Sutton Ryan Dermatology

Fraxel® Laser Treatments

Results you can see and feel!

Fraxel® Laser treatments are a safe, non-invasive procedure that allows you to rediscover the fresh, healthy skin of your youth.

Benefits of Fraxel® Treatments:
· Improve texture tone and pore size
· Erase unwanted brown spots
· Smooth wrinkles around the eyes and acne scars
· Rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands
· Minimal downtime
· Surgical Scars

Fraxel® Laser produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as microscopic treatment zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deep into the layers of the skin. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel® laser leaves untouched. For every microscopic zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections.

Preparing for Fraxel® Laser Treatments

At the consultation we will discuss medications you orally and topical apply to the treatment areas.

You will be instructed to stop RetinA, Tazorac, Differin, Glycolic, Hydroquinone and Vitamin C- 7 days before Fraxel® Laser treatments.

An antiviral medication will be prescribed to prevent cold sores. One to two tablets are to be taken the day before and the day of the treatments.

Fraxel® Laser Treatments is performed using topical anesthesia in most cases. Treatment is well tolerated and feels like a prickling sensation. The treatment area will be thoroughly washed prior to the procedure. Once the the numbing gel has taken effect, (approximately 60 to 90 minutes), a clear gel is applied to the treatment area and your Fraxel® Treatment begins. Treatment usually takes 30 minutes.

During Treatment

The laser hand-piece will be glided across the area to be treated...face, neck, chest, hands or desired treatment location. A special cooling device will blow chilled air across the skin as it is being treated. As the hand-piece delivers the laser energy, you will feel a heated prickling sensation and hear a sound from the machine that resembles a chirping sound.
If treating the eyelids, numbing drops and orbital eye shields will be used.

What Happens After Your Fraxel® Treatment?

You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour. The skin will have a pinkish tone for a couple days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing.

You may apply make-up or shave soon after treatment. Most patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. The process of skin repair involves:

Bronzing: Your skin will have a bronze appearance that lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on your treatment level.

Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigorously exfoliate as new skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar to that of minor sunburn, but without the associated pain. Use of Skin Medica or Obagi sunscreen/moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking. We will recommend a skin care regimen that will enhance your Fraxel® Laser treatments.

Acne flare ups may occur after Fraxel® Laser treatments. An oral antibiotic may be prescribed to you.
Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel® treatment, producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy, youthful appearance.