Fractional Laser Treatment
Fraxel® Laser Treatment (FLT) is a “fractional” laser treatment that produces thousands of deep, tiny columns in your skin, called microscopic treatment zones. Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) is “fractional” in that it intensively treats old epidermal pigment cells without affecting any of the surrounding tissue, which reduces healing time and promotes the skin’s natural process for creating new, healthier tissue to replace the damaged cells.
How Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) Works
Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as microscopic treatment zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deep into the dermis. Just as important though are the areas of skin the Fraxel® laser treatment (fractional laser treatment) leaves untouched. For every microscopic zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This “fractional” treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body’s natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissues to replace skin imperfections.
How is Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) different from other treatments?
Before Fraxel® laser treatment (fractional laser treatment), there were two types of available laser treatments. Bulk ablative laser treatment involves vaporization of entire layers of skin cells at very high temperature. This treatment is very effective but is associated with high incidence of side effects and typically requires a lengthy healing period. The other previously available laser treatment, bulk non-ablative laser treatment, can have a lower incidence of side effects and little healing time, but requires numerous treatments over many months and has widely variable results. Fraxel® laser treatments (fractional laser treatments) strive to offer the effectiveness of ablative lasers with the benefits of the gentler, non-ablative lasers.
Benefits of Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment)
- Improve texture tone and pore size
- Erase unwanted brown spots
- Smooth wrinkles around the eyes and acne scars
- Rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands
- Minimal downtime
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH FRAXEL® LASER TREATMENTS (FRACTIONAL LASER TREATMENTS)?
Face, neck, chest, hands and stretch marks.
What are the risks of Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment)?
Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from treatment. If swelling does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two. Redness may occur and will fade within a few days. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring.
How many Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) will I need?
Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 4 sessions, spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allows for complete healing and replacement of damaged tissue with new collagen & elastin, and viable skin cell growth.
How are Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) performed?
To prepare your skin for Fraxel® Laser Treatments (Fractional Laser Treatments) it will be cleansed. A topical anesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect. The procedure takes between 20 to 25 minutes for a full face. The anesthetic ointment is washed off immediately after the treatment.
Is Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment) painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as having a “prickling” sensation. The topical anesthetic ointment and air cooling alleviates most discomfort.
What should I expect after Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment)?
During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. Make-up can be worn to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two. As you continue treatment, the sunburned to bronze conditions will repeat. Just like natural sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Using a moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of dry flakes.
What precautions should I take after Fraxel® Laser Treatment (Fractional Laser Treatment)?
Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher twice a day is especially important. Avoid direct sun exposure during the healing process and for at least 3 months after Fraxel® laser treatment (fractional laser treatment). Wearing wide brimmed hats is highly recommended when out in the elements.
