Thursday , March 28 2024

What is Ablative Skin Resurfacing?

Ablative Skin ResurfacingAblative laser skin resurfacing removes the outer layers of skin to a predetermined depth to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, correct uneven pigmentation, reduce pore size, and generate new collagen to provide firmer, more youthful skin. It is effective at reducing acne scars, other types of scars, and stretch marks (striae).
Traditional ablative laser skin resurfacing uses a CO2 laser to remove the entire surface of the skin. The results are tremendous but it is expensive, painful, carries a higher risk of infection, requires up to a month of downtime to heal, and the skin may remain bright red for up to four months.
Fractional laser skin resurfacing divides the laser beam into a grid of columns (pixels) that only remove 20% of the surface of the skin and leave each vaporized pixel on the skin surrounded by living, unaffected skin. Since only a portion of the skin is injured, the surrounding tissue is stimulated and heals the injured sites in one to three days. There is little or no discomfort or residual redness and very little risk of infection. Because each treatment affects only a portion of the skin, multiple treatments are required but the total down time and expense is a fraction of that for traditional ablative skin resurfacing.
What is eMatrix Sublative Rejuvenation?
Diagram of differences between sublative and fractional ablative treatments.
Sublative rejuvenation with eMatrix is a unique procedure that uses radio frequency (RF) energy to deliver an effective but controlled fractionally ablative treatment. Each pulse delivers the RF energy in a grid pattern of points that are barely visible at the surface of the skin, but which spread out in a cone shape to treat the skin below the surface. Skin structures called fibroblasts are activated to regenerate and remodel collagen, yielding improved skin tone and texture. Each affected point on the skin is surrounded by living, unaffected skin that supports the healing process in the treated area. Like traditional and fractional laser resurfacing, sublative rejuvenation is effective at reducing acne scars, other types of scars, and stretch marks (striae). There is little or no discomfort or residual redness and very little risk of infection.
Unlike fractional laser resurfacing, there is virtually no downtime because the surface of the skin is almost undamaged. RF energy is not affected by contrasting color (i.e., a dark skin surface with lighter skin tissue beneath), so the eMatrix is able to treat all skin types and colors. This allows the eMatrix to deposit a greater amount of heat deeper in the skin, which produces a stronger stimulation of new collagen growth. The tradeoff is that the eMatrix is better at treating scars while partially ablative skin resurfacing is better at treating uneven pigmentation. We offer both eMatrix sublative rejuvenation and partially ablative skin resurfacing, which means you will get the treatment that works best for your unique skin.
The skin is cleansed and a topical numbing cream may be applied (only needed for the highest setting). The RF handpiece is placed against the skin and a short pulse of energy is released. The handpiece is moved to the neighboring area and the process is repeated until the entire area has been treated. During the treatment there is little or no discomfort.
Things you should know.
Minor discomfort, swelling, and redness at the treatment sites may occur. eMatrix treatments should not be performed if you are pregnant or if you have taken Accutane within the past twelve months.
Clients with a history of frequent herpes outbreaks (cold sores, fever blisters) at or near the site of the procedure should consult a physician to determine if a systemic anti-viral medication should be taken in advance of the procedure.
Exposure to UV light (sun, tanning booths, etc) or excessive heat (hot tubs, saunas, etc) within 24 hours after the treatment may cause or increase discomfort.
You will receive detailed, printed post-treatment instructions to ensure the best possible results.
The Dermatology Center
We offer eMatrix at any 3 of our Locations!
931 US Hwy. 41 S. Inverness, FL
(352)-637-1310
836 Cr. 466 Lady lake, FL
(352)-750-4614
6020 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park, FL
(727)-548-9196

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