Quick Answer: ProFractional laser resurfacing creates tiny treatment channels in the skin while leaving nearby skin untreated. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, rough texture, large-looking pores, mild changes in firmness, and some sun damage. Recovery may take several days or longer depending on the treatment depth, area treated, and how your skin heals.

What Is ProFractional Laser Resurfacing?

ProFractional® is a fractional laser treatment that uses Sciton erbium laser technology. Instead of treating the entire skin surface, it creates small channels in selected areas while leaving skin between them untouched.

The untreated skin supports healing. The treatment depth can also be adjusted based on the concern being treated and the amount of downtime a patient can manage.

For example, mild roughness may call for a lighter treatment, while deeper acne scars or more noticeable wrinkles may require stronger settings.

ProFractional may be used on areas such as the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.

What Can ProFractional Improve?

ProFractional may help reduce the appearance of:

Fine lines and wrinkles
Acne scars and certain other scars
Rough or uneven skin texture
Large-looking pores
Mild changes in skin firmness
Sun damage and some dark spots

Someone with shallow acne scars on the cheeks may want smoother-looking texture. A person with rough, sun-damaged skin on the face or chest may be more concerned about tone and surface quality.

The treatment cannot completely remove every scar, wrinkle, or dark spot. The goal is usually to make the concern less noticeable and improve the overall look and feel of the skin.

A changing, unusual, or suspicious dark spot should be medically checked before cosmetic laser treatment.

How Does ProFractional Work?

Full laser resurfacing treats the entire surface of the selected area. ProFractional treats only small sections in a pattern.

Because untreated skin remains between the treatment channels, fractional resurfacing may support faster healing than treating the full surface. Actual downtime still depends on the treatment settings, area treated, and how your skin heals.

Lighter settings usually involve less downtime and more subtle improvement. Deeper settings may address more noticeable scars or wrinkles but can also cause more redness, swelling, peeling, and recovery.

ProFractional vs. MicroLaserPeel

ProFractional and MicroLaserPeel® both use Sciton erbium laser technology, but they treat the skin differently.

A MicroLaserPeel removes a thin, even layer from the skin’s surface. It may be considered for concerns such as mild sun damage, uneven tone, fine lines, and rough surface texture.

ProFractional creates narrow channels that can reach deeper into the skin. It may be considered for acne scars, deeper texture concerns, and more noticeable wrinkles.

Someone mainly concerned about dull or rough surface skin may be evaluated for MicroLaserPeel. A person with deeper acne scars may be evaluated for ProFractional. The right option depends on the concern, skin history, goals, and available recovery time.

What Is ProFractional Downtime Like?

After treatment, the skin may feel warm and look red or swollen. Dryness, itching, roughness, and peeling may also occur as the skin heals.

A lighter session may involve several days of visible redness. A deeper treatment may require more time before the skin looks and feels settled.

Before scheduling, ask how long redness and peeling may last, when makeup and exercise can resume, and whether you should plan time away from work or social events.

Follow the preparation and aftercare instructions given by your provider. These may include using gentle skin-care products, avoiding picking or scrubbing, limiting direct sun exposure, and applying sunscreen as directed.

How Many Treatments May Be Needed?

Some people may benefit from one stronger treatment, while others may need a series of lighter sessions.

The recommendation depends on the concern being treated, its depth, the treatment settings, and how the skin responds. Mild texture concerns may require a different plan than deeper acne scars.

A provider should evaluate your skin before recommending the number and strength of treatments.

Who May Need to Delay Treatment?

Treatment may need to be delayed if the skin is actively irritated, infected, wounded, recently sunburned, or otherwise unable to heal normally.

Tell your provider about your medical history, previous laser treatments, recent sun exposure, cold sores, healing problems, unusual scarring, or past changes in skin color. You should also share all medicines, supplements, and skin-care products you use.

Someone with an active cold sore, fresh sunburn, or open wound, for example, may need to wait until the area has healed.

Risks and Skin-Tone Considerations

Possible risks include prolonged redness, swelling, infection, scarring, cold-sore reactivation, and patches of skin that become darker or lighter.

Skin tone, tanning history, past pigment changes, treatment depth, and aftercare can all affect risk. Patients with deeper skin tones may have a greater chance of post-treatment discoloration and should ask about the provider’s experience treating similar skin types.

No laser treatment is risk-free. Careful treatment planning and proper aftercare may help reduce avoidable problems.

What Results Can You Expect?

After healing, the skin may look smoother and more even. Acne scars, wrinkles, rough texture, and some dark spots may become less noticeable.

Surface texture may improve sooner, while deeper scars or wrinkles may take longer to change. Results depend on the treatment settings, number of sessions, sun protection, aftercare, and how your skin heals.

Daily sunscreen and suitable skin care may help protect the improvement. Before-and-after photos show possible outcomes, not guaranteed results.

Why Consider LUX for ProFractional Treatment?

LUX ~ A Medical Spa offers ProFractional laser resurfacing at its Bluffton location using Sciton erbium laser technology.

LUX was founded in 2013 by physician co-owners Carmen A. Traywick, MD, FAAD, and Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS. Dr. Traywick is a board-certified dermatologist with a background in medical dermatology and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Dr. Weniger is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

LUX states that its providers train under the physician co-owners and work within physician-overseen treatment guidelines.

Schedule a consultation at LUX in Bluffton to review your skin concerns, expected downtime, and whether ProFractional or another resurfacing option may be appropriate.

ProFractional Laser Resurfacing: Benefits and Downtime