Ask anyone over a certain age and they’ll say improving and rejuvenating the skin, especially the face, is a top appearance goal. Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure many people undergo that can treat minor facial flaws, including fine lines, loss of skin tone, and some blemishes. Traditionally, laser resurfacing has involved an ablative laser that removes the outer layer of the skin and heats the lower layer to stimulate collagen growth.
Non-ablative resurfacing lasers are a newer technology developed to be less aggressive and shorten the recovery time after procedures. These lasers produce a more controlled thermal response to the skin that stimulates new collagen. Some non-ablative lasers leave the skin intact — but these can be less effective and cannot address surface issues like pigment or fine wrinkles.
The Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment Laser is an exciting approach to non-ablative resurfacing designed to treat both the surface of the skin and promote new collagen.
These lasers are slightly stronger than gentler resurfacing lasers, such as our own Clear+Brilliant, penetrating deeper into the skin, specifically targeting aging and sun-damaged skin.
What Is Fraxel?
Fraxel Restore Dual Treatment is a resurfacing and skin rejuvenation laser designed to stimulate collagen growth below the skin surface. Fraxel treatments can be safely done on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands.
How Does Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment Work?
The Fraxel laser penetrates the thickness of the skin with multiple microscopic laser beams. This produces tiny spots or holes in the skin and removes old, damaged skin cells. The body’s natural healing process then works to replace these fractional areas with healthy new skin.
This process is done over and over again as the body heals these tiny microscopic areas of damage that were created by the Fraxel laser beam.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Fraxel Treatment?
There are no age or gender restrictions on the use of Fraxel lasers procedures. Fraxel procedures can be used on people with Fitzpatrick Skin Pigment Scale 1-4. Fraxel is typically not suitable for people with naturally darker skin tones.
Good candidates for Fraxel lasers include people with the following skin conditions:
- Sun-damaged skin
- Aging skin
- Crepey Skin
- Melasma
- Irregularly pigmented skin
- Mild-to-moderate wrinkles
- Acne scarring
Learn more about effective cosmetic treatments for sun-damaged skin.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
The procedure takes around 90 minutes. The first step is numbing the skin, which is usually a 30 minute process. The resurfacing procedure is typically 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area and other factors.
Patients may experience some redness and soreness for the first week after treatment. There should be no bruising with the procedure. Most people need four to six treatments spaced around six weeks apart to begin seeing expected results.
What Results Can I Expect?
You can expect a significant reduction of superficial wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, improved appearance of your skin tone and texture, and the elimination of unwanted brown and age spots.
Additionally, you will see an improved appearance of acne scars and surgical scars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Tightening.
What to Do Before Starting Fraxel Treatment
Each person and individual skin condition is different, but patients generally follow these steps before undergoing Fraxel laser resurfacing:
- Come in for a consultation: If you’re considering Fraxel laser treatment, the first thing you should do is schedule a consultation to determine in person if you are a good candidate for this treatment. If you’ve undergone or are currently undergoing Accutane treatment, using skincare products with retinol or antibiotics, or have a proclivity for severe scarring, Fraxel may not be right for you.
- Avoid sun-sensitive medications: Avoid medications and skin care products that make your skin sensitive to the sun. These kinds of medications include some antibiotics and products that contain retinol or vitamin A.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning: We also suggest that you avoid sun exposure for at least two to three weeks before your Fraxel treatment. We cannot perform Fraxel if you have a sunburn.
Post-Fraxel Care
After the procedure you will be given detailed recovery instructions by your treatment team. After undergoing Fraxel, we generally advise patients to do the following:
- Place ice packs on your face to soothe the treated area
- Stay hydrated to reduce excess fluid
- Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they will dehydrate you
- Avoid harsh skin care products, acne treatments, and exfoliation for two to three weeks
- Use a quality moisturizer and wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
Innovations Medical performs Fraxel Restore procedures at our Dallas and Fort Worth locations.
Contact Innovations Medical for More Information on Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment
If you want healthier, younger-looking skin, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment is right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.