FAQ’s – Fraxel® Laser Treatment

What is Fraxel® Laser Treatment?

Fraxel® Laser Treatment is a “fractional” treatment that produces thousands of deep, tiny columns in your skin, called microthermal treatment zones. The treatment is “fractional” in that, instead of destroying entire layers of skin tissue, the Fraxel makes pinpoint island injuries in the skin, leaving the surrounding tissue intact and healthy. Leaving healthy tissue makes healing faster and easier, whereas the pinpoint injury still has the desired effect of stimulating collagen in the deepest layers of the skin. As these thousands of little pinpoints heal, there is an overall contraction in the skin, reducing fine lines and making the skin appear tighter and smoother. Also, when the Fraxel goes over a brown, sun damaged area of skin, the pinpoint injuries heal with normal colored skin cells, erasing the brown spot forever.

How is Fraxel different from other laser treatments?

Until Fraxel, there were two main types of light based skin
improvement treatments. Ablative laser treatment, (which means the vaporization of a layer of skin using laser energy), is very effective but has significant side effects and requires a lengthy healing period. Intense pulsed light or photofacial treatments, being non-ablative, have little or no side effects and almost no healing time. This is good, but these treatments require numerous sessions over many months and have limited results at best. Fraxel treatments offer the effectiveness of ablative treatment without the downtime and side effects.

How Does Fraxel Work?

Fraxel® Laser Treatment is designed to improve aging and sun damaged skin by targeting portions of specific damaged tissue. By creating microscopic “wounds” within the targeted areas, Fraxel® Laser treatments trigger the body’s natural healing process, accelerating the production of collagen and new, healthy skin cells.

What About Acne Scars?

Dr. Rivkin considers Fraxel, especially now that we have the Fraxel SR1500, the best treatment currently available to improve the appearance of acne scars. The Fraxel SR1500 is an upgraded version of the original Fraxel laser that provides stronger, more effective treatment with less pain. Older technology, like Smoothbeam or CO2 laser resurfacing, has an unacceptable amount of pain, downtime and risk. Fraxel minimization of acne scars happens the same way that the laser improves the appearance of sun damaged skin. The pinpoint injuries replace depressed and discolored scar tissue with normal skin. Over 3 to 5 treatment sessions, we have seen even deep ice pick scars smooth out and disappear.

What are the benefits of Fraxel® Laser Treatments?

Since Fraxel has the impact of an ablative laser delivered with the gentleness of a non-ablative treatment, healing time is significantly accelerated. There is minimal downtime, swelling or redness. Fraxel treatment does not cause weeping, raw skin, disfiguring laser burns or the waxy skin appearance that are risks of traditional, ablative
laser resurfacing treatment. Make-up can be worn immediately following the procedure. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. Others require a little more time, depending upon their skin condition and treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Rivkin will take the time
to help you understand how Fraxel® Laser Treatment will fit into your schedule.

What are the risks of Fraxel® Laser Treatments?

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from treatment. Swelling is usually minimal and subsides within a day or two. Redness usually occurs and will fade within five to seven days. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring.

How many treatments will I need?

Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen consists of 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending upon your condition and schedule, Dr. Rivkin and you may choose to space treatment sessions even further apart. You can usually see some results within a week, once the redness and swelling have resolved. Unlike many laser or IPL treatments, you should see benefits after your very first Fraxel SR1500 treatment. The improvement is also progressive. Optimal results are 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 and elastin, as well as the growth of healthy new skin cells.

How are Fraxel® Laser Treatments performed?

To prepare your skin for treatment, it will be cleansed. A topical anesthetic ointment is also applied to the treatment area approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment. It takes between 20 to 25 minutes to treat your full face. The anesthetic ointment are washed off immediately after the treatment.

Is Fraxel® 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?

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 a natural sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Using a moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of dry flakes. Dr. Rivkin will provide you with a post treatment kit of medical grade cosmeceuticals to speed healing.

What precautions should I take after 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 treatment. Wearing wide brimmed hats is highly recommended when out in the elements.