Fractional laser skin resurfacing aficionados will be hearing more and more about the Starlux 1540, Starlux 2940, Fraxel Repair, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and Fractional Skin Rejuvenation in the future.
To grasp the significance of these new laser skin resurfacing devices some minor understanding of the technologies of cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatments as well as older cosmetic laser skin treatments is a good start.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacings Previous Technologies
Fraxel was the first on the scene with a non-ablative fractional laser for the cosmetic medical market. Fraxel has been upgraded and has been improved on by a number of other competing fractional laser skin resurfacing technologies including the Lumenis DeepFX and ActiveFX, and Palomar Medicals Starlux 1540, and Starlux 2940.
Laser skin rejuvenation is a rapidly advancing field that intersects cosmetic dermatology and traditional plastic surgery. Rapid advancements and new breakthroughs in technology are occurring frequently and will continue. The benefit for patients is an increase in the effectiveness of fractional laser treatments and less down time or potential side effects.
Fractional laser technologies new cosmetic applications are expanding into related areas like skin tightening treatments, where fractional treatments compete with radio frequency (RF) treatments like Thermage, and will eventually move into fat and cellulite treatments and removal.
What was a revolutionary advance in 1995, full face CO2 Laser Resurfacing for wrinkle removal using the Ultra pulse CO2 laser, fairs poorly when compared to new fractional laser treatments and although the wrinkle removal results were fantastic, the CO2 laser resurfacing created a very real "burn wound" that took many months of recovery and the need for general anesthesia. After a year, the skin would turn white or show hypo pigmentation. Because of the side effects, few patients today choose to have this very effective wrinkle removing procedure.
The Newest Fractional Skin Resurfacing & Rejuvenation Technologies
Within the last few years, cosmetic Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing has evolved and eliminated many of the existing technologies shortcomings. The erbium laser used in the newest Starlux is 'fractionated' into tiny micro-lasers, treating only a small portion of the skin (think tiny pin pricks) and leaving surrounding skin intact, greatly improving healing.
The 'fractionated' treatment areas called micro-treatment zones, cause enough injury to the skin to trigger new collagen production and is used to replace collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. The new collagen that is produced 'fills in' or 'plumps up' the underlying tissue and smoothes out skin wrinkles. The untreated skin between the micro treatment zones speeds the healing process to a mere 3-4 days and leaves most of the pigment cells intact, preventing hypo pigmentation.
Starlux 1540: Palomars New Fractional Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing Technology
The Fraxel and Starlux 1540 are non-ablative lasers that don't actually vaporize or remove the skin. Instead, the laser instantly heats the skin, stimulating new collagen growth.
With these new treatments, skin laxity and wrinkle smoothing results are less dramatic than with ablative lasers, but the benefit of reduced recovery time and reduced side effects mean that non ablative laser treatments are often the first choice.
Starlux 2940: Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacings Future
Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers now provide the benefits of fractional treatments (less down time and reduced complications) with ablative skin resurfacings benefits (better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation) offering patients the best of both worlds.
These Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers remove tissue in the micro treatment zone instead of just heating the dermis like the old Fraxel or Starlux 1540.
The benefit of this new form of fractional laser ablation is that more wrinkled, sun damaged skin is removed than with the older laser technologies, and a better cosmetic result is attained. There is some increase in recovery time with redness and pink skin for around 5-6 days. The Starlux fractional ablative lasers still require much less recovery time than the old non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers which actually burned off the top layers of the dermis.
Competing Fractional Laser Technologies
Reliant: CO2 fractional laser called Repair
Lumenis: CO2 fractional ablative lasers; ActiveFX & DeepFx
Palomar now has the Starlux 2940 Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser. - 15437
To grasp the significance of these new laser skin resurfacing devices some minor understanding of the technologies of cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatments as well as older cosmetic laser skin treatments is a good start.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacings Previous Technologies
Fraxel was the first on the scene with a non-ablative fractional laser for the cosmetic medical market. Fraxel has been upgraded and has been improved on by a number of other competing fractional laser skin resurfacing technologies including the Lumenis DeepFX and ActiveFX, and Palomar Medicals Starlux 1540, and Starlux 2940.
Laser skin rejuvenation is a rapidly advancing field that intersects cosmetic dermatology and traditional plastic surgery. Rapid advancements and new breakthroughs in technology are occurring frequently and will continue. The benefit for patients is an increase in the effectiveness of fractional laser treatments and less down time or potential side effects.
Fractional laser technologies new cosmetic applications are expanding into related areas like skin tightening treatments, where fractional treatments compete with radio frequency (RF) treatments like Thermage, and will eventually move into fat and cellulite treatments and removal.
What was a revolutionary advance in 1995, full face CO2 Laser Resurfacing for wrinkle removal using the Ultra pulse CO2 laser, fairs poorly when compared to new fractional laser treatments and although the wrinkle removal results were fantastic, the CO2 laser resurfacing created a very real "burn wound" that took many months of recovery and the need for general anesthesia. After a year, the skin would turn white or show hypo pigmentation. Because of the side effects, few patients today choose to have this very effective wrinkle removing procedure.
The Newest Fractional Skin Resurfacing & Rejuvenation Technologies
Within the last few years, cosmetic Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing has evolved and eliminated many of the existing technologies shortcomings. The erbium laser used in the newest Starlux is 'fractionated' into tiny micro-lasers, treating only a small portion of the skin (think tiny pin pricks) and leaving surrounding skin intact, greatly improving healing.
The 'fractionated' treatment areas called micro-treatment zones, cause enough injury to the skin to trigger new collagen production and is used to replace collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. The new collagen that is produced 'fills in' or 'plumps up' the underlying tissue and smoothes out skin wrinkles. The untreated skin between the micro treatment zones speeds the healing process to a mere 3-4 days and leaves most of the pigment cells intact, preventing hypo pigmentation.
Starlux 1540: Palomars New Fractional Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing Technology
The Fraxel and Starlux 1540 are non-ablative lasers that don't actually vaporize or remove the skin. Instead, the laser instantly heats the skin, stimulating new collagen growth.
With these new treatments, skin laxity and wrinkle smoothing results are less dramatic than with ablative lasers, but the benefit of reduced recovery time and reduced side effects mean that non ablative laser treatments are often the first choice.
Starlux 2940: Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacings Future
Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers now provide the benefits of fractional treatments (less down time and reduced complications) with ablative skin resurfacings benefits (better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation) offering patients the best of both worlds.
These Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers remove tissue in the micro treatment zone instead of just heating the dermis like the old Fraxel or Starlux 1540.
The benefit of this new form of fractional laser ablation is that more wrinkled, sun damaged skin is removed than with the older laser technologies, and a better cosmetic result is attained. There is some increase in recovery time with redness and pink skin for around 5-6 days. The Starlux fractional ablative lasers still require much less recovery time than the old non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers which actually burned off the top layers of the dermis.
Competing Fractional Laser Technologies
Reliant: CO2 fractional laser called Repair
Lumenis: CO2 fractional ablative lasers; ActiveFX & DeepFx
Palomar now has the Starlux 2940 Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser. - 15437
About the Author:
Medical Spa MD is a medical community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Medical Spas with more than 2,000 physician members worldwide and hosts current physician discussion forums on Starlux 2940 Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing and nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.
