Using the nonablative fractional delivery of 1,540-1,550 nm light, an operator is able to treat conditions such as scar tissue or melasma and resurface the skin with very little discomfort or downtime. By creating spatially confined columns of coagulated tissue, the skin undergoes a natural healing process involving collagen production and tissue replacement (Fig. 4.11).
Fractional technology, invented and developed jointly by Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., and Wellman Labs at MGH in Boston (US Patent 6,997,923 B2 exclusively licensed to Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.), allows for controlled thermal energy to be delivered in a fractional manner, resulting in the surrounding tissue remaining relatively
After
Figure 4.11 Skin resurfacing after two treatments with the Palomar Lux 1540 hand piece. Photos courtesy of Michael Sinclair, MD.
|
Before After Figure 4.12 Skin resurfacing 4 weeks after three treatments with the Palomar Lux 1540 hand piece. |
unchanged. This creates less downtime and less risk of complications. In addition to skin resurfacing, this new method of energy delivery has been applied, with great success, to the treatment of acne scarring, surgical/laceration scars, stretch marks, and melasma.