During our lifetimes, we do a lot of damage to our skin, much of which will show up later in the form of spots, wrinkles, scars, and more. When it comes to sun damage, an avoidable but often overlooked threat, reversing its effects can be a challenge without the right plan of action. Fraxel Laser is one way that prospective patients can reverse sun damage and its many signs without a long recovery or painful treatment course. Look younger, achieve healthier looking skin, and enjoy the many benefits of Fraxellaser treatments.
What Is Fraxel Laser Treatment?
The Fraxel laser got its start in the cosmetic industry in the mid-1990s, offering patients a new type of fractional laser skin resurfacing. This device has since been considered among the most significant skin rejuvenation advancements ever made, revolutionizing how plastic surgeons were able to repair damage to the skin.
The Fraxel laser employs a unique resurfacing technique that can create dramatic improvements for patients with sun-damaged skin. It works by making tiny, controlled injuries to the skin which will stimulate the production of new collagen. As the skin repairs these tiny injuries, it also works to grow new skin cells and heal the older damage visible from sun exposure and other problems. While Fraxel laser treatments work in much the same way, there are different, more specific treatments available to patients.
How Do FraxelLaser Treatments Differ?
There are three types of Fraxel laser, including Clear & Brilliant, Fraxel Dual and Fraxel Repair, that can work in different ways to help you achieve your results.
FraxelClear & Brilliant works to reverse the early signs of aging while preventing further damage. Its unique treatment method will keep your skin looking youthful and refreshed. Clear & Brilliant uses simple and gentle laser energy in short 10 to 20 minute sessions. Using the Optical Tracking System on a special hand piece, this laser delivers uniform application to every part of the treatment areas.
The Fraxel dual laser is primarily targeted toward quick rejuvenation procedures and the treatment of surface damage. Wrinkles, acne scars, and other imperfections, including some of those caused by sun exposure, can be repaired with the restore laser treatments. It does not remove the top layer of skin, so patients can enjoy a shorter recovery time, lasting just one or two days.
The Fraxel repair treatment is a little more involved but can address more difficult skin problems. Texture issues, redness, and darker spots are all among the potential targets for the repair laser. Dramatic results are often achievable with just one treatment, so there’s very rarely a need to visit multiple times to reach your desired results. After a repair treatment, your skin will appear smoother and more even in tone with fewer wrinkles. This treatment does remove several layers of the skin to achieve these dramatic results, so a longer recovery period of about one week is needed.
What Can Fraxel Do for Sun-Damaged Skin?
Fraxel skin resurfacing can target many of the side effects of sun damage to the skin, leaving behind new and healthy cells to repair them. The deeper repair treatment offers the ability to sweep the skin’s superficial layers where this damage is most prevalent, removing them as needed to correct the problem. The tiny laser used in Fraxel treatments allows your surgeon to evenly distribute the treatment as needed or concentrate on a specific area.
It’s important to take action against the effects of sun damage for many reasons. First, sun damage can add years to your appearance, thanks to spots, wrinkles, and even redness. Not only will it make you look older, but sun damage can leave your skin more prone to the normal aging process, advancing your perceived age even more. Second, the removal of sun damage could also help to control a potential risk of skin cancer. While it cannot remove cancerous cells that already exist, it might help to prevent their formation.
Some of the typical signs of sun damage include skin discoloration or pigmentation, a yellowish tint to the skin (sallowness), fine lines and wrinkles (more common as elastin breaks down in the cells), and freckling or age spots. Restoring your skin’s appearance can help your skin to stay healthy and youthful looking for longer. That’s a benefit that just about anyone can appreciate.
What Other Skin Issues Can Be Solved With Fraxel?
Sun damage can cause a lot of side effects to the skin, but the Fraxel lasers are capable of repairing much more than the damage caused by UV rays. Other skin issues treated by Fraxel may include:
- Deep lines and wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Age spots
- Melasma or skin pigmentation
- Actinic keratosis, a type of precancerous lesions
- Irregular skin texture
- Uneven skin tone
Whatever surface troubles you’re experiencing with your skin, the Fraxel laser treatment is worth consideration. Meet with Dr. Rubinstein and his highly skilled and experienced skin care staff to discuss what course of action is best suited to your needs.
Where Can I Learn More About Fraxel?
Start your journey to healthier, younger looking skin with a facial plastic surgeon who is knowledgeable and experienced with the Fraxel laser technique. Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein has been practicing in the Hudson Valley for more than 15 years and specializes in esthetic laser producers, facial plastic surgery, nasal, and sinus disorders. He uniquely combines his medical and surgical expertise to help patients feel better and look better. He holds dual board-certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, and is an Assistant Professor at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
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