Experience With Fractionated CO2 Laser - Fraxel Repair

Fraxel Repair laser treatment uses a high-intensityDepending upon the aggressiveness of the
carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to treat skin. But unliketreatment, there might be some pinpoint bleeding
other ablative procedures, it uses fractionalfollowing the procedure, as well as some oozing
technology to achieve cosmetic results whilefor up to 48 hours until the wounds close up. The
lessening recovery time. Fraxel repair treatmentmost common side effects are edema (swelling),
uses thousands of microscopic laser columns towhich usually subsides after a week, and
penetrate deep into the skin and remove old,erythema (redness), which may last up to a
damaged skin cells. This stimulates the skin's ownmonth, depending on the aggressiveness of
natural healing process, which replaces the cellstreatment. Other temporary side effects may
with new skin and new collagen. In this mannerinclude minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking,
the skin can be rejuvenated to reduce wrinkles,oozing and crusting.
sun spots, and wrinkles. In addition, skin tighteningImmediately after treatment occlusive ointment
and acne scar improvements are also seen inlike Aquaphor is placed on the skin for 2-3 days.
higher treatment settings. In the highestOnce healing is completed, patient should wear
treatment settings, pre-cancerous lesions can besunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun
also be removed.exposure for at least 3 months after last
A review of treatment benefits include:treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when in
·A single treatment neededthe sun.
·A pre-emptive strike against aThe results of Fraxel repair treatment are both
facelift-through tightening that defends againstimmediate and progressive. Soon after the
loose, saggy skintreatment, the surface of the skin looks softer,
·Smoother, more even skin tone andlooks brighter with more even skin tone. The
texturenext 3 to 6 months after treatment healing
·Softening of deep frown lines andprocesses in the deeper skin layers result in
wrinklescontinued improvement in skin appearance.
·Improved appearance of redness causedWith the need for little down-time, and optimal
by sun damageresults are demanded by patients. Many patients
Fraxel repair laser has received FDA clearance forin Los Angeles are also tanned or of darker skin
many indications on and off the face, including:types. Our experience has been that with the
·Wrinklesproper laser settings, proper pre-laser treatment
·Irregular textureand post-laser precautions that most patients
·Age spots/sunspots (pigmented lesions)(Fitzpatrick skin types I-III, and selected type IV)
·Sun-induced redness (vascularcan be safely treated without skin pigmentary
dyschromia)issues. For instance, in varying the two main
Recovery can vary depending on the patient'svariable: coverage versus treatment depth,
skin type and treatment settings used. Dependingcoverage is reduced in our patients with olive skin.
on the level of treatment, the procedure takesWith careful selection of treatment settings,
20 minutes for a full face, with most men andremarkable skin rejuvenation results can be
women returning to routine activities in 3 to 9achieved with this fractionated laser.
days - depending again on treatment depth.