Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing (Pixel)

What is Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing (Pixel)?

Laser skin resurfacing removes the outer layers of skin to a predetermined depth to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, correct uneven pigmentation, reduce pore size, and generate new collagen to provide firmer, more youthful skin. It is effective at reducing acne scars, other types of scars, and stretch marks (striae).

Traditional ablative laser skin resurfacing uses a CO2 laser to remove the entire surface of the skin. The results are tremendous but it is expensive, painful, carries a higher risk of infection, requires up to a month of downtime to heal, and the skin may remain bright red for up to four months.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing divides the laser beam into a grid of columns (pixels) that only remove 20% of the surface of the skin and leave each vaporized pixel on the skin surrounded by living, unaffected skin (see the Pixel array and the effect of several widely spaced pulses at right). Since only a portion of the skin is injured, the surrounding tissue is stimulated and heals the injured sites in one to three days. There is little or no discomfort or residual redness and very little risk of infection. Because each treatment affects only a portion of the skin, multiple treatments are required but the total down time and expense is a fraction of that for traditional ablative skin resurfacing. Fractional laser treatments are safe and effective for the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is referred to as minimally ablative and the treatments are often named for the brand of laser used to perform the procedure (Pixel, Fraxel, etc). Skin Care By Design also offers sublative rejuvenation, in which the eMatrix radio frequency (RF) device performs the fractional resurfacing. While similar, the Pixel and eMatrix treatments have important differences that determine which treatment will work best for your needs and your unique skin. See our eMatrix page for those treatment details.

During the treatment, you will be asked to put on protective eyewear. The skin is cleansed and a topical numbing cream may be applied. The laser handpiece is placed against the skin and a short pulse of light is released. The handpiece is moved to the neighboring area and the process is repeated until the entire area has been treated. During the treatment there is little or no discomfort. A smoke evacuator removes any residue from the air around the laser pulse.

Who are the best candidates for Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing (Pixel)?

Most people wishing for fuller, firmer, smoother skin have lost some of their natural collagen but remain excellent candidates for this procedure. One of the major benefits of fractional laser skin resurfacing is the strong stimulation of new collagen growth. Clients with very little existing collagen essentially have nothing to stimulate and will see minimal improvement. Other treatments that do not depend on collagen growth can often be used for these clients to reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, and correct uneven pigmentation. Pixel skin resurfacing can be used on patients of most skin types anywhere on the body. Since this procedure spares healthy tissue, it can be performed on delicate skin areas such as face, neck, chest, and hands.

What are the benefits?

A series of treatments will reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, correct uneven pigmentation, reduce pore size, and generate new collagen to provide firmer, more youthful skin. Skin areas with less natural collagen, such as the back of the hands, are not "tightened" as much as the face but can still experience dramatic improvement. Scars and stretch marks can be greatly reduced (scars will not completely disappear because scar tissue remains below the surface of the skin).

What equipment does Skin Care By Design use for Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing (Pixel)?

We use the Alma Harmony High Power Pixel 2940, an Er:YAG 2940nm Erbium laser. The Pixel uses the latest technology and this model was released in 2008 to rave reviews.View Alma Harmony Pixel

How many treatments do you need?

Because each procedure affects only a portion of the skin, four treatments at four week intervals are normally required to fully treat a given area of the skin.

Things you should know.

Discomfort, swelling, light crusting, flaking, itching, and infection at the treatment sites may occur. This procedure produces flashes of bright light that could trigger seizures for epileptics or headaches for photosensitive individuals. Pixel treatments should not be performed if you have taken Accutane within the past twelve months.

Clients with a history of frequent herpes outbreaks (cold sores, fever blisters) at or near the site of the procedure should consult a physician to determine if a systemic anti-viral medication should be taken in advance of the procedure.

Exposure to UV light (sun, tanning booths, etc) or excessive heat (hot tubs, saunas, etc) within three days after the treatment may greatly increase discomfort.

You will receive detailed, printed post-treatment instructions to ensure the best possible results.

How much time is required?

Appointments are normally 30 minutes per area.

How much does it cost?

Packages of 4 treatments are discounted 20% from the single treatment prices as shown below (home products for the Face treatment only need to purchased once so the discount appears larger for the Face package):

Treatment Area	One Treatment	Package of 4
Face (includes home products)	599	1,699
Neck	299	959
Chest	299	959
Hands	299	959

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