What should you know about full face fractional laser treatment?

Fractional devices treat columns of skin while leaving nearby areas intact, which supports healing between treatment points. Depending on the device and settings, treatment may target uneven texture, fine lines, acne marks or sun-damaged skin. Crow's Feet and other lines may need a focused plan rather than identical energy across the face.

Redness, warmth, swelling, dryness, flaking or temporary darkening can occur. Ablative treatments remove more surface skin and usually require more visible healing than non-ablative options. Results develop gradually as the skin repairs and remodels.

Tell the clinician about recent tanning, cold sores, active acne or dermatitis, medicines, a tendency to form raised scars and previous laser procedures. Stop only the products your clinician advises you to stop. Arrive with clean skin and follow the prescribed antiviral or skin-care plan when relevant.

Use gentle cleansing, moisturise as directed and protect the face from sunlight while it heals. Do not pick peeling skin or restart strong acids, retinoids or exfoliation until your clinician says the barrier has recovered. Microneedling and CO2 laser resurfacing may be alternatives with different recovery profiles.

Contact the clinic for increasing pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, worsening swelling, delayed healing or new areas of marked colour change. Seek urgent help for eye pain or vision change, facial swelling with breathing difficulty, or a severe blistering reaction.

Is the treatment ablative or non-ablative? Which concerns are you treating, and what areas will be avoided? How long should I expect redness and peeling? Which products, sun precautions and warning signs apply to my skin?