What Does it Treat?

Fraxel® treatment has been FDA-cleared for the following skin conditions:

• Wrinkles
• Fine lines around the eyes
• Age spots/sun damage
• Acne scars and surgical scars
• Melasma (the mask of pregnancy)
• Discoloration and uneven pigmentation
• Sun-induced redness
• Irregular texture and pore size

How Does it Work?

Fraxel® treatment works by creating thousands of tiny microscopic laser wounds (one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle) into the skin. Fraxel® treatment only affects a "fraction" of the tissue at a time leaving a majority the skin unaffected. This treatment triggers your own body's natural healing process to heal those wounds, resulting in remodeling of collagen and elastin.

This treatment not only penetrates deep into the dermis where collagen is stimulated, but also resurfaces the upper-most layer (the epidermis) which helps to eliminate unwanted pigmentation.

Since a "fraction" of the skin is treated, multiple sessions are recommended for maximum results. Typically a series of 3 to 5 sessions are performed at 3 to 6 week intervals.

Who is a Candidate?

Fraxel® treatment is safe and effective for all skin types. Darker skin types may be at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. Aura offers free consultations with our physicians and nurse practitioners to help determine if Fraxel® treatment is the right treatment for you.

What Can I Expect During Treatment?

The most common areas treated with Fraxel® are the face, neck, chest and hands. Generally, each patient can expect the following:

• Treatments are performed in the privacy and comfort of Aura Skin Spa, by a physician, registered nurse or nurse practitioner.
• Safety eyeglasses are worn to protect the physician or nurse practitioner and the patient's eyes from the laser light during the procedure.
• Patients arrive approximately one hour before their treatment for the application of topical lidocaine cream.
• A tracking gel is applied to the area being treated.
• The tip of the Fraxel® hand-piece is gently touched against the skin and precise microscopic laser columns are targeted deep into the dermis.
• A slight stinging sensation is felt and is relieved with blasts of cold air used for patient comfortability.
• This is repeated over the entire face or the surface-area that is being treated.
• The procedure takes approximately 25-30 minutes for the full face. The treatment can be shorter or longer depending on the area or areas being treated.
• The treated area usually becomes pink or red and may last from a few hours to several days and is relieved with the application of ice, cooling gels or other calming agents.

Is it Painful?

The degree of discomfort varies with each patient, depending on his/her pain threshold. Some patients may feel a slight stinging sensation with the laser pulse.

This discomfort is minimized by topical anesthesia such as lidocaine cream or ointment that is applied to the area being treated approximately one hour before the procedure.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Everyone's skin is different. Depending on the severity of an individual's problem, a series of treatment sessions may be recommended. Since only a "fraction" of the skin is treated, maximum results can be achieved with a series of 3 to 5 sessions that are performed at 3 to 6 week intervals.

Before and After

Acne Scars - After 3 Treatments Solta Medical - Photo Courtesy of Dr. S. Cohen

Wrinkles/Fine Lines - After 4 Treatments Solta Medical - Photo Courtesy of Dr. Rahman

Melasma - After 4 Treatments Solta Medical - Photo courtesy of Dr. H. Conn