FRAXEL: Overview

At your initial consultation, we will determine the best treatment plan for your desired results. Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 4 sessions, spaced about 3 weeks apart. Depending upon your condition and schedule, we may choose to space treatment sessions even further apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. Because Fraxel Laser Treatment spares healthy tissue, it is effective even on delicate skin areas, such as the neck, chest and hands.

Preparing for Treatment

Fraxel Laser Treatment will be performed in one of our Laser Centers using only topical anesthesia in most cases. If you are having a significant area of your skin treated, our Medical Director will develop a pain management approach to maximize your comfort during the procedure.

The treatment area will be thoroughly washed prior to the procedure. A topical anesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect. The procedure takes between 20 to 25 minutes for a full face. The anesthetic ointment is washed off immediately after the treatment.

How Fraxel® Laser Treatment Works

Fraxel Laser Treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as microscopic treatment zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deep into the dermis. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel laser leaves untouched. For every microscopic zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections.

Think of your skin as a family portrait or digital photograph in need of high-quality restoration or touch up.

Just as a damaged painting is delicately restored one small area at a time, or a photographic image is altered, pixel by pixel, Fraxel® Laser Treatment improves your appearance by affecting only a fraction of your skin at a time with thousands of tiny microscopic laser spots.

What Happens After Treatment

You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour after and then minimal discomfort.  The skin will have a pinkish tone for 5 to 7 days.  This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing.  Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days.  Immediately after the treatment and removal of any residual topically-applied ointment, cleanse the skin with cleanser and water.  Your Certified Laser Technician will apply a Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Sunscreen

 New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. The process of skin repair involves:

Bronzing: Your skin will have a bronze appearance that lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days, sepending on your treatment level. 
Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigirously exfoliate as new skin replaces dead tissue.  Flaking is similar to that of a minor sunburn, but without the associated pain.  Use of a moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking.
Sunscreen: Be sure to use sunscreen at least twice daily to protect your skin from sun exposure during both the healing phase and for several months after treatment.  Apply a moisturizing sun block with an SPF of at least 30-plus.  For added protection, use wide-brimmed hats when in direct sunlight. 

Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel treatment, producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy, youthful appearance.