Fraxel® Laser Treatment
Fraxel Laser Treatment is a unique, non-invasive laser therapy designed to dramatically improve skin texture and pigmentation, allowing you to once more enjoy the fresh and healthy skin of your youth. Its patented "fractional" technology penetrates deep within the skin for maximum rejuvenation while promoting fast healing and stimulating the production of new, firm tissue to smooth out imperfections.
Fraxel Laser Treatment is most effective for:
- Improving texture and tone
- Shrinking pore size
- Erasing age spots / brown spots
- Smoothing wrinkles around the eyes
- Smoothing acne scars
- Rejuvenating the neck, chest and hands
How does Fraxel technology work?
Fraxel Laser Treatment utilizes fractional resurfacing technology, where only a small fraction of the skin receives the laser light at any given time. The treatment delivers a series of narrow but deep microscopic laser spots to reach the innermost layers of skin and stimulate collagen growth while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The healthy cells in the untouched spots promote rapid healing of the entire area, resulting in faster recovery time and minimal side effects. Think of this "fractional" technique as being like restoring a painting one tiny area at a time, or altering an electronic image pixel by pixel.
Fraxel Laser Treatment combines the effectiveness of traditional ablative lasers with the rapid healing of non-fractional non-ablative lasers.
What is the Fraxel Laser Treatment like?
Fraxel Laser Treatments can be performed right in Dr. Welsh's office. First, she will cleanse the area being treated and apply a topical anesthetic.
Dr. Welsh may also apply an FDA-certified blue tint to your skin. This tint darkens the tiny folds and imperfections on the skin's surface, increasing the contrast against the skin and allowing the laser handpiece to more effectively map the contours of the treatment area. A full-face Fraxel Laser Treatment typically takes 20-25 minutes.
What can I expect after a Fraxel Laser Treatment?
After treatment, the blue tint and anesthetic are washed off. You may be asked to clean the skin thoroughly but gently with a Fraxel foaming cleanser and water, followed by an antioxidant infusion from Dr. Welsh as well as a special Deep Hydration Mask to seal in moisture.
Your skin may feel as if it has been mildly sunburned for about an hour after a Fraxel Laser Treatment. After that, discomfort should be minimal. Mild swelling should subside within two to three days, and pinkness—an indication that the skin has been deeply treated—usually fades over five to seven days. There is limited, if any, risk of infection or scarring.
New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. This new skin may be bronze-tinged for a few days to two weeks. It will likely flake and exfoliate as old skin sloughs off and new skin takes its place. The new skin is also highly sensitive and requires adequate sun protection for several months after treatment. Fraxel Daily Moisturizer (SPF 30) is ideal for this purpose.
Is there any downtime?
While individual results vary, Fraxel offers the benefits of speedy healing and little to no downtime. Many patients return to routine activities and can shave or apply make-up soon after treatment.
When will I see results? How long do the effects last?
Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in about two to three months and gradual improvement for up to a year. Each session shows marked improvement in skin quality, resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.
How many treatments will I need?
Treatment plans vary from patient to patient; Dr. Welsh will recommend the number of treatments needed to achieve your personal goals. Clinical studies suggest that an effective treatment plan is three to five sessions spaced about two to four weeks apart. Each session targets a certain percentage of the skin's surface. By the end of the treatment plan, the entire treatment area will have been covered.
To learn more about Fraxel® and to find out if treatment is right for you, please Contact Us today to schedule a consultation.
