Reliant Technologies has introduced a unique laser therapy that is designed to repair fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars while improving skin texture and pigmentation, even on delicate skin. Fraxel Laser therapy is said to be a safe way to repair aging and sun-damaged skin and with several of the benefits of ablative laser skin resurfacing, but without the downtime, side effects and lengthy recovery period.
The Fraxel method also has been described as a good treatment option for stretch marks.
The Fraxel Laser was designed to alter fractional volumes of a target tissue at a time. It is similar to the digital alteration of photographs and paintings. Unlike ablative lasers that remove the top layer of skin, the Fraxel method produces tiny, microscopic sites of thermal impact separated areas of unaffected, healthy tissue. The healthy tissue between treatment areas contain viable cells that promote rapid healing of the outer skin layers. At the same time, collagen fibers are coagulated in the treated areas resulting in skin improvement
Dr. Steven Cohen and Cory Henssler, nurse director of FACESplus Laser Center in San Diego, were one of the earliest plastic surgery groups in the United States to use the Fraxel laser. They teach a course on Fractional Photothermolysis at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and have published their work in the Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Journal.
Reliant Technologies has received FDA clearance for use of the Fraxel Laser for skin resurfacing and the treatment of acne scars, surgical scars, periorbital wrinkles, pigmented lesions, including age spots, sun spots and skin discoloration.
Fraxel Laser treatments take about 30 minutes and are perfomed with a topical anesthetic ointment. The manufacturer says that, for optimal results, patients should receive six treatments. Side effects are minimal and typically involve swelling and redness. Mild swelling should subside within a day or two, and the redness usually fades over several days. Patients can apply make-up immediately after treatment and return to routine activities. There is limited, if any, risk of infection or scarring.