Fraxel™ re:pair Laser (CO₂)

About Fraxel re:pair

Rarely has a new dermatological technology been introduced with the sense of excitement that has accompanied the release of the Fraxel re:pair laser. This was a laser that we didn't initially want to purchase, since we already have so many machines that can accomplish so much. However, the patient results and the combination of safety and low downtime were just too compelling.

The Fraxel re:pair laser has been named as one of the "Best Quality-of-Life-Breakthroughs" by the New York Post. It was also featured on "The Today Show" as a "Mini Medical Miracle" (watch the "Today" video). It offers a "fractional" approach to CO2 laser skin resurfacing, leaving tiny microscopic islands of untreated skin between the treated areas. As a result it can impressively repair aging, scarred, discolored and sun-damaged skin with a limited amount of downtime. It also is very effective in reducing lines and wrinkles, and it tightens the skin, possibly reducing the need for future tightening procedures, such as facelifts.

With the Fraxel re:pair, Reliant Technologies has succeeded in taming the CO2 laser, universally recognized as the most effective skin resurfacing laser. The re:pair retains the benefits of the CO2 laser but almost completely eliminates the associated risks. It is FDA-approved for Fractional Deep Dermal Ablation (FDDA).

Fraxel re:pair patient photos
Before	After

Benefits

• All areas of the skin, including face, neck, hands and body can be treated
• Wrinkles, discoloration, including sun spots, brown age spots and hormonal facial discoloration (melasma) can usually be effectively treated
• The skin is tightened, reducing skin laxity and folds
• Future skin tightening procedures may be avoided or postponed
• Uneven discoloration, sometimes including areas that are too light, can be improved
• Both red and brown spots can be improved
• Precancerous lesions are reduced
• Scarring of all types including acne scarring, burn and surgical scars can be improved, sometimes quite dramatically
• Stretch marks can be improved
• Large pores and skin roughness can be improved
• There are 5 to 6 days of downtime.
• Recovery is much quicker than the traditional CO2 laser and you can return to work in about one week
• Risk is minimal; Fraxel re:pair has a superb risk/benefit ratio

Alternatives to Fraxel re:pair

• Intense Pulsed Light
• Ultrapulse CO2 and Sciton Erbium YAG resurfacing
• Microlaserpeel
• Fillers (Restylane, Radiesse, Juvéderm)
• Subcision
• Sciton or Medlite laser toning
• MACS-Lift or facelift
• Fraxel re:store

How does FDDA work?

If you look at a magnified newspaper photo, you'll see that the picture is actually comprised of thousands of tiny spots of ink. Similarly, this laser treatment produces thousands of tiny zones of deep dermal ablation. Each of these zones is less than 1/10 of the diameter of a hair follicle.These zones penetrate deeply into the dermis, producing collagen remodeling and reducing wrinkles. They also resurface the uppermost portion of the skin, resulting in the formation of new epidermal cells with reduction or complete elimination of uneven pigment. Further, the remaining areas of untouched skin between these FDDA zones allow the skin to heal much faster compared to conventional laser skin resurfacing.

Fraxel re:pair histology

Questions & Answers

Who is a candidate for treatment?

The Fraxel Laser is useful for all skin types. However, people with darker skin types are a bit more likely to develop increased pigmentation, which is almost always temporary.

How should I prepare for treatment and what should I expect?

One should avoid tanning for a month before treatment. Fraxel Laser treatment is performed right in our medical facility using topical, oral and sometimes local nerve blocks. The topical anesthetic will remain on about 45 minutes prior to treatment. Treatment with our new Fraxel re:pair system is now faster, usually an hour or less, and after one treatment you should see steady improvement in skin color, texture and surface.

What happens after treatment?

There will be some scabbing and crusting lasting five to 6 days. After that there will be some pinkness and swelling that will gradually improve . This is a normal sign that the skin is healing deeply, that dermal tissue is being repaired, and there is good blood circulation. Swelling is mild and usually resolves in a couple of weeks. You may apply makeup or shave after the crusting has healed. Typically patients find they can go back to work in about six or seven days.

Click here for photos of the typical healing progression.

How does the recovery process proceed?

The process of skin repair involves some bronzing of the skin and some exfoliation of the skin. Moisturizer helps with this and the use of sunscreen after treatment is strongly recommended. The remodeling of the deep tissues continues for a number of months and it may be six months or more before the final results are seen.

How many treatments will I need?

It appears that, with appropriate settings, one treatment can produce very significant improvement.

Does it hurt?

Treatment with the Fraxel re:pair laser requires the use of a topical anesthetic cream to make the procedure comfortable. For some individuals this can be supplemented by oral pain control medication or nerve blocks given before the start of the procedure.

Who performs the treatments?

Treatments are performed by our highly skilled and compassionate RNs. Dr. Bock is almost always available on the premises, or nearby.

Why should you choose California Skin & Laser Center for your Fraxel re:pair treatment?

At California Skin & Laser Center, we want you to have an excellent outcome and to feel that your needs and concerns have been promptly addressed in a caring and sensitive fashion. We strive diligently to ensure your satisfaction, your comfort, your privacy, and your safety. All treatments are supervised or performed by a board-certified dermatologist with many years of successful experience in a large variety of cosmetic procedures. Many treatment modalities are available, and we can recommend the one or two that are most likely to meet your needs; we're here to meet your needs and help you realize your aspirations. At our clinic in Stockton, CA, we serve communities throughout San Joaquin County and the Central Valley, including Lodi, Sacramento, Tracy, Manteca, Modesto, Galt, and Valley Springs; many of our patients also come from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Safety and Side Effects

The Fraxel re:pair laser is one of the safest lasers on the market. Nevertheless, it is a very powerful tool, and it is not totally risk free. Infection, scarring and change in skin coloration (either hyper or hypopigmentation) is possible with almost any laser treatment. The Fraxel re:pair laser Treatment, however, provides unprecedented control in laser skin rejuvenation. Risks are minimal, though the specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for any person can be determined only at the time of the consultation. All procedures have some degree of risk, although the risks of the Fraxel Laser treatments tend, for the most part, to be low.