Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

How It Works

Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing is a laser treatment that can improve the texture of most skin types. It helps to achieve smoother and younger looking skin. In addition, it works to shrink pores, revitalize tone and texture, erase unwanted benign brown spots and smooth scars, fine lines and wrinkles. It is non-invasive and non-ablative: it does not puncture or strip off layers of skin.

The Science Behind The Treatment

Fraxel works via a laser that pinpoints targeted, microscopic areas of the skin. It treats below the superficial layer of the skin in order to cause targeted destruction to old damaged skin cells. Through this, the body is forced to replace the damaged cells with new, more elastic skin. It works to replace tissue that has been lost due to scarring, in addition to removing benign dark pigment and tightening skin. Fraxel targets 5 to 50 percent of cells in order to leave a large amount to heal the treated areas.

Fraxel is safe to use on the hands, neck, chest and face.

Because of how it is built, Fraxel has results that are both immediate and progressive. Once the treated areas have healed, the skin becomes softer, more evenly pigmented, and more elastic.

How to Prepare

Let us if you have a history of cold sores or have ever had an adverse reaction to light or laser treatments in the past. We may suggest specific skincare products prior to and after treatment for optimal healing.

What to Expect

Before you arrive

Before coming to your appointment, make sure you gently clean the area being treated and avoid wearing any make-up.

Because Fraxel laser can be uncomfortable, you should schedule a numbing appointment an hour and a half before your appointment time. During this appointment, we will apply topical numbing cream to the area being treated. Even with topical numbing, Fraxel laser can feel like a rubber band being snapped against the skin.

Before your treatment, we will gentle clean the area being treated will. We will then place eye shields over your eyelids to protect you from the laser. You will still be able to see some flashes during the procedure. These are not harmful to your eyesight.

After Treatment

Immediately following the treatment, you may notice some redness, bruising and swelling in the area treated. Swelling, bruising and redness may last for a few days, sometimes up to a week. Direct sun exposure should be avoided for at least 48 hours following the treatment and careful sun protection should be used for up to two weeks afterwards.

What It Will Feel Like

Most patients describe Fraxel as feeling like heat that intensifies during treatment, but is generally well-tolerated due to the topical anesthesia. Immediately after, the area treated feels like sunburn, which typically dissipates in a few hours and over the following few days.

Post-procedure Care

For the first week after treatment, use only gentle and non-comedogenic skincare products. Your skin is fragile and sensitive after treatments so sunscreen and decreased sun exposure is an important part of post procedure care. You can expect some peeling of the skin, so moisturize often with non-irritating and oil free products. You can typically resume wearing makeup and/or SPF immediately after treatment as long as they are gentle. We ask that you avoid any exfoliative treatments, glycolic acids, or Retin-A products for a period of time after treatments. We will give you in depth aftercare instructions at your appointment and are available to answer any questions as needed.

Before & After Images