Fractional Laser Near Me
Fractional laser stimulates new collagen through tiny thermal injuries and can improve acne scars, acne and pigmentation—understand the mechanism, types and aftercare to make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
- Fractional laser stimulates collagen regeneration by creating tiny thermal injuries in the dermis, thereby improving acne scars, pigmentation and other skin concerns.
- Ablative fractional laser gives more noticeable results but has a longer recovery period; non-ablative laser recovers faster but usually requires more sessions.
- People with sensitive skin, a scar-prone constitution, and women who are pregnant or menstruating must be assessed by a qualified physician for suitability before treatment.
- Sun protection is the most important aftercare step—UV exposure is the main trigger for deepened pigmentation.
- Those in the Markham/Toronto area can consult Dr. Dan Xu (MD, CCFP) at ID Cosmetic Clinic for a personalized fractional laser plan tailored to Asian skin types.
Direct Answer
Fractional laser is a medical-aesthetic technology that splits a high-energy laser beam into dense, tiny columns of light using lens technology, then delivers them into the skin. The laser energy can penetrate to the dermal layer, creating many "microthermal injury zones," prompting the surrounding healthy tissue to trigger its self-repair mechanism, stimulate new collagen synthesis, and improve skin texture. Because the injury is distributed in a "fractional" pattern rather than a continuous surface, the recovery period is shorter than with traditional full-coverage lasers. Fractional laser is divided into ablative and non-ablative types. Ablative fractional lasers (such as CO2 fractional laser at 10600nm and erbium fractional laser at 2940nm) create pore-like structures on the skin surface, have a stronger thermal effect, produce noticeable improvement of acne scars with clear single-session results, but may cause edema, redness, and scabbing afterward, requiring roughly 48 hours to several days of recovery, and typically 4 to 5 sessions spaced about 30 days apart. Non-ablative fractional lasers (including Er:Glass, Nd:YAG, and thulium fiber lasers) form columnar structures within the skin, cause less epidermal damage, recover in about 1 to 3 days, suit people with a thinner stratum corneum, but are relatively less intense and usually require 5 to 8 sessions. People with sensitive skin, vitiligo or psoriasis, a scar-prone constitution, and women who are pregnant, menstruating, or breastfeeding should fully inform their physician beforehand and be assessed for suitability. If you are considering fractional laser in the Markham or Toronto area, Dr. Dan Xu (MD, CCFP) at ID Cosmetic Clinic holds a Canadian Doctor of Medicine degree and a proper medical aesthetics license, has an in-depth understanding of both Asian facial structure and North American aesthetics, and can tailor a personalized plan to your skin condition. The clinic offers bilingual service and welcomes free consultation bookings.
Fractional Laser Table of Contents
Many people struggle with acne on their face, and when faced with the wide range of cosmetic options available, they often feel confused. Today, we’re going to explore a highly discussed approach: fractional laser. Is it really as remarkable as people say? Let’s take a closer look together.
How Fractional Laser Works
Fractional laser primarily uses a high-energy laser beam, concentrating light energy through lens technology to act directly on the skin. The laser can penetrate into the dermal layer of the skin, creating a large number of tiny thermal injury zones in a short time. Because the laser’s energy is controllable, as long as the parameters are set appropriately, it will not cause burns. When the dermal tissue is stimulated by this laser, it generates new tissue and synthesizes new collagen, thereby improving skin quality. As a result, it can treat acne, acne scars, stretch marks, freckles and other pigmentation issues.
Types of Fractional Laser
Lasers can be divided into two broad categories: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are the vaporizing type, while non-ablative lasers are the non-vaporizing type. The classification is based on the degree to which the laser is absorbed by water. When the laser acts on the skin and forms columnar structures, we call it non-ablative fractional laser; when it forms pore-like structures, it is ablative fractional laser.
Ablative Fractional Laser
Fractional laser can be further subdivided into CO2 fractional laser and erbium fractional laser. The wavelength of CO2 fractional laser is 10600nm, while the wavelength of erbium fractional laser is 2940nm. CO2 fractional laser has a strong thermal effect and can effectively fill in acne scars, so it is also called the “skin stamp”—with just a light pass, acne scars can fade.
After the first treatment, patients can see noticeable improvement, and the results can last a long time. However, to maintain this effect, patients still need to undergo multiple treatments. Typically, a complete treatment course includes 4-5 sessions, with each session spaced about 30 days apart. Possible adverse reactions after treatment include: edema, redness and swelling, and scabbing. These are caused by damage to the skin’s epidermal tissue, but after about 48 hours the skin can gradually return to normal. However, there are also some risks, such as deepened pigmentation, or possible itching and infection.
Non-Ablative Fractional Laser
Non-ablative fractional laser can be further classified into “Er: glass”, “Nd: YAG”, “Er: Fiber”, ruby laser and thulium fiber laser, which are mainly used for scar treatment. This type of laser has the function of cooling the epidermal tissue, which can prevent excessive temperature rise in a short time from causing thermal damage to the skin. Therefore, it is especially suitable for those with a thinner skin stratum corneum. Because it causes less trauma, the skin’s recovery period is relatively short, usually returning to normal within 1-3 days. However, due to its lower intensity, compared with ablative fractional laser, it requires more treatment sessions, usually 5-8 sessions are recommended.
Who May Not Be Suitable for Fractional Laser
1. People with sensitive skin
For people with sensitive skin, because their sensitivity to light is higher, fractional laser—with its high light energy and concentrated beam—may cause other skin problems in this group after treatment. The topical anesthetic used during treatment also carries a potential risk of allergy, which may lead to inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling and itching.
In addition, fractional laser can reach the dermal layer of the skin. If a patient has certain skin conditions, such as vitiligo or psoriasis, this may trigger other problems. For people prone to scar formation, receiving this treatment may leave scars and affect appearance.
2. Special populations
Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or breastfeeding may have more fragile skin due to physical and emotional fluctuations. During these special periods, their immunity and resistance may be lowered. Fractional laser treatment causes a certain amount of trauma to the skin, and at times when the body’s immunity is reduced, it is more susceptible to invasion by external pathogens, which may trigger skin inflammation. Moreover, this may also lead to other physiological problems. Therefore, it is recommended that these special populations be especially careful when choosing treatment.
Aftercare Precautions
1. Take sun protection seriously
After completing fractional laser treatment, the skin’s protective function is temporarily reduced. During this period, if the skin is directly exposed to UV rays, it will cause moisture to evaporate rapidly, leading to problems such as dryness, peeling, redness and swelling, and itching. UV rays are also a major cause of skin pigment formation, so immediately after completing laser treatment, prolonged direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pigmentation.
2. Keep the treated area clean and dry
After treatment, the skin may have slight trauma, and at this time the skin may secrete some tissue fluid. An appropriate repair ointment should be applied, which helps promote the regeneration of skin cells and speed up wound healing. If a scab forms on the wound, you can use a cotton swab dipped in a little clean water or saline to gently clean it.
3. Increase hydration and moisturizing
After treatment, because the skin barrier has suffered a certain amount of damage, its moisture-retaining function declines, so you may feel your skin is particularly dry and tight. For this reason, in addition to ensuring you take in enough water daily—about 2000ml—you can also use repair-type masks at appropriate times to help the skin replenish the moisture it needs.
4. Eat sensibly
During the recovery period, avoid eating spicy and strongly irritating foods, as these can irritate the skin and slow wound healing. At the same time, excessive intake of foods high in pigment may increase the risk of pigmentation, so these should also be avoided as much as possible.
Choosing ID Cosmetic Clinic
- ID Cosmetic Clinic’s lead physician Dr. Dan Xu holds a Canadian Doctor of Medicine degree
- A licensed business, holding a Canadian medical aesthetics license
- The only on-site practicing Chinese female physician in Toronto, practising bilingually on site, giving you a safe treatment experience
- Dr. Xu has a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of North American aesthetics and Asian facial structure
- Combining Eastern and Western aesthetics to create features well suited to Asian faces
- 80,000 treatment-area cases
- Developed by Dr. Dan Xu, an injection technique to lift the eyes and face, specifically addressing flat Asian faces and creating a slimmer face
- Based on your skin concerns, we design a personalized solution for you, letting medical aesthetics return to its medical essence
- Performed personally by an experienced Chinese female physician
- Free consultation booking
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the results of one fractional laser session last?
How effective is fractional laser for acne scars?
How soon after fractional laser can I wear makeup?
What's the difference between fractional laser and picosecond laser?
Are Asian people more prone to pigmentation after fractional laser?
Does fractional laser hurt? Is anesthesia needed?
How many sessions are in a fractional laser course, and how far apart?
How long until I see results after fractional laser?
Where can I get fractional laser in Markham or Toronto?
Can I pick off the scabs on my skin after fractional laser?
Next Step
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