Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing

One treatment that accomplishes so much. Fraxel is a non-ablative laser (meaning it doesn’t remove the top layer of skin) that gives you all the skin resurfacing benefits of improved skin tone, texture, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation without the downtime typically associated with ablative lasers.

Consultations are always complimentary.

Fraxel Laser
Skin Resurfacing

One treatment that accomplishes so much. Fraxel is a non-ablative laser (meaning it doesn’t remove the top layer of skin) that gives you all the skin resurfacing benefits of improved skin tone, texture, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation without the downtime typically associated with ablative lasers.

Consultations are always complimentary.

Am I a good candidate for Fraxel Skin Resurfacing?

Fraxel is ideal for people with active lifestyles who want to improve medium-to-severe signs of aging and are looking for a treatment that’s more intense than Lutronic Ultra Laser. Best of all, there’s none of the downtime or redness that’s often associated with other laser skin resurfacing treatments.

What concerns can Fraxel Laser Resurfacing treat?

The Fraxel® Dual 1550/1927 Laser can be used all across the face and body. It features many benefits, including:

  • Minimized fine lines and wrinkles 
  • Lightened age and sun spots
  • Diminished melasma and hyperpigmentation
  • Improved acne and surgical scars
  • More even textural irregularities

Fraxel laser skin resurfacing before & after photos

How does Fraxel laser skin resurfacing work?

Fraxel laser treatments are completely customizable to treat specific, individual skin conditions by stimulating the production of healthy, new skin. The Fraxel laser uses unique fractional laser technology to create micro-injuries deep beneath the surface of the skin.

As the skin begins to heal, the channels repair themselves by creating new collagen and healthy skin. Imperfections like brown spots, wrinkles and scar tissue are replaced with smooth, toned and more youthful-looking skin.

What should I expect during a Fraxel laser skin resurfacing treatment?

A “smart scanning” hand piece applies the laser energy to the treatment area ensuring consistent results. The treatment takes about 20 to 30 minutes for a full face.

Due to the topical anesthetic and the cool air applied during treatment, most people find the Fraxel laser treatment to be comfortable. When asked, patients describe the feeling of a “prickling” sensation. An oral sedative can be given to patients who have sensitive skin and feel more discomfort than the average patient.

Once the treatment sessions are complete, the skin continues to heal itself in the following weeks and months revealing brighter, more even-toned and plumper skin.

What’s recovery like?

Fraxel is considered to be among the most effective laser treatments with the least amount of associated side effects. Typical side effects include a mild “sunburn” effect lasting a day or two after treatment. Another common side effect may include mild swelling to the treatment area.

How many Fraxel laser skin resurfacing treatments will I need?

Because Fraxel is completely customizable to the individual, it is difficult to determine the number of treatments without knowing what type of skin condition is being treated. In Pittsburgh, Fraxel treatment plans are developed during free skin consultation. During the consultation your specific skin conditions and concerns are discussed and your skin is evaluated. However, for general skin rejuvenation, typically one or two treatments are needed. To treat hyperpigmentation or sun damage, additional treatments are needed—up to five sessions in some cases. Typically, Fraxel treatments are performed in a series of four or five sessions, spaced two to four weeks apart.

Results of Fraxel laser skin resurfacing

Improvement in the skin can be seen almost immediately, however depending on the skin condition being treated, result time will vary. For fading of freckles and hyperpigmentation, you can see improvement after just one treatment. For collagen building (skin firming) you may begin to see results after the three treatments. Generally, you’ll see an improvement in the tone and texture of your skin after just a single treatment.

How is Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing different from other skin resurfacing treatments?

Fraxel uses unique fractional technology to create micro-thermal zones (similar to a pixel-like grid) deep into the skin, which helps get rid of—and revitalize—old, sun-damaged skin. Each treatment replaces about 15-20% of the sun damaged, scarred or wrinkled skin, which is why it can take a few treatments. Fraxel offers the same effectiveness as the harsher, yet effective ablative laser treatment, but with the speedy healing time associated with the gentler, non-ablative lasers.

How should I prepare for treatment?

Preparation is simple. Fraxel patients need to stop using any retinoids, acids, exfoliators, or other products that can cause your skin to be more sensitive for at least a week prior to your treatment. If your appointment is in the afternoon, you can apply makeup as usual, and we’ll simply remove it. If your appointment is first thing in the morning, don’t apply any makeup.

What do I need to avoid after treatment?

After your Fraxel session, it’s important to avoid sun exposure as your skin has temporarily lost some of its natural sun protection and will be very sensitive. Avoid direct sunlight, use a day cream with SPF 30 or higher and, if you’ve treated an area on your body, wear protective clothing. You should do this for about three months. This may sound extreme, but remember it’s likely that too much sun exposure is what created most of your skin issues in the first place.

Can I combine Fraxel laser resurfacing treatments with other procedures?

You can combine a number of treatments with a Fraxel session at The Skin Center. If you’d like to remove some stubborn pockets of fat, you could combine a CoolSculpting session before or after your Fraxel treatment. If you’re looking to tighten your profile and tighten up a double chin, you can try Kybella injections. You could even combine liposuction, particularly on a small area. The only procedures you wouldn’t want to pair with Fraxel would be treatments of the same facial area, such as microdermabrasion or microneedling.

If you’re interested in getting more out of your appointment by combining treatments, let’s talk about that during your consultation.

Is it painful to have Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment?

We apply numbing cream an hour prior to your session. This ensures you’ll feel little discomfort. Some patients say the laser pulses feel like a prickly sensation that passes immediately. Others say there is a sensation of warmth and heat, but that it isn’t unpleasant. Most patients find that these treatments are easily tolerated.

What is better about Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment compared to other laser skin resurfacing treatments?

Fraxel was the original fractional laser, and since its debut the platform has been continually getting even better. At The Skin Center, we use the Fraxel Dual system for all of fractional resurfacing. Here’s what makes it superior to other laser resurfacing options.

The Fraxel Dual system is actually two lasers in one. There is a 1927nm wavelength that is used for pigmentation problems, such as sun spots. And there is the 1550nm wavelength that is used to improve skin texture, acne scarring, and lines and wrinkles.

At The Skin Center, we use Fraxel Dual with both wavelengths or separately depending on the needs of the individual patient.

  •     Fraxel 1927nm — Sunspots, age spots, freckles, melasma, or actinic keratoses. No one likes these pigmentation issues, and that’s what this aspect of the Fraxel Dual system targets with its thulium fiber component.
  •     Fraxel 1550nm — This wavelength is in effect an erbium laser. It penetrates deeper into the dermis layer of the skin to initiate higher levels of collagen and elastin production. This improves the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, overall skin texture and tone.

Is Fraxel laser skin resurfacing safe for all skin types?

Yes, these treatments are safe for all skin tone and types. If you have an active acne breakout, it’s best to wait for it to clear before having Fraxel.

Side effects of Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment

Fraxel is considered to be among the most effective laser treatments with the least amount of associated side effects. Typical side effects include a mild “sunburn” effect lasting a day or two after treatment. Another common side effect may include mild swelling to the treatment area.

Alternative treatments

SmartSkin CO2 laser

SmartSkin CO2 Laser offers long-lasting results to treat fine lines, deep creases and uneven skin tone and texture, for your most radiant skin imaginable. It’s completely customizable parameters to address each patient’s goals and downtime requirements.

Lutronic Ultra

Lutronic Ultra Laser gently rebuilds glowing, healthy skin with minimal downtime, as it effectively improves hyperpigmentation, sun damage, fine lines, tone and texture—and can be used across multiple skin types, all year long.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel uses a precise chemical solution to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin, revealing a bright, healthy, more vibrant complexion.

Schedule a complimentary consultation

Our laser specialists are state-licensed, strict about safety and have above industry standard training and experience. During your complimentary consultation, they will assess your skin goals and budget to create a customized treatment plan. To schedule, please call 1-800-429-1151 or fill out our contact us form and a patient coordinator will get back to you. 

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