ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews newer data and considers some future directions. It examines the role of ablative fractional resurfacing, non-ablative fractional resurfacing and combinations of the treatments with other modalities. Since realizing its role in skin resurfacing, both fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers have been used to treat acne scars, in addition to scars from surgical and traumatic injuries. Fractional non-ablative lasers are useful for the treatment of acne scars. Initially developed by D. Manstein et al., fractional photothermolysis is a technology that removes fractions of the skin by causing microscopic areas of thermal damage. Fractional ablative removes fractions of skin while fractional non-ablative heats columns of skin. Treatment of acne scars can be complex, requiring a balanced understanding of skin types, classification of acne scar, depth of scars, settings of lasers, and understanding the interaction of ablative and non-ablative lasers on various skin types.
