The State of the Art in Skin Resurfacing

State of the Art Skin Resurfacing in New York

Fraxel Laser II: The State of the Art in Skin Resurfacing

Fraxel laser skin resurfacing is a true breakthrough in laser technology, and it is one of the safest and most effective laser to treat facial wrinkles and aging of the skin (for example forehead lines, lipstick bleed lines, crow’s feet and neck wrinkling). Until now, two varieties of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic enhancement-ablative and non-ablative. Ablative, which literally means to vaporize at a very high temperature, are very effective at destroying unwanted tissue but have significant side-effects and require a lengthy healing period. Lasers such as CO2 and Erbium:Yag lasers have an average 2 week recovery time, and have a significant risk of scarring and loss of color of the skin where it turns white. Non-ablative, on the other hand, have very few side-effects and require almost no healing time, but involve numerous treatments over many months to achieve only modest results.

At long last, a laser with the potency of ablative treatments and the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers has won approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of important cosmetic conditions.

Fraxel® Laser Treatment is designed to target aging and damaged skin by creating microscopic “wounds” within the targeted areas well beneath the skin’s outermost layer. In this way, Fraxel® Laser treatments trigger the body’s own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. And because Fraxel® Laser Treatment combines the impact of ablative lasers with the gentleness of non-ablative lasers, healing occurs so quickly that there is very little downtime for patients. The majority of patients experience a 24 to 48 hour period of a sunburn. The Fraxel II is the second generation of this laser and allows for greater precision, deeper penetration and better results.

After several years of studies and mounting evidence of the Fraxel® Laser’s safety and effectiveness, the FDA has cleared this unique new laser to treat Facial Wrinkles, Acne Scars and Age Spots/Brown Spots. Depending upon the degree of skin changes we are treating, the number of treatments varies from 3 to 6 treatments. With more severe facial wrinkles and aging or deep acne scars, it is often necessary to have 5 or 6 treatments at higher energy settings. It is important to have a qualified specialist to perform these procedures, and a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon affiliated with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is one to look for. They can be found on the Academy website at www.aafprs.org

Posted by Dr Jacono at 6:27 PM