Melasma (also known as cholasma or mask of pregnancy) is a relatively common condition primarily affecting women, although 10% of cases also occur in men [29]. It is characterized by brown maculae that often occur symmetrically on the face; however, other sun-exposed areas may also be affected. An initial case report [16] of a 31-year-old […]

Scarring is a common concern for many patients, whether due to surgery, trauma, acne, or burn injuries. Scars can be abnormal in texture, color, and can have a loss of surface der – matoglyphics. Early reports have shown more than 75% clinical improvement in erythema, induration, and texture after a single treatment with the Fraxel […]

Long-term clinical improvement of facial and nonfacial photodamaged skin has been seen up to nine months after treatment with the 1550 nm Fraxel laser. Wanner et al. [23] exam­ined fifty patients (skin types I-III) who underwent three treatments (8 mJ, 2000 MTZ/cm2 for facial areas; 8 mJ, 1,500-2000 MTZ/cm2 for nonfacial areas) three to four […]

Several studies have shown fractional photothermolysis to be effective in treating photo – damaged skin and rhytids [9,23]. Early studies appear promising for a myriad of other dermatologic conditions, including melasma, scarring, poikiloderma of Civatte, and reju­venation of ethnic skin [16,24-30].

Interesting histological changes ensue after mid-infrared fractional photothermolysis. Columns of epidermal and dermal cell necrosis are seen immediately after treatment, withpreservation of the stratum corneum (Fig. 11.2) . Each of the microscopic columns of thermal injury is surrounded by a heat-shock zone that releases cell mediators to signal the wound-healing cascade [13]. Specifically, heat-shock protein […]

The parameters that influence the extent of fractional injury include wavelength, fluence, spot size, surface density of the microscopic thermal injuries, delivery method of the micro­beams (i. e. scanned, stamped), and cooling capabilities. Other important procedural con­siderations include the number of treatments, interval between treatments, number of passes, interval between passes, and the need for […]

To date, there is no agreed-upon definition for fractional resurfacing. For the purpose of this discussion, we will define this as the destruction or removal of a fraction of the skin, including the full thickness of the epidermis and portions of the dermis, where the depth of the injury is greater than the width and […]

Brian Zelickson1’2 and Susan Walgrave2 1Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 2Zel Skin and Laser Specialists, Edina, MN, USA 10.6 Introduction 256 10.7 Fractional Photothermolysis Defined 256 10.8 Fractional Treatment Parameters to Consider 257 10.9 Biological Effects of Fractional Photothermolysis 258 10.10 Therapeutic Uses and Clinical Efficacy 261 10.10.1 Photodamage 261 […]

10.5.1 Patented Technologies on Hair-Growth Regulation The hair follicle represents a complex structure that includes the undifferentiated, rapidly proliferating cells of the matrix region surrounding the dermal papilla, as well as the highly differentiated or keratinized hair fiber that emerges from the follicle. The matrix cells give rise to the hair shaft proper, as well […]