#13-7. Non-ablative Fractional Lasers

▶ Previous Artlcle: #13-6. Non-ablative Fractional Lasers

Although its shot speed is low, the 694nm fractional laser can effectively improve pigmented lesions with 1 to 2 passes and is less likely to cause hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation than bulk beam with a high incidence of them.

Depending on pigmented lesion, treatment is performed using a low fluence between 1 and 2J/cm2.

As for pigmented lesions such as lentigo, fractional laser beams should be irradiated without overlaps in a checkered pattern using a higher fluence in order to reduce side effects and effectively remove lesions.

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532nm Fractional Laser

The 532nm fractional laser uses KTP as a medium and produces fractional laser beams using MLA hand piece in Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Targeting melanin as its main chromophore, 532nm is also effective in treating pigmented lesions such as lentigo as well as dark skin color and tone.

However, its beam size is so small that it takes too long to complete the entire face procedure, and due to a high absorbance for melanin, even a small difference in fluence shows a large difference in laser absorptivity in tissues.

Therefore, in order to minimize and effectively treat side effects, fluence should be continually controlled considering the degree of darkness of skin lesions and the difference in skin color depending on facial area, as beams are irradiated.

In that sense, it would be good to use the 532nm fractional laser for the purpose of effectively treating local lesions that are difficult to be treated due to a weak chromophore while minimizing side effects, rather than improving conditions of the whole face.

As stated above, non-ablative fractional lasers ensure relatively fewer side effects and shorter recovery time.

In addition, they are effective in the treatment of skin texture, tone and color, pigmented lesions, flush, telangiectasis, pores, fine wrinkles, skin elasticity, acne, etc.

If combined with other laser procedures, they are expected to produce a great synergy effect.