ProFractional® Laser: Rebuilding Skin from the Inside Out
ProFractional® laser resurfacing is one of those treatments that separates true skin correction from everything that simply polishes the surface. It is not trendy, it is not quick, and it is not meant to deliver instant gratification. It is deliberate, controlled, and deeply transformative when performed properly and respected throughout the healing process. ProFractional®, developed by Sciton®, works by creating precise microscopic channels into the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact. This design is intentional. By treating only a fraction of the skin at a time, we stimulate an intelligent wound healing response that drives collagen and elastin production at a depth topical products and superficial treatments will never reach. This is why ProFractional® remains a cornerstone treatment for acne scarring, textural damage, enlarged pores, fine lines, and loss of overall skin integrity.
When you look at the before and after of acne scarring, especially the type of scarring that has lived in the skin for years, it is important to understand that what you are seeing is not the result of one day or one appointment. You are seeing months of biological repair. Acne scarring is not a pigment problem. It is a structural problem. The collagen framework of the skin has been damaged, and no amount of exfoliation, peels, or resurfacing creams can rebuild what is missing. ProFractional® allows us to reach those deeper layers and tell the skin to regenerate from the inside out. This is not about chasing perfection. It is about restoring strength, resilience, and smoothness where the skin once collapsed.
Healing after ProFractional® is a process that must be understood, respected, and never rushed. The first few days following treatment are intense by design. The skin is red, swollen, warm, and tight, often resembling a deep sunburn. In more aggressive treatments, pinpoint bleeding may occur. This is the acute inflammatory phase, and it is not something to fear. Inflammation is the starting signal for repair. During this stage, the skin is closing the microchannels created by the laser and initiating the cascade of healing that leads to long term improvement. This is when post care matters most. Gentle cleansing, continuous hydration, and strict avoidance of anything not specifically prescribed are non negotiable. The goal is protection, not stimulation.
As the skin moves into the next phase, typically around days five through seven, it begins to change in ways that can feel unsettling if you are unprepared. The skin may darken or bronze, develop a rough, sandpaper like texture, and begin to flake or shed. This is not the skin getting worse. This is the skin doing exactly what it needs to do. Damaged tissue is lifting and releasing as new skin forms beneath. This is one of the most critical phases of healing, and it is also where many people make mistakes. Picking, scrubbing, exfoliating, or trying to speed this stage along can compromise results and increase the risk of pigmentation or scarring. This phase requires patience and restraint. The skin must be allowed to shed on its own timeline.
In the weeks that follow, the surface of the skin appears calmer, but healing is far from complete. Pinkness may linger and come and go, sensitivity is common, and dryness can persist. This is the early remodeling phase, where increased blood flow supports collagen production beneath the surface. Many patients feel ready to return to normal routines during this time, but the skin is still vulnerable. This is not the stage to introduce active ingredients, treatments, or aggressive skincare. Respecting this quieter phase allows the deeper work to continue uninterrupted.
The most meaningful changes from ProFractional® happen slowly and progressively. Between two and six months post treatment, collagen continues to rebuild, scars soften, texture refines, and the skin becomes stronger and more even. This is why before and after photos taken months apart tell the real story. ProFractional® is not a one week transformation. It is a long game, and it rewards those who commit fully to the process. Proper spacing between treatments, consistent sun protection, and medical grade skincare all play a role in protecting and enhancing results.
Post treatment care is where outcomes are either preserved or compromised. The skin must be treated with intention. Only provider directed products should be used. Makeup, active ingredients, heat, sweating, sun exposure, and additional treatments must be avoided until the skin is fully cleared. Trying to accelerate healing almost always does the opposite. The skin remembers how it was treated during recovery, and that memory shows in the final result.
At Raw Canvas, ProFractional® is approached with respect for both the technology and the biology of the skin. This is not a casual treatment, and it is not for everyone. But for the right patient, especially those with acne scarring who have tried everything else, it offers something rare in aesthetic: true structural change. When you look at a before and after like the one shown here, you are not just seeing smoother skin. You are seeing months of disciplined healing, intentional care, and collagen rebuilt where it was once lost. This is not about erasing the past. It is about rebuilding the foundation and allowing the skin to move forward stronger than before.
If you’re wondering whether ProFractional® is right for you, a consultation is the best place to start. I’d love to talk through your skin goals, your history, and whether this treatment truly makes sense for you.
xoxo,
Amanda
