FRAXEL LASER TREATMENT

What is the FRAXEL SR Laser Treatment? 
Until now, all (conventional) available laser treatments allowed for good results but at the cost of significant side effects, risks, and prolonged healing and recovery times or, on the other hand, generally fewer risks but at the cost of undergoing numerous treatments over several months and limited improvements. The Fraxel SR Laser Treatment is an innovative new technology that offers best of both old systems - excellent results without sacrificing safety, minimized side effects, drastically reduced healing time and much shorter therapy. The treatment significantly improves the texture of the skin, reduces wrinkles, skin discolorations such as age spots and sun spots on face, hands or anywhere on the body, as well as smoothes out acne scars.

How does the Fraxel Laser Treatment work?
Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, which removes the entire skin surface at one time, the Fraxel laser is selectively applied to the skin, creating a pattern of evenly spaced microscopic laser "spots" surrounded by untreated normal skin. Because the skin surrounding the spots is not treated at the same time, the healing takes place very quickly and treatment does not cause visible wounds. In subsequent sessions the rest of the untreated skin is targeted by the laser.

How many treatments will I need?
Each session treats approximately 15-20% of the skin surface. Typically 3 to 5 treatments – each from one week to one month apart - are recommended depending on the severity of the problem. Most patients will notice some improvement after a single treatment. "Maintenance" treatments can be performed as needed.

Where on the face or body can Fraxel Laser be used?
Fraxel Laser can be used anywhere on the body where the skin would benefit from resurfacing. Unlike old laser treatments, Fraxel allows for rejuvenating the neck and d�collet�, which were not treatable with previously available methods.

Are Fraxel Laser treatments safe? 
The Fraxel laser technology has been approved by FDA. The treatment is safe and no incidents of scarring or infection have been reported. Some mild blistering and/or temporary skin discoloration can occur, especially in darker-skinned patients, when more aggressive treatment is performed.

Is the Fraxel laser treatment painful?
Usually treatments feel like a prickling sensation and are well tolerated by patients.
To relieve any discomfort, a topical anesthetic ointment is applied prior to treatment.
For more aggressive treatments oral pain medicine or anesthetic injections may be used.

How long does each treatment session take?
Each treatment session may take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes, depending upon the size of the area treated.

How soon can I return to my normal activities?
In most cases patients can resume all normal activities immediately. No special aftercare is needed for the treated areas and patients can begin regular skin care regimen right after the treatment. There may be some redness and swelling in the treated areas and a mild burning or itching sensation, which usually disappears in a few hours. Redness may persist for a few days and the skin may take on a "bronzed" appearance. As the microscopic spots are shed over the course of a week or so, the skin color will return to normal. If anesthetic injections are used, there may be some bruising in the injected areas. Very rarely, there may be crusting or blistering in some areas with more aggressive treatments.
If an oral medication for pain or sedation is given, a patient should not drive a car until the next morning.

When will I see the results?
Most patients will see some improvement within a few days after the procedure. Yet, the true miracle of the treatment is in “remodeling” the body collagen in the deep layers of the skin. Therefore, the patient will notice a gradual improvement and the skin smoothing and tightening over the period of up to a year following a series of treatments.

Are Fraxel laser treatments permanent?
The changes in the epidermis and dermal collagen induced by Fraxel Laser treatment are permanent; nevertheless, time, sun exposure, and gravity will continue to take its toll. The Fraxel Laser "turns back the clock", but doesn't keep the clock from ticking.

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