ABSTRACT
Fractional devices Nonablative fractional resurfacing is used for photorejuvenation in all skin types and is especially useful for the treatment of acneiform scarring in ethnic skin.(2) Nonablative fractional resurfacing is performed with a midinfrared laser, which creates microscopic columns of thermal injury. These zones of thermal injury, called microthermal zones (MTZs), have a diameter that is energy dependent and ranges from 100 to 160 μm. At the energies commonly used for facial rejuvenation (8-12 mJ/MTZ), the depth of penetration ranges from 300 to 700 μm.(3) Relative epidermal and follicular structure sparing account for rapid recovery
without prolonged downtime. Melanin is not at risk of selective, targeted destruction; therefore, fractional resurfacing has been used successfully in patients with skin of color.
