{"procedure":{"id":"ablative_fractional_laser","name":"Ablative Fractional Laser","type":"category","family":"Ablative Fractional Laser","category":"Ablative Fractional Laser","price":"mid","pain":3,"downtime":3,"visible_in":2,"lasts":4,"summary":"Ablative fractional resurfacing","explanation":"Ablative Fractional Laser resurfaces skin by creating controlled microscopic ablation zones for stronger remodeling of acne scars, surgical scars, deep texture irregularity, and wrinkles. It spans CO2 and Er:YAG fractional platforms including Ultrapulse Alpha/Encore and Ultraclear. It is effective but requires meaningful downtime, wound care, and pigmentation-risk planning.","target":"acne scars, surgical scars, deep texture irregularity, wrinkles","description":"Ablative Fractional Laser resurfaces skin by creating controlled microscopic ablation zones for stronger remodeling of acne scars, surgical scars, deep texture irregularity, and wrinkles. It spans CO2 and Er:YAG fractional platforms including Ultrapulse Alpha/Encore and Ultraclear. It is effective but requires meaningful downtime, wound care, and pigmentation-risk planning.","detail":{"id":"ablative_fractional_laser","name":"Ablative Fractional Laser","price":{"basis":"Full face, 1 session (generic CO2 fractional at the low end; UltraPulse/UltraClear premium at the high end)","krw_max":1100000,"krw_min":300000,"varies_by":"area / sessions"},"dosage":{"unit":"sessions / area","options":[{"tag":"Focused","note":"Spot scars","amount":"1 session","coverage":"Single small scar (≤5 mm) to partial area","description":"Treats a localized scar or cheek area.","krw_typical":110000},{"tag":"Standard","note":"Texture / wrinkles","amount":"1 session","coverage":"Full face","description":"Full-face resurfacing pass.","krw_typical":880000},{"tag":"Course","note":"Acne scars","amount":"3-5 sessions","coverage":"Full face","description":"Typical course for moderate acne scarring (3 x ~0.8-0.9M).","krw_typical":2500000}],"unit_explainer":"Priced per area per session. Scars usually need 2-5 sessions spaced 1-3 months apart; depth and density are set per concern."},"header":{"one_liner":"Fractional laser resurfacing for selected scars and skin texture concerns.","target_tags":["Acne scars","Surgical scars","Wrinkles","Texture","Pores"],"category_label":"SCAR","technology_label":"Ablative fractional"},"details":{"sessions":"1-5 depending on concern","aftercare":"Often requires several days of wound care and crusting; persistent redness or pigmentation changes may last longer. Makeup, exercise, sauna and flying must be planned around re-epithelialization and clinician review.","anesthesia":"Topical cream; nerve block or sedation for deep settings","regulatory":"An example device, Lumenis UltraPulse, is an ablative CO2 fractional laser system, and different modes such as ActiveFX, DeepFX, and SCAAR FX can differ in treatment depth and scar use.","technology":"Fractional ablative laser: CO2 (10,600 nm) or Er:YAG (2,940 nm) / Er-fiber (2,910 nm)","measurement":"Area, density (%), depth (µm), energy (mJ)","manufacturer":"Multiple (Lumenis UltraPulse, Acclaro UltraClear, various CO2/Er:YAG platforms)","repeat_interval":"4-12 weeks between sessions","technical_specs":"CO2: strong water absorption + coagulation (more tightening, more downtime). Er:YAG/2910: cleaner ablation, less heat, faster healing.","before_treatment":"Stop retinoids/peels ~1 week before; avoid tanning 4 weeks; antiviral if cold-sore history; plan downtime.","safety_suitability":"Avoid with active infection or cold sores (antiviral often given), isotretinoin in the past 6-12 months, keloid tendency, pregnancy, recent tan or active melasma. Darker/Asian skin needs conservative settings and pigment planning."},"recovery":{"flying":"Possible; protect healing skin","makeup":"After re-epithelialization, ~5-7 days","alcohol":"Avoid ~1 week","exercise":"After ~1 week","sauna_heat":"Avoid 1-2 weeks","back_to_daily":"About 5-7 days (social downtime)","common_side_effects":["Redness (weeks)","Swelling","Oozing / crusting","Dark spots (PIH) — higher risk in Asian skin","Itching"]},"references":[{"url":"https://lumenis.com/aesthetics/products/ultrapulse/","title":"Lumenis UltraPulse official product"}],"quick_facts":{"pain":"Moderate-high (numbing used)","downtime":"5-7 days (redness can last weeks)","results_last":"Long-lasting (scars); wrinkles years with care","treatment_time":"30-60 min incl. numbing","results_visible":"After healing; improves over 3-6 months"},"alternatives":[{"name":"Non-ablative Fractional Laser","catalog_id":"non_ablative_fractional_laser","consider_when":"You need less downtime and accept more sessions."},{"name":"Fractional RF","catalog_id":"fractional_rf","consider_when":"Darker skin or higher pigmentation risk; acne scars with less surface wounding."},{"name":"Pico Fractional Laser","catalog_id":"pico_fractional_laser","consider_when":"Mild texture/pores with minimal downtime."}],"before_after":[],"good_to_know":["Ablative fractional CO2 and Er:YAG laser treatments can cause several days of crusting and longer-lasting redness. Important risks include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and infection, especially in darker skin.","Different ablative fractional laser devices and modes can vary in depth, scar use, recovery, and pigmentation risk, so your treatment plan should specify the exact laser and settings. Whether this treatment is suitable for you is decided by the treating doctor."],"how_it_works":{"steps":[{"body":"Topical anesthetic cream is applied for 30-60 minutes; eyes are protected.","title":"Numb the skin"},{"body":"The fractional CO2 or Er:YAG laser creates a grid of microscopic ablation columns through the skin.","title":"Laser passes"},{"body":"Cooling and a protective ointment are applied right after.","title":"Cool & soothe"},{"body":"Skin crusts and renews over ~1 week; collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months.","title":"Heal & remodel"}],"how_delivered":"Fractional laser beams vaporize microscopic columns (microthermal/ablation zones), leaving intact skin between them to speed healing","illustration_idea":"Skin cross-section with evenly spaced vertical micro-channels and untouched skin bridges between them.","what_touches_skin":"Scanning laser handpiece (non-contact or light contact)","what_it_feels_like":"Hot pinpricks or snapping under numbing; skin feels sunburned for a day or two"}}}}