Fraxel Laser for Acne Scars
We sat down with Siti Yahya, licensed medical aesthetician in our Katy office, to learn more about using the Fraxel laser to treat acne scars.
What type of acne patient is the Fraxel laser best for?
Fraxel is the gold standard for resurfacing treatment for mild to moderate acne scars including rolling and boxcar scars. These types of scars are deep indents in the skin that often cause the skin to have a “rolling” or uneven texture. Before you can begin treatment, acne breakouts should be under control. The results are impressive when combined with clinical skincare regimen.
How does the Fraxel laser work?
Fraxel laser works by creating pixelated “microthermal” injuries to the skin to initiate the body’s natural response to wound healing. The wound healing process repairs the skin by purging the skin of old, damaged skin and replacing it with new healthy skin cells through the production of collagen. As a result, the production of new collagen softens fine lines, wrinkles and scarring over time.
What can I expect during my treatment?
First, your healthcare provider will apply a topical numbing cream and let it sit for 90 minutes until your face is numb. The full face Fraxel procedure takes approximately 45-60 minutes.
What is the recovery like?
Downtime is based on how aggressive treatment was performed but usually lasts between 4-7 days. Some patients will experience swelling, redness, “sandpaper” texture with bronzing and peeling for a few days. It is important that you avoid extended sun exposure for two weeks post-treatment and practice proper sun protection thereafter. You can resume normal makeup wear in five to seven days, or as directed by provider.
How many treatments do you recommend?
A series of 5-6 treatments for acne scarring at 4-6 week intervals based on skin type/color.
What results can I expect?
Early results are noticeable after two treatments, however, results peak at six to nine months post first treatment. Six months post last Fraxel treatment will yield even skin tone, reduced pore size, smoother skin, softer appearance of acne scarring.
Want to learn more about the Fraxel laser? Get in touch with us!