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Think of your
skin as a family portrait or digital photograph in need of
high-quality restoration or touch up.
Just as a damaged
painting is delicately restored one small area at a time, or a
photographic image is altered, pixel by pixel, Fraxel® Laser
Treatment improves your appearance by affecting only a fraction
of your skin at a time with thousands of tiny microscopic laser
spots.
How Fraxel® Laser
Treatment Works
Fraxel® Laser
Treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of
treatment in your skin, known as microthermal 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 leaves untouched. For every
microthermal 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 tissue to
replace skin imperfections.
Overview
At your initial
consultation, your physician will determine the best treatment
plan for your desired results. By design, each Fraxel® Laser
Treatment targets between 20 and 25 percent of the skin's
surface. Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective
treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks
apart. Depending upon your condition and schedule, you and your
physician may choose to space treatment sessions even further
apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal
improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. Because
Fraxel® Laser Treatment spares healthy tissue, it is effective
even on delicate skin areas, such as the neck, chest and hands.
Preparing for
Treatment
Fraxel® Laser
Treatment can be performed right in your doctor's office using
only topical anesthesia in most cases. If you are having a
significant area of your skin treated, your doctor will develop
a pain
management approach
to maximize your comfort during the procedure.
The treatment
area will be thoroughly washed prior to the procedure. Tracking
Gel, is applied to the
treatment area to highlight the contours of the skin. This tint
is washed off after treatment.
What Happens After
Treatment
You will
experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then
minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 5 to 7
days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing.
Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days.
You may
apply make-up or shave soon after treatment.
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.
Please consult your physician to understand how Fraxel® Laser
Treatment will fit into your schedule.
New epidermal
skin develops within 24 hours. This process of skin repair
involves:
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Bronzing: Your skin will have a bronze appearance
that lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on your
treatment level.
-
Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigorously
exfoliate as new skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar
to that of minor sunburn, but without the associated pain. Use
of a moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking.
-
Sunscreen: Be sure to use sunscreen at least twice
daily to protect your skin from sun exposure during both the
healing phase and for several months after treatment. Apply a
moisturizing sun block with an SPF of at least 30-plus. For
added protection, use wide-brimmed hats when in direct
sunlight.
Over
the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper
dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel® treatment,
producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy,
youthful appearance
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