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Fraxel® Skin Rejuvenation

Fraxel® Skin Rejuvenation

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What is Laser Skin Rejuvenation/Photofacials?
Dr. Matta uses the Palomar Medilux to reduce pigmented lesions (sun spots or age spots), vascular lesions (broken blood vessels, rosacea, spider veins and cherry hemangiomas), melasma (dark spots on the face usually in response to UV light and pregnancy) and improve overall skin texture and body. It is also useful to reduce the appearance of scars.

What areas can be treated?
Although most common for the face, chest and hands, rejuvenation can be done anywhere on the body.

What should I expect after treatment?
Pigmented (dark) lesions will darken after treatment then fade away after about 10-14 days.  Vessels generally go grey immediately after treatment and then fade over the next couple of weeks. 

How many sessions will I need?
Most people will notice an improvement from even one session, but it is recommended to complete a course of 3-5 sessions over  a period of a few months. 

What are the risks?
As with any laser procedure, there is a small chance of first degree burn or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation after treatment.  The risks are minimized by preparing properly and avoiding sun tanning for 6 weeks prior to treatment.  Click here for more details.

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What to do before Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Wax or shave any hair in the area you want treated to reduce discomfort.

Avoid using exfoliant creams (Retin-A and alpha hydroxyl creams) for 1 weeks prior to treatment.

Avoid tanning, including self-tanning lotions and significant sun exposure, for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. If you must be in the sun we suggest a total sun block (SPF 45 or higher). Your skin should be as light as possible before treatment.

On the day of your treatment do not apply any type of body lotion, oils, creams or perfumes. Keep the skin clean and free of any products. Only Vivier™ Vitamin C Serum is acceptable.

What to do after Laser Skin Rejuvenation
You will probably notice a mild heat-like sensation. This usually resolves within 2-72 hours of treatment. Mild swelling and/or redness rarely accompany this treatment, but if it occurs then it should resolve in 2-3 days.

Apply cool compresses or ice immediately after the treatment for 15 minutes every 2-4 hours to reduce any redness and provide comfort. A steroid cream or aloe gel may also be used.

Treated lesions may initially appear raised and/or darker with a reddened border. Apply ice or cool compresses for 10-15 minutes every hour for 4 hours or as needed. These lesions will gradually turn darker over the next day or two, scab and flake off by the second or third week.

Bathe or shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive for a day or so, cool showers will offer relief.

Avoid aggressive scrubbing and use of exfoliants, scrub brushes and loofa sponges until the treatment area has returned to its pre-treatment condition.

If blisters, scabs or irritation occurs, apply an antibiotic ointment (polysporin) to the area twice a day until healed.  Do not pick, scratch or remove any scabs should they occur. Until redness has completely resolved, avoid applying cosmetics on or near the treated areas. Avoid hot tubs and Jacuzzis and avoid activities that cause excessive sweating.

Avoid sun exposure to treated areas.  Apply sunscreen of SPF 45 or more daily to sun-exposed skin between treatments, and 4-6 weeks after treatment.

If you have been given a skin care cream program resume using it after 5 days at which time you may apply makeup as desired.

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Who wouldn’t want to have younger, healthier looking skin?  My patients commonly express this concern.  Whether it is sun damage, acne scars, melasma, fine wrinkles or surgical scars, the Fraxel Restore can make you look your best. 

Fraxel is a fractionated laser, which delivers light energy to the skin in narrow columns, treating only a specified percentage of the targeted skin.  This compares to conventional lasers which deliver the energy in a continuous manner that covers the entire surface of the treated area.  This makes Fraxel® incredibly safe and reduces down time compared to conventional treatment. This “fractional” treatment allows your body to heal the skin faster than if the entire area were treated at once.

My experience with the Fraxel has been that it gives patients a general “glow”, where their skin looks radiant and alive.  It works very well in reducing acne and surgical scars. It is important to understand that nothing can eliminate a scar completely, but the Fraxel has been the most effective treatment I can offer patients thus far, especially when combined with fillers.  Even after one session, patients notice an improvement, which continues to get better with each subsequent treatment.  Most patients need 3-5 treatments. Best results are achieved by combining Fraxel with our professional skin care products and facials.

Melasma (dark patches on the cheeks or other parts of the face, usually after hormonal triggers such as birth control or pregnancy) is a very common problem for patients in my practice and the Fraxel is FDA approved for melasma treatment.  Since melasma can be a chronic condition, it is especially important to pre treat the face prior to Fraxel and maintain proper sun care after treatment. 

Fraxel is also approved by the FDA for the treatment of fine wrinkles. Patients notice an immediate improvement (within a month) and see further improvement over 3-9 months thanks to the fact that it stimulates collagen production in the skin.  Many clinics do treatments once a month, which can be useful if you are treating skin discoloration only.  I find that most patients benefit from a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 3-6 months apart, especially for wrinkles and scars.

Treatment for sun damaged skin includes topical creams, intense pulsed light (IPL) link this to the ipl photorejuvenation page and Fraxel.  Most patients notice improvement within one or two sessions.  Since the Fraxel is working below the surface, it stimulates production of healthier skin and therefore has a longer lasting effect than other options. 

Down time is manageable with 3-7 days of redness and minimal swelling that can be covered by makeup.  Call our office for your personalized consultation.

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Useful Information

Areas of Interest

  • Acne and surgical scars
  • Large Pours
  • Fine Wrinkles
  • Sun Damage
  • Skin Rejuvenation

Contact Our Office

Call the office at 905-790-6644 to book your assessment and develop a personalized treatment plan.

You may contact us online as well.