Smooth fine lines, reduce sun damage, and improve texture

What is Fraxel?

Fraxel™ Laser Treatment (FLT) is a new approach to treating aging and sun damaged skin. It offers patients the positive results of ablative skin resurfacing without the side effects of the old resurfacing lasers. It gives a more dramatic result than nonablative techniques. It only treats fractions of the skin at a time and rebuilds damaged skin like digital modification - pixel by pixel, spot by spot. (Fraction + pixel = Fraxel)

View Before-and-After Photos for this Procedure

How does the Fraxel™ SR Laser work?

FLT produces tiny, microscopic sites of thermal impact separated by areas of unaffected, healthy tissue. Each treated spot, called a MicroThermal Zone, stimulates the body's own natural production of new collagen in the dermis and eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells on the skin's surface. The spared healthy tissue contains viable cells that promote rapid healing of the outer skin layers. Since only 20% of the skin is treated by the laser on each visit, there is speedy healing and minimal downtime.

What does the Fraxel™ laser treat?

It smoothes fine lines and wrinkles on the face, including around the eyes. It reduces sun damage, improves texture and tone of the skin, and fades age spots, sun spots and pigmentation on the face, neck, chest, back, forearms and hands. It also improves acne scarring and reduces pore size. Fraxel™ laser treatment results in fresh, healthy skin and a renewed sense of confidence. All skin types benefit from treatment.

How is the procedure done?

A topical anesthetic cream is applied. A cooling device is used for comfort. Several passes are done over the treatment area. Depending on the number of areas treated, the procedure takes 1 to 2 hours and is well-tolerated. If there is a history of cold sores (herpes simplex), an oral antiviral medication is started one day prior to treatment and continued for another 3 days.

How many treatments are required?

Typically, 3 to 5 treatments are necessary, about 3 to 4 weeks apart. Improvement is noticed within 1 to 3 months. A maintenance treatment done once or twice a year can maintain the results.

How will I look after the treatment?

The skin tends to be puffy for a day or so, red for one day, pink for a few days and then appears tanned or bronzed for 3 to 14 days, followed by flaking. Make-up can be applied immediately after the treatment and men can continue to shave. Most patients return to their routine activities by the next day.

Can Fraxel™ laser treatment be used together with other procedures?

Definitely! If spider veins are present, they can be treated with intense pulsed light. If there is extensive sun damage, Levulan® photodynamic therapy can be used. Botox® Cosmetic treats dynamic wrinkles and fillers plump up deeper creases. Microdermabrasion and light chemical peels can be performed for maintenance treatment and anti-aging products should be used at home. As always, sun protection is a must.

For in depth information about Fraxel please visit Dr Gidon's specialty site about Fraxel.