Fraxel Laser Treatment is a unique, non-invasive laser therapy designed to dramatically improve skin texture and pigmentation, allowing you to once more enjoy the fresh and healthy skin of your youth. Its patented "fractional" technology penetrates deep within the skin for maximum rejuvenation while promoting fast healing and stimulating the production of new, firm tissue to smooth out imperfections.

Fraxel Laser Treatment is most effective for:

How does Fraxel technology work?

Fraxel Laser Treatment utilizes fractional resurfacing technology, where only a small fraction of the skin receives the laser light at any given time. The treatment delivers a series of narrow but deep microscopic laser spots to reach the innermost layers of skin and stimulate collagen growth while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The healthy cells in the untouched spots promote rapid healing of the entire area, resulting in faster recovery time and minimal side effects. Think of this "fractional" technique as being like restoring a painting one tiny area at a time, or altering an electronic image pixel by pixel.

Fraxel Laser Treatment combines the effectiveness of traditional ablative lasers with the rapid healing of non-fractional non-ablative lasers.

What is the Fraxel Laser Treatment like?

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Fraxel Laser Treatments can be performed right in Dr. Welsh’s office. Oral medication is often administered for this treatment and a heavy topical numbing cream will be applied one hour prior to treatment. Please plan for a ride to and from the treatment. A typical Fraxel treatment typically takes less than an hour.

What can I expect after a Fraxel Laser Treatment?

After treatment you will cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser, apply topical Biafine, and a sunscreen. Your skin may feel as if it has been mildly sunburned for about an hour after a Fraxel Laser Treatment. After that, discomfort should be minimal. Mild swelling should subside within two to three days, and pinkness—an indication that the skin has been deeply treated—usually fades over five to seven days. There is limited, if any, risk of infection or scarring.

New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. This new skin may be bronze-tinged for a few days to two weeks. It will likely flake and exfoliate as old skin sloughs off and new skin takes its place. The new skin is also highly sensitive and requires adequate sun protection for several months after treatment. Fraxel Daily Moisturizer (SPF 30) is ideal for this purpose.

Is there any downtime?

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While individual results vary, Fraxel offers the benefits of speedy healing with moderate downtime. Swelling and redness occurs for the first 3-5 days, with many patients able to return to routine activities and can shave or apply make-up in about a week.

When will I see results? How long do the effects last?

Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in about two to three months and gradual improvement for up to a year. Each session shows marked improvement in skin quality, resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.

How many treatments will I need?

Treatment plans vary from patient to patient; Dr. Welsh will recommend the number of treatments needed to achieve your personal goals. Clinical studies suggest that an effective treatment plan is three to five sessions spaced about two to four weeks apart. Each session targets a certain percentage of the skin’s surface. By the end of the treatment plan, the entire treatment area will have been covered.

To learn more about Fraxel® and to find out if treatment is right for you, please Contact Us today to schedule a consultation.