Profractional Therapy in San Diego with Amir Karam MD

If you have had a combination MLP® and ProFractional / ProFractional-XC treatment, follow MLP post instructions.

What is ProFractional?

Our profractional therapy in San Diego is used to improve overall tone and texture of the skin by targeting thousands of pinpoint areas. Because only a fraction of the skin is directly treated with the laser, the surrounding untreated tissue promotes rapid healing. This skin’s wound healing response creates new collagen adding firmness and resilience to the skin. The procedure is performed in-office with limited downtime and is customized to your specific skin condition and goals.

What conditions can be treated with ProFractional?

Mild wrinkles
Acne Scars/Procedure Scars/Other Scars
Melasma
Crepey skin
Pigment irregularities
Mild skin laxity

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How many treatments will I need?

Excellent results can be obtained in just one treatment; however, the number of San Diego profractional therapy treatments needed may vary from patient to patient. For scars, a minimum of three treatments is usually necessary and depending upon the severity, may require as many as seven. A personalized plan will be created for your specific needs and to give you the best overall results. This plan could include but is not limited to: multiple treatments, combination treatments, and/or treatments combined with products.

How do I prepare for ProFractional?

Please avoid Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and other blood thinning medication/supplements for 1 week prior to procedure to decrease any possible bruising.
Please discontinue the use of retinol products 24 hours prior to procedure.
Please refrain from tobacco products and alcohol for 1 week prior and 1 week following the procedure. Along with delayed healing, persistent skin redness and other complications may persist when tobacco and alcohol are not discontinued.
An antiviral medication will be prescribed to start 1 day prior to procedure to prevent the occurrence of cold sores.
This procedure has minimal downtime, an average of 3 days, depending on the depth of the treatment. Be sure to schedule plans accordingly.

What should I expect day of procedure?

Upon arrival, you will be brought back to the laser room. Pre-procedure photos will be taken, a consent for the procedure will need to be signed, and confirmation of pre-procedure instructions will be discussed. If pre-procedure instructions have not been met, the treatment may need to be rescheduled.
Prior to treatment, a thin layer of topical numbing is applied and left on for approximately fifteen minutes. The topical is then removed and the face is cleansed in preparation for treatment.
The procedure is then performed.
The Zimmer may be used during treatment for comfort. The Zimmer assists in cooling the skin during and post procedure.

What should I expect upon completion of the ProFractional?

Mild pinpoint bleeding is a desired response and is very common with this procedure. This oozing may persist for 24 hours after treatment.
Erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) are very common following this procedure. Erythema normally persists for 3-5 days depending upon the depth of the laser. Edema is typically a short-term response.
A feeling of tightness, warmth, and mild discomfort is also very common following this procedure. It is important to remember that everyone’s level of discomfort is different.
A protective barrier of Aquaphor or laser balm will be applied to the treated area(s) after the procedure and should be worn for the following 3 days.

How do I take care of my skin following the ProFractional?

Use of a cold compress or ice packs will help to relieve the swelling. To avoid further swelling, you may choose to sleep propped up on 2 – 3 pillows the first night after treatment.
A cold compresses or ice packs may also be used to provide comfort if the treated area is especially warm. This is typically only needed within the first 12 hours post treatment.
Post treatment discomfort may be relieved by oral pain relievers; i.e. Extra Strength Tylenol.
Please continue the prescribed antiviral as directed until the bottle is empty.
Cleanse the skin two times a day with plain, lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser; (i.e. Cetaphil) beginning the morning after the treatment. Use your hands to gently apply the cleanser and water and finish by patting dry with a soft cloth. Be careful not to rub the treated area and do not use any type of exfoliator until skin is fully healed (i.e. Clarisonic).
After cleansing your face, reapply the occlusive barrier, (i.e. Aquaphor) taking care to cover all treated areas. The occlusive barrier is needed to provide a protective barrier that will hold moisture into the skin and provide protection to the skin from pollutants in the air as the skin heals. The occlusive barrier is typically needed for 3 days post treatment. Reapply the occlusive barrier as needed. Do not allow the treated area to dry out.
When showering, be sure to wash your hair behind you to avoid getting shampoo directly on the treated area.
Peeling and flaking generally occur within 24 hours post treatment and should be allowed to come off naturally. DO NOT PICK, RUB, OR FORCE OFF ANY SKIN DURING THE HEALING PROCESS. THIS COULD RESULT IN SCARRING AND INFECTION! Gently washing the skin more frequently will help to promote the peeling process.
Once the skin has healed (no longer wearing the occlusive barrier), you may begin to wear a mineral makeup that will allow the skin to breathe and continue healing. At this time, you should also begin wearing a sun block daily to prevent any hyper/hypopigmentation caused by direct and indirect sunlight.
Please avoid strenuous exercise and sweating for 1 week after treatment or until skin has fully healed.
Please avoid direct sun exposure until the skin has fully healed.

How long will it take to recover?

Depending on the depth of treatment, most patients feel comfortable enough to return to work within 3 days. It is important to remember that not everyone heals at the same speed and it would not be unusual if the healing process were to take longer.

When should I expect results?

As your skin heals in the days following your treatment, you may notice a general tightening effect. However, the true benefit of this procedure is the stimulation of collagen production that occurs during the 4 – 6 months following the treatment.
You may resume your normal skin care regimen typically 2 days after the required number of days of wearing the occlusive barrier.

Warning

There may be some degree of swelling immediately post treatment, however, if you have excessive swelling or any of the following signs of infection, you should contact the office immediately. Signs of infection include:

Unusual drainage
Increased warmth at or around the treated area
Fever of 101.5 or greater

Remember

Patient response can vary after a profractional therapy in San Diego treatment. Erythema (redness) and possibly edema (swelling) are the desired responses along with mild pinpoint bleeding within a few minutes after the completion of the procedure. The degree of redness and length of healing time will increase with the depth of your peel and can vary from patient to patient.

How do I maintain my results?

For maintenance and to achieve optimal results, recommended products should accompany these treatments. These products include: growth factors, retinol, antioxidants, and sunblock with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

Growth Factors: Proteins that stimulate collagen and elastin to help restore thickness and resilience to the skin over time.
Retinol: Speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliation process; therefore, evening out discoloration, boosting collagen, and preventing thinning of skin, fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E fight free radical damage and keep our cells healthy by reducing cell mutations that can later lead to skin cancer and aging.
Sun Block: Prevents premature aging by protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.

Before & After