CANDIDATES
The Fraxel re:store laser is useful for all skin types. However, people with darker skin types are a bit more likely to develop increased pigmentation, which is almost always temporary.
HOW TO PREPARE
One should avoid tanning for a month before treatment. Fraxel re:store treatment is performed right in our medical facility using only topical anesthesia. Some people will also use oral medication to improve the comfort level. The topical anesthetic will remain on about 45 minutes prior to treatment. Treatment with our Fraxel re:store system is now faster, usually 30 minutes or less, and with each treatment you should see steady improvement in skin color and the skin surface.
HOW DOES IT WORK
f one views a magnified newspaper photo, one will see that the picture is actually comprised of thousands of tiny spots of ink. Similarly, this laser treatment produces thousands of tiny microthermal zones. These zones penetrate deeply into the dermis producing collagen remodeling and reducing wrinkles. They also resurface the uppermost portion of the skin, resulting in the formation of new epidermal cells with reduction or complete elimination of uneven pigment. Further, the remaining areas of untouched skin between these microthermal zones allow the skin to heal much faster compared to conventional laser skin resurfacing.
BENEFITS
All areas of the skin, including face, neck, hands and body can be treated.
Wrinkles, discoloration, including sun spots, brown age spots and hormonal facial discoloration (melasma) can usually be effectively treated
Uneven discoloration, sometimes including areas that are too light, can be improved.
Precancerous lesions are reduced.
Scarring of all types including acne scarring, burn and surgical scars can be improved, sometimes quite dramatically.
Large pores and skin roughness can be improved.
There is little to no downtime so recovery is quick.
Minimal risk; Fraxel re:store has the best risk/benefit ratio of any laser.
ABOUT TREATMENTS
Treatments are performed by our highly skilled licensed medical aesthetician, Carolyn Clary, who has over 15 years of experience in the field. The number of treatments necessary will vary from person to person, but generally will require 3 to 6 treatments. Treatments are generally monthly, but may be spaced at longer or shorter intervals.
RECOVERY
New epidermal skin develops immediately, within 24 hours. This process of skin repair involves some mild bronzing of the skin and some mild exfoliation of the skin. Moisturizer helps with this and the use of sunscreen after treatment is strongly recommended.
You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then virtually no discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for five to seven days. This is a normal sign that the skin is healing deeply, that dermal tissue is being repaired, and there is good blood circulation. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in two to three days. You may apply makeup or shave after the treatment. Typically patients find they can go back to work soon after treatment or the next day.
RISKS
We have found the Fraxel re:store to be the safest laser we have ever used. Infection, scarring and change in skin coloration (either hyper or hypopigmentation) is possible with almost any laser treatment. The Fraxel re:store, however, provides unprecedented control in laser skin rejuvenation. Risks are minimal, though the specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for any person can be determined only at the time of the consultation. All procedures have some degree of risk, although the risks of the Fraxel treatments tend, for the most part, to be minor. If you have a history of herpes infection or frequent cold sores, you must notify our skin care specialist at the time of scheduling your treatment, so that an oral anti-viral agent can be prescribed to prevent an outbreak post-treatment.
