FAQ - Fraxel

FAQs

Fraxel Overview
Fraxel re:pair®SST

How is a Fraxel treatment different from other laser skin rejuvenation procedures?

Traditionally, two kinds of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic skin treatment: ablative and non-ablative. Typical ablative treatments, which use a high temperature to vaporize unwanted tissue, can be effective—but with significant side effects and several weeks of recovery time. Non-ablative treatments, meanwhile, have very few side effects and low downtime, but they commonly require numerous treatments to produce more modest results.

Fraxel laser treatment delivers the potency of ablative treatments with the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers. So you get the best of both worlds: dramatic results and less downtime.

The Fraxel family of products has three treatments, all delivering significant results with minimal downtime. The three Fraxel treatments fall into two categories:

Non-ablative
Fraxel re:fine® treatment—for prevention and maintenance
Fraxel 1550 treatment—for mild to severe skin damage
Fraxel 1927 treatment—for mild to severe skin damage
As non-ablative laser treatments, Fraxel non-ablative treatments can improve mild to moderate skin damage with little to no downtime.

Ablative
Fraxel re:pair® SST treatment—for the correction of moderate-severe photoaging, usually in a single treatment
Fraxel re:pair SST treatment is a revolutionary new way to address the most severe signs of skin damage—without the degree of risks, complications and prolonged downtime of other ablative laser procedures. Fraxel re:pair SST treatment uses a high-intensity carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to vaporize unwanted tissue, but thanks to pioneered fractional technology, the treatment delivers effective results with significantly faster recovery time than non-fractional treatments—all in 1-2 treatments.

What is a Fraxel laser treatment?

Fraxel is a revolutionary laser treatment that helps you to remove years from your appearance by improving the skin. Fraxel is the pioneer of “fractional photothermolysis”, a technology in which thousands of microscopic laser columns – each just one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle – treat a fraction of the skin at a time without affecting the surrounding tissue. These laser columns stimulate the production of younger, smoother, healthier skin to replace damaged tissue.

How is a Fraxel re:pair SST treatment different from a Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 treatment?

Both Fraxel re:pair SST treatment and Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 treatment use fractional technology, but in different ways. As an ablative procedure, Fraxel re:pair SST treatment uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to vaporize microscopic columns of tissue deep within the skin. Fraxel re:pair SST treatment is a more aggressive procedure and is used to treat the most severe signs of skin damage. Results are achieved in 1-2 treatments and wound care recovery time (usually 24-72 hours) is generally longer than other Fraxel treatments. Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 treatment, on the other hand, is a non-ablative technique that intensively treats older skin cells while leaving the skin’s protective barrier intact. This results in less downtime and need for post-treatment wound care.

How long do the positive effects of Fraxel re:pair SST treatment last?

The results of Fraxel re:pair SST treatment are both immediate and progressive. Soon after the treatment, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter and show more even tone. The next 3 to 6 months will bring more improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to heal.

THE TREATMENT AND THE SCIENCE
Learn how Fraxel laser-light energy kick-starts your skin’s natural rejuvenation processes

At almost 50, thanks to my dermatologist and his skill, combined with a very healthy lifestyle, people never guess me at more than 40. What a great second half of life when I can look in my mirror to put on my make-up and actually LOVE looking at my skin! Fraxel was the underpinning of my transformation.Linda, Age 49
Lithia, FL - USA