Get Ready for Fraxel!

As you get older, things start to happen to your skin. Dark spots can appear on your face and hands, your pores can start to look bigger, and lines and wrinkles develop. While some non-surgical cosmetic treatments only focus on one or specific concerns, a laser treatment such as Fraxel can tackle a variety of skin concerns all at once. If you’re considering a laser skin resurfacing treatment, here’s what you need to know about Fraxel and what you can do to get ready for it.

Is Fraxel Right for You?

The first thing you should do is figure out whether Fraxel is the right treatment for you or not. Fraxel works to treat a variety of skin concerns, from wrinkles to hyperpigmentation and from scars to stretch marks. But it can’t treat everything that might be wrong with your skin.

For example, Fraxel might not be right for you if your primary concern is facial redness. It’s also not usually recommended for pregnant women. If you take certain medications, Fraxel might not be the right choice for you at the moment.

It’s also worth noting that some signs of aging or certain skin conditions are better treated with a stronger laser or with a more invasive procedure. Fraxel is a non-ablative laser, which means that it leaves the outer layer of skin intact. If you are looking for very dramatic results, a treatment with an ablative laser might be more appropriate.

Get Your Skin Ready for Fraxel

If you fit the candidate profile for Fraxel and have decided to go ahead with the treatment, you’ll want to get your skin ready. There are a few things you want to skip or avoid in the days or weeks leading up to your laser treatment.

For example, tanning or spending lots of time in the sun is a no-no before the procedure. Fraxel does help to improve sun-damaged skin, but spending lots of time soaking up the sun’s UV rays in the weeks before the treatment can interfere with your results. When your skin is tanned, it’s harder for the laser to effectively do its job. Avoiding sun exposure also means your skin won’t be hypersensitive when you go in for treatment.

You don’t have to limit your activities to the evening or after sunset. Just make sure you wear sunscreen every day. If you are going to go outside, limit the time you’re out in the sun and try to cover up as much as possible.

It’s also a good idea to avoid any irritating or harsh skincare products in the weeks before your treatment. Go easy on products that contain retinol or other strong ingredients, as you don’t want there to be an interaction between your products and the laser light.

Get Your Life Ready for Fraxel

After Fraxel, your life might be a little different, at least for a week or so. Before you schedule your treatment, look over your calendar and make sure you choose a date that isn’t close to any big events. You’ll need about a week to recover, but your skin might look tanned or flaky for a few weeks afterward. Avoid any events or activities where your photo will be taken.

It’s also a good idea to request about a week off from work after your treatment. That will give you time to rest up and your skin time to process the effects of the laser. Usually, the skin is red for about a day or so after treatment. It can look swollen for up to a week afterward. Plus, as the old skin is sloughed away to make way for the new, your face might look flaky for some time.

You might want to stock your home with the things you’ll need for comfort after your treatment. For example, it’s a good idea to have bags of frozen vegetables handy, as you can use them to help bring down swelling and to soothe your skin. It’s also a good idea to put an extra pillow or two on your bed, to elevate your head as you sleep.

Fraxel laser is one of the anti-aging and skin rejuvenating treatments offered at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas. To learn more about what you can do to get ready for Fraxel and what you can expect after treatment, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.