Fraxel, a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of dermatology and skincare, encompasses a range of advanced laser treatments designed to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. At PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank we are proud to offer Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel Restore Dual, Fraxel Repair, and Fraxel Thulium as powerful solutions tailored to address various skin concerns. These treatments harness the precision of fractional laser technology to combat issues such as scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin texture, leaving you with a refreshed, youthful glow. Finally, patients can achieve the results of true laser resurfacing without the discomfort and risk of older, traditional CO2 or Erbium lasers.
Fraxel Laser Treatments
What Are Fraxel Lasers?
Fraxel lasers are advanced, non-invasive skin resurfacing tools designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance by targeting a variety of skin concerns. These lasers use fractional laser technology, which means they treat only a fraction of the skin at a time by creating microscopic treatment zones. This stimulates the body’s natural healing process, promoting the production of new collagen and replacing damaged skin with healthy, fresh tissue.
Fraxel lasers are effective for addressing issues like fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture. Because the treatment targets precise areas while leaving surrounding tissue intact, recovery time is minimized, making Fraxel an appealing option for those seeking noticeable results with minimal downtime.
How Do Fraxel Lasers Work?
Fraxel Clear + Brilliant: Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser skin treatment aimed at improving skin texture, tone, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. It utilizes fractional laser technology to create microscopic treatment zones in the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting cell renewal. This results in a more even complexion and a youthful glow. Fraxel Clear + Brilliant is a non-invasive procedure with minimal downtime, making it a popular choice for those looking to refresh their skin with little disruption to their daily routine
Fraxel Thulium: Fraxel Thulium is specifically designed to target pigmentation issues and improve skin tone. It is an excellent choice for those dealing with uneven skin coloration, age spots, and melasma. By delivering fractional laser energy in a precise manner, it helps to break down excess pigmentation and stimulate collagen production for a more even complexion.
Fraxel Restore Dual: The Fraxel Restore Dual is the first non-ablative laser to have the impact of an ablative laser. This treatment is known for its versatility in addressing a wide range of skin concerns. With the Dual we are targeting two different wavelengths to correct finelines, build collagen, treat conditions such as stretch marks and scars. The other wavelength is targeting the superficial layer to address sun damage and pigment It operates on the principle of fractional laser technology, creating numerous microscopic treatment zones within the skin. These zones stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars. One of its significant advantages is its customizability, allowing dermatologists to tailor the treatment depth and intensity to the patient’s specific needs.
Fraxel Repair: The Fraxel Repair is now the standard of care for fractionated ablative laser resurfacing. It is ideal for individuals seeking dramatic improvement in skin texture, particularly for deep wrinkles, pronounced sun damage, and severe acne scarring. Don’t be convinced into copycat technologies such as Pixel, Affirm, Matrix, Mixto, eCO2, Active/Deep FX, Accupulse, Pearl, Dot Xide and Palomar fractionated hand-pieces when you can have the original and more powerful gold standard technology. While it offers impressive results, it may involve a longer recovery period compared to other Fraxel treatments.
All four Fraxel treatments share the common thread of fractional laser technology that promotes gradual but noticeable improvements in the skin. They harness the body’s natural healing process to rejuvenate the skin, resulting in a fresher, more youthful appearance over time.
The choice among Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel Restore Dual, Fraxel Repair, or Fraxel Thulium will depend on your specific needs and desired outcomes. During your consultation, Dr. Frank will assess your unique skin concerns and recommend the most appropriate option.
What Conditions Can Fraxel Lasers Treat?
Fraxel lasers address a variety of skin conditions and concerns, including:
Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Fraxel can significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly those caused by sun damage and aging.
Sun Damage: Fraxel is excellent for treating sun-damaged skin, including sunspots, age spots, and uneven skin tone caused by prolonged sun exposure.
Acne Scars: Fraxel is a popular choice for improving the appearance of acne scars, including both atrophic (indented) and hypertrophic (raised) scars.
Surgical Scars: Fraxel can help reduce the visibility of surgical scars, making them less noticeable.
Melasma: Fraxel Thulium, in particular, is effective in addressing melasma, a common skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation.
Enlarged Pores: Fraxel can help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, resulting in a smoother complexion.
Stretch Marks: Fraxel is used to diminish the appearance of stretch marks, particularly those caused by pregnancy or rapid weight changes.
Uneven Skin Texture: Fraxel treatments can smooth out the skin’s texture, reducing the appearance of rough or bumpy skin.
Skin Laxity: While not a replacement for surgical procedures like facelifts, Fraxel can improve mild to moderate skin laxity and provide a subtle tightening effect.
Overall Skin Rejuvenation: Many people use Fraxel as a comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatment to achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
It’s important to note that the type of Fraxel treatment (Clear + Brilliant, Restore Dual, Repair or Thulium) and the specific settings used will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Ideal Candidates for Fraxel Laser
Ideal candidates for Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel Restore Dual, Fraxel Repair, or Fraxel Thulium laser treatments are those seeking non-surgical solutions to enhance the appearance and texture of their skin.
Fraxel Clear + Brilliant is an excellent choice for individuals looking to maintain their skin’s youthful glow or to complement more intensive treatments, offering subtle improvements with minimal downtime. Fraxel Restore DUAL is a versatile option suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns, making it ideal for treating fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, and uneven texture.
For individuals with more severe skin issues, such as deep wrinkles and significant sun damage, Fraxel Repair is the better choice, offering dramatic results with a longer recovery period. Fraxel Thulium is specifically designed to target pigmentation concerns, making it perfect for those dealing with uneven skin tone, age spots, or melasma. It’s important for candidates to have realistic expectations, be in good health, and consult with a qualified dermatologist or skincare professional to determine the most appropriate Fraxel treatment based on their unique skin concerns and desired outcomes.
What to Expect During Fraxel Laser Treatments
The treatments for Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel Restore Dual, Fraxel Repair, and Fraxel Thulium share a common framework, as they all rely on fractional laser technology to rejuvenate the skin. On the day of the procedure, your skin is cleansed, and if necessary, a topical numbing cream or local anesthesia is applied to enhance comfort. During the treatment session, the specialized Fraxel laser is employed to create thousands of microscopic treatment zones within the skin. This fractional approach allows for targeted improvement while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. The depth and intensity of the treatment are adjusted to address specific concerns, and cooling measures are often incorporated to enhance comfort. Fraxel does require several treatments, anywhere from 3-5 depending on the patient.
Results and Recovery
Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel Repair, Fraxel Restore Dual, and Fraxel Thulium each offer distinct results and recovery experiences tailored to specific skin concerns.
Fraxel Clear + Brilliant, the gentlest of the laser treatments, is designed for patients seeking to maintain a youthful appearance or to complement more intensive procedures. It targets the superficial layers of the skin, promoting collagen production and improving tone and texture. Recovery is quick and straightforward, with mild redness and a slight roughness of the skin that typically resolves within 1-2 days. Most patients can return to their daily activities immediately and apply makeup the day after treatment.
Fraxel Repair, the most aggressive of the three, uses an ablative CO2 laser to address deep scars, pronounced wrinkles, and skin laxity, resulting in significant skin rejuvenation. However, it requires a longer recovery period of about 5-7 days, with redness, swelling, and peeling expected. Sedation is typically used during the procedure, and post-treatment care includes wound care and medications, with makeup usually applied after 5-7 days.
In contrast, Fraxel Restore DUAL targets deeper skin issues like wrinkles and acne scars using a non-ablative laser that stimulates collagen production for smoother, firmer skin. Recovery is minimal, with mild redness and swelling that subsides within a few days, allowing patients to resume normal activities quickly.
Fraxel Thulium, focuses on pigmentation concerns such as sun damage and melasma. It targets superficial skin layers, resulting in a more even skin tone with minimal downtime. Recovery is typically mild, with some redness and peeling, and most patients can apply makeup and return to their daily routine within 1-2 days.
Combining Fraxel Treatments
Combining the power of PICO Genesis and Fraxel Clear + Brilliant laser, PFRANKMD’s signature treatment, Pigment Protocol, is an advanced non-invasive skin treatment developed by Dr. Frank. Designed to break up pigmented areas and improve the overall texture of the skin at every skin layer, this photo-rejuvenation treatment is safe for all skin colors, delivers laser energy powerful to treat superficial and deeply pigmented areas and delivers impressive results in fewer treatments.
Before & After Fraxel Treatments
Are you ready to find out which Fraxel laser treatment is right for you and address concerns like wrinkles, scars, or pigmentation? Contact PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank to schedule a consultation at our 5th Avenue or West Village location in NYC.
Fraxel Frequently Asked Questions
How many treatments will I need?
A common treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart for Fraxel Restore. Most patients get 4 treatments. Fraxel Repair is usually a one-time treatment, but some patients may request more. Optimal improvement occurs for 6 months after the series of treatments. This time frame and structure allows for treatment of damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin, and viable healthy skin cell growth.
How are Fraxel Laser Treatments performed?
A topical anesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment areas approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect. For Fraxel Restore Dual treatments, topical anesthesia is used. For Fraxel Repair treatments, patients get topical anesthesia, shots of local anesthesia and sedation with low dose Demerol and Valium. IV sedation is optional in our out-patient surgical facility. Both procedures take between 20-25 minutes for the full face.
Is Fraxel Laser Treatment painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as having an intense “prickling” sensation. The anesthetic protocol that Dr. Frank uses and air cooling alleviates most discomfort. For those that are sensitive, Dr. Frank offers whatever additional pain relief if necessary.
Which Fraxel Laser is best for me?
Upon consultation, Dr. Frank can assess the quality and severity of the skin problem. After a thorough history and interview, he can help. patients make a decision that will suite both the condition that needs treatment and the lifestyle issues regarding downtime and risks that patients needs to make an educated choice.
How much do Fraxel Lasers treatments cost?
The total price for a series of Fraxel Restore Dual treatments ($800- $2,000 each) is approximately equivalent to one Fraxel Repair treatment ($2,500- $7,500). Range of prices depends on partial or full-face treatments, severity of condition, and the relative inclusion of other parts of the body such as neck and chest.
Can Fraxel treatments be performed on the body?
Yes, both Fraxel Restore Dual and Fraxel Repair are excellent treatments for scars and sun damage throughout the body. Fraxel laser is good for stretch marks, too!
What are the benefits of Fraxel Laser Treatments?
With fractionated lasers, healing time is significantly accelerated so there minimal downtime and risk. With Fraxel Restore Dual, make-up can be worn following the procedure. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. Generally, there is redness and minor puffiness for 1-3 days. Fraxel Repair patients require up to one week off, depending upon their skin condition and treatment level.
What are the risks of Fraxel Laser Treatments?
Swelling and redness are the most common side effects of treatment. If swelling and redness does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two for Fraxel Restore Dual and 5-10 days for Fraxel Repair. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring and there is no pain during recovery with either treatment. We have never seen any significant complications.