what are the side effects of fraxel laser treatment

Comparison Of Fraxel Laser Treatments

Laser Treatments	Fraxel Re:pair	Fraxel Restore	Fraxel Dual
Recovery (May vary)	A week	1-2 days	A week
Procedure Sessions (May vary)	1-3	4-6	1-3
Targeted Skin Issues	Age spots Deep lines and wrinkles Sun da ...	Fine to moderate wrinkles Brown spots Su ...	Photoaging Fine lines and deep wrinkles ...
Duration Of Treatment	45 minutes	30 minutes	15 minutes

Apr 22 2022

Full Answer

What makes Fraxel different from other laser treatments?

Potential Side Effects of Fraxel Swelling. For most patients, minor swelling can result from undergoing Fraxel Refine or Fraxel Restore treatments, but... Redness and Sun Sensitivity. Post procedure redness is to be expected. It will look and feel very similar to …

Does Fraxel Laser really work?

Feb 26, 2009 · The most common side effects after a Fraxel treatment are pain, swelling, and redness. All of these things should be short-lived, so we really think of them as part of the procedure. As your skin heals from these is where your body does all the work!

What is the recovery time for Fraxel Laser treatment?

Nov 10, 2021 · If a non-ablative laser is used (Fraxel Dual), there are minimal side effects and the recovery time is shorter. You may experience slight redness, swelling, and peeling, but the effects typically resolve themselves within a week.

What will I look like after a Fraxel Laser treatment?

Mar 05, 2018 · What are the side effects? According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects from non-ablative laser resurfacing may include mild swelling and redness, infection (herpes virus flare-up), temporary skin darkening (dark skin types), and blistering and scarring (rare).

Can Fraxel laser damage skin?

With these targeted micro-injuries, you can trigger a healing reaction without damaging your skin. Like microneedling and dermarolling, Fraxel is a call to your body, telling it to generate new collagen directly to a specific area. Keep in mind that not all lasers injure equally or require the same amount of downtime.Jun 11, 2019

What are the risks of Fraxel?

What are the risks of Fraxel Laser Treatments? 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.

What should I avoid before Fraxel laser?

It is critical that you are not using topical or oral steroids (creams or pills), retinoids (topical or oral) prior to your Fraxel procedure. Discontinue using skincare products containing glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and abrasive scrubs for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure.

How safe is Fraxel laser?

Fraxel is a safe laser skin resurfacing option for most healthy adults. However, it is important to obtain a formal evaluation from a cosmetic dermatologist like Dr. Emer who can determine if Fraxel is the best treatment for you and if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

How long do the effects of Fraxel laser last?

Results are both immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in 2 to 3 months, but the skin can continue to improve for up to a year.

Can Fraxel cause scarring?

Scarring: Local scarring may occur directly from laser exposure if treatment procedures are not followed properly, or from infection or physical irritation such as picking and rubbing. Avoid contact with clothing following treatment to minimize the risk of abrasion.

Can I use moisturizer after Fraxel?

Keep your skin moisturized, especially while it is peeling. Post Laser gel or Aquaphor Healing Ointment (available OTC) can be applied several times a day. If your skin is acne prone, use a lighter moisturizer, such as Cetaphil or Cerave.

What should I eat after Fraxel?

Packing your diet full of seaweed following your laser treatment is one of the best diet changes you can make, as it will help moisturize your skin from the inside and keep you looking fresh and rejuvenated for as long as possible.Jun 21, 2018

What helps Fraxel heal faster?

Keeping a light moisturizer on your skin throughout the first week after your Fraxel laser treatment is an important aspect of hydrating and rejuvenating your skin, but you should avoid heavy moisturizers, makeup, and any type of exfoliant to avoid slowing the healing process.

What is better than Fraxel laser?

IPL can shrink pores and remove hair, creating a smoother and healthier skin complexion. Unlike Fraxel, IPL requires many sessions to achieve maximum results, but each session is only $500. For an exact quote, it is best to call your local med spa in Frisco, TX.

How long does it take to recover from Fraxel laser?

Fraxel Dual requires four to five days of downtime during which pigment rises to the surface of the skin, and itching, flaking and dryness is common.Aug 4, 2016

How painful is Fraxel?

The 'new' Fraxel is not painful for most patients; a mild prickling sensation can be felt. We ensure patients are comfortable by applying a topical anaesthetic cream before the treatment and the machine now comes with a Zimmer device, which blows chilled air on the skin as the laser works, distracting nerve endings.

How long does redness last after laser treatment?

Redness of the skin is a common skin reaction to almost all available laser treatments, and in the case of few other procedures, it may even last for 1 week. Your face will look sun burned initially, but that will soon fade. Avoid going out in sun for the first few days to avoid brown spots.

How long does it take for whiteheads to go away after a laser?

These usually appear near the chin area and go away within 2 to 3 days. This is primarily due to the overheating of the skin by the lasers. Avoid picking or squeezing them and keep your ...

Why does my skin change color?

This is because old skin is being replaced by new skin during the healing process. Your skin may face hyperpigmentation, with a change in the color of your skin. Effects like bronzing or tanning are more common in patients with darker skin tones.

Is Fraxel Restore a non-ablative treatment?

Fraxel Restore is a non-ablative technique launched in 2003 which uses an erbium laser to heal your skin. Though it is considered non-invasive in nature, it still has some of the following potential risks and complications:

Can swelling last longer?

Usually the level of swelling is mild, but in rare cases it may be intense and last longer. You might also notice some minor bruising. Your physician will recommend ice packs to enhance the healing process, which should be applied as suggested.

Is Fraxel Restore invasive?

Fraxel Restore is one of the members of the Fraxel laser treatment family used to correct problems like wrinkles, facial lines and acne scars. Although it is less invasive than other Fraxel treatments, there are still some potential risks and complications involved.

Answer: Depends on which Fraxel

There are four types of Fraxel machine being used, in addition to a handful of "wanna-be Fraxel lasers" advertised and used on patients. Therefore, be very careful that you are actually getting Fraxel and not lasers marketed as Fraxel but made with cheaper parts from a different manufacturer.

Answer: Side effects from Fraxel treatments

It depends on how aggressive your treatment is. For lighter treatments, you might experience some mild swelling, redness, and tenderness for a few days. More extensive treatments might be accompanied by redness, swelling, and flaking, which could require a few days of social downtime before you feel ready to appear in public.

Answer: Fraxel has mild side effects

Fraxel lasers have the quality of most fractionated lasers in allowing for fewer side effects. The theory behind fractionated lasers is that a small piece of tissue is affected over a large area. Consider a digital picture which is made up of millions of small dots or pixels.

Answer: Side effects very tolerable compared to the return of your invested time and money

Fraxel Dual remains one of the most popular procedures in my office now for many years. Why? Because in spite of new flashes in the media pan from other energy devices, Fraxel Dual still gives predicatable and beautiful results and has a high satisfaction rate.

What is fractional laser?

Fractional lasers, as the name suggests, damage only a fraction of your skin by poking microscopic channels in it . This minimally invasive method leaves behind healthy cells and promotes collagen growth. The result is faster healing, less downtime, and fewer risks than with traditional lasers. The first nonablative fractional laser, called Fraxel, ...

What happens after fractional ablative treatment?

After ablative fractional treatment, your skin will be red, swollen, and itchy. Your doctor will apply ointment and cover the area. Skin peeling may be pronounced. You’ll need to gently remove flakes, reapply ointment, and cover your skin with gauze daily, as directed.

How much does fractional resurfacing cost?

In the United States, it can be $750- $1,500 per non-ablative treatment and $1,500-$3,000 per ablative treatment.

How long does it take to get a laser treatment?

A laser beam will be directed over the treatment area in a series of passes. Nonablative procedures take 15-90 minutes and ablative take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on technique and skin area.

What is laser resurfacing?

In laser resurfacing, concentrated beams of light energy remove thin layers of your skin to reduce blemishes and improve its appearance, either on your entire face or a specific region, such as under your eyes. Two forms of lasers have traditionally been available: non-ablative and ablative.

How long does it take for a facial to heal?

You’ll likely need only one fractional ablative treatment. Your skin will feel softer, look brighter, and have a more even tone. Over the next three to six months, you’ll see more improvement as the deeper layers of your skin continue to heal.

What are the two types of lasers?

Two forms of lasers have traditionally been available: non-ablative and ablative. Nonablative lasers are the gentler of the two. They create heat in the deep layers of your skin, leaving the outer layer intact, permitting quick healing and little downtime.

How long does a fraxel treatment last?

For tighter skin and reduced lines and wrinkles, Fraxel treatments typically need three to five sessions that are scheduled four weeks apart. On average, the results of a successful surgery, paired with excellent aftercare practices, can last up to a year.

How to reduce swelling from fraxel?

Another method to try is keeping the head up. By doing this, the head drains more unnecessary fluids, reducing the swelling of the skin.

How long does it take for a laser to peel?

The downtime for Fraxel lasers is usually one week. On the first two days, swelling, redness, and throbbing at the treated area can be experienced. In the first week, the skin will start to peel. But during this time, it’s better to leave it alone and let it recover by itself.

What to wear after laser treatment?

Wearing Tight Tops. Within the first few days after the laser treatment, it might be a challenge to pull the shirt over the head while avoiding contact with the face. This is why turtlenecks and other tight clothing are not recommended during the early stages of the recovery phase.

How long does it take for swelling to subside after faxel?

Soothe the Swelling. Swelling is a common after-effect of Fraxel treatment. It subsides after a few days, but there are ways to minimize the swelling quicker. During the healing process, it’s important to keep an ice pack near you.

What is the best way to protect your skin?

Protect the Skin. Protecting the skin means avoiding skin care products that can irritate it and cause inflammation. Aside from applying gentler moisturizers, patients should also use milder cleansers that don’t contain hydroxy acids or retinol.

How to help skin recover from a swollen face?

It’s important to help the skin recover fast by soothing the swelling, moisturizing the face, and taking extra steps to protect it. There are also activities to avoid such as putting on makeup, applying exfoliants, wearing tight tops, staying under the sun for too long.

How is fraxel different from microneedling?

Fraxel and microneedling are similar in that both treatments use the idea of creating micro-injuries on your skin to help rebuild collagen, but the main difference is that Fraxel penetrates the skin more deeply than microneedling.

How long does a laser touch up last?

Dr. Nussbaum says you might need a touch-up with a Clear + Brilliant laser four to six months later, but usually one Fraxel session is enough to last you the year. With the 1550 wavelength (the one for smoothing texture), you usually need three to five treatments spaced four weeks apart. Dr.

What is a dual laser?

Fraxel Dual is a non-ablative laser that can be combined or used separately to address different skin concerns on the face, neck, chest, hands, legs—just about anywhere. The 1927 wavelength of Fraxel will lift away discoloration ( hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun damage, and pre-cancer spots), while the 1550 wavelength of Fraxel is designed to target and smooth your skin's texture (fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring ). Don't worry about writing this down—your derm will decide the correct wavelengths for your skin.

What is the best laser for acne scars?

Fraxel is one of the more aggressive lasers offered at most dermatologist offices (more on these other lasers below), which is how it's able to get rid of things like pockmarks (aka those pitted, indented acne scars known as ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars).

Why do you need ablative lasers?

Ablative lasers are considered "wounding" lasers because they remove the outer layer of your skin and heat up the tissue underneath to stimulate new collagen production and fresh skin growth. As your skin peels off and heals (yup, the week of downtime afterward is no joke), your face will look significantly smoother, tighter, and fresher—basically, it's a takes-years-off-your-face laser. Examples of ablative lasers include CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasering and Erbium (aka YAG) lasering.

How long does it take for a laser to work?

Listen, lasers don't exactly feel great, but the treatment itself is relatively quick—about 15 to 25 minutes, plus another 45 minutes for the topical anesthesia (numbing cream) to kick in before getting started. And since you'll be numbed up beforehand, Dr. Nussbaum says you'll likely only feel a little stinging.

What to put on face to help with heat?

If you desperately need to put something on your face to alleviate some of the heat, Dr. Nussbaum recommends making a 50/50 mixture of whole milk (because the lactic acid and fat help heal the skin) and ice water (because it's naturally soothing).

What Is Fraxel Laser? What Is It Used For?

Fraxel treatment is a skin resurfacing treatment that aims to improve the skin tone, texture, and radiance and minimize sun damage and scarring to give you younger-looking skin.

Different Types Of Fraxel Lasers

Fraxel re:pair is the most aggressive of all Fraxel treatments and uses fractional CO2 or ablative laser. Ablative lasers wound the skin and remove the outermost layer to stimulate the growth of collagen fibers. When the skin regrows, you will notice a tighter and smoother appearance.

Preparations For Fraxel Laser Treatment

There are specific steps involved before you go for a Fraxel laser treatment:

What Is The Cost Of Fraxel Laser Treatment?

The cost of a single sitting of ablative Fraxel laser treatment is about $2,000, and non-ablative treatment is $1144. However, this may change as per the location, clinic, and experience of the medical esthetician performing the treatment.

Is Fraxel Laser Treatment Painful?

It depends on your pain tolerance level. You may feel a mild pricking sensation. However, the medical practitioner will apply a numbing cream to the target area to prevent any discomfort.

How Long Does The Effect Of A Fraxel Treatment Last?

One session may last about a year. However, the time may vary, depending on your skin condition and age. With 1550 nm wavelength lasers, you may need three to five sessions in a gap of four weeks. You may continue to see improvements for the next three to six months after the treatment.

How Many Sessions Of Fraxel Laser Do You Need?

Most people require at least two to four sessions to see the ideal results. However, the number of touch-up sessions may vary, depending on your age and skin condition.

How long does it take to get rid of a laser?

Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated.

How long does laser resurfacing last?

The effects can last for years. Results after nonablative laser resurfacing tend to be gradual and progressive. You're more likely to notice improvements in skin texture and pigment than in wrinkles. After laser resurfacing, avoid unprotected sun exposure for one year to prevent irregular pigmentation.

What to do if you have a herpes infection after laser resurfacing?

If you're having ablative laser resurfacing — or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth — your doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection.

What is laser resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is a facial rejuvenation procedure that uses a laser to improve the skin's appearance or treat minor facial flaws. It can be done with: Ablative laser. This is a wounding laser that removes the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers.

What to ask before laser resurfacing?

Before you have laser resurfacing, your doctor will likely: Ask about your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you're taking or you've taken recently, as well as any cosmetic procedures you've had in the past. Do a physical exam.

How long does redness last on the face?

Redness, swelling and itching. Treated skin may be itchy, swollen and red. Redness may be intense and might last for several months. The aggravation of a previously existing skin condition, such as rosacea, can contribute to redness.

Can nonablative laser resurfacing cause herpes?

Nonablative laser resurfacing also can cause side effects, including: Infection. Nonablative laser resurfacing can cause a flare-up of the herpes virus. Changes in skin color. Nonablative laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become temporarily darker than it was before treatment (hyperpigmentation).