Fractionated Laser Facial
Using the Discovery PICO Series from Cartessa
At Sanger Avenue Medical Aesthetics, we use the Discovery PICO Series by Quanta Systems (one of the most advanced and precise laser systems available) to deliver our fractionated laser facial treatments.
Using fractionated nanosecond and picosecond pulses, this treatment creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact. This stimulates the skin's natural collagen and elastin production, progressively reducing wrinkles, acne scarring, and overall textural irregularities with less downtime than fully ablative resurfacing.
This treatment is great for the following:
- fine lines and moderate wrinkles
- Acne scarring and post-acne texture
- Overall skin tone and texture irregularities
- Enlarged pores
- Dull or uneven complexion
A topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment. The Discovery PICO is designed for comfortable delivery, and most patients tolerate it well. You may feel a light snapping or warmth during treatment. Some redness and mild swelling are normal afterward and typically resolve within a few days.
Most patients benefit from a series of 3-4 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results, though this varies based on your individual skin concerns and goals. Dr. Wilcox and her team will outline a personalized plan at your consultation.
Initial improvement in skin texture and tone is often visible within the first 1-2 weeks, but collagen remodeling continues for several months after treatment, meaning that your results will keep improving over time.
Think of the resurfacing treatments at Sanger Avenue Medical Aesthetics as existing on a spectrum from most gentle to most intensive. The fractionated laser facial with the Discovery PICO sits in a meaningful middle ground.
NouvaDERM, our fractional thulium (1927nm) laser, is a very tunable treatment that is attracted to water molecules in the skin. There's a little bit more flexibility for darker skin tones as well as sun exposed skin as we are not competing as much with melanin. It can be a gentle, low-downtime option or it can be more intensive depending on patient needs, improving tone, texture and clarity. It's ideal for patients who want skin health maintenance with little to no downtime.
CO₂ resurfacing is the most powerful and intensive option in the practice. It's fractionally ablative also, but produces the most dramatic improvements in deep wrinkles, significant scarring, and overall skin quality but with the most significant downtime. CO₂ is typically 7-14 days of recovery and is reserved for patients with more advanced concerns who are willing and able to commit to that recovery process.
Yes! The fractionated laser facial can pair with exosome therapy and LED light therapy immediately post-treatment to help with the healing process and amplify collagen response. This treatment can also be incorporated into broader skin rejuvenation protocols alongside deeper treatments such as Morpheus8 or injectables.
Book a consultation with our team in Waco to find out if the fractionated laser facial is right for your skin.
* Individual results may vary
