Fraxel® SR1500

Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatment is a non-ablative treatment that produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of water absorption in your skin, known as microthermal zones (MTZ). This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, replacing imperfections with healthy skin.
 
Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments reduce unwanted pigmentation, improves textural surface irregularities of scarred areas and rejuvenates sun damaged areas and fine wrinkles. It is also safe to use on difficult to treat areas such as neck, arms, hands, chest, legs and back, as well as tanned skin or skin of color. This is a major advance, as no other treatment device is as safe for deeply pigmented skin to remove textural or pigment abnormalities and remodel scars. It can penetrate deeply into the dermis (middle layer of skin), allowing us to break up scars and deeper pigment or skin damage.
 
Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatment is cleared by the FDA for soft tissue coagulation, skin resurfacing procedures, and for correction of periorbital wrinkles and pigmented lesions, including age spots, melasma, sun spots and skin discoloration. 

Good candidates for this procedure are people with skin of any color who have sun-damage, aging skin, melasma, irregularly pigmented skin, mild to moderate wrinkles, superficial acne scarring, irregular texture of the skin or other skin condition that could be expected to be improved with this treatment. It is important that each and every patient understands the risks, costs and time necessary to achieve the full benefit of the procedure and has realistic expectations of the ultimate outcome.
If you are pregnant, have been on Accutane within 6 months, or have an active cold sore you should not have this procedure. In addition, patients who have a history of keloid scarring should not have this procedure.

At the start of the treatment, the area will be thoroughly cleansed. Next a strong topical anesthetic is applied for one hour. Topical products to cool, calm, and provide sun protection to the skin will be applied immediately after the treatment.
 
Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments can be uncomfortable, but multiple methods are used to decrease discomfort such as topical anesthetic, cold air and vibrational devices and occasionally oral medications. This treatment is designed to be a minimal “down time” procedure and therefore is performed through a series of treatments. Clinical studied suggest that an average treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions spaces about 3 to 4 weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive over 6 months. Over time you may need additional treatments because gravity, aging, sun exposure and expression of old sun damage will work to affect your skin. It is important to stay on the professional skin care regimen that has been recommended to you to maintain your improvement, as well as to practice good sun safety.

The Fraxel® SR1500 is a micro-ablative laser treatment that creates microscopic columns of treated areas in your skin, known as microthermal treatment zones (MTZ). The skin surrounding the MTZs is left intact, in a fashion analogous to aerating a lawn, allowing the skin to heal quickly.  This renews the skin not only on the surface but also in the deeper layers.  This “fractional” technique can therefore be used to effectively treat problems that occur deeper in the skin, such as scars and wrinkles, as well as pigment and sun damage more thoroughly, yet with the quick healing associated with noninvasive treatments. Clinical studies suggest that an average treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 3 to 6 weeks apart.  Each treatment session addresses 20-25% of the skin area, so over the treatment course the majority of the skin is rejuvenated.  This results in continued improvement of the skin with each successive treatment.

5. How many treatments are needed?

This will be decided in consultation with Dr. Biskin but is generally between two to five, spaced two to four weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on goal of the treatment. Eliminating melasma may require as few as two treatments, whereas acne scars and wrinkles may require four to six.

6. What will I feel and look like following the treatment?

Most patients experience a sunburn type sensation following the treatment which can lasts for ninety minutes. No pain medicine is required however some patients may prefer to take some type of a pain reliever.  The skin may have a pinkish tone for several days and mild swelling that could last a day or more. These are completely normal signs and reflect the healing process that is underway. There is no oozing, crusting or bleeding. Some flaking may occur but extensive peeling is not expected. The skin may develop a bronzed appearance which may last for several weeks. Moisturizers are helpful post treatment and the use of sunscreen (30-60 SPF sun protection) is necessary.

7. Are there any negatives?

Some discomfort is experienced during this procedure. For this reason, we pre-treat with topical anesthetic. This will help reduce the majority of the discomfort with the procedure. Cool air is also directed at the skin during the treatment to provide additional comfort.
New epidermal skin develops immediately, within 24 hours. Your skin will likely be pink or bronze for 1-7 days followed by some flaking, depending on treatment depth. Your skin will naturally and vigorously exfoliate as the reorganized skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar to a minor sunburn, but without pain. Use of a moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking.
During the healing period and after the treatment the areas treated will be more sensitive to sunlight.  Proper sun protection should be worn at all times to minimize possible complications from sun exposure.
 
Uncommonly, a skin wound such as superficial blisters and scabs can occur, which heal within 2 to 14 days. Use of antibiotic ointment on a regular basis usually results in uneventful healing. There is a rare possibility of a skin wound leaving behind a permanent scar. It is also rare for an infection to occur since the skin is usually not broken.