Fresh, smooth skin is the hallmark of a youthful-looking face. But if you’re dealing with acne scars, wrinkles, or irregular pigmentation, how do you achieve that fresh-faced glow? For many women and men, Fraxel® laser treatment at our Dallas dermatology practice is the answer.
Of course, there are dozens of other nonsurgical skin rejuvenation options available today. What sets laser procedures apart? To shed some light on the benefits of anti-aging laser treatments, I’ll answer some commonly asked laser skin rejuvenation questions.
How do laser skin resurfacing treatments work?
Fractional lasers such as Fraxel channel tiny and precise rays of light deep into your skin, interspersing treated skin with healthy, untreated skin. This helps speed recovery and reduce downtime. Your body’s natural healing process steps in to replace the targeted cells with healthy new skin. The result is a smoother, more evenly pigmented complexion.
What problems can laser skin resurfacing treat?
Laser resurfacing can:
• Smooth out acne scars and other scarring
• Fade melasma (brown patches), freckles, and age spots
• Soften wrinkles and fine lines
• Reduce the appearance of sun damage
• Modestly improve skin laxity in some cases
Fractional lasers can address these skin concerns on your face as well as on other delicate areas that are prone to sun damage such as your neck, chest, and hands.
Is laser skin resurfacing painful?
You will experience a stinging heat during the treatment, however we apply a topical anesthetic and provide an air chiller device to minimize any discomfort. If necessary, an oral pain medication can be given to mitigate pain as well.
Immediately after treatment, your face may feel hot and prickly, as if you have a bad sunburn. That sensation usually fades within a few hours.
For more aggressive laser treatments, you’ll take oral medication and receive both a topical and a local anesthetic to manage your comfort. Swelling, redness, and peeling are common after this type of treatment.
What is Fraxel? How is it different from other laser treatments?
Overall, Fraxel lasers work much like other lasers to eliminate old skin and trigger the growth of healthy new skin.
Unlike other lasers, though, Fraxel lasers use targeted, microscopic rays to deeply penetrate the skin’s layers and remove damaged skin. I’ve participated in several fractional laser studies, and I’ve documented their success in a number of medical journals.
Since Fraxel lasers target only a small fraction of the skin in the treatment area, they reduce your downtime and diminish your risk for complications and adverse effects.
But their targeted scope doesn’t mean that you’ll experience less-than-desired results. We’ve had terrific success with the Clear + Brilliant®, Fraxel Dual, and Fraxel re:pair lasers at our Dallas clinic, as you can see in our patients’ before-and-after photos.
How long do laser skin resurfacing results last?
You will begin to notice results within one to two weeks, and your skin will continue to improve for the next 6 months. You can expect the results to last for many years, as long as you maintain a healthy skincare routine and continue to use sunscreen to prevent additional sun damage.
If you’re ready for your skin to look vibrant, smooth, and healthy, contact us online to request a consultation. Or call us at (214) 631-7546 to schedule a laser skin resurfacing treatment at our Dallas practice.
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