About Fraxel® DUAL Laser Resurfacing

The Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser is capable of delivering laser energy at two different wavelengths, 1550-nm and 1927-nm. These wavelengths are capable of bringing about significant improvements in skin quality, texture, and wrinkles, in addition to lifting unwanted pigment from the surface of the skin.

The Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser works by generating precisely controlled columns of thermal injury to the skin while leaving the surface of the skin intact. One of the main advantages of this type of laser treatment is shortened recovery time comparted to fully ablative laser treatments. As the name “Fraxel” implies, only a “fraction” of the skin is targeted with laser energy during treatment, allowing for intact and untreated areas of skin to serve as a source of wound healing and repair. The fraction of skin subjected to laser energy undergoes a healing response that leads to the formation and remodeling of your collagen, elastin, and extracellular matrix (the skin’s moisture and blood vessel-rich skin environment), which manifests as improvements in skin quality, fine lines, laxity, and pigmentation. In short, the fractional nonablative laser approach allows you to resume your normal life relatively more quickly than a fully ablative laser treatment, while still enjoying the benefits of healthier, smoother skin and a more radiant appearance.

Some of the issues that our physicians commonly use Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser to treat are:

• • • Mild-to-moderate signs of aging (face, neck, chest, hands)
    • Acne, surgical, and traumatic scars
    • Pigmentary issues (sun spots, melasma, hyper- and hypopigmentation)
    • Precancerous spots (actinic keratosis)
    • Lax skin and stretch marks (arms, legs, trunk)
    • Skin quality maintenance

Am I a good candidate for Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing?

Good candidates for Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing are usually in their 3rd decade of life or beyond, and have mild to moderate signs of aging and sun damage. Other good candidates for Fraxel® DUAL treatments are those who are looking to improve the quality of their skin, but who cannot accommodate a significant amount of post-treatment downtime due to work, family, or other personal obligations.

Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing is also a popular treatment for those seeking to rejuvenate lax, crepey, and sun damaged skin on the arms and dorsal hands, and even the legs. It should be known, however, that because these areas do not have as robust of a blood supply as the face, they require longer healing time.

Finally, good candidates for Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing should also not have any problems with wound healing, immunosuppression, active skin cancer on the face or scalp, or autoimmune skin and connective tissue disease.

Is it possible for me to have other treatments on the same day as Fraxel® Dual fractional nonablative laser resurfacing?

It is very common for our patients to combine Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing with other treatments on the same day, in order to minimize recovery time for multiple procedures. Some treatments that our board certified dermatologists will frequently combine with Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing include upper and lower blepharoplasty, intense pulsed light for facial redness, mole excision, acne scar treatments, laser rhinophyma repair, and others.

How often will I need Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing?

Most patients will seek to repeat this treatment once every 2-5 years, provided that they are also undertaking other less aggressive measures to optimize the health of their skin. Preventative and maintenance care following Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing entails strict sun protection habits, a regimen of neuromodulators and soft tissue fillers, and various other less aggressive laser treatments to maintain skin quality, and address minor issues such as unwanted pigment, vascularity, and textural issues as they arise.

How does Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing decrease my skin’s burden of precancerous spots?

In addition to the skin quality benefits described above, Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing has been shown in numerous scientific studies to decrease your skin’s burden of precancerous spots (actinic keratosis) in the months following treatment. Many patients who have dealt with precancerous spots on their face and scalp will pursue Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing for this benefit, in addition to its aesthetic benefits. While some general dermatologists may recommend treating your precancerous spots with an irritating cream that needs to be applied consistently over the course of several weeks, or photodynamic therapy treatment (PDT) which is painful with lengthy recovery time, our board-certified dermatologists prefer Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing for both decreasing your skin’s precancer burden, while also globally rejuvenating your face, in a way that these other treatment options cannot.

How long will I need to recover from Fraxel® DUAL nonablative laser resurfacing?

The amount of recovery time that is needed following Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing depends on the anatomic locations that are treated, the strength of the laser settings, the number of passes, the outcome you are hoping to achieve after one treatment, and the amount of time that you are able to set aside for your skin to recover. Because the face is rich in blood vessels, hair follicles, and glands, it will recover faster than any other part of the body, whereas areas such as the neck, chest, hands, arms…etc. will require more time.

Our most aggressive and popular Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing treatment is a “One and Done” procedure, which can erase years of textural and pigmentary issues during a single treatment session. Because this is a stronger treatment, the recovery time is 5-7 days on the face, 7-10 days on the neck and chest, and slightly longer on the extremities.

For younger patients with good skin quality who are looking to refresh their skin, or who are looking to make significant progress against pigment in a single treatment session, a “Fraxel® Light” or “Ultralight” treatment may be a good option. These treatments are delivered with lower energy settings and densities, and possibly fewer passes, which can help decrease recovery time on the face to 3-4 days instead of 5-7.

Why should I trust Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center to perform Fraxel® DUAL nonablative laser resurfacing?

Our board-certified dermatologists at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center have decades of experience performing Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing. The knowledge of our physicians, combined with our wide array of lasers and energy-based devices, allows us to customize your treatments to address your individual concerns and preferences, thereby maximizing the amount of improvement and value that you receive from a single treatment session. And because Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing is highly effective at decreasing the number of precancerous spots on the face and scalp, those with a significant history of photodamage will derive medical benefits from this treatment, in addition to its clear aesthetic benefits. As our photos attest, Fraxel® DUAL fractional nonablative laser resurfacing in the hands of our highly experienced board-certified dermatologists yields dramatic but natural appearing results that allow you to rejuvenate your authentic appearance, and improve the health of your skin.