In the business of modern cosmetic dermatology, Fraxel Repair is a household name. Patients and doctors alike refer to Fraxel Repair as one of the pioneer methods in fractional laser resurfacing. By inflicting precise thermal damage on selected areas of the skin, it stimulates the surrounding tissue to regenerate, leading to a more rejuvenated appearance after treatment. However, there are limitations that make this technique not as favorable as some of the other alternatives in certain situations.
Fraxel Restore
Another member of the Fraxel laser family, Fraxel Restore is a non-ablative technique that bypasses the surface of the skin to induce fractional damage from below. Compared with the ablative Fraxel Repair, this method is considered less invasive, subjecting you to less risk and fewer side effects. After Fraxel Restore, your appearance will not look much different from the outside, with only minor redness and irritations. Most people can resume regular activity immediately after the procedure. The recovery time necessary for Fraxel Repair is much longer, usually taking a week's time. The upside of Fraxel Repair is that it can penetrate much deeper into the dermis to treat more severe skin conditions and produce more dramatic results. For these more in-depth issues, usually several treatments of Fraxel Restore are needed to produce the same effect as one treatment of Fraxel Repair.
Active FX
Active FX is more similar to Fraxel Repair in terms of the type of laser used. Both of these procedures are ablative and both use CO2 lasers for treatment. The most notable advantage of Active FX is that the UltraPulse technology involved in this type of treatment greatly reduces the amount of thermal collateral damage from the treatment, so that it's less invasive with lower risk factors. It will usually take you only 4 to 6 days to recover from an Active FX, instead of the 7 days needed for Fraxel Repair. The setback of Active FX is that it's only effective for superficial treatments, such as removing surface fine lines and wrinkles and age spots. To reach the same level of results as a Fraxel Repair, usually Active FX must be done in combination with the more penetrating Deep FX.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is the use of pressurized microcrystals to polish away the blemished area of the skin. This method is also very versatile and can be used to treat a variety of areas on the body. Microdermabrasion is considered non-invasive. Many people say that the procedure itself is not painful, without having to use any anesthetics. Recovery after the procedure is almost immediate. Most people are able to resume routine activities right after the procedure with only a minimal level of discomfort. Results from microdermabrasion are not as apparent as after Fraxel Repair. You will need multiple treatments at monthly intervals to have the same effectiveness, but improvements will be notable after every treatment session. With microdermabrasion, stimulation of cellular regeneration is done purely through physical means, reducing the patient's exposure to radiation which can lead to adverse effects.
Keep an open mind during your search, and choose the treatment that is most suitable to produce the results you want.
