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ProFractional Laser Charlotte, NC

A Personalized Approach to Laser Resurfacing

ProFractional Laser Resurfacing at Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte

If you have uneven skin texture, acne scars, or fine lines that go deeper than the surface, skin care products may not be enough. ProFractional laser treatment targets these deeper layers by creating tiny channels in the skin, which helps boost new collagen and smoother healing. The treatment can be customized for anything from mild texture changes to deeper scars and wrinkles.

At Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte, we begin by carefully examining your skin. Your treatment plan will take into account your skin type, medical history, personal concerns, and how much recovery time you can accommodate. Some people need a lighter treatment, while others need a deeper approach for better results. We always adjust the settings to match your unique needs.

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Actual Patient

ProFractional at a Glance

At a GlanceDetails
Treatment typeFractional ablative Er:YAG laser resurfacing
Common concernsUneven texture, wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars
ComfortTopical numbing cream is commonly used
DowntimeUsually several days, depending on treatment intensity
Early improvementOften visible once the skin heals
Continued improvementCollagen remodeling can continue for several months
Number of treatmentsOne to three treatments may be recommended

What Is ProFractional Laser Treatment?

ProFractional is a fractional ablative laser used for skin resurfacing. It uses a 2940 nm erbium:YAG wavelength to create precise microscopic channels in the treatment area.

The term “fractional” matters because the laser only treats a portion of the skin with each pass, rather than removing the whole surface. The healthy skin around the treated area stays untouched, which helps your skin heal faster than with traditional full-field laser resurfacing.

We can change how deep and intense the treatment goes. A lighter treatment might be all you need for mild aging or uneven texture. For deeper acne scars, surgical scars, or more visible wrinkles, a stronger setting may work better. Keep in mind, deeper treatments usually mean a longer recovery time.

How Does ProFractional Work?

Each tiny channel made by the laser triggers your skin’s natural healing process. The untreated skin around these channels helps the area heal faster.

This process also boosts collagen production deep in your skin. As new collagen develops, your skin can start to feel smoother and firmer. Improvements often continue for several months, even after any redness or peeling has gone away.

ProFractional can be used on a small area, like a single scar, or on a larger area with uneven skin. It won’t erase every flaw or stop aging, but it aims to noticeably improve your skin’s texture while keeping your look natural.

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Actual Patient

What Can ProFractional Treat?

ProFractional laser resurfacing may be used to improve:

  • Fine lines and moderate wrinkles
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Pitted acne scars
  • Selected surgical scars
  • Enlarged pores
  • Selected areas of uneven skin tone
  • General textural changes related to skin aging

Many of these issues can show up at the same time, but that doesn’t mean one laser is right for everything. ProFractional works best for texture, wrinkles, and scars. If your main concern is redness, surface pigment, or loose skin, another laser treatment might be a better fit.

ProFractional for Acne Scars

Not all acne scars are alike. Some are near the surface, while others go deeper and cause more noticeable pits or dents. This difference changes how we plan your treatment.

ProFractional creates controlled channels through areas of scarred skin, prompting collagen remodeling as the tissue heals. Over time, this may soften the edges of pitted acne scars and help the skin reflect light more evenly.

Deep scars usually need more than one session. Sometimes, combining laser resurfacing with another acne scar treatment works best. At your consultation, we’ll look at your scars and talk honestly about what kind of results you can expect.

ProFractional for Surgical Scars

While a surgical scar can’t be completely removed, its texture can often be improved. ProFractional can help certain surgical scars feel smoother and blend in better with the skin around them.

Timing is important. New scars may need certain amount of time to heal more before starting laser treatment. Scars that are still red, raised, or irritated might need a different approach. We’ll look at the scar’s location, age, color, and condition before recommending treatment.

Benefits of ProFractional Laser Resurfacing

ProFractional can be tailored to your specific skin concerns and how much downtime you prefer. Some possible benefits include:

  • Smoother, more even skin texture
  • Softer fine lines and wrinkles
  • Improvement in acne scars and surgical scars
  • A more even-looking skin tone
  • Increased collagen production
  • Customizable treatment depth
  • Less downtime than full-field ablative resurfacing
  • Continued improvement after the surface has healed

Many people like that this treatment can target deeper problem areas without affecting all the surrounding skin at the same strength.

Candidates for ProFractional

If you’re a healthy adult looking to improve uneven texture, scars, wrinkles, or visible skin damage, you might be a good candidate for ProFractional. It’s also important to be willing to follow detailed care instructions while your skin heals.

We’ll review your skin type, medical history, medications, previous laser procedures, tendency to develop pigment changes, and history of cold sores. Active infection, open skin, recent tanning, or certain healing conditions may mean treatment should be postponed.

ProFractional can be adjusted for many different skin types. If you have darker skin, we’ll take extra care because some laser treatments can cause pigment changes. Using gentle settings, preparing your skin, and protecting it from the sun can help lower this risk. Sometimes, a different treatment may be safer.

Your ProFractional Consultation

During your consultation, we’ll figure out how much treatment your skin really needs. We’ll look at the area you want to improve, talk about your goals, and discuss how much downtime works for you.

Someone with mild uneven texture may need a very different ProFractional treatment than someone with deep acne scars. We’ll adjust the depth, density, and intensity to fit your needs. We’ll also discuss how many sessions you might need and what kind of results you can expect.

If ProFractional isn’t the right choice for your skin goals, we’ll let you know. The best treatment plan starts with picking the right procedure, even if that means suggesting something else.

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Actual Patient

Preparing for ProFractional Treatment

Before your appointment, you might need to avoid tanning, direct sun, sunless tanners and other products that could compromise your skin. Always talk to your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.

If you’ve had cold sores before, you may need to take antiviral medication ahead of time. On treatment day, come with clean skin and avoid makeup, lotion, or active skin care products on the area. Your provider will give you instructions tailored to your skin and treatment plan.

What Happens During Treatment?

We start by cleaning your skin and applying a numbing cream. This helps keep you comfortable during the treatment.

After your skin is numb, your provider will move the laser over the treatment area using settings chosen just for you. Most people feel some heat, prickling, or quick sharp sensations. Deeper treatments can sometimes cause tiny spots of bleeding, which is normal at certain settings.

How long your appointment takes depends on the size of the area and how intense the treatment is. Before you go home, we’ll apply the right products and explain how to care for your skin.

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Actual Patient

Recovery After ProFractional

How long it takes to recover depends on how deep your treatment was. After a lighter session, redness and swelling usually start to fade in a few days. Moderate treatments often need about five to seven days of healing, while deeper treatments may take 10 days or more.

At first, your skin might feel warm, tight, or like a sunburn. Redness and swelling are normal, and the surface may start to flake as it heals. Using the recommended post procedure products provided can help you feel more comfortable during this stage.

Don’t pick, scrub, or use exfoliating products on your skin. Stay out of direct sun, as it can irritate healing skin and raise the risk of pigment changes. Be sure to follow our sun protection advice closely.

Some people can use makeup again 24 to 48 hours after a light treatment. Deeper treatments need more time. Wait until your skin has healed and your provider says it’s safe before going back to your normal makeup routine.

Most people can get back to their usual activities within a few days, though some redness may last and affect how you feel in social situations. If you notice more pain, spreading redness, or other signs of infection, contact our office right away.

ProFractional Results

You may start to see improvement in the first week as your skin heals. It often looks smoother and more refreshed, but this is just the start of the changes.

Your skin keeps making new collagen long after the first recovery period. Over the next few months, this can gradually improve your skin’s texture, firmness, wrinkles, and scars. Results may keep getting better for up to six months after treatment.

Some people get the results they want after just one treatment. For deep scars, moderate wrinkles, or more uneven texture, two or three sessions may be suggested. The number of treatments depends on your skin, how you heal, the treatment strength, and your goals.

Protecting your skin from the sun and keeping up a regular skin care routine can help maintain your results. Sun exposure and normal aging will still affect your skin, so you may need occasional maintenance treatments.

Choosing the Right Laser Treatment

ProFractional is just one of the laser and light treatments we offer at Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte. We usually recommend it when scars, wrinkles, or uneven skin texture need fractional ablative resurfacing.

MOXI is a gentler, nonablative fractional laser commonly used for early pigment and texture changes. BBL uses broadband light to address concerns such as redness and brown spots. HALO can treat both pigment and texture, while Contour TRL provides full-field erbium laser resurfacing at adjustable depths.

The best treatment depends on what’s causing your skin concern and how much recovery time works for you. The strongest treatment isn’t always the best. We aim to give your skin just enough treatment to get results, without making you heal more than needed.

Why Choose Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte?

At Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte, your care is led by Dr. Adam C. Augenstein, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with almost 20 years of experience.

Dr. Augenstein believes in educating patients and giving honest advice. We use this same approach with our laser treatments. Our experienced Laser Practitioners will explain what ProFractional can help with, how your skin may heal, and where the treatment might not be the best fit. If another option is better, we’ll let you know.

We believe that careful planning and setting realistic expectations lead to natural-looking results and healthy skin over time. This is a key part of the excellent care we’re known for in Charlotte.

Dr. Adam C. Augenstein

Schedule Your Consultation

Book a consultation at Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte to find out how ProFractional laser treatment could help with acne scars, surgical scars, wrinkles, or uneven skin texture.

ProFractional Laser FAQs

Yes. ProFractional is a fractional ablative skin resurfacing treatment that uses an erbium:YAG laser. It creates narrow channels in the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact to support quicker healing.

Many patients need about five to seven days after a moderate ProFractional treatment. Lighter sessions may heal sooner, while deeper treatments can require a week or longer. Your provider will give you a more specific estimate after selecting your treatment settings.

Some patients notice meaningful improvement after one treatment. Two to four sessions may be recommended for deeper acne scars, surgical scars, moderate wrinkles, or more extensive skin damage.

Topical numbing cream is commonly applied before treatment. Most patients feel heat, prickling, or brief sharp sensations. The amount of discomfort depends on the treatment depth and your individual sensitivity.

Some patients can apply makeup within 24 to 48 hours after a light treatment. You may need to wait longer after deeper resurfacing. Do not apply makeup until the skin has closed and your provider has cleared you.

You may see early improvement during the first week as redness settles and the skin heals. Collagen production continues after recovery, so skin texture may keep improving for several months.

Possible side effects include redness, swelling, temporary pigment changes, infection, scarring, and delayed healing. A detailed consultation, appropriate treatment settings, and careful post-treatment care can help reduce these risks.

Schedule your consultation to discuss personalized aesthetic treatment in Charlotte

For the highest quality care and results, book your consultation with Dr. Augenstein at Aesthetic Surgery of Charlotte. We can’t wait to help you realize your best life.