Considered relatively effective, safe, versatile and affordable, laser treatments are a tool for cosmetic procedures. The treatment method known as laser therapy, laser skin rejuvenation or laser skin resurfacing is one of the five most-used nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Fraxel laser skin treatments affect tiny areas of skin, both superficial and beneath the surface, stimulating collagen production and skin rejuvenation.
Uses
Fraxel lasers remedy the effects of aging and sun damage and reduce the appearance of scars. They lighten age spots, melasma and other forms of hyperpigmentation, and smooth out wrinkles. There are three types of Fraxel lasers, explains DermaNetwork, a website devoted to cosmetic dermatology information. One type, the Fraxel re:fine, primarily treats superficial skin discoloration. The Fraxel re:store penetrates deeper below the surface, to the dermis, and treats scars in addition to pigmentation problems. The Fraxel re:pair, the newest Fraxel laser, penetrates below the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, and treats wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation and scar tissue.
Procedure
About an hour before the procedure is performed, a patient's skin is thoroughly cleansed and treated with a topical local anesthetic. The procedure, which entails running a laser-emitting implement over the skin, typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour, depending on individual factors. On average, patients rate the pain from 3 to 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, according to the Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Dermatology. Fraxel lasers target skin imperfections, while healthy skin remains unaffected. Generally, treatment is complete after three to six sessions, usually over the course of a few months.
Recovery
The effects of Fraxel laser therapy are akin to a sunburn. Treated skin is sensitive and pink or red for about two to four days, followed by skin flaking for up to a week. There may be swelling for the first few days as well. There is little or no down-time after treatments. Follow-up care requires diligent sun protection and keeping treated skin moisturized. Makeup may be worn following treatment. There is minimal risk of scarring or permanent skin discoloration, notes Baylor. Full cosmetic results manifest slowly, over the course of several months.
Cost
Fraxel laser treatments are an elective cosmetic procedure, so insurance companies are unlikely to pay for them. While treatment costs vary depending on where they are performed and individual considerations, they generally fall around $400 per session on the low end and up to $1,000 per session at their most expensive, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
Alternatives
The main advantage of Fraxel lasers is their ability to target problems without damaging surrounding skin, says DermaNetwork. Alternatives include other types of lasers, both ablative and non-ablative, and other forms of light therapy, such as intense pulsed light therapy. Chemical peels, which use an acid application to burn away skin imperfections, and dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, which erode skin problems away, treat the same conditions as Fraxel lasers. Cryotherapy, which freezes imperfect skin with liquid nitrogen, is another option in some cases. For wrinkles, filler injections are an alternative to Fraxel lasers, though most are not permanent solutions.
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