Fraxel Restore is a skin rejuvenation system that can erase fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, age spots and pregnancy melasmas. The procedure uses microscopic laser columns that will stimulate the collagen production and will resurface the skin. Fraxel restore is a treatment that requires several sessions to be effective and there will be immediate and long term results as well.
Preparations for the Procedure
Before the fraxel restore laser treatment is applied, the face or the treated areas must be thoroughly cleaned, so that the surface and the pores are ready for the treatment. A generic cleanser will be used.
A topical anesthetic cream will be applied on the surfaces that will be treated 45 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure. The use of the anesthetic will prevent the feeling of discomfort during the procedure.
During the Fraxel Restore Procedure
The fraxel restore procedure requires a laser device, which is small in size and can be manually handled.
A Zimmer cooler is used during the procedure; this is a hose that emits cool air, so that there will be no discomfort during the procedure and the swelling will be minimal.
The fraxel laser device is gently moved up and down and from one side to the other of the face or the treated area, covering the entire area that needs to be treated. If the surgeon observes that slight depigmentation occurs, he will insist on the depigmentated areas, until the skin is evenly pigmented and soft. If the treated area is the face, great care must be paid to the eyes; some surgeons will choose to give the patient a pair of protective goggles.
After the laser treatment is ready, the patient will be placed under a LED light photodynamic therapy, which will speed up the recovery and will reduce the redness of the skin. After the procedure, the patient will need to get some special creams to protect and hydrate the skin, as the skin will need to regenerate.
Duration of the Fraxel Restore Procedure
The fraxel restore procedure may take between 20 to 25 minutes to treat the surface of an entire face.
A patient requires 3 to 5 treatments for optimum results. The treatments will be spaced with 2 to 4 weeks between each treatment. This waiting period is required to allow the skin to regenerate.
Each treatment restores about 20 to 25% of the skin surface and each treatment will be performed in the same manner.
Variations in Fraxel Restore Techniques
There are no major variations in the fraxel restore technique. There may be variations in the application of the anesthetic. The anesthetic may be a topical numbing cream that is applied 45 to 60 minutes prior to the treatment or may be a local anesthetic that is injected before starting the procedure.
The use of the LED light photodynamic therapy is optional and some plastic surgeons may opt not to use it.
