Laser Treatments

Fraxel® re:store® & re:pair® Laser Systems

The Fraxel re:pair is a CO2 laser while the Fraxel re:store is an erbium laser. Because CO2 lasers are generally more aggressive, Fraxel re:pair usually requires 1 treatment session while Fraxel re:store requires a series of them.

Fraxel re:store is a gentler treatment that is best for slight to moderate imperfections such as eye wrinkles, fine lines and up to moderate acne scarring. It is also easiest on more delicate areas such as the chest and neck. Those who have less severe facial lines and wrinkles will want to explore their treatment options with the erbium laser.

Fraxel re:pair is a significantly more aggressive treatment option because it "vaporizes" tissue on the skin's surface. This stimulates more dramatic recovery results. It yields superior results in the treatment of severe sun damage, deeper lines, wrinkles and acne scars. It also requires a more extensive recovery period. We recommend at least 10 days of "social downtime".

Fraxel re:store®

The Fraxel re:store laser system is considered one of the best available treatments for nonablative fractional resurfacing on the face, neck, chest and hands. There is usually swelling for 2 days, minimal recovery symptoms and little to no downtime.

The Fraxel re:store laser system is currently cleared by the FDA to treat:

Periorbital wrinkles (wrinkles around the eyes)
Pigmented lesions
Melasma
Soft tissue coagulation
Acne scars and surgical scars
Actinic Keratoses (precancerous lesions)

Fraxel re:store treatment is a gentler non-surgical alternative to correct moderate imperfections of the skin and improve texture, coloration, the visibility of acne scars and fine lines without impacting your daily routine.

How Fraxel re:store Technology Works

Fraxel re:store stimulates new collagen using fractional photothermolysis. It uses an erbium laser to put out laser pulses that create thousands of microscopic holes into the deeper layers of collagen while leaving the outermost layer of skin intact. These microthermal treatment zones stimulate the body's collagen regenerative responses.

The microthermal zones also resurface the upper portion of the skin, resulting in the formation of new epidermal cells, reducing or completely eliminating any uneven pigmentation.

Treatment & Recovery Time

Typically, an effective treatment regime requires 3-5 treatment sessions spaced about 2-4 weeks apart. Each session is about 30-45 minutes, not including prep time.

A local anesthetic is applied to the treatment area as well as an FDA-certified water-soluble blue tint to highlight the contours of the skin and guide the Fraxel re:store device over treatment areas.

Recovery time is remarkably fast, with most patients returning to their daily routines in 24 hours and results emerging almost immediately. Swelling and redness are the most common side effects of the treatment and fade quickly.

Fraxel re:pair®

The Fraxel re:pair laser, or the Fractional Microablative CO2 laser, has been touted as the biggest breakthrough in wrinkle removal in the last 5 to 10 years and a "mini medical miracle". According to realself.com, 86% of consumers that underwent Fraxel re:pair report satisfaction with the procedure.

The Fraxel re:pair laser system is currently approved by the FDA to treat:

Wrinkles
Loss of skin elasticity
Sun-induced redness (vascular dyschromia)
Sun and age spots (pigmented lesions)
Irregular texture

Fraxel re:pair is a true non-surgical alternative to more invasive surgical and resurfacing procedures: it reduces the risks and recovery time associated with facelifts or other resurfacing procedures significantly. It is also considered a potentially preventative treatment that can eliminate the need for facelifts entirely.

How Fraxel re:pair Technology Works

The advanced technology of the Fraxel re:pair laser system offers deeper dermal laser penetration (depths of 1.6mm) than traditional treatments, and is delivered by laser pulses in fractional patterns. The laser vaporizes tiny columns of tissue on the skin's surface while leaving the surrounding tissue untreated. This method stimulates the body's natural skin cell and collagen regenerative responses. It also spurs faster healing to reduce the pain and recovery time that is needed with traditional vaporizing treatments.

Fraxel re:pair technology is effective not just for your face, but also your neck, shoulders, arms, hands and other parts of the body.

Fraxel re:pair Procedure & Recovery

Fraxel re:pair treatment is usually performed as a single treatment, typically with 10 days of downtime. The procedure lasts usually takes an hour. We perform the procedure with a mild oral sedative in combination with local anesthesia.

Recovery symptoms are typically reported as similar to those of a mild sunburn. There is initial swelling and reddening of the skin that can last for approximately ten days. Your skin will naturally "shed" as new tissue replaces the old. A common recovery symptom is a "bronzing" appearance to your skin for anywhere between 3 days to two weeks, depending on how deep your treatment is.

Contact Dr. Potozkin for more information on the Fraxel Laser System.