You are here: Home > Procedures & Treatments > Fraxel Laser Treatment

Fraxel Laser Treatment

Over the years, your skin becomes damaged by unavoidable exposure to sun and air pollution, stress, fatigue and even by lifestyle choices such as smoking. All of it keeps you from looking as good on the outside as you feel on the inside. Until now, two varieties of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic enhancement-ablative and non-ablative. Traditional ablative, which literally means vaporization at a very high temperature, are very effective at destroying unwanted tissue but may have significant side-effects and require a lengthy healing period.

At long last, a laser with the potency of ablative treatments and the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers received clearance from FDA to treat a variety of important skin conditions such as, acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

How does the Fraxel Laser Treatment work?

The innovative Fraxel Restore Laser is specially designed to alter only fractional volumes of the target tissue. Similar to precise alteration of photographs and paintings, the clinical effect of this treatment technique is to alter the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles and sun-damaged skin. The creation of tiny microscopic wounds results in a wound healing process and a response to the coagulation of collagen fibers.

What are the benefits?

After your very first Fraxel Laser Treatment, you will begin to feel the difference in your skin, as it gradually becomes softer, smoother and fresher. Wrinkles around your eyes and mouth will noticeably fade. So will hyperpigmentation and brown spots caused by aging and sun exposure. Fraxel is considered the treatment of choice for Acne Scarring and effective for other scars such as post traumatic or surgical scarring as well as stretch marks.

What does the Fraxel Laser treat?

What areas can be treated?

Fraxel Laser treatments can be performed on any area of the body. Most common areas are the face, neck, chest and hands to remove wrinkles, acne scars and hyperpigmentation, but other areas such as the abdomen or thighs can be effectively treated to remove stretch marks and surgical scars.

What does the treatment feel like? How long does the treatment take?

Treatment is well tolerated and feels like a prickling sensation. A topical anesthetic ointment is applied prior to treatment to avoid any discomfort. The anesthetic requires 45-60 minutes to take full effect. A treatment typically will take approximately 20-25 minutes.

Is there any downtime?

Mild swelling should subside within a day or so, and redness usually fades over several days. Patients can apply make-up immediately after treatment and return to routine activities. Your skin will look improved just after a few days and will continue to improve in the weeks and months after treatments.

Live closer to Burnaby? Check out Dr. Marcia Fleming's Lougheed Laser Centre