What Is Fraxel?
Fraxel treatments are a form of fractional laser technology that expose a specific fragment of the patient's skin to a laser. The procedure is used for treatment of several types of skin damage, including wrinkles, sun spots, and age spots. Depending on the patient's distinct needs, the treatment can be utilized for other purposes, such as to resurface skin that has undergone substantive damage. The Fraxel treatment can take place in two ways: 1. ablative or 2. non-ablative. The ablative treatment involves injuring the patient's skin in a controlled manner through the vaporizing of its skin layers. The non-ablative treatment does not break through the surface of the patient's skin. While the ablative treatment is completed through the use of a Fraxel re:pair laser, non-ablative restorative services are done with a Fraxel re:store dual laser.
How Does The Procedure Work?
Fraxel treatment works by targeting regions of damaged skin with microscopic laser columns. These columns penetrate the deep layers of the patient's skin. The laser will only treat a fraction of the skin at one time. While specific regions of the skin are treated, the surrounding tissues are left intact. This promotes a speedier recovery. The procedure itself works by stimulating the body's healing processes so that old damaged cells are replaced and fresh, healthy skin can emerge.
How long Does The Treatment Take?
The procedure can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour. The length of treatment will depend on several factors, including condition and size of the region that will be treated.
How Many Treatments Will Be Needed?
The number of Fraxel treatments a patient will need depends upon her or his individual objectives and limitations. In general, patients undergo between 2 to 6 treatments.
What Regions Of The Body Can Be Treated?
Fraxel lasers can be used to treat delicate regions of the skin such as the hands, chest, and neck. The treatment can also be performed on the buttocks, abdomen, back, legs, arms, chest, and face.
What Kind Of Results Will I Obtain?
One of the primary benefits you will receive from the resurfacing treatment is softer, brighter-looking skin. Some of the other treatment benefits you may receive include:
- reduced wrinkles and fine lines around the eye region
- erasure of brown spots
- improved texture and tone
- fresher, younger, smoother looking skin
How Much Does The Treatment Cost?
The cost of the Fraxel treatment is contingent upon several factors, including the number of treatments you obtain and the regions of the body that will be treated. When you go in for your consultation, the doctor will provide you with a quote based on the treatment plan that the two of you discuss and approve.
Is Fraxel Safe?
Research indicates that Fraxel is a safe procedure when it is completed by a physician who has attained the appropriate training. The patient's physician will discuss the risks of complications associated with the procedure during the consultation.
Does The Procedure Hurt?
The majority of patients state that they experience an elevated sense of heat throughout the treatment. To minimize the experience of discomfort, the physician will apply an anesthetic ointment prior to the procedure.
How long is Fraxel recovery?
If you have non-ablative Fraxel, recovery is usually 24-48 hours with the skin redness easily covered by makeup. For ablative Fraxel:re recovery is between 5-7 days depending upon how deep the doctor goes. You cannot apply makeup until after a week.