Do you sometimes catch yourself examining your fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and uneven tone? And wonder whether if it’s time to do something about them? Skin aging is inevitable, but you can do something about it.
Laser treatments have taken the aesthetic world by storm because of their non-invasive procedure and effectiveness. Fractional CO2 Laser treatment is the gold standard laser for treating acne scars but is also used to reduce the appearance of other skin aging signs such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
Fraxel is one kind of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment that is used for resurfacing the skin. Unlike other laser treatments, Fraxel targets a fraction of the skin at a time. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses lasers to penetrate deep into the skin to encourage new collagen and elastin production. This procedure targets discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and other signs of skin aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.
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What Does Fraxel Laser Treat?
Fraxel helps stimulate elastin fibres and collagen in your skin, which leads to a fresher and tighter skin helping you attain that younger-looking skin. This happens because Fraxel delivers microscopic laser columns deep into the dermis, which then creates tiny wounds that trigger the natural response system of your body to heal those wounds. Fraxel is well known for its skin repair treatment. Here are the skin defects that Fraxel treat:
Fine lines and wrinkles – crow’s feet and brow lines
Surface scarring – improving the results of acne and other scarring
Pigmentation – minimizing the visibility of age spots
Sun damage – helping repair the harmful effects of the sun’s UV
How does Fraxel Laser Work?
Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments work by damaging the skin in a controlled manner. It has the ability to target damaged skin tissues and leave the surrounding skin untouched. Fractional lasers can be done on the face and body.
In Fraxel, a device is used to deliver 125 to 250 microscopic laser columns that penetrate the skin and create tiny wounds in the skin. This procedure brings heat to both epidermis and dermis, allowing a superficial and deep treatment for fine lines, scars, and other skin condition. With this done, new and healthy skin cells are developed to replace the old and damaged ones.
Fraxel Laser Reviews
Fraxel is found to be an effective and tolerable Fractional Laser Resurfacing Treatment. However, other good alternative treatments are being offered that are similar to Fraxel.
Although Fraxel is the right choice for many, it may still not be ideal for everyone. Weigh in the pros and cons of this laser treatment and see if it’s a good option for you.
Pros
Less Recovery Time
Ablative laser treatments take almost a month to heal because of having to remove the top layer of the skin. Fraxel is a non-ablative laser that treats fine lines and other skin issues while requiring only minimal recovery time. It uses laser beams to deeply penetrate into the skin without damaging the skin’s surface.
Quick Treatment
The duration of the procedure may vary on the size of the treatment area and the condition, but usually, it is pretty quick. Fine lines may be faster to treat compared to targeting deep acne scars. However. If you decide to have numbing cream applied beforehand, it typically takes 45 minutes before the cream works and numbs the area.
Little Preparation
Other procedures require a lot of preparation, such as plastic surgeries which will require you to change certain habits and stop taking some medications before undergoing the treatment. On the other hand, Fraxel Dual may only require you to stop using certain skin products.
Cons
Slightly Uncomfortable
Fraxel may be uncomfortable to some, especially those with low pain tolerance. People usually describe the sensation during treatments as stinging. However, numbing cream can be applied to your skin before the procedure to lessen the discomfort.
Careful After Treatment
Like any other laser procedures, you should be diligent with your aftercare treatment, especially when it comes to sun damage. Skin tends to be more sensitive to sunlight after a laser treatment. You will want to protect it to avoid damages and pigmentation. Shield your skin from the sun by slathering on some sunblock, wearing a hat, and simply staying away from the sun as much as possible.
Fraxel vs Other Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments: Which Delivers Better Results?
Fraxel is one of many effective and reliable brands of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments being offered in aesthetic clinics. But does the brand matter? Some laser procedures may be cheap because of their barely effective devices, whereas specialists want to provide a quality and higher level of care to their customers, which explains the investment in more pricey, advanced technology. It is important to choose a quality laser treatment to effectively get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and other skin conditions.
When choosing what treatment to undergo, it is important to consider what you would like to achieve and the amount of recovery time you’re willing to accept. Some may require few treatments but come with more extended downtime, while others require added treatment sessions but may only require 2-3 days of recovery time. Other important factors, such as lifestyle, skin color, and condition, needs to be considered.
Fraxel vs INFINI
INFINI RF Laser Treatment uses two of the most effective skin rejuvenating treatments: radiofrequency and micro needling. This treatment has the power to use two techniques in one device. The insulated microneedles allow radiofrequency energy to penetrate deeper into the skin for better results. This procedure encourages collagen production from within the skin, giving it more elasticity, firmness, and youthfulness. This results in diminished fine lines and other skin aging signs.
Both procedures deliver similar results. However, INFINI Laser Treatment may be better in treating scars and fine lines. The insulated needles allow a more targeted and low-risk procedure. INFINI has little to no recovery time at all. And with just a few treatments, your skin will regain its vibrancy.
INFINI is a 3-dimensional approach which used RF energy to volumize scar tissue. This technique is useful for depressed acne scars such as boxcar scars and rolling scars. The little needles deliver heat energy into the dermis to target the inner part of the scar – up to 3.5mm. Each of these needles breaks down the skin to produce more collagen.
This laser resurfacing treatment is also known for its precision. The depths are customisable from 0.25mm to 3.5mm, depending on the patient’s needs. It delivers energy to the exact target location of the scars for superior acne scar remodelling.
Fraxel vs Edge One Fractional CO2
Edge One Fractional CO2 Laser is the latest generation of Fractional CO2 Lasers that significantly reduce the downtime. This treatment tightens the skin, lessens the appearance of scars, remove fine lines and wrinkles, smoothens skin, and treats other skin disorders. It produces very fine beams that cause minimal redness and scabs that are barely noticeable. The energy conveyed deep into the skin generates a narrow ablation zone, allowing the laser to effectively focus on a fraction of skin area at a time.
Edge One solves a number of cosmetic problems because it effectively stimulates collagen production. What sets this treatment apart is its precision. Unlike other Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments, Edge One can target very specific, small areas of skin, using a concentrated beam of light.
After the treatments, your skin will only feel slightly red and warm – this will subside within 2-3 days while Fraxel laser treatment may require a week or more of downtime.
Fraxel vs Picosure
Picosure is amongst the few true picosecond laser treatments being offered besides PicoWay, Discovery Pico, and Lutronic PicoPlus. This treatment is designed for scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It uses 755nm wavelength, which helps promote your body’s natural healing mechanism to rejuvenate the skin over time.
Picosure Laser Treatment uses a focus lens that allows a highly concentrated beam to allow multiple passes for better effect. This treatment gives promising results without the unwanted side effects of post inflammatory hypo or hyperpigmentation and scarring. PicoSure is considered one of the safest laser treatments available.
Due to its advanced technology, the system converts laser energy into pressure to squeeze cells and initiate cell signalling. This communication between the cells is what triggers the production of collagen and elastin in the body, replacing old and damaged skin cells for rejuvenation. The pressurized response makes sure the surrounding skin is not damaged – you will not experience any tissue damage or burning during the treatment.
Fraxel and Picosure are different, yet both effective laser treatments that work best based on your cosmetic goals. Fraxel Dual may benefit you if you have a tight schedule and need little recovery time. On the other hand, PicoSure is a much gentle treatment and can effectively get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring after only 3-4 treatment sessions.
Laser Skin Treatments Cost
The cost of these treatments may vary depending on the condition and area treated.
INFINI Treatment is priced from $850
Edge Fractional CO2 is priced from $450 with a Recovery Serum included
PicoPlus Treatment is priced from $150 with Brightening Peel included
