and wound-healing responses (PubMed Central).

What is fractional photothermolysis?

Fractional photothermolysis is a skin-resurfacing approach in which a laser produces a pixelated array of light energy that creates microscopic columns of thermally damaged skin (PubMed Central).

The microscopic columns of thermally damaged skin created in fractional photothermolysis are called microscopic treatment zones and are surrounded by undamaged tissue (PubMed Central).

After fractional photothermolysis, synthesis and deposition of dermal collagen are observed at 14 days, with complete replacement of thermally damaged collagen after 3 months (PubMed Central).

What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers?

Key distinctions include:

1. Ablative fractional lasers can be effective, but they vaporize the stratum corneum, require reepithelialization, and are associated with substantial postprocedural downtime (PubMed Central).
2. Ablative fractional lasers are associated with risks of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring, making them unsuitable for many patients, particularly those with darker Fitzpatrick skin types (PubMed Central).
3. Ablative fractional lasers have a higher risk of adverse events, such as scarring and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in patients with darker skin types, than non-ablative fractional lasers (PubMed Central).
4. Non-ablative fractional lasers operate at mid-infrared wavelengths from 1320 to 1927 nm and provide gentle resurfacing by coagulating tissue in interspersed microscopic zones without damaging the skin surface (PubMed Central).

What questions matter for skin of color?

Patients with skin of color are more susceptible to certain adverse events associated with laser resurfacing because of direct and indirect effects of treatment (PubMed Central).

The risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is higher in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI compared with those with lighter skin types (PubMed Central).

Laser treatments involving dermal injury pose a higher risk of keloid or hypertrophic scarring in patients of African or Asian ancestry compared with those with lighter skin (PubMed Central).

Laser skin resurfacing’s targeted approach means there are fewer problems with hypopigmentation, or lightening of skin, for procedures such as laser acne scar removal (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician.

What are 1440-nm and 1927-nm non-ablative fractional lasers?

The 1440- and 1927-nm non-ablative fractional diode laser system is indicated for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue and for general skin resurfacing procedures (PubMed Central).

The 1440-nm handpiece of the dual 1440/1927-nm non-ablative fractional diode laser system offers 3 increasing energy levels that produce a dose-dependent response in microscopic treatment zone size, penetration depth, and severity (PubMed Central).

The 1927-nm wavelength has a higher absorption coefficient for water than the 1440-nm wavelength, generating wider and shallower microscopic treatment zones (PubMed Central).

A study reported that the dual 1440/1927-nm non-ablative fractional diode laser system is a safe and well-tolerated option for resurfacing diverse skin types, with minimal postprocedural downtime and reduced risk of adverse events relative to ablative lasers (PubMed Central).

What is hybrid fractional laser therapy?

Hybrid fractional lasers use dual ablative and non-ablative wavelength technology in facial laser resurfacing treatments (PubMed Central).

Hybrid fractional laser technology combines ablative fractional laser 2940 nm and non-ablative fractional laser 1470 nm wavelengths, simultaneously targeting both the surface and deep layers of the skin (PubMed Central).

Hybrid fractional laser therapy is designed with dual wavelengths to enhance both epidermal renewal and dermal collagen remodeling (PubMed Central).

A study reported that hybrid fractional laser therapy has shown histological and clinical promise for esthetic concerns including deep wrinkles, scarring, blemishes, and dyspigmentation (PubMed Central).

What limitations are discussed in laser resurfacing research?

Conventional full-face carbon dioxide resurfacing is associated with significant risk of side effects and a prolonged postoperative recovery period (PubMed Central).

Fractional resurfacing has offered close to comparable results with minimal side effects and a more rapid recovery (PubMed Central).

Fractional resurfacing can still be challenging to control precisely because of hardware variations across comparable devices, the range of settings that can be used, and patient-specific considerations (PubMed Central).

Although hybrid fractional laser therapy shows promising results, safety at skin depths beyond 150 μm is debated, particularly for its non-ablative wavelength (PubMed Central).

What has research reported about hybrid fractional laser safety?

In one study, patients received hybrid fractional laser therapy after preoperative screening for contraindications and counseling on its risks, benefits, and complications (PubMed Central).

In one study, patients were treated with hybrid fractional laser therapy on the face and/or neck intraoperatively under general anesthesia after completion of a rhytidectomy procedure (PubMed Central).

In one study of hybrid fractional laser therapy, appropriate eye protection was provided for the patient intraoperatively (PubMed Central).

In one study, during the 12 months after rhytidectomy, 7.6% of the hybrid fractional laser group experienced complications versus 3.0% of the control group, a non-significant difference (P =.13) (PubMed Central).

In one study, no known hybrid fractional laser complications, including burns, skin breakdown, hypo- and hyperpigmentation, were observed (PubMed Central).

In one study, combining hybrid fractional laser therapy with rhytidectomy did not increase complication rates compared with rhytidectomy alone (PubMed Central).

In one study, the most common observed complications were hematoma, cellulitis, and wound dehiscence, which occurred at comparable rates between groups (PubMed Central).

In one study, no cases of skin loss, necrosis, burns, hypertrophic scarring, hypo- or hyperpigmentation were observed in either group (PubMed Central).

FAQ

What is laser skin resurfacing used for?

Laser skin resurfacing is also known as a laser peel, laser vaporization, and lasabrasion, and it can reduce facial wrinkles, scars, and blemishes (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). In laser skin resurfacing, a surgeon uses short, concentrated pulsating beams of light on irregular skin to remove unwanted, damaged skin precisely one layer at a time (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

How does laser resurfacing affect collagen?

Laser resurfacing works to stimulate new collagen fiber growth, and as the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Energy-based skin resurfacing devices deliver thermal energy to tissue to stimulate new collagen formation and wound-healing responses (PubMed Central).

What are microscopic treatment zones?

Microscopic treatment zones are the microscopic columns of thermally damaged skin created in fractional photothermolysis and surrounded by undamaged tissue (PubMed Central). Fractional photothermolysis is a skin-resurfacing approach in which a laser produces a pixelated array of light energy that creates microscopic columns of thermally damaged skin (PubMed Central).

Are ablative fractional lasers associated with downtime?

Ablative fractional lasers can be effective, but they vaporize the stratum corneum, require reepithelialization, and are associated with substantial postprocedural downtime (PubMed Central). Ablative fractional lasers have a higher risk of adverse events, such as scarring and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in patients with darker skin types, than non-ablative fractional lasers (PubMed Central).

What is a hybrid fractional laser?

Hybrid fractional lasers use dual ablative and non-ablative wavelength technology in facial laser resurfacing treatments (PubMed Central). Hybrid fractional laser therapy is designed with dual wavelengths to enhance both epidermal renewal and dermal collagen remodeling (PubMed Central).

Individual results vary.

All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician.

New techniques and devices should be discussed with a qualified physician.

This article was produced by Mentis Intelligence for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual results vary. All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician. For a consultation with Dr. Carlo Honrado MD, FACS, contact (310) 286-0043 or visit drhonrado.com/contact. Content generated by AI (Mentis Intelligence) per California AB 3030 disclosure requirement.

For a consultation with Dr. Carlo Honrado MD, FACS in Beverly Hills & Century City CA, visit drhonrado.com/contact.

Sources

• PubMed Central: Safety and Tolerability of the 1440‐ and 1927‐nm Non‐Ablative Fractional Diode Laser System for Skin Resurfacing: A Review of Current Litera
• PubMed Central: Laser Resurfacing Pearls
• PubMed Central: A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation in Patients Undergoing Rhytidec
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Laser Skin Resurfacing | American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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