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Fractional Laser

Definition

A laser that delivers energy in a grid of tiny columns rather than treating the entire skin surface at once, allowing faster healing while reaching deep skin layers.

A fractional laser treats only a fraction of the skin at any given time — leaving healthy tissue between each microscopic treatment zone. That untreated tissue acts as a healing reservoir, dramatically reducing downtime compared with traditional full-field resurfacing while still reaching deep enough to remodel collagen.

Ablative vs Non-Ablative

  • Ablative fractional (e.g., CO2): Removes microscopic columns of skin — strongest results, 5–10 days of downtime
  • Non-ablative fractional (e.g., ResurFX, PiQo4 fractional): Heats below the surface — gentler results, 1–3 days of pinkness

Related Terms

PiQo4 Laser

A dual-wavelength picosecond laser that delivers ultra-short energy pulses for tattoo removal and skin toning across all ink colors and skin types.

ResurFX

A non-ablative fractional laser by Lumenis that resurfaces skin by creating microscopic columns of heat deep in the dermis to stimulate new collagen.

Non-Ablative Laser

A laser that heats tissue beneath the skin's surface to stimulate collagen without removing or destroying the outer layer, resulting in little to no visible peeling.

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