ProFractional

What is ProFractional Treatment?

ProFractional is an ablative fractional laser resurfacing treatment used to improve wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, texture irregularities, sun damage, and skin laxity.

How Does It Work?

The laser creates tiny channels in the skin at controlled depths. These treated areas trigger wound healing and collagen remodeling while surrounding untreated tissue helps support faster recovery.

Because treatment depth and density can be customized, downtime and aftercare needs vary by treatment plan.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

• Avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before treatment or as directed.
• Stop retinoids, exfoliants, and irritating products as instructed.
• Tell your provider about all medications, supplements, immune conditions, allergies, recent procedures, and history of cold sores.
• Discuss antiviral medication if you have a history of herpes simplex virus or cold sores.
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup, lotion, sunscreen, self-tanner, or fragrance on the treatment area.
• Arrange downtime and avoid important events until healing is complete.

What to Expect During Treatment

• Treatment time varies depending on the size and depth of the treated area.
• Topical numbing or other comfort measures may be used.
• You may feel heat, stinging, or a sunburn-like sensation during and after treatment.
• Redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, oozing, crusting, and a grid-like pattern may occur.
• Downtime varies based on treatment depth and individual healing.

Post-Treatment Care and Expectations

• Keep the treated area clean and moisturized exactly as instructed.
• Use only approved post-procedure products until cleared by your provider.
• Redness, swelling, oozing, crusting, itching, dryness, and tenderness may occur during healing.
• The treated area may feel rough or tight as the skin heals.
• Pinkness or sensitivity may persist after the initial healing period depending on treatment depth.

What to Avoid

• Avoid sun exposure, heat, saunas, hot tubs, pools, and strenuous exercise as directed.
• Do not pick crusting, scabs, or flaking skin.
• Avoid makeup until your provider says it is safe.
• Avoid retinoids, acids, exfoliants, scrubs, and active skincare until cleared.
• Avoid shaving the treated area until the skin is healed and your provider approves.

Skin Care

• Use only gentle cleanser, approved ointment, moisturizer, and post-procedure products until cleared.
• Keep the skin moist as directed to support healing.
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher once your provider says it is appropriate.
• Resume pharmaceutical-grade skincare only when cleared by your provider.

Additional Recommendations

• Sleep with your head elevated the first night if swelling occurs.
• Use cool compresses only if recommended by your provider.
• Plan downtime and avoid travel, outdoor events, or major social events until the skin is healed.
• Follow your provider’s wound care instructions exactly to reduce infection, scarring, and pigmentation risk.

Integrative Therapy Options

• A Haus Ritual Facial or Hydrafacial may be recommended after the skin has fully healed and your provider clears you.
• Exosomes or PRP may be discussed as regenerative post-procedure support when appropriate.
• LED Light Therapy may be recommended to calm redness and support recovery.
• IV hydration or nutrient support may be discussed if appropriate for your wellness goals.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

• Temporary redness, swelling, bleeding, oozing, crusting, itching, dryness, or tenderness.
• Prolonged redness, sensitivity, or delayed healing.
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, especially with sun exposure or improper aftercare.
• Infection, delayed healing, burns, scarring, or textural changes, rarely.
• Cold sore activation in patients with a history of herpes simplex virus.
• Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.

When to Contact Your Provider

• Excessive pain not relieved by provider-approved over-the-counter medications.
• Signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, pus, or fever.
• Severe or worsening swelling, blistering, crusting, discoloration, or open areas.
• Delayed healing, increasing tenderness, or worsening irritation.
• Any other concerning or unexpected symptoms following treatment.

Seek Immediate or Emergency Care If

• You experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, or severe dizziness.
• You develop allergic-type symptoms such as hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or throat tightness.
• You experience rapidly worsening pain, spreading redness, fever, or symptoms that feel severe or urgent.

Follow-Up Care

• Initial improvement may be visible after healing, with continued collagen remodeling for several months.
• Best results may require a series of treatments depending on scars, wrinkles, or texture concerns.
• Maintenance treatments may be recommended based on your goals and skin response.
• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your provider can monitor healing and assess your results.

FAQ

Q: How much downtime should I expect?

A: Downtime varies by treatment depth. Lighter treatments may heal more quickly, while deeper treatments may require several days or more of careful wound care and social downtime.

Q: Will I peel or crust?

A: Yes, peeling, crusting, rough texture, and pinpoint bleeding or oozing can occur depending on the depth and density of treatment.

Q: When can I wear makeup?

A: Makeup should be avoided until the skin has healed and your provider confirms it is safe.

Q: How many treatments will I need?

A: Some patients benefit from one treatment, while scars, wrinkles, or deeper texture concerns may require a series.

Summary

ProFractional resurfacing can improve scars, wrinkles, texture, and sun damage, but requires careful preparation, wound care, sun avoidance, and follow-up for safe healing and best results.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, please contact our office.