Fraxel Laser Acne Scars

What to Expect During Your Fraxel Treatment

Undergoing a Fraxel laser treatment at DSL Clinic is designed to be a comfortable and reassuring process, aimed at delivering exceptional results. Here is a detailed overview of what you can expect during your Fraxel treatment journey:

Consultation: Your experience begins with a thorough consultation to understand your skincare goals and concerns. Our skilled specialists will review your medical history and assess your skin type to ensure Fraxel is the right treatment for you. We then craft a personalised treatment plan tailored to address your specific needs, ensuring that your expectations are met.

Preparation: Prior to your treatment, you will receive detailed instructions to prepare your skin for the best possible outcome. This preparation typically involves avoiding direct sun exposure and pausing the use of products containing retinoids or other irritants that might affect the skin’s sensitivity. Our team is committed to guiding you through these steps, making sure your skin is optimally ready for the procedure.

Procedure: On the day of your Fraxel session, the area to be treated will be numbed with a topical anaesthetic to minimise discomfort. You will also wear protective goggles to safeguard your eyes from the laser light. During the treatment, the Fraxel device emits controlled pulses of laser energy. Many patients describe feeling a mild, quick sensation of heat, but discomfort is greatly reduced by the Zimmer cooling system that provides a continuous stream of cool air to soothe the skin.

Post-Treatment Care: Immediately following the treatment, it’s normal to experience some redness and swelling similar to mild sunburn, which typically subsides within a couple of days. You may also notice your skin beginning to flake and peel as part of the healing process, revealing fresher, rejuvenated skin beneath.

Recovery Recommendations: To aid in recovery, avoid sun exposure and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen to protect your new skin. A simple, gentle skincare routine is advised, featuring hydrating moisturisers to help soothe and hydrate your skin as it heals.

At DSL Clinic, our goal is to ensure your comfort and satisfaction with every step of your Fraxel treatment. Our expert team is dedicated to providing support and care throughout your skin rejuvenation journey, helping you achieve and maintain beautiful results.

How Many Treatments Will You Need?

Determining the number of Fraxel treatments necessary to achieve optimal results varies based on individual skin conditions and desired outcomes. Typically, those with mild to moderate skin issues such as fine lines or sun damage might expect to undergo three to five sessions. These are usually spaced about four weeks apart to allow the skin sufficient time to heal and respond to the treatment.

For those facing more severe skin concerns, such as deep acne scars or pronounced wrinkles, a greater number of sessions may be necessary to achieve the best possible results. The exact number will depend on the severity of the condition and how well your skin responds to each treatment.

Personalized Treatment Plans

During your initial consultation at DSL Clinic, our specialists will evaluate your specific skin concerns and discuss your aesthetic goals. Based on this assessment, we will provide a customised treatment plan tailored just for you. This plan will outline the recommended number of sessions to help you achieve smooth, rejuvenated skin. Each session is designed to build on the previous one, ensuring continuous improvement and gradual, noticeable enhancements to your skin’s appearance.

Fraxel for Acne Scars: A Transformative Solution

Acne scars are among the top reasons clients seek Fraxel treatments at our clinic. These scars, often deep and difficult to address with topical treatments alone, can significantly impact skin texture and appearance. Fraxel laser therapy offers a robust solution for minimising the appearance of acne scars and enhancing skin smoothness.

Acne scars, particularly atrophic scars, are depressions left in the skin due to insufficient collagen production during the healing process. The 1550 nm Erbium wavelength of the Fraxel laser targets these areas effectively. It penetrates deep into the skin layers to stimulate collagen production, progressively filling in and smoothing out the depressions caused by acne scars. This targeted approach makes Fraxel a game-changer in acne scar treatment, providing hope and improved skin texture to those affected by past acne issues.

Fraxel for Wrinkles and Fine Lines

As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity and collagen, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Fraxel laser treatments offer a non-invasive solution to reverse the signs of ageing by promoting the growth of new skin cells and collagen.

At DSL Clinic, we recommend Fraxel for those looking to reduce the appearance of:

• Crow’s feet
• Frown lines
• Laugh lines
• Forehead wrinkles

With regular treatments, Fraxel can help you achieve smoother, firmer skin that looks naturally youthful. Whether you’re targeting specific areas or looking for an all-over skin refresh, Fraxel offers a long-term solution for reducing the signs of ageing without the need for surgery.

Treating Hyperpigmentation and Sun Damage with Fraxel

Hyperpigmentation, age spots, and sun damage are prevalent skin concerns that can significantly affect your complexion’s uniformity and natural glow. At DSL Clinic, we utilise Fraxel laser therapy, specifically the 1927 nm Thulium wavelength, to effectively target and treat these issues. This specific wavelength excels at focusing on pigmented cells, breaking them down systematically to diminish dark spots and enhance your skin’s overall tone.

Fraxel treatments at our clinic offer a progressive solution to those who have experienced long-term sun exposure or are battling with stubborn melasma. After each session, patients frequently report seeing a noticeable improvement in their skin, achieving a brighter and more even complexion. This improvement allows many to reduce their use of makeup and feel more confident in their natural skin.

Comprehensive Skin Rejuvenation: Combining Fraxel with Other Treatments at DSL Clinic

At DSL Clinic, we advocate for a personalised and holistic approach to skincare, ensuring each treatment plan is tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. We frequently recommend combining Fraxel laser treatments with other advanced cosmetic procedures to enhance overall skin rejuvenation and achieve more significant results. Here’s a detailed look at the synergistic treatments that complement Fraxel, each designed to target different aspects of skin health and ageing:

1. Anti-Wrinkle Injections:

Fraxel is excellent for improving skin texture, while anti-wrinkle injections like Botox are effective in reducing dynamic wrinkles that result from repetitive facial expressions. These injections work by relaxing the underlying facial muscles, thus preventing new wrinkles from forming. When used together, Fraxel and anti-wrinkle injections provide a comprehensive solution for a smoother and more youthful appearance, addressing concerns like crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines.

2. Dermal Fillers:

While Fraxel effectively treats surface and underlying skin concerns, dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are used to combat volume loss. These fillers can restore plumpness to areas like the cheeks, under the eyes, and around the mouth, and can also smooth out deep lines, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Combining these fillers with Fraxel helps create a more contoured, youthful appearance by tackling both textural irregularities and volume deficiencies.

3. HydraFacial:

To maintain a radiant complexion between Fraxel sessions, HydraFacial is an excellent adjunct. This gentle, non-invasive treatment deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin, while also delivering customised serums. By keeping the skin clear and well-moisturised, HydraFacial enhances the benefits of Fraxel, ensuring sustained skin health and vitality.

4. Microneedling:

Microneedling is another effective rejuvenation technique that uses fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, prompting natural collagen production similar to Fraxel. Combining microneedling with Fraxel can intensify results, particularly in improving skin texture and reducing the visibility of deep acne scars and fine lines. While microneedling targets more superficial layers, Fraxel reaches deeper, ensuring a thorough enhancement of skin quality.

5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):

PRP therapy utilises the growth factors from your own blood to enhance healing and stimulate collagen production. When paired with Fraxel, PRP can significantly speed up the recovery process, amplify skin repair, and improve overall skin tone, making it an ideal combination for those with sensitive skin or more severe dermatological issues.

6. V-Beam Laser for Redness:

For clients dealing with redness or conditions like rosacea, combining Fraxel with the V-Beam laser, which specifically targets blood vessels, can be highly beneficial. This combination effectively reduces redness and inflammation while Fraxel works on resurfacing and smoothing the skin, together delivering a more even-toned and clear complexion.

7. Thermage FLX:

Thermage FLX utilises radiofrequency energy to tighten and firm the skin. It is a superb complement to Fraxel, especially for clients seeking firmer skin along with texture improvements. Thermage enhances the skin tightening effects initiated by Fraxel by stimulating new collagen growth at deeper skin layers, perfect for a full-scale approach to facial rejuvenation.

At DSL Clinic, our team of expert dermatologists is adept at designing multimodal treatment plans that address a wide array of skin issues, ensuring effective and enduring results. By integrating Fraxel with other state-of-the-art therapies, we offer a bespoke rejuvenation experience that is both comprehensive and transformative, aimed at restoring not just the beauty but also the health of your skin.

Fraxel Laser Treatments: Suitable for All Skin Types and Tones

Fraxel laser treatments stand out for their compatibility with a broad spectrum of skin types and tones, making them a versatile choice for comprehensive skin rejuvenation. This adaptability is crucial, especially since some laser treatments can pose risks like hyperpigmentation for darker skin tones. Thanks to Fraxel’s advanced non-ablative technology, these risks are significantly minimised, allowing for safe and precise treatments across various skin types.

Personalised Consultations at DSL Clinic

At DSL Clinic, we begin with a detailed consultation to assess whether Fraxel is the ideal treatment for your specific skin type. Our expert team has extensive experience with all Fitzpatrick skin types, ranging from I to III. We ensure that each client receives personalised advice and a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs, ensuring both the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Tailored Approaches for Darker Skin Tones

For clients with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV and above), the approach needs to be cautiously adjusted to prevent potential side effects such as hyperpigmentation or scarring. In such cases, we might recommend alternative therapies that are better suited to these skin types. Options like radiofrequency microneedling or sub ablative lasers are excellent alternatives that offer similar benefits as Fraxel but are specifically designed to mitigate risks for darker complexions.

Commitment to Effective Solutions

Our commitment at DSL Clinic is to provide each client with the most effective and safest skincare solutions tailored to their unique needs. We continuously update our practices and technologies to include the safest and most innovative treatments available for all skin types. By doing so, we ensure that every client can achieve their desired skin improvements without compromising on safety or results.

Fraxel’s adaptable laser technology makes it an inclusive option for anyone looking to enhance their skin’s appearance. At DSL Clinic, we are dedicated to guiding each client through their skin rejuvenation journey with care and expertise, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the transformative effects of Fraxel treatments, regardless of their skin type or tone.

Preparing for Your Fraxel Treatment

To ensure the best possible results from your Fraxel laser treatment at DSL Clinic, it’s essential to prepare your skin properly. Here are a few key steps to follow before your treatment:

• Avoid Sun Exposure: It’s important to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds for at least two weeks before your Fraxel session, as treated skin can become more sensitive to UV rays.
• Discontinue Retinoids: Stop using retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and other exfoliating products at least one week before treatment. These products can make your skin more sensitive and increase the risk of irritation.
• Hydrate: Keep your skin well-hydrated in the weeks leading up to your appointment. Moisturised skin responds better to laser treatments and heals more quickly.
• Consult Your Dermatologist: If you have a history of cold sores, inform your dermatologist before your treatment, as laser procedures can sometimes trigger an outbreak. We may prescribe an antiviral medication to prevent this.

Following these guidelines ensures that your skin is in the best condition for treatment, allowing for optimal results and a smoother recovery.

What Happens After Fraxel Treatment?

Post-Treatment Care After Fraxel Laser Therapy

Following a Fraxel laser treatment, effective aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal results and a smooth healing process. Initially, you can expect your skin to exhibit redness and swelling, much like a sunburn; these effects generally subside within the first 48 hours. As the skin begins its natural regeneration process, mild flaking and peeling occur as it sheds the old, damaged cells, making way for new, healthy ones.

Essential Care Tips for Post-Fraxel Recovery:

1. Keep Skin Moisturized: Maintaining hydration is key during the recovery phase. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser to help soothe and hydrate your skin. This not only minimises flaking but also enhances comfort as your skin heals.
2. Avoid Sun Exposure: Post-treatment, your skin becomes more sensitive to UV rays. To protect your skin, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher daily, even on cloudy days. Additionally, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade can further shield your skin from harmful UV exposure.
3. Skip Makeup: For the initial days following your treatment, it is advisable to avoid makeup. Makeup can irritate the sensitive skin and impede the healing process. Once the skin starts showing signs of recovery and less sensitivity, you may gradually reintroduce makeup products into your routine.
4. Follow Dermatologist Recommendations: Adhering to your dermatologist’s advice is vital for post-treatment care. Depending on your specific skin type and the intensity of your treatment, your dermatologist may suggest particular products designed to aid in the recovery process. These recommendations are tailored to enhance healing and maximise the treatment’s effectiveness.

Most patients begin to see noticeable improvements in their skin within a few weeks after the treatment. The skin’s appearance continues to improve over the following three to six months as collagen production ramps up, leading to longer-lasting results. By following these care tips and your dermatologist’s guidance, you can ensure a successful recovery and enjoy the full benefits of your Fraxel treatment.

Sustaining the Benefits of Fraxel Laser Treatment

Fraxel laser treatment delivers transformative results that can be long-lasting, provided you maintain proper post-treatment care. To extend the benefits of your treatment and keep your skin looking its best, it’s crucial to adhere to a dedicated skincare routine. Here are essential tips to help you preserve the rejuvenated appearance of your skin:

1. Daily Sunscreen Use:

Sun protection is paramount, especially after undergoing laser treatments. Consistent use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is necessary to shield your skin from harmful UV rays, which can exacerbate signs of ageing and damage. Apply sunscreen every day, irrespective of the weather or if you’re spending time indoors, as UV radiation can penetrate windows and affect your skin.

2. Regular Moisturization:

Hydrated skin retains its plumpness, elasticity, and radiance more effectively. Opt for moisturisers that contain hyaluronic acid, which is known for its intense hydrating properties and ability to attract moisture without clogging pores. Consistent moisturization helps sustain the skin’s health and enhances its overall glow.

3. Schedule Maintenance Treatments:

While the initial series of Fraxel treatments can provide substantial improvements, periodic maintenance sessions are beneficial to maintain these results over time. Depending on your skin’s response and ageing process, annual or bi-annual maintenance treatments can help prolong the youthful appearance of your skin. During your follow-up consultations, a tailored maintenance plan will be developed to meet your specific needs.

Investing in Fraxel is a commitment to the long-term health and beauty of your skin. By following these maintenance tips and working closely with your skincare specialist, you can ensure that your skin remains vibrant, youthful, and healthy for years to come.