Treatment FAQ

what is a fraxel treatment

by Chris Shields V Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is Fraxel good for?

Fraxel laser therapy is a treatment that resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out and has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for wrinkles, acne/surgical scars, melasma, actinic keratoses and more.Sep 22, 2019

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.

Is the Fraxel laser worth it?

Since the Fraxel laser promotes rapid cell turnover and collagen production, it works extremely well on dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles along with other skin conditions such as acne scars. The Fraxel laser is also an effective treatment for skin discoloration.

Will one Fraxel treatment do anything?

The All-In-One Laser Fraxel laser is a workhorse that can deliver any number of benefits to your skin. From removing sunspots and erasing wrinkles to clearing scars and improving smoothness, this treatment will allow you to look and feel younger, with only minimal downtime.

Can Fraxel ruin your skin?

Because the Fraxel laser does damage your skin cells (in order for them to rejuvenate and improve your skin's appearance), you need to be certain to clean all treated areas several times a day – two to five, according to plasticsurgery.org – with saline or diluted vinegar solution, depending on your surgeon's ...Feb 5, 2021

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.

Is microneedling better than Fraxel?

Effectiveness. Both treatments deliver noticeable improvement in skin tone and texture. However, because microneedling does not penetrate the deep layers of the skin, it is better suited to mild skin problems, and the results are typically less dramatic than Fraxel.

How long does it take for Fraxel to heal?

Most patients complete this process 5 – 7 days after a treatment on the face. (On off-face areas, such as hands/arms, where healing is slower, the process may take up to 2 weeks.) redness resolves during the first week after treatment, but a rosy “glow” can remain for several weeks.

Does Fraxel get rid of wrinkles?

Fraxel is effective in treating: Fine lines & wrinkles (like crow's feet and brow lines) Surface scarring (helps to erase effects of acne & other scarring) Pigmentation (diminishes the appearance of brown spots)Oct 24, 2019

Which is better Fraxel or CO2 laser?

Fraxel™ laser¨: Either laser can be used to treat acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage, or texture. But Fractional CO2 is our first choice for sun damage, wrinkles, and texture while the Fraxel laser is our first choice for acne scars. These choices are purely based on which laser is more effective for each condition.

What can you not do after Fraxel laser?

Keep treated area clean; avoid smoking; excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, perspiring, swimming, or exposing skin to heat and sun. All of your skin care products should be non-irritating and non-clogging for the first week or so after a Fraxel treatment.

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.

Fast facts

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What is Fraxel laser treatment?

Fraxel is the most widely known brand of fractional laser treatments used for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation—so popular that many people refer to any fractionated laser treatment as Fraxel.

What are the pros and cons of Fraxel?

Fraxel laser downtime is usually less than a week long, depending on the intensity level of your treatment.

What is the cost of Fraxel laser treatment?

Fraxel laser treatment cost can vary with which type of laser is used, the size of the area you’re treating, and your provider’s level of experience and practice location.

What is Fraxel laser good for?

Fraxel treats sun damage, including fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Increased collagen production can also mildly firm skin, even skin texture and tone, and make it look more radiant.

What happens during a Fraxel laser treatment?

The laser’s energy feels hot, so each treatment starts with a topical anesthetic to make you comfortable and less likely to feel the laser’s effects during the procedure. You may need to wait up to an hour for the numbing cream to take effect, but this will make your experience much more comfortable.

What's the difference between Fraxel Re:store, Fraxel Dual, and Fraxel Re:pair?

Your doctor should recommend the best type of Fraxel laser to get the results you want, but these are the high-level differences.

What are the benefits of laser treatment?

What can Fraxel Laser treat? 1 Fine lines and wrinkles – like crow’s feet and brow lines 2 Surface scarring – erasing effects of acne and other scarring 3 Pigmentation – minimizing the appearance of age spots 4 Sun damage – helping heal dangerous skin damage 5 Actinic Keratosis (AK) – a common pre-cancerous skin condition

What is a laser treatment for wrinkles?

What can Fraxel Laser treat? Used to treat sun damage, wrinkles, aging skin, mild acne scarring, and certain kinds of age spots, Fraxel lasers can improve your appearance without extended downtime. Fine lines and wrinkles – like crow’s feet and brow lines.

How long does it take for a laser eye treatment to work?

Your experience begins before the laser starts to do its magic. To avoid any discomfort, you will be administered a topical anesthetic. Typically, you wait 15 minutes for it to take effect. Once this is ready, your real session begins. Your doctor will cover your eyes and start working. Truth be told, you will feel a light to moderate tingling sensation, but nothing you can’t handle.

Who is Dr Quiroz?

Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.

Does a laser peeling peel?

Fraxel laser will peel all your imperfections, revealing new and glowy skin. People generally focus on their face, but you can also receive a Fraxel laser treatment on your hands, arms, neck, and décolletage.

What is a fraxel laser?

Fraxel is an innovative type of laser treatment that is used to give the skin on your face a smoother and more even appearance. It minimizes a variety of types of damage to your skin, such as acne scarring, sun damage and discoloration, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, to give you fresher and younger-looking skin.

What happens if you get a fraxel laser?

Immediately following your Fraxel laser treatment, you will likely experience hotness, redness, and swelling that resembles a sunburn. This is because the lasers have a similar effect on your skin to the sun’s rays, but the most significant irritation usually does not last very long. These effects should be treated by using ice, moisturizer, or over-the-counter medications during the rest of this day in order to minimize discomfort and speed up your healing time.

How long does it take for a laser to heal?

Although it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different and responds to treatment differently, your healing process for each treatment session will typically be complete within a week. Here is a general overview of how Fraxel laser treatment can benefit your skin and what the day by day recovery process looks like!

How long does it take for swelling to go away after a syringe?

By the second day following treatment, you should expect the majority of the swelling and redness of your skin to disappear. Using a light moisturizer regularly during the first couple of days is key to making sure you reach this stage and eliminate the minor pain you are likely to experience quickly.

Why does my skin look less even?

Aging, acne scars, the sun, and other factors can contribute to your skin looking less even than you would like it to. Fraxel is a type of laser treatment that resurfaces your skin by gradually removing the damaged areas to expose new, healthy layers of skin. It produces similar results to surgical treatment options without being as invasive, ...

How much does fraxel cost?

The cost of Fraxel varies depending on your skin condition, your insurance plan, and where you live, but Dr. Nussbaum says most often, Fraxel costs around $1,500 per treatment for just the face, and up to $2,000 if you add on the neck and chest. This content is imported from Instagram.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Does laser repair work?

Because there is a risk for hyperpigmentation with any ablative laser (it's literally "wounding" your skin to work), Dr. Marmur doesn't recommend them for darker skin tones.

Is Fraxel Dual ablative?

Fraxel Dual, on the other hand, actually has minimal side effects and a less -intense downtime (at least, in comparison to ablative lasers), since it's non-ablative. Still, Dr. Nussbaum says a patient should expect some redness, swelling, and peeling afterward, but it settles in less than a week.

What is fractional resurfacing?

Keep in mind that not all lasers injure equally or require the same amount of downtime. Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, tells us there are two general types of fractional resurfacing: 1 ablative: more aggressive treatment that requires longer downtime and aftercare as it removes layers of tissue on the skin’s surface and stimulates collagen below the surface 2 non-ablative: less aggressive treatment that has smaller results and shorter downtime as it doesn’t remove surface tissue

Is Fraxel a brand name?

But if your favorite trusted provider doesn’t offer Fraxel, don’t despair: it’s all in a name. “Fraxel is a brand name, like Kleenex or Botox,” says Mraz Robinson. “ [The Fraxel name] denotes fractional laser resurfacing.”.

How much does a fraxel cost?

Fraxel’s range from $500 to $5,000, depending on where you live. While the cost varies depending on your region, what type of treatment, and the number of sessions needed, you could be looking at an average of $500 to $5,000 per treatment, advises Shafer. The average cost in NYC, according to Williams, is $1,500.

How does a fraxel laser work?

Nussbaum explains the energy from the lasers creates tiny "columns of thermal destruction" in the skin that stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin cells to replace old, damaged cells.

Who is the beauty director of Women's Health?

Kristina Rodulfo Beauty Director Kristina Rodulfo is the Beauty Director of Women's Health—she oversees beauty coverage across print and digital and is an expert in product testing, identifying trends, and exploring the intersections of beauty, wellness, and culture.

Does milk exfoliate skin?

No exfoliation ," Nussbaum warns. She swears by a DIY compress made with half whole milk and half ice water because the lactic acid and fat content in the milk helps calm the skin. "It sinks right into the channels that we've made in the skin," she says.

How long does it take to get a retinol treatment?

On the actual day-of, you'll be topically numbed for 45 minutes, and the procedure itself takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on where you're getting treated.

How to get rid of acne on face?

You're also going to want to avoid any harsh products or prescription acne products on your skin for up to a week. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer twice a day and avoid peeling and picking your skin at all costs. "That will only make you red and take longer to heal. It'll peel when it's ready.

What is fractional laser?

Fraxel is a type of fractional laser, a skin resurfacing laser that stimulates cellular turnover and the skin’s natural healing process to reveal smoother, more even-looking skin with fewer pigmentation and discoloration issues, fine lines, and wrinkles . RealSelf Tip: You can prolong the results of your treatment by investing in good skin care, ...

How does laser skin resurfacing work?

Laser skin resurfacing procedures like Fraxel work by intentionally damaging your skin with the heat from laser energy. They remove either a fraction of your skin's surface or the entire surface (depending on the type of Fraxel laser used), while triggering your skin's natural healing response.

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