Fraxel Laser Treatment
There is a new, groundbreaking treatment for people who want to dramatically improve their skin's appearance. Previously patients had to turn to traditional ablative laser or chemical peels to get the best results in minimizing wrinkles and diminishing skin discolorization. Unfortunately, ablative peels came with long and uncomfortable healing periods. No longer. Now there is Fraxel Laser Treatment, an innovative system that rejuvenates the skin's appearance, smoothes wrinkles and minimizes other signs of aging such as sun spots or skin irregularities. Fraxel requires virtually no downtime, so skin can be treated and you can return to your normal routine and activities immediately.
At long last, a laser with the potency of ablative treatments and the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of important cosmetic conditions.
Fraxel™ is a unique laser therapy designed to dramatically repair fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars while improving skin texture and pigmentation - even on delicate skin. Fraxel™ is a proven, safe approach to repairing aging and sun-damaged skin, with many of the benefits of ablative laser skin resurfacing, but without the downtime, side effects and lengthy recovery period.
September of 2007 brought the introduction of the Fraxel Skin Ecology System, a skincare line specifically formulated and dermatologist-tested to enhance the experience of Reliant's Fraxel laser treatment, a skin rejuvenation therapy that provides patients with effective, consistent results without significant downtime and risk of complications.
The Fraxel Skin Ecology System is a physician-dispensed cosmeceutical line that includes deep hydration masks, green tea infusion masks, antioxidant infusion serum, foaming cleanser, daily moisturizer (SPF 30) and hydrating night cream.
All components are formulated to enhance the experience of the Fraxel treatment by moisturizing, cooling and protecting the skin throughout the patient's Fraxel treatment cycle and beyond as part of a healthy skincare regimen. Fraxel Skin Ecology System products will be available at physicians' offices.
These procedure are frequently referred to as Fraxel Repair, Fraxel CO2, Fracsil, and Frazel.
Fraxel involves the use of the latest in skin care laser technology to purposefully stimulate the body’s own restorative processes by controlled damage done to the skin. Reaching deep into the skin’s second layer, the dermis, Fraxel helps to stimulate the body’s restorative abilities and thus new collagen and skin is formed. Thus older skin that is damaged is removed from beneath the epidermal layer, the outermost area of skin. The process of controlled skin damage in small areas which are separated by healthy skin allows for a minimal healing time and highly effective skin rejuvenation.
Fraxel® Laser Treatment is designed to target aging and damaged skin by creating microscopic "wounds" within the targeted areas that penetrate well beneath the skin's outermost layer. In this way, Fraxel® Laser treatments trigger the body's own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. And because Fraxel® Laser Treatment combines the impact of ablative lasers with the gentleness of non-ablative lasers, healing occurs so quickly that there is very little downtime for patients.
The innovative Fraxel Laser has been specially designed to manipulate minute volumes of target tissue. The clinical effects of this technique are to alter the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin over time. Tiny microscopic wounds on the body result in a wound healing process that responds to the coagulation of collagen fibers in our skin.
After several years of studies and mounting evidence of the Fraxel® Laser's safety and effectiveness, the FDA has cleared this unique new laser to treat the following conditions:
- Acne Scars
- Age Spots/Brown Spots
- Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy)
- Wrinkles Around The Eyes
Fraxel is one of the most advanced laser treatments for skin available today. Fraxel is used to treat sun damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, and fine lines in just a few painless treatments.
The Fraxel family of products, which includes the Fraxel re:store laser system, the Fraxel re:pair laser system and the Fraxel re:fine laser system, has quickly become the industry standard for fractional aesthetic skin treatment. Unlike traditional laser devices, Fraxel brand fractional laser systems treat only a fraction of skin at a time, leaving the surrounding area intact for fast healing.
The FDA has permitted the use of Fraxel in the USA for specific skin conditions. Fraxel lasers have received multiple FDA clearances and have been found safe and effective in treating many areas of the face and body. Age spots, acne scars, melasma, and wrinkles near the eyes are a few of the FDA approved conditions for treatment. The versatility of the product line ensures that patients can choose the best treatment for various stages of their lives as their skin care needs evolve.
The Fraxel re:pair laser is the breakthrough device in ablative fractional resurfacing, with the most clinical testing of any product in the category. Fraxel re:pair treatment has been clinically proven to improve wrinkles, rhytides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions and vascular dyschromia in a multi-site, multi-phase study of more than 400 patients.
The Fraxel re:store laser, delivering Non-ablative Fractional Resurfacing (NFRTM) treatment, was introduced in 2004 and has been adopted by more than 1,500 dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aesthetic physicians worldwide. The Fraxel re:store laser is the accepted gold standard for treating acne scars and periorbital wrinkles, and for skin resurfacing procedures on the face, neck, chest and hands.
The Fraxel re:fine laser, offering superficial non-invasive skin rejuvenation, combines the unique method of fractional delivery with a lighter treatment. Performed in 20-25 minutes, Fraxel re:fine treatment is excellent for medical spas and family physicians seeking a safe and gentle option.
Fraxel™ has been featured in Vogue Magazine as the best treatment option for stretch marks.
Benefits of Fraxel® Laser Resurfacing
The new skin and collagen produced by Fraxel® laser resurfacing can result in a dramatically rejuvenated appearance. Light wrinkles and fine lines are effectively removed or minimized and the overall skin tone is improved, making skin look smoother, fresher, and younger. In addition, these aesthetic improvements can be achieved with minimal discomfort and inconvenience.
The technology behind Fraxel treatment is as revolutionary as the results it can deliver. Unlike other laser treatments, Fraxel treatment is able to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of skin, using pinpoint laser beams that penetrate beneath the skin's surface to eliminate old, damaged skin cells. Fraxel treatment stimulates the body's own natural healing process which replaces damaged skin with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.
Your skin is unique – your genetic make-up, lifestyle and personal history all contribute to how your skin looks and feels. With Fraxel treatment, your physician can develop a treatment plan tailored to your skin's individual needs.
Simply put, Fraxel° treatment promotes your skin's own healing process, resulting in natural rejuvenation that removes years from your appearance.
Depending on your skin, you can decide how you want to attain the remarkable results Fraxel treatment delivers. Aggressive treatments require fewer sessions and result in more post treatment side-effects – meaning a few days of social downtime. Less aggressive treatments accomplish the same results, with a few more treatment sessions and less pronounced side-effects. For some types of skin and skin conditions, gentle and/or fewer treatments are best. Fraxel treatment was specifically engineered to give your physician complete treatment control, based on your particular needs.
Fraxel Treatment Results have been Featured in various TV shows and magazines, such as:
- The Today Show
- In Style Magazine
- Marie Claire
- The View
- Self Magazine
- O, the Oprah Magazine
Fraxel Laser treatment can be combined with Botox Cosmetic and dermal skin filler treatments.
Schedule for an appointment by calling or emailing us and one of our Botox specialist will discuss with you the treatment process. This free consultation will help you learn more about how Fraxel works and also the cost and the necessary preparations you will need for your Fraxel treatment.
Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center at Orange County Medical Spa is only a few minutes away from cities such as Anaheim, Buena Park, Cerritos, Garden Grove, Irvine and Tustin. Our facility is the ideal place to go for your non-surgical medical cosmetic procedure and aesthetic spa treatment if you live in or near Orange County.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fraxel Procedure
What is Fraxel laser?
Fraxel is a laser used to treat damaged and aging skin by harmlessly penetrating the outer layer of skin, but only resurfacing 15-20% of the skin during each session. This method protects the skin from enduring too much damage at once and eliminates much of the downtime associated with CO2 or erbium laser resurfacing treatment.
How does Fraxel treatment work?
The innovative Fraxel SR Laser is specially designed to alter fractional volumes of the target tissue at a time. Similar to digital alteration of photographs and paintings, the clinical effect of this treatment technique is to alter the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin. Unlike ablative lasers that remove the top layer of skin, Fraxel produces tiny, microscopic sites of thermal impact separated by areas of unaffected, healthy tissue. The healthy tissue between treatment areas contains viable cells that promote rapid healing of the outer skin layers. At the same time, collagen fibers are coagulated in the treated areas resulting in skin improvement.
Is Fraxel™ safe?
Based on a series of clinical studies, Reliant Technologies, maker of the Fraxel SR Laser, has received FDA clearances for skin resurfacing and the treatment of:
- acne scars
- surgical scars
- periorbital wrinkles
- pigmented lesions including lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), and dyschromia (skin discoloration)
- melasma
The Fraxel™ SR Laser is the only technology available that has all of the above indications cleared by the FDA!
Is Fraxel FDA-approved?
The Reliant Fraxel SR Laser has received FDA 510(k) clearances for skin resurfacing procedures; the photocoagulation of pigmented lesions, such as lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots) and dyschromia; treatment of periorbital wrinkles and for dermatological conditions requiring the coagulation of soft tissue. Fraxel is also approved for the treatment of melasma.
What is unique about Fraxel?
By using controlled skin damage in specific areas, while leaving some skin unaffected nearby, Fraxel allows for an easier and less invasive procedure which also helps to lessen recovery times and side effects associated with other forms of laser skin rejuvenation. Only fractional areas of the skin are damaged and thus the body’s healing response is enhanced and new collagen develops as a result. Fraxel is a balanced laser treatment which allows for the high effectiveness of some other more invasive laser treatments while maintaining a shorter recovery time and fewer side effect risks.
How Is Fraxel® Skin Treatment Different than Other Resurfacing Methods?
Fraxel® laser resurfacing treats only pinpointed areas of the skin, making it less invasive than other forms of skin treatment. Laser skin resurfacing, for example, produces similar results, but they are ablative procedures. This means they work by removing layers of skin with a laser. Chemical peels also remove skin, using mild acids to eliminate aesthetic flaws. In contrast, during a Fraxel® laser treatment no skin is removed. Instead, the laser passes through the epidermis to act on separate points deep in the targeted area, leaving surrounding skin unaffected. This makes recovery much shorter and more comfortable than after chemical or laser peels.
What are the benefits of Fraxel Laser treatment?
Fraxel treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. Fraxel also penetrates deeply into the dermis.
What conditions can be treated with Fraxel?
Wrinkles, poor texture, large pores, sun spots, brown spots, scars, melasma, and uneven pigmentation can be treated successfully with the Fraxel laser. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about two to three months.
What is a Fraxel™ treatment like?
Fraxel treatments take approximately 30 minutes, and are performed with a topical anesthetic ointment. For optimal results, patients should receive six treatments.
How many Fraxel treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed to acquire certain results will vary from patient to patient. The greatest benefit is achieved with 6 treatments. Usually up to five sessions may be needed, which are separated by a month or so. Patients will usually begin to see changes as their skin heals over a two to three month period of time.
Because each person is different, the actual number of Fraxel treatment will be based on your skin need and condition and the desired results.
What preparations are done for my Fraxel treatment?
All treatments begin with a skin cleansing and an anesthetic cream is applied that typically takes 45 to 60 minutes to activate. Once the anesthetic is working the laser is applied with a handheld device. The laser treatment typically lasts 25 to 30 minutes, but depends on the amount of surface treated. Most people describe the laser treatment as feeling "prickly," but not painful.
Is there any side effect with Fraxel treatment?
Fraxel™ offers the benefits of speedy healing and no downtime. Side effects are minimal and typically involve swelling and redness. Mild swelling should subside within a day or so, and the redness usually fades over several days. Patients can apply make-up immediately after treatment and return to routine activities. There is limited, if any, risk of infection or scarring.
Side effects are minimal and usually limited to a sunburn-like redness which disappears in a few days. Within 24 hours, new epidermal skin will develop and your skin will have a bronze appearance which can last from three days up to two weeks depending on what level of treatment you have received. As the new epidermal tissue replaces the damaged tissue, your skin will flake off.
What is Fraxel Re:Pair™?
Fraxel Re:Pair™ is the newest generation of resurfacing techniques to correct aged and damaged skin without prolonged downtime. Fraxel Re:Pair™ is an ablative CO2 laser system that provides treatment both on the surface and deep in the dermis with a single treatment. Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is first provider in Texas to offer Fraxel Re:Pair™.
Who is a good candidate for Fraxel?
For anyone suffering from age spots, acne scars, wrinkles near the eyes, and even melasma, or commonly referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” Fraxel is a great way to achieve clearer and even more radiant looking skin. Other skin disorders such as related to pigmentation issues and a need for skin resurfacing are effectively treated with Fraxel. There are three types of Fraxel lasers, called Fraxel re:fine, Fraxel re:store, and Fraxel re:pair.
Which areas of the body can Fraxel treat?
Fraxel can be used on the neck, chest, and hands areas. Of course, discussing a desired treatment area with a dermatologist is encouraged, to see if other treatment areas are possible.
Are the treatments permanent?
Patients can enjoy long lasting results as long as their skin is maintained and well taken care of over time. However, age and the elements can still cause skin damage over time so Fraxel is a skin rejuvenation procedure which can be repeated if further damage occurs to the skin.
How is the Fraxel procedure performed?
A dermatologist will begin treatment by cleansing the skin and applying a topical cream to numb the treatment area about an hour prior to treatment. This is to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure. The laser is then used to help the skin rejuvenate in the associated treatment area. The epidermis and dermis layers of the skin are treated, yet no visible damage is done to the epidermal layer of the skin. By only damaging specific areas of the skin, spread out over the area, healthy and unaffected skin is left in tact to support the healing process and stimulate the body’s healing capacity. This results in the production of new collagen and even more radiant skin. Treatments usually conclude in about a half hour.
Does Fraxel treatment hurt?
A topical anesthetic is applied to minimize any potential discomfort. Most people describe the treatment sensation as prickly, but not uncomfortable. Any treatment comes with the possibility of risks or complications, but because Fraxel in non-ablative, risks are very rare. In fact, Fraxel's innovative technology reduces the potential for skin irregularities or scarring often associated with laser peels.
What happens after my Fraxel treatment?
You may notice slight swelling or reddening the first two days after treatment. This can be minimized with make up. Most people compare the recovery period to a mild sunburn. Your face will be flushed (and then "tanned" or bronzed) for a week or so and your skin will begin to flake off. This is part of the healing process, allowing your skin to recover and for collagen to be regenerated.
What should be expected during recovery from a Fraxel treatment?
After the treatment has concluded, the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, will remain undamaged while the deeper layer, the dermis, begins to heal. The patient may notice the appearance and discomfort of a sunburn and eventually a slight tanning or bronzing of the skin which begins to show in a few weeks depending on the skin type. The old skin cells will slough off and the skin will gradually repair itself, igniting new collagen development. The skin should be treated as sunburn, keeping it moisturized and out of heavy sun exposure. Sunscreen and protective clothing is a good idea.
How soon can I go back to work after my Fraxel treatment?
Patient can expect to return to daily activities right away or may require a bit more time to adjust. Makeup may be worn to help alleviate some of the redness to the skin if the discomfort is minimal. Shaving may also be done if the discomfort is minimal. Every patient’s skin is unique so different recovery times are likely to occur.
Typically, patients find they can go back to work soon after their fraxel treatment or the next day.
Any advice to protect my new skin after Fraxel treatment?
Be sure to wear SPF 30-plus sunscreen and apply twice a day. You must completely avoid the sun and take extra care to protect your skin from damage.
When will results from Fraxel be apparent?
Results will usually begin to show in about two to three months post treatment, yet every patient’s skin type varies.
Ready to Schedule your Fraxel Treatment? Contact us.
Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center - Orange County's Medical Spa also offers Acne Treatment, Laser Hair Removal , Restylane, Juvederm, Photorejuvenation, Liposuction, Microcurrent holistic approach, Exillis and Venus Freeze.
Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center - Orange County's Medical Spa is conveniently located in Orange County CA. We are a few miles away from Anaheim, Buena Park, Cerritos, Garden Grove, Irvine and Tustin.
