Fraxel Repair is the most aggressive of the three levels of Fraxel treatments available. Fraxel, Fraxel Restore, and Fraxel Repair are laser systems by Reliant Technologies Inc. These lasers were designed to treat the signs of aging skin. Fraxel Repair is the newest product in the Fraxel line and is used to treat the most severely damaged skin.
A typical procedure involves a numbing agent being applied 60 to 90 minutes prior to treatment; medication to help the patient relax may be given. Some doctors perform this procedure in a hospital setting with the use of anesthesia. A full face laser treatment takes about 30-40 minutes. There may be some discomfort or pain that will usually subside immediately following the procedure. The most common uses for Fraxel Repair are for the treatment of:
Moderate to Severe Wrinkles
Fraxel Repair can be used to help soften deep set lines and wrinkles. Collagen production is increased for several months following the procedure. Results are evident after one treatment. A Fraxel Repair treatment may prevent loose skin from forming and thus help patients forgo the need for a future facelift.
Uneven Skin Texture
Irregular skin texture can be improved and acne scars diminished with a Fraxel Repair treatment. The skin will take on a smoother appearance and in some patients the pores will seem to diminish in size. Acne should be no longer active, or under control, before undergoing laser treatment.
Age Spots
Pigmented lesions, such as age spots (also known as sun or liver spots), are a result of cumulative sun damage. Fraxel Repair can lighten these lesions and bring about a more even tone to the skin. Results are often dramatic.
Sun- Induced Redness
Improvement in vascular dyschromia (redness from over exposure to the sun) can be addressed with this laser. This condition is characterized by a mottled or patchy appearance, from vascular changes to the skin, as a result of past sun damage. Fraxel Repair is the only fractional ablative device with FDA clearance to treat this condition.
Fraxel Repair is an ablative laser which affects the surface, as well as the underlying layers of the skin. However, there is much less down time with Fraxel Repair than traditional ablative lasers. Depending on the aggressiveness of treatment, wound care can take up to two days, and you can expect up to one week of downtime.
The most common side effects are edema (swelling) which usually lasts about a week, and erythema (redness) which typically subsides within a month. In most cases, only one treatment is necessary to achieve full results. Although results will be immediately evident, the skin may continue to improve for up to 6 months as deeper tissues continue to heal. You must protect your skin from the direct sunlight and wear an SPF 30 sunscreen for at least 3 months following this procedure.
