Summer, the Texas sun, and aging can all leave their marks on your skin. In the past, the best treatment to make your skin look and feel younger was laser-skin resurfacing. But this procedure required a lengthy recovery time and had a high rate of complications or side effects including bleeding and scabbing. It used what is called traditional carbon dioxide lasers, or ablative laser treatment, because it removed the top layer of skin.
But then a decade ago, Fraxel, a non-ablative laser resurfacing method was approved by the FDA. It pioneered fractional CO2 laser technology. Now the laser could work precisely to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen without damaging the top layer of skin.
To date, Fraxel has treated over 800,000 patients around the world. It is used to treat and improve the look of not just the aforementioned damage from the sun like sunspots and a pre-cancerous condition that appears as scaly or crusty growths (actinic keratosis), but even common freckles, plain old wrinkles, crow’s feet, brow lines, laugh lines, irregular patches of brown skin (melasma), and scars from acne and surgery. See some of the patients that have been treated here in our before and after gallery.
The Procedure
Each treatment usually lasts between 30-60 minutes. A topical anesthetic will be applied and then the Fraxel hand-piece will be glide across the skin. The optimal regimen calls for three to six treatments depending on the condition being treated and the level of results desired. Treatments are spaced four to eight weeks apart.
Recovery
After the procedure what looks like a mild sunburn including redness, swelling, and dry or itchy skin might be experienced. Though full recovery may take up to a week, the most immediate effects should resolve in a few hours.
Choosing Your Provider
To confirm that you’re a good candidate for Fraxel, contact a patient coordinator at 281-810-9083 to make an appointment.
Dr. Vitenas has practiced in the Houston area since 1990, and has in addition to the accolades above been awarded Houston’s Most Compassionate Doctor and a Top Doctor for Women. Our office is conveniently located in the heart of Houston. If you are not local, we can schedule an online consultation. We can also assist with travel and financing arrangements.