Abstract: Subjects treated with nonablative fractional photothermolysis (FP) have an intact stratum corneum, but can have microscopic lesions and vacuole formation within the epidermis. The vacuoles thus formed can trap dermal material and extrude it through the epidermis. Thus, FP can be used for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma, solar elastosis, and tattoos.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for improving the wound healing process and increasing collagen synthesis following laser induced thermal injury. The method comprises delivering prodrugs to a target site before the target site is injured and taking advantage of those enzymes that are physiologically-expressed to promote wound healing to convert the prodrugs to active drugs. The claimed invention has the advantage of the prodrugs being readily available to immediately participate in the wound healing process, but not have any negative side-effects of the active drug being present before injury occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fractional treatment of tissue (e.g., skin) using lasers is disclosed. The method involves creating one or more microscopic treatment zones of necrotic tissue and thermally-altered tissue and intentionally leaving viable tissue to surround the microscopic treatment zones. The dermatological apparatus includes one or more light sources and a delivery system to generate the microscopic treatment zones in a predetermined pattern. The microscopic treatment zones may be confined to the epidermis, dermis or span the epidermal-dermal junction, and further the stratum corneum above the microscopic treatment zones may be spared.