Mr Lee was the first plastic surgeon to bring the remarkable Fraxel Re:pair to the UK.
Over time, skin loses its youthful look and gives way to brown spots, wrinkles and laxity. Fraxel Re:PairTMis clinically proven to make skin smoother and tighter, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve tone and texture with a single treatment.It was designed for reversing aged skin but has also been shown to give excellent results for acne scarring
What is Fraxel Repair?
Fraxel Repair treatment, which was launched in the UK in April 2008, is a revolutionary new way to correct the most severe skin damage and scarring - without the risks, complications and prolonged downtime of other ablative procedures. Like some of the earlier powerful ablative laser resurfacing procedures, Fraxel Repair laser treatment uses a high-intensity carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to vaporize unwanted tissue. However unlike other ablative procedures, Fraxel Repair treatment uses fractional technology to treat a fraction of the skin (10-50%), so delivering noticeable results with dramatically faster recovery time in a single treatment. Fraxel Repair treatment uses thousands of microscopic laser columns to penetrate deep into the skin and remove old, damaged skin cells. This stimulates your body's own natural healing process, which replaces the cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin. Because the technology is so precise, Fraxel Repair treatment can work not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands.
Is Fraxel Re:PairTM safe?
With Fraxel Re:PairTM treatment, you get dramatic results without the risks and complications of other resurfacing techniques. The Fraxel Re:PairTM system, initially cleared for ablation, coagulation and skin resurfacing, is the only fractional ablative resurfacing system cleared by the FDA for its specific indications of use. These indications include treatment of:
- Wrinkles
- Irregular texture
- Sun spots and age spots (pigmented lesions)
- Sun-induced redness (vascular dyschromia)
- Acne scarring
How is Fraxel Repair treatment different from Fraxel Restore treatment?
Both Fraxel Repair treatment and Fraxel Restore treatment use fractional technology, but in different ways. As an ablative procedure, Fraxel Repair treatment uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to vaporize microscopic columns of tissue deep within the skin. Because Fraxel Repair intensely treats the most severe skin damage, results are the best ever and achieved in a single treatment, the recovery time is generally longer than other Fraxel treatments but still only a few days.. Fraxel Restore treatment, on the other hand, is a non-ablative technique that treats older skin cells without breaking the skin's protective barrier, thus resulting in fasting recovery but needing multiple treatments.
How many treatments will I need and how quickly will I see results?
Clinical studies suggest that for most people, maximum results are achieved in just one treatment. The Fraxel Repair treatment can be adjusted for the clinical need of the skin. However some individuals with severe wrinkles or acne scars may need more than one treatment.
How is Fraxel Repair treatment performed and does the treatment hurt?
First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, 60 to 90 minutes prior to treatment, a topical numbing agent will be applied to the treatment area. You may also choose to take another medication to relax you. If the areas around the eyes are to be treated metal contact lenses are used to protect the eyes. Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment, and there may be some discomfort or pain. However, unlike the experience in traditional CO2 treatments, you will feel quite comfortable immediately after a Fraxel Repair treatment. The procedure takes approximately 30-40 minutes for a full face.
What Precautions do I have to take before the Fraxel Repair Treatment?
You will be give antivral tablets and antibiotic tablets to start on the day of treatment and these are continued for 5 days to reduce the chance of infection.
What should I expect after Fraxel Repair treatment and what are the risks?
Depending upon the aggressiveness of your treatment, there might be some pinpoint bleeding following the procedure, as well as some oozing for up to 48 hours until the wounds close up. The most common side effects are swelling, which usually subsides after 48hrs, and redness, which will mostly subside by the end of the first week, depending on the aggressiveness of treatment. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. Some of these skin reactions may not occur with all patients.
Who shouldn't have Fraxel Rpair treatments?
Fraxel Repair treatment should be avoided during pregnancy and by people who have been on Roaccutane during the last 12 months. There is little data at present on its use in very dark skin so it is best avoided in very dark skin. It should be approached carefully in people with a tendency to form thick scars, have recurrent cold-sores or take photosensitising drugs.
What precautions should I take after treatment?
It is very important that you keep your skin well moisturised in the first few days after the procedure and you will be given healing ointment to use regularly. In the first 48 hours you will also need to soak the treated skin with dilute vinegar soaks to keep the skin clean of potential infection. Once the skin has healed you should use a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you're in the sun.
How long do the positive effects of Fraxel Repair treatment last?
The results of Fraxel Repair treatment are both immediate and progressive. Soon after the treatment, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter and show more even tone. The next 3 to 6 months will bring more improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to heal.
To read more about this exciting new technology, visit www.fraxel.com
