Fraxel Restore Dual® and Fraxel Repair® Laser Resurfacing

Finally, patients can achieve the results of true laser resurfacing on wrinkles, scars, sun-damaged and loose skin without the discomfort, recovery time, and risk of older, traditional CO2 or Erbium lasers. Fraxel Restore Dual® and Fraxel Repair® devices offer a full spectrum of resurfacing options from least to most aggressive. Depending on the skin condition, its severity, the color of one’s skin, and a patient’s tolerance for downtime, Dr. Frank offers a complete spectrum in downtime and efficacy. Using non-ablative (no open wound) erbium glass technology, The Fraxel Restore® Laser is the first non-ablative laser to have the effective impact of an ablative laser. Done in a series of treatments, no open wound is created and healing occurs so quickly that there is very little downtime for patients (2 days). Now upgraded to a faster, stronger and more versatile technology, Fraxel has added a new wavelength technology called the Thulium into the Fraxel Restore®. In addition to working more efficiently for its traditional purposes, the Fraxel Restore® Dual laser has new applications specifically for hyperpigmentation, melasma, and brown sun damage. For more, in depth, information on the exciting new appilications of the Fraxel Thulium wavelength please click on our link.

The Fraxel Repair® is now the standard of care for fractionated ablative laser resurfacing. Much safer, much faster, and as effective as the older technologies, the Fraxel Repair® addresses more severe sun damage, wrinkles, and scars like no other device. Don’t be convinced into copycat technologies such as Pixel, Affirm, Matrix, Mixto, eCO2, Active/Deep FX, Accupulse, Pearl, Dot Xide and Palomar fractionated hand-pieces when you can have the original and most powerful gold standard technology. “Fraxel” is the creator of the groundbreaking fractionated laser technology and has the greatest number of clinical studies and the most significant safety record to date.

The Fraxel Restore® and Fraxel Repair® Procedure

What are Fraxel® Laser Treatments (FLT)?
Fraxel® Laser Treatment (FLT) is the original "fractional" treatment that produces thousands of deep, tiny columns of trauma in your skin, called microthermal treatment zones (much like pixels in a digital camera). FLT is "fractional" in that it intensively treats thin columns of the skin without affecting the surrounding tissue, which reduces healing time and promotes the skin's natural process for creating new, healthier tissue. Fraxel® Restore® Dual is the non-ablative, low downtime technology. Deeper, faster, less painful, yet very effective are the trademarks of this technology.

How is Fraxel Restore Dual® different from Fraxel Repair® and other laser treatments?
Until Fraxel®, there were two types of available laser treatments. Purely ablative laser treatment (CO2 and Erbium) which was very effective but had significant side effects and lengthy healing period (weeks). The other being non-ablative, had zero downtime but had very little clinical effect. Fraxel Restore® and the more aggressive Fraxel Repair® treatments offer the effectiveness of older ablative treatments with the benefits of the gentler, fractionated laser technologies.

The Fraxel Repair® is a fractional technology that utilizes the ablative CO2 laser wavelength of light. It is more aggressive than the Fraxel Restore® (non-ablative) in that it leaves the skin with small open wounds which create a healing period of approximately 5-7 days. Some level of sedation is essential for pain control during the treatment and minor wound care and oral medications are essential for recovery. Makeup can be applied 5-7 days after the treatment with the potential for minor coverable redness for 1-2 weeks afterward. The Fraxel Repair® is for the patient that requires the most aggressive of treatment for deep scars, deep wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and mouth, and skin looseness. Fraxel Repair® patients want dramatic results in one treatment session. This technology has been coined the “microscopic facelift”. Because Fraxel Restore® Dual leaves no open wounds, treatment and recovery is very easy. Makeup is applied the next day without any aftercare. Although effective each time it is performed, it does require several treatments -anywhere from 3-5 depending on the patient.

What are the benefits of Fraxel® Laser Treatments?
With fractionated lasers healing time is significantly accelerated so there is minimal downtime and risk. With Fraxel Restore Dual®, at no time after treatment is the skin left raw, therefore, make-up can be worn immediately following the procedure. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. Generally there is redness and minor puffiness for 1-3 days. Fraxel Repair® patients require up to one week off, depending upon their skin condition and treatment level.

What are the risks of Fraxel® Laser Treatments?
Swelling and redness are the most common side effects of treatment. If swelling and redness does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two for Fraxel Restore Dual® and 5-10 days for Fraxel Repair®. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring and there is no pain during recovery with either treatment. We have never seen any significant complications.

How many treatments will I need? Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart for Fraxel Restore®. Most patients get 4 treatments. Fraxel Repair® is usually a one time treatment but some patients request a second. Optimal improvement occurs for 6 months after the series of treatments. This time frame and treatment structure allows for complete healing and replacement of damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin, and viable healthy skin cell growth.

How are Fraxel® Laser Treatments performed?
A topical anesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment areas approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect. For Fraxel Restore Dual® treatments topical anesthesia alone is usually sufficient. For Fraxel Repair® treatments patients get topical anesthesia, shots of local anesthesia and sedation with low dose Demerol and Valium. IV sedation is optional in our out-patient surgical facility. Both procedures take between 20-25 minutes for the full face.

Is Fraxel® Laser Treatment painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as having an intense "prickling" sensation. The anesthetic protocol that Dr. Frank uses and air cooling alleviates most discomfort. For those that are sensitive, Dr. Frank offers whatever additional pain relief if necessary.

Which Fraxel® Laser is best for me?
Upon consultation, Dr. Frank can assess the quality and severity of the skin problem. After a thorough history and interview, he can help patients make a decision that will suite both the condition that needs treatment and the lifestyle issues regarding downtime and risk that the patients needs to make an educated choice.

How much do Fraxel® Lasers treatments cost?
Total price for a series of Fraxel Restore® treatments ($800-$1800 each) is approximately equivalent to one Fraxel Repair® treatment ($2500-$6500). Range of prices depends on partial or full-face treatments, severity of condition, and the relative inclusion of other body parts such as neck and chest.

Can Fraxel® treatments be performed on the body?
Yes, both Fraxel Restore Dual® and Fraxel Repair® are excellent treatments for scars and sun damage throughout the body. Great for stretch marks too!

Learn More About:

New York Fraxel Update
Fraxel for Dark Skin
Fraxel for Teenagers
Combination Treatments with Fraxel
Fraxel Restore Dual FAQs
Fraxel Restore Dual for Acne Scars FAQs

 

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