Fraxel™ Laser Treatments

About your skin

We were all born with smooth, baby-soft skin. As we go through life, skin is subject to numerous experiences that leave it less than perfect.

Some of us are lucky enough to escape these hazards, although time, heredity and gravity are still doing their part to create fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes. Over-exposure to the sun, alcohol use, and smoking are all known to significantly accelerate the development of these natural signs of aging.

Until now we have only had two laser options to treat aging and sun-damaged skin: ablative laser procedures and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers produced great results but came with significant side effects and prolonged recovery. Non-ablative lasers promised minimal recovery but provided less dramatic results — even after multiple treatments.

FRAXEL™ Laser Treatments

Using a new procedure called fractional photothermolysis, we are now able to dramatically improve skin texture, smooth out acne scars, improve pigmentation problems such as Melasma and brown spots, and reduce fine to moderate lines and wrinkles in just a few treatments with minimal or no downtime.

Using the FRAXEL Laser we can stimulate regeneration of the deeper collagen and elastin tissues while resurfacing about 20% of your skin’s surface with each treatment. The FRAXEL Laser remodels the collagen within the skin without harming your skin’s surface, while producing smoother, fresher, younger-looking skin with minimal or no downtime. The FRAXEL Laser provides all of the improvements associated with ablative laser procedures but without any significant interference with daily activities.

What is the treatment like?

First, the area to be treated is cleansed. Then, a blue tint is applied to your skin. This blue tint aids the laser’s hand piece to precisely read the discreet contours of the treatment area. For your comfort, a topical anesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area. The anesthetic requires 45-60 minutes to take full effect. The doctor performs your treatment using an ointment as the contact lubricant between your skin and the computer’s hand piece. The hand piece is gently guided across the skin like an airbrush painting your skin with micro-treatments beneath the surface of your skin. After your treatment, the blue tint is then washed off. Treatments normally take about 20-25 minutes.

How does it work?

The FRAXEL Laser is specially designed to alter only portions of the target skin tissue. Think of it as digital tissue editing. The FRAXEL Laser creates multiple, microscopic, subsurface thermal treatments. Together these micro-treatments cause a change in the collagen and elastin which gradually improves the appearance of your aging and sun-damaged skin. It also results in a healing process with very little, if any, downtime.

In addition, the FRAXEL Laser penetrates to a very precise, controlled depth, making the procedure safe and predictable, while reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems.

Why choose FRAXEL Laser Treatments?

• FRAXEL Laser Treatments minimize the risk for causing bruising, bleeding, crusting or scarring.
• FRAXEL Laser Treatments provide a level of control that cannot be achieved with any other lasers.
• FRAXEL Laser Treatments require little, if any, recovery time.
• How many treatments will I need?

Most indications seem to respond after only 3-6 treatments spaced about 7 to 28 days apart. The FRAXEL Laser produces a gradual remodeling of collagen under your skin’s surface. Improvements in the appearance of your skin will continue for up to six months or more.

How will I look following my treatments?

Following FRAXEL Laser Treatments, fine lines around your eyes and mouth will fade away; uneven pigmentation and brown spots caused by the sun will also fade away. Side effects are minimal and generally consist of a mild “sunburn” and some swelling. The swelling normally subsides in a day or so, while some redness may last for several days. Make-up can be resumed immediately and you may return to all routine activities.

This information is intended to supplement, not replace, a consultation with a board certified physician. To find out if you could be a candidate for one of these procedures or to learn more information about these procedures, we invite you to contact one of our doctors for a private consultation.

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