Fractionated delivery systems for difficult to treat clinical applications: acne scarring, melasma, atrophic scarring, striae distensae, and deep rhytides.

Fractional resurfacing or laser therapy (FLT) represents a technology that seeks to address the limitations of both ablative resurfacing and nonablative treatments. Many companies now offer versions of fractionated erbium or carbon dioxide lasers. The purpose of this paper is to examine FLT for difficult to treat applications such as melasma, acne scarring, atrophic scarring, striae distensae, and deep rhytides. Fractional laser therapy is a truly novel approach to many conditions, especially those with dermal pathology. Although published peer review data is limited, the ability to effectively and safely treat these conditions in all skin types appears to have been significantly enhanced with this new modality. We are early in our scientific explorations of what is possible with FLT.