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Answers About FRAXEL Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Results you can see and feel.™
Fraxel Treatment is a safe, non-invasive procedure that allows you to rediscover the fresh, healthy skin of your youth.
Benefits of Fraxel 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
Until now, two varieties of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic enhancement-ablative and non-ablative. Traditional ablative, which literally means vaporization at a very high temperature, are very effective at destroying unwanted tissue but may have significant side-effects and require a lengthy healing period. Non-fractional non-ablative, on the other hand, have very few side-effects and require almost no healing time, but may involve numerous treatments over many months to achieve only modest results.
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® 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.
Delivery
- Delivers thousands of low energy (mJ) pulses in microscopic spots as handpiece glides over the skin. Each pulse creates a Microscopic Treatment Zone (MTZ)
Ablative Resurfacing Problems & Risks (non FRAXEL Technology)
- Infection and scarring
- Hypopigmentation
- Unnatural sheen to skin
- Complex aftercare
- Prolonged erythema
Ablative Resurfacing (CO2 Lasers)
- Limited to face
- A CO2 patient is raw for months where a Fraxel patient is receiveing several treatments which have minimal social interruption.
Non Ablative Treatment
- Safer than ablative
- Because it requires epidermal cooling:
FRAXEL Treatment
- New class of therapy
- Stratum corneum intact
- Thousands of microscopic thermal wounds completely surrounded by viable tissue for rapid healing
- Predictable immediate and delayed results
- Epidermal coagulation for resurfacing effect
- Dermal denaturation for deep remodeling
CO2 versus FRAXEL Treatment
- CO2 vs. Fraxel® – not much difference
FDA-Cleared Indications
- Treatment of periorbital wrinkles
- Photocoagulation of pigmented lesions including lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), and dyschromia
- Resurfacing
- Melasma
- Acne scars
- surgical scars
- stretch marks
This is Why Patients Heal Quickly
- Each treatment targets 5-48% of total tissue, leaving 52-95% untouched. This is why you will need a series of 3-5 treatments
What happens to the patient POST-TX
- Immediately post = look & feel like bad sunburn (red, swollen, inflammed)
- 2- 4 days = Bronzed appearance, Rough texture - MENDS come to surface (DO NOT EXFOLIATE) - Flaking, mild crusting and may have some small milk like bumps in nose and chin area.
- About 2 – 4 weeks to complete healing - ready for next FRAXEL!!
Patient Screening: Contraindications
Similar to ablative therapies, including:
- Accutane or drugs in a similar class 6 months prior to treatment
- Predisposition to keloid formation or excessive scarring
- Lesion suspicious for malignancy
- Unrealistic patient expectations
Patient Screening: Other Treatment Considerations
- Active tanning/UV exposure within last two weeks
- Active infection: bacterial, viral, fungal
- Prophylaxis for oral herpes indicated
- Predisposition to hyperpigmentation
- Regimen for prophylaxis indicated
- Hx of topical retinoids or retinols 2 weeks prior to treatment
- Compromised ability to heal
- Be aware that current anticoagulant or medication that can affect coagulation and predispose patient to petechiae
- Fillers recommended after series of FLT complete
- No studies on cosmetic tattoos
Post Procedure Instructions
- Do not rub too vigorously
- Ice packs for remainder of day
- Sleep elevated first night
- SPF 30+ sunscreen/moisturizer (non-clogging)
- Strict adherence to sun protection
Time Between Treatments
Generally 2-4 weeks, or more Based on:
- Treatment condition
- Skin-type, propensity for Pigmentation post proceedures
- e.g., Fitzpatrick IV, V, VI
- longer treatment interval (4-6 weeks)
- wait until inflammation subsides
- Previous response to treatment
Fractional Resurfacing: Before and After
photo damage before and after photo - Courtesy of S. Wall, Jr., M.D.
photo damage before and after photo - Courtesy of A. Menkes, M.D.
photo damage before and after photo - Courtesy of E. Kelly, M.D.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing Pre-Procedural Instructions
- 1. Discontinue use of topical retinoids or glycolics (anti-aging products) two weeks prior to Fraxel treatment.
- 2. Discontinue use of Accutane at least six months to one year prior to Fraxel treatment.
- 3. Discontinue sun exposure.
- 4. Hydroquinone therapy if indicated.
- 5. Antiviral prophylaxis if history of Herpes Simplex virus.
- 6. Arrange for transportation to and from the procedure if taking pain or anti-anxiety medication. The treatment will take 1½ to 2 hours; there may be additional time required for preparation.
- 7. Plan to go home following the procedure.
- 8. Call the office if you are unable to keep the appointment.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing Patient Discharge Instructions
- 1. You may experience some mild discomfort and/or stinging following the treatment. Use ice packs as needed for ten minute intervals every hour for the next 24 hours.
- 2. Drink plenty of fluids (water or juice is the best) to keep hydrated.
- 3. You may take showers or baths, but avoid using a washcloth or scrubbing the treated area for 24 hours.
- 4. Apply Sun Block and moisturizer twice per day.
- 5. Avoid use of anti-aging products (Retina-A) or petroleum based products (Aquaphor) for two weeks following the last procedure.
- 6. Continue use of antiviral prophylaxis for Herpes Simplex virus as ordered.
- 7. Sleep on elevated pillow to decrease inflammation.
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8527 Mayland Drive Richmond Virginia 23294
Medical Director: Dr. James Cook
804-346-1979
24 hours cancellation required & No Shows are charged 50% cancellation fee.
