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Fractional Lasers & Skin Rejuvenation

Submitted by Dr Gail Humble on June 10, 2011

Fractional ablative lasers, such as the Erbium or the CO2 laser are known to be the gold standard in skin rejuvenation. Both of these lasers have shown considerable efficacy in reducing wrinkles and improving the texture and tone of the skin. These lasers are used to treat severe to mild photo damage and have been received well by the public as far as results.  The problem has been that with the Co2 at least, there has been significant complications including scarring and prolonged erythema (or redness) and the down time is longer than with non-ablative lasers. This is where the platelet rich plasma comes in. Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is extracted from the patients own blood with a simple blood draw. This blood is then spun down which separates it into red blood cells and plasma. The platelet rich plasma is simply withdrawn from the vial. When the platelets in the platelet rich plasma are activated, there is a release of several different tissue growth factors. These tissue growth factors create a new healthy blood supply, help with new tissue generation and allow this large concentration of platelets in a small volume of plasma is known to enhance tissue healing and help skin to regenerate itself. When fractional ablative laser is done thousand of tiny microscopic wounds are spaced evenly across the skin leaving healthy untreated skin in between the laser or ablated column.  These micro wounds serve two purposes. They immediately tighten the skin and stimulate collagen formation over the next 6 months and a natural renewal of the skin and they also serve as small conduits to the deep dermis which allows a topically applied product to work.  PRP assisted fractional resurfacing uses these micro channels to allow the PRP to get to the deep dermis and help augment and speed the recovery as well as increase the collagen synthesis. Studies have shown that PRP added to fractionated laser resurfacing significantly decrease the redness, the healing period and keeps down any post inflammatory hyper pigmentation. The process is fairly simple: the patients own blood is drawn and centrifuged during the laser resurfacing procedure. Post laser the PRP is activated by mixing it with a calcium ion and the either sprayed or dropped over the treated skin. Because of the activation from the laser and the calcium extremely large amounts of tissue growth factors are released which speed the regeneration of new skin. The results are better and the recovery time is markedly shortened.  Together these processes can be used to achieve smoother, better texture, healthy and youthful skin in a safe rapid and reliable treatment. To learn more about how you can improve the look for your skin today then contact Dr. Humble for a free consultation, or call 310-379-6074.    

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