The Fraxel laser is an FDA-approved treatment for the appearance of skin that is particularly useful for patients concerned about scars from acne, chicken pox, surgery or even burns. Fraxel uses thousands of microscope laser pulses 1/10 the size of a hair follicle to penetrate the dermis and resurface the uppermost part of the skin. There are three types of Fraxel lasers, the Fraxel Restore version being the most effective in improving scars.
Improved Skin Color & Texture
Fraxel lasers create microzones of skin injury, but that's a good thing, since the injured areas are surrounded by healthy skin cells that heal the damaged tissue. A study at the University of Alabama Department of Plastic Surgery in 2007 studied patients before and after treatment and found skin color and texture were more even in the treated areas afterward, with a decrease in darker areas of pigmentation. According to an article in the May 2007 issue of "Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America," Fraxel is also effective for more delicate areas such as under the chin and neck areas and for people with ethnic skin, something other lasers can't claim.
Reduction in Scar Severity
A study led by Dr. Zakia Rahman of Stanford University involved 40 subjects with 53 scars that were treated with the Fraxel laser, due to its ability to reach deep into the dermis to induce new collagen formation. After three to five treatments, Rahman and his colleagues found that 92 percent of all subjects treated sustained statistically significant improvement in overall scar severity by the end of three months.
Faster Recovery Time
Because Fraxel laser resurfacing only targets small pinpointed areas of the skin and no skin is removed, it's less invasive than other forms of scar treatment, according to the American Acne & Rosacea Society. The laser passes through the epidermis to act on separate points deep in the targeted area, leaving surrounding skin unaffected. Ablative lasers such as the CO2 and Erbium:YAG are limited by significant side effects like swelling, burning and redness that can last for four to five months, says University of Alabama dermatologist Marian E. Northington. But with Fraxel, makeup can be worn immediately following the procedure and many patients are able to return to routine activities the same day of treatment.
Safety
A report in the May 2008 edition of "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" surveyed patient satisfaction following Fraxel procedures regarding patient results and potential side effects or any anomalies with their treatment. On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, 100 percent of patients in the survey with scarring had a satisfaction score of four or five following their treatment. The researchers concluded that the risks of additional scarring or skin discoloration are extremely low, as this technology is very gentle on the skin.
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