About ten years ago, American scientists presented doctors and cosmetologists with a new development - the Fraxel laser for facial cleansing and skin rejuvenation.The technology turned out to be useful and caught on, but they didn’t come up with a special name for it - in the price lists of beauty salons and in everyday life, the fractional rejuvenation procedure is now called Fraxel.
What is Fraxel laser rejuvenation
Fraxel technology is used for laser peeling (photothermolysis) of the face and body.In itself, skin rejuvenation with laser light is a long-established hardware technique that is used everywhere.The discovery of Fraxel is that the radiation itself in the devices is not supplied in a continuous stream, as in CO2 lasers, for example.Scientists have come up with the idea of dividing the stream of light and turning it into a beam of ultra-fine rays of different lengths.The doctor who works with the installation can adjust the depth of their penetration - it can be 0.3 mm or 1.9 mm - depending on what problem the patient came with.Point laser irradiation is useful because it helps new cells grow.When treating a problem area with ultra-fine rays, so-called microthermal treatment zones are formed (skin areas at a distance of no more than 1 mm), there are practically no gaps.When metabolism begins to proceed more intensely in each such microfraction, it is natural that the entire treated area will recover faster.
The latest development, Fraxel 4th generation, also acts on the top layer of the skin - this technology is called ablative resurfacing (as opposed to non-ablative, which is performed with other types of lasers).In problem areas - where there are wrinkles, scars, post-acne, age spots - it is the cells of the upper layer that have aged or been damaged.When they are burned out by short-length rays, the damaged area is restored, but with new and healthy cells.Therefore, after laser treatment, the skin becomes cleaner and lighter, pigment spots disappear, scars and stretch marks resolve.
Fraxel technology will not help to completely get rid of wrinkles, especially deep ones - it will only smooth out the fine mesh around the eyes or lips.
When is Fraxel rejuvenation necessary?
Laser peeling using Fraxel technology is recommended for women and men aged 30–50 years who have already noticed age-related changes:
- the skin lost its tone and became flabby;
- pores are enlarged, complexion has deteriorated - the skin has become gray, earthy in color;
- uneven skin, noticeable scars, signs of post-acne;
- pigment spots appeared;
- wrinkles appeared.
It is permissible to treat almost all areas with laser: face, neck, décolleté, hands, arms, legs, back.
Contraindications for use
Laser peeling is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women and people with cancer.Those who are experiencing an exacerbation of viral and infectious diseases will have to postpone the procedure.For any skin diseases (psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes) and mechanical damage in the area that will need to be treated with laser, peeling is also not done until the patient has completely recovered.
Relative contraindications are skin cleansing procedures performed later than 3 months before Fraxel.In this case, you need to check with your cosmetologist about the possibility of laser peeling.You should also tell your doctor about allergies to painkillers.
Types of Fraxel lasers - table
| Laser type | Erbium | Erbium and thulium | Erbium | Fractional CO2 laser |
| What procedure can be performed | Fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Photothermolysis without ablation | Surface fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Fractional ablative resurfacing |
| Operating principle | With a minimal area of the microthermal treatment zone, all layers of the skin are treated.The depth of penetration of the rays is adjusted automatically by the scanning system of the device. | The skin is treated with beams of different lengths: a thulium laser acts on the epidermis, destroying old cells, and an erbium laser acts on the deep layers of the dermis. | Short wavelengths of light act on the reticular layer of the dermis, where the collagen framework lies.Irradiation helps restore this framework. | Intense light burns out micro areas of the upper layer of skin, then new and healthy cells form in their place. |
| Wavelength(nm) | 1550 | 1550 (for erbium), 1927 (for thulium) | 1420 | 10,600 |
| Penetration depth (mm) | Up to 1.4 | Up to 1.92 | Up to 0.65 | Up to 1.6 |
| Purpose | Skin restoration after burns, scars, acne, photorejuvenation, treatment of age wrinkles | Treatment of post-acne, removal of scars, scars and age spots, reduction of wrinkles | Elimination of defects on thin and sensitive skin - wrinkles on the eyelids or stretch marks on the mammary glands | Treatment of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, removal of age spots and signs of dyschromia (discoloration) of the skin, reduction of pores |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Fraxel laser rejuvenation?
Fractional rejuvenation has, by and large, only one drawback: high cost.Many patients, of those who have tried it, consider the price of the procedure to be unjustified and say that a course of laser rejuvenation can be completed for less money.
Among the advantages of Fraxel:
- The procedure is universal, suitable for any skin type;
- has a minimum of contraindications;
- the likelihood of complications is low;
- the skin recovers quickly;
- the result lasts up to several years.
Preparing for the Fraxel Procedure
Preparation for the procedure begins approximately six months in advance - with the refusal to take certain medications.You will have to temporarily stop taking blood thinning medications, which almost every second woman after thirty takes.Limit your exposure to the sun, avoid tanning for a while - small sacrifices will help you avoid big problems later.When you go outside, even on a cloudy day, apply sunscreen.You will have to endure such hardships for about 3-4 weeks, until the appointed day.
In two weeks, it is recommended to switch to gentle skin care, abandon home and chemical peeling, lifting, injections (these are general recommendations, and certain types of procedures are acceptable; you should consult a cosmetologist-dermatologist on this issue).
On day X, give up makeup and contact lenses and try not to drink a lot of liquid - so that there is no severe swelling later.You can have lunch 1-2 hours before visiting the salon.
What will they do in the salon?
The doctor treats the skin with an antiseptic and applies an anesthetic - usually an ointment or gel with lidocaine.A layer of contact gel is applied on top - it is needed to make the sensor glide over the skin more easily (for the latest generation Fraxel Dual laser, the gel is no longer needed).The treatment scheme for the selected area is something like a grid - that is, the doctor moves the nozzle along straight lines in one direction, then in the other.The nozzles can be 7x7 mm and 15x15 mm in size, so the area that is illuminated in one approach is 0.5–2 cm2.
It takes about 30 minutes to treat the face and neck, 10 minutes for the hands, and up to 40 minutes for the stomach, chest, and thighs.Under anesthesia, the patient does not feel pain, only a slight burning and tingling sensation.Unpleasant sensations may occur after the procedure.Ointment with depanthenol helps reduce pain and speed up skin healing.However, the doctor usually gives all recommendations for care in the first few days after the procedure.
How many procedures will be needed
Even after one procedure, the skin will become a little lighter and even out.The course of treatment, as a rule, takes up to six months: for a visible result, you need to undergo 3-4 sessions of laser rejuvenation with a break of 1-1.5 months.
What effect can you expect?
2-3 days after the procedure, the swelling subsides, damaged cells are restored - no traces of burns or redness are noticeable.A light matte tan appears on the skin, the complexion evens out.But cell restoration takes time.About a month after the first procedure, it will be noticeable how the oval of the face has tightened, the vascular network has become smaller, and pigment spots have lightened.After another 3-4 months, the collagen framework is restored - wrinkles are smoothed out, skin tone increases and the woman already looks 5 or even 10 years younger.
How long does the result last?
It is impossible to accurately calculate how long the effect of Fraxel laser treatment will last, but it will definitely last longer than a month or a year.Fraxel returns youth to the skin, but does not abolish the laws of aging, genetics and the risk of hormonal imbalances.You can only prolong the result with proper skin care and compliance with all doctor’s recommendations.
Possible complications, how to avoid them
According to clinical studies, the following complications are possible after Fraxel laser rejuvenation:
- manifestation of acne (acne);
- manifestation of facial herpes;
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation;
- prolonged (more than 4 days) erythema;
- prolonged (more than 2 days) swelling.
There is no need to worry about the appearance of scars, the growth of keloids, or the formation of a tumor in the area of laser exposure.Over the 10 years of the technology’s existence, not a single such case has been identified.
Complications are possible even if the doctor fully complies with the technology.Whether they occur or not depends, rather, on the patient’s health and individual reaction to the procedure.Of course, before visiting the salon, you should find out if you have any contraindications, and then carefully choose a specialist and the place where you will have laser resurfacing.Alcohol-containing lotions should be excluded from caring cosmetics during recovery.It is not recommended to do chemical peeling or dermabrasion for two weeks after laser resurfacing.
The fractional photothermolysis procedure is becoming very popular.Unfortunately, this leads to many salons misleading clients and performing photothermolysis using fake devices.Most negative reviews about this rejuvenation method are the result of using counterfeit equipment of dubious quality.Request documentation and certificates for the device you are using and remember that original equipment is not cheap, and small salons often cannot afford to buy real equipment.
The rehabilitation period lasts 1–3 days, swelling and redness during this time are normal.
Rehabilitation period
In the first few hours after the procedure, the anesthesia will wear off and you will feel your face swelling.Cold compresses with ice will help relieve swelling and reduce pain (just wrap the ice cubes in a towel or cotton napkin).Avoid any mechanical impact (men should not shave on the same day, only after 2-3 days).
The face acquires a more or less healthy appearance 2-3 days after the procedure, so experienced women advise visiting the salon on Friday evening - this way you can recover over the weekend, and on Monday do your makeup and go to work.
While the skin is healing, it may peel, so be sure to use a moisturizer - just discuss with your doctor in advance which one.You can take a shower, but not hot - warm.You should avoid baths, saunas, and even baths for several days.
Physical activity in the first three days after visiting the salon will also not bring any benefit, so you will have to maintain a calm and measured regimen for some time.
In the stream of laudatory results about Fraxel, posts of women who suffered from this procedure are somehow lost.Keep this in mind before you lie down on the salon couch.Remember: no laser cosmetic procedure is performed without a preliminary medical examination and approval of a dermatologist.