ProFractional™ Laser in the San Francisco Bay Area
Rebuilding From Within
Scars and etched-in texture do not live on the skin's surface alone. Correcting them means asking the skin to remodel itself, and that requires reaching the deeper layer where collagen is made.
The ProFractional™ laser treats narrow columns within the skin while leaving the surrounding tissue untouched. That intact tissue speeds healing, while the treated columns trigger new collagen where the damage actually sits. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, ProFractional is the focused option within our laser resurfacing offerings for scars, fine lines, and stubborn texture.
Treatments are available in Tiburon and Walnut Creek for patients throughout Marin County, the East Bay, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
What Is the ProFractional Laser?
ProFractional is a fractional erbium:YAG laser. Rather than resurfacing the entire skin uniformly, it creates thousands of microscopic treatment channels that reach into the dermis, each surrounded by untreated skin.
This fractional approach concentrates correction where it is needed while limiting downtime. As the channels heal, the body increases collagen and elastin production, gradually rebuilding smoother, more resilient skin from within. Treatment depth, channel density, and pattern are all adjustable to the concern being treated.
What Can the ProFractional Laser Treat?
ProFractional may improve:
- Acne scars
- Surgical and traumatic scars
- Fine lines and early wrinkles
- Rough or uneven texture
- Selected sun damage and age spots
Beyond the face, treatment may also be considered for the neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.
ProFractional cannot remove loose skin, restore lost volume, or erase every scar completely. Deep, tethered, or highly varied scarring may respond better to a combination plan, and concerns that are primarily about pigment may be better served by BBL Photofacial.
What Happens During a ProFractional Treatment?
The skin is cleansed, a topical numbing cream is applied and given time to take effect, and protective eyewear is placed. The laser is then moved across the treatment area in a controlled pattern, creating its grid of microscopic channels.
A session generally takes up to 30 minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a light snapping, like a rubber band, or mild heat. A soothing product is applied afterward, along with instructions for cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection while the skin heals.
What Is Recovery Like?
Recovery depends on the depth and density selected. Lighter treatments generally involve four to five days of redness, mild swelling, and a rough or sandpaper-like feel as the channels close. Deeper treatments may take a week or longer to settle.
Gentle skin care and diligent sunscreen use are important throughout healing, and picking or scrubbing the treated skin must be avoided. Detailed guidance is available in the laser resurfacing post-treatment instructions.
Collagen remodeling continues well after the surface has healed, which is why the result keeps improving for months.
When Will I See Results, and How Many Sessions Are Needed?
Early smoothing appears as the surface heals, but the meaningful change develops gradually over the following two to three months as new collagen matures within the treated channels.
Scar remodeling is cumulative work. Many patients achieve their result through a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart, with the number depending on scar depth, treatment intensity, and how the skin responds. A staged series at moderate settings is often more predictable than a single aggressive treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for ProFractional?
A good candidate has textural concerns such as acne scarring, surgical scars, or fine lines, along with realistic expectations about gradual improvement. Lighter skin tones generally carry the lowest risk of post-treatment pigment change; medium and deeper skin tones can sometimes be treated, but settings, preparation, and aftercare require particular care, and an honest discussion of pigment risk comes first.
Treatment may need to be modified or postponed for active acne or infection, cold sores, recent tanning, isotretinoin use, or a history of abnormal scarring.
Why Choose NorCal Plastic Surgery for ProFractional?
Scar treatment rewards patience and planning. The skill is in reading the scar, choosing the right depth and density, and knowing when ProFractional should work alone, when it should be paired with Halo or Contour TRL, and when a different approach entirely will serve the patient better.
At NorCal Plastic Surgery, ProFractional is offered within a full range of resurfacing technologies, in a practice led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy Rankin. Recommendations follow the concern, not the device.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ProFractional Laser
What does "fractional" mean in laser treatment?
A fractional laser treats only a fraction of the skin's surface, creating microscopic treatment channels surrounded by untouched tissue. The untreated skin accelerates healing, while the treated channels stimulate new collagen. This allows meaningful correction with less downtime than resurfacing the entire surface.
Is ProFractional good for acne scars?
Yes, acne scarring is one of its primary uses. The channels reach into the dermis where scar tissue sits and trigger collagen remodeling that gradually softens the scars. Results build over a series of sessions, and very deep or tethered scars may need a combination approach.
What is the difference between ProFractional and Halo?
Both are fractional treatments. ProFractional drives narrow channels deep into the skin and is often chosen for focused scar and texture work. Halo combines an ablative and a nonablative wavelength to treat surface damage and deeper tissue in one pass, making it a broader rejuvenation treatment. The evaluation determines which matches the concern.
How is ProFractional different from microneedling?
Both create controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen, but ProFractional uses laser energy at a precisely controlled depth rather than needles, and it can generally reach more aggressive correction per session. Some patients start with microneedling for milder texture concerns and reserve ProFractional for more established scarring.
Does ProFractional treatment hurt?
Topical numbing cream is applied first, and most patients describe the sensation as a light rubber-band snap or brief heat. The skin feels warm, tight, and rough for several days afterward as the treated channels heal.
How many ProFractional sessions will I need?
It depends on the depth of the scarring or texture concern and the intensity of each treatment. Many patients plan a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart, with improvement continuing for months after each one as collagen matures.
How much does ProFractional laser treatment cost?
Cost depends on the size of the treatment area, the depth and density selected, and the number of sessions in the plan. NorCal Plastic Surgery provides individualized pricing at a consultation, and qualified patients may explore available financing options.
Schedule a ProFractional Laser Consultation
If acne scars, surgical scars, or etched-in texture have resisted skin care and lighter treatments, a consultation can determine whether fractional resurfacing will help and what a realistic series looks like. NorCal Plastic Surgery will evaluate your skin and scars before recommending a plan.
Request a consultation at the Tiburon office in Marin County by calling (415) 727-9666, or at the Walnut Creek office in the East Bay by calling (925) 966-3920. You may also schedule a consultation online.
Patient Stories
Hear From Our Patients
Real patients share what it's like to trust Dr. Rankin and our team — from the first consultation through recovery.
Watch Their Stories