Hybrid Fractional Ablative Resurfacing
Optical Module: Hybrid Fractional
The only ablative therapy that delivers fractional and full-field resurfacing in a single pulse. Microchannels drive dermal remodeling while full-field action renews the epidermis between them, so surface and depth are treated together rather than in separate passes or on separate devices. Indicated for Fitzpatrick I–III.
One Pulse, Two Actions
The Microchannels
Each pulse creates an array of 16 microchannels reaching 150 to 200 microns into the papillary dermis, triggering a wound-healing and collagen-remodeling response.
The Field Between Them
In the same pulse, full-field action ablates a uniform layer across the surface between those channels, clearing the stratum corneum and photodamaged epidermis and driving fresh epithelial turnover.
The Columns That Remain
The intact tissue left between channels acts as reservoirs of healthy skin that accelerate re-epithelialization. That is what allows depth of effect without the recovery burden of deep full-field ablation.
What Hybrid Fractional Treats
Moderate to Severe Wrinkles
Where dermal collagen remodeling, not surface renewal alone, is the goal.
Acne Scars
Textural scarring requiring greater depth of effect and collagen remodeling.
Skin Laxity and Tightening
For cases where additional collagenesis and structural remodeling are desired.
Full-Face Rejuvenation
Correction across surface and depth within a comprehensive treatment approach.
Before and Afters
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Hybrid fractional therapy delivers fractional and full-field ablation in a single pulse, rather than in separate passes or on separate devices. On the Aerolase Era, it is delivered through the Hybrid Fractional Optical Module: microchannels reach 150 to 200 microns into the papillary dermis to trigger collagen remodeling, while full-field action ablates the stratum corneum and renews the epidermis across the surface between those channels. The module is indicated for Fitzpatrick skin types I-III.
Traditional fractional ablative lasers create columns of ablation and leave the tissue between them untreated, which is why full coverage requires a series. Hybrid Fractional delivers both actions in a single 2940nm pulse: microchannels reach 150 to 200 microns into the papillary dermis for collagen remodeling, while full-field ablation clears the stratum corneum and renews the epidermis across the surface between those channels. The intact tissue remaining between channels accelerates re-epithelialization.
The microchannels reach 150 to 200 microns, into the papillary dermis. Each pulse delivers a 2-4-4-4-2 array of 16 channels at approximately 0.3mm diameter. The full-field component between channels ablates roughly 10 to 25 microns at the surface.
Recovery varies with treatment parameters. In a documented single-patient case, edema resolved by four days and erythema by seven, with average pain rated 3 out of 10. Mild pinpoint bleeding at microchannel sites is an expected response during treatment. By comparison, CO2 resurfacing typically requires 2 to 4 weeks.
Hybrid Fractional is indicated for Fitzpatrick skin types I through III. The other Era Optical Modules are indicated across Fitzpatrick I through VI, so for patients in types IV through VI the Era range runs from AfterGlow through full-field ablation on the 10mm and 6mm modules.
The microchannels created during the pass remain open immediately afterward, which allows large hydrophilic hyaluronic acid molecules to diffuse past the epidermal barrier — a delivery route unavailable on intact skin. The protocol applies HA directly following the laser pass, at 15 J/cm² with 1 to 2 passes using a 6mm spot, in a session of roughly 30 minutes.
See the Single-Pulse Pass
Fractional and full-field in one pass is difficult to picture and straightforward to watch. A 20-minute demo covers the array, the depth profile, and how Hybrid Fractional fits in your treatment stack.