Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for resurfacing of
skin that includes formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus, thus avoiding generation of
thermal damage as occurs with conventional
laser resurfacing procedures and devices. The holes formed can be well-tolerated by the
skin, and can exhibit shorter healing times and less swelling than conventional resurfacing procedures. The apparatus includes one or more needles adapted to remove a small portion of tissue when inserted into and withdrawn from the
skin. The fractional surface coverage of the holes can be between about 0.1 and 0.7, or between about 0.2 and 0.5. The exemplary method and apparatus can produce cosmetic effects such as increases in collagen content, epidermal thickness, and dermal / epidermal junction undulations in the skin.