What to Expect during Palomar Fractional Resurfacing

Palomar Fractional Resurfacing is a laser-based procedure that is done on an outpatient basis. This procedure is aimed at treating venous problems like varicose veins. The laser used here is similar to the kind of laser used for facial resurfacing—a cosmetic procedure that aims to eliminate spider veins. Palomar Fractional Resurfacing is aimed at decreasing the amount of thermal damage induced by lasers without compromising upon the effectivity of the procedure. It's often recommended for treating skin that has been marred by varicose veins rather than the problematic blood vessels. It eradicates irregularities in skin texture and removing imprints of scarring or freckling induced by venous problems.

Palomar Fractional Resurfacing Procedure Basics

The attending specialist starts by ensuring protective wear for the patient's eyes. The laser is procured through a handheld device which is moved over the treatment sites. The device emits small pulses of light, inducing thermal energy that is able to penetrate the underlying cells. This heat causes the blood within the blood vessels to coagulate. As a result, the thickened blood vessels eventually collapse.

During this time, the patient might feel a slight tingling sensation in and around the treatment site. Usually, topical anesthetics are not used for this procedure since it doesn't induce pain. A cooling tip is used to ensure that the temperature of the skin does not rise to the extent of damaging it.

The intensive heating induced by laser pulses stimulates new cell growth. The new collagen fibers help the treated site to recover quickly. This process doesn't affect the outer skin (epidermis), ensuring that no aesthetic damage is done.

There is minimal downtime after the treatment. A couple of hours of rest is usually sufficient. A typical treatment session lasts for just about one hour. During the first 24 hours after treatment, the skin might develop a tan or a pinkish hue. Some degree of swelling immediately after the procedure is not a cause for worry, as it self-resolves without treatment. Using a moisturizer helps to counter the flakiness of skin around the treatment site.

Some formats of Palomar Fractional Resurfacing have become quite popular. For instance, the Palomar Lux1540 Resurfacing allows penetration of up to 1 mm below the skin. The deeper heating means that within three to four weeks, the patient can expect significant improvement in the treatment site. Collagen growth causes skin-tightening and gradual expulsion of weathered skin cells.