How Is Fraxel Different from Other Laser Treatments?

You have a lot of options when it comes to laser treatments. Whether you want to reverse the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, or minimize the appearance of acne scars, there’s a laser treatment out there for you.

One thing you might wonder is what makes one laser treatment, such as Fraxel, different from the others? Lasers come in a variety of strengths and styles, and what’s right for one patient might not be the best option for another. Learn more about how Fraxel lasers are different from the others and see if it’s a good pick for you.

It Doesn’t Damage Healthy Skin

One feature that sets Fraxel laser apart from traditional laser skin resurfacing and CO2 laser resurfacing is that it’s non-ablative. That means that the treatment doesn’t damage the outer layer of your skin or cause damage to otherwise healthy skin. In contrast, traditional lasers typically blast away the top layer of the skin. The results from a traditional laser tend to be very dramatic and noticeable, but the price you pay is weeks and weeks of downtime, as well as peeling, painful, red skin.

Instead of zapping away your epidermis, Fraxel lasers work by creating small holes or micro injuries in the dermal layer of skin. The body responds to those micro injuries by pushing the damaged skin cells out, allowing new skin cells to be created. During a single Fraxel treatment, up to 20 percent of damaged skin is replaced. The treatment also stimulates the production of collagen, which further helps to minimize fine lines and improve the look of your skin.

It’s More Effective Than Other Non-Ablative Treatments

Fraxel isn’t the only non-ablative laser treatment available. Far from it. But it tends to be one of the most effective non-ablative laser treatments.

Another non-ablative laser treatment is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL treatments aren’t typically used to treat the signs of aging, such as lines and wrinkles. Instead, they’re commonly used to help diminish the appearance of broken blood vessels just beneath the surface of the skin or to help minimize redness or some spots. There’s little downtime needed after IPL, but the results you get don’t measure up to the results from Fraxel.

There’s Less Downtime

Traditional ablative laser treatments typically require a lengthy downtime, usually several weeks. After a traditional laser treatment, the top layer of skin forms a crust and flakes off. It might scab over during the recovery period and you might be asked to apply a layer of petroleum jelly or another thick emollient to it to protect it. Usually, you’re left to face weeks of redness after a traditional laser treatment.

Some recovery time and downtime is needed after a non-ablative Fraxel treatment, but usually not as much as is needed after a traditional or ablative laser treatment. Usually, the initial recovery after Fraxel takes up to a week. You’ll have some redness on your skin and there will be some flaking over the next few days, as the dead skin cells out pushed out to make way for new ones. Some people notice that their skin looks bronzed or darker during the recovery period. For the most part, people typically go back to work a few days after a Fraxel treatment.

You Need More Fraxel Treatments

One of the drawbacks of a non-ablative laser treatment such as Fraxel is that you typically need more than one treatment to get the full results you’re after. In the case of a traditional laser treatment, all you need is a single treatment session to typically see the results you wanted.

In the case of Fraxel, you may need as many as six treatments, spaced anywhere from six to eight weeks apart. Some patients need just three treatments, while others benefit from a full series of six. The number you’ll need will depend on the extent of the signs of aging on your skin and how dramatic you want your results to be. Your surgeon will go over your options with you at your consultation and recommend a number of treatments and how far apart to space them at that time.

Like any cosmetic treatment, Fraxel has its pros and cons and isn’t always the best option for everyone. To get a closer look at the treatment and fully compare it to other laser resurfacing options out there, schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirrot Beauty Boutique, in Houston, Texas, today. Call 281-810-9083 to make your appointment.