Older methods of laser skin resurfacing weren’t messing around. They helped reduce the signs of aging and other types of skin damage. But they did so at a considerable cost. Fraxel also helps reduce the signs of aging, but there are a number of benefits to it compared to older methods of laser skin surfacing. Fraxel also offers benefits that you won’t get from non-laser treatments including surgery or injectables.
If you’re wondering “how can Fraxel benefit me?” here are just a few ways it can.
Fraxel Benefit 1: It’s Non-Surgical
If you want to fight the signs of aging on your face and body, you have a wealth of surgical options available. While surgery such as facelift or an eyelid lift can take the years off and can provide results that last, there are usually a few considerable downsides to them. One major downside is the fact that you can have scarring after the procedure.
Even if the incisions made are small or in out-of-the-way spots, the surgeries still require incisions, which need time to heal. You might be able to cover them up with your hair or they might be in your eyelids, invisible to others. But they are still there.
One Fraxel benefit is that no incisions are needed. The laser treatment is non-ablative, meaning it doesn’t cause any external damage to your skin or blast the top layer of skin cells off. Since it’s non-surgical, the risk for complications related to surgery is considerably reduced.
Fraxel Benefit 2: There’s Little Downtime
Another big Fraxel benefit is that the treatment requires little downtime. That’s not to say there’s no downtime. But compared to ablative lasers of the past, which often required up to a month of recovery afterwards, the recovery after a Fraxel treatment is quick and easy.
For the most part, the initial recovery after Fraxel treatment takes about a week. During that time, your skin might feel a bit tingly. It’s likely to be red and swollen too.
Some people’s skin darkens after treatment, almost as if the Fraxel laser caused their skin to tan. The darkened skin usually becomes flaky and eventually is sloughed off after about a week or two.
While you want to avoid sun exposure during the first few days and weeks after Fraxel, you won’t really have to press pause on your life. You’ll want to take a few days to a week off from work, but otherwise you won’t need to set aside a lot of recovery time.
Fraxel Benefit 3: It Treats Lots of Things
People often think “wrinkles” when they think of the signs of aging, but wrinkles are just one part of the puzzle. While many surgeries and injectables focus on smoothing wrinkles and tightening skin, Fraxel focuses on a range of age-related concerns.
Some people get Fraxel to reduce spots or hyperpigmentation, for example. It’s also common for people to get Fraxel to help reduce scarring caused by acne, injury or surgery. The laser treatment also reduces crepiness and can smooth the texture of uneven or bumpy skin.
Fraxel Benefit 4: You Can Combine It With Other Treatments
While you can choose to have Fraxel performed on its own, some people decide to improve their results by combining the treatment with another anti-aging procedure. For example, it’s fairly common to have Fraxel and an injectable, such as Juvederm, performed around the same time. The injectable can help fill in deep lines or add volume to the face, which Fraxel won’t do. If you are thinking about combining a filler with Fraxel, it’s usually a good idea to have the Fraxel first, then your filler about a week or so later.
You can also combine Fraxel with a non-surgical skin tightening procedure, such as Ulthera, or with surgery if you are so inclined. It’s best to discuss your full range of options with your surgeon so that you can put together a customized anti-aging treatment plan.
Fraxel Benefit 5: Results Are Long Lasting
Admittedly, the results you get from Fraxel won’t last as long as the results from surgery, but they typically last longer than the results from a filler. Plus, Fraxel does more to combat the signs of aging than fillers.
For the most part, the results from Fraxel last for at least a year. Many people see results that last for longer, though. To get the longest lasting results, you might need a series of Fraxel treatments, anywhere from three to eight. You can prolong your results by avoiding the sun and by applying an SPF of at least 30 every day.
If you want to learn more about how Fraxel can benefit you, contact Dr. Paul Vitenas and the staff at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas today. Fraxel is just one of several anti-aging, non-surgical treatments the boutique offers. To make your appointment, call 281-810-9083.