Fractional photothermolysis: the concept behind Fraxel (2004)

This is the landmark study that created the idea behind Fraxel. Instead of treating the whole surface, the laser makes many tiny columns of heated skin and leaves healthy skin in between to speed healing. In small tests on the forearm and around the eyes, the treatment was well tolerated and improved wrinkles by about 18% three months later. It proved the fractional approach was safe and worked.