Fraxel Laser Treatment (FLT) from Reliant Technologies is a new aesthetic solution that repairs aging and sun-damaged skin – pixel by pixel, spot by spot. We describe it as new-generation laser skin resurfacing, similar to digital photo-editing software for your skin. Think of your skin as a family portrait or digital photo in need of high-quality restoration or touch-up.

Fraxel® Laser Treatment (FLT) is a "fractional" treatment that produces thousands of deep, tiny columns in your skin, called microthermal treatment zones. FLT is "fractional" in that it intensively treats old epidermal pigment cells without affecting any of the surrounding tissue, which reduces healing time and promotes the skin's natural process for creating new, healthier tissue to replace the damaged cells.

Most patients describe the treatment as having a "prickling" sensation. The topical anesthetic ointment and air cooling alleviates most discomfort.

During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. Make-up can be worn to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two. As you continue treatment, the sunburned to bronze conditions will repeat. Just like a natural sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Using a moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of dry flakes.

Since FLT has the impact of ablative lasers but the gentler benefits of the non-ablative treatments, healing time is significantly accelerated so there is minimal downtime. Because the Fraxel® Laser penetrates the non-living out layer of skin leaving it completely untreated, make-up can be worn immediately following the procedure. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment.

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from treatment. If swelling does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two. Redness may occur and will fade within a few days. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring.

To prepare your skin for treatment, it will be cleansed. Then a blue tint, called OptiGuide Blue, is applied to the treatment area. The tint increases the contrast of tiny folds in the skin's surface, allowing the Fraxel® Laser handpiece to precisely read the discreet contours of the treatment area. A topical anesthetic ointment is also applied to the treatment area approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect.

Rather than treating the entire skin surface at one time, the Fraxel® SR laser creates a pattern of evenly spaced microscopic laser "spots" surrounded by normal undamaged skin. Because the skin surrounding the spots is not injured, healing takes place very quickly, and without creating a visible wound. Repeated treatments create additional spots, until the entire skin surface is treated.

Although the Fraxel® SR is a new and innovative technology, to date there have been no reports of scarring or infection from treatment. At higher powers, mild blistering and/or temporary skin discoloration can occur, especially in darker-skinned patients.

The changes in the epidermis and dermal collagen induced by Fraxel® SR Laser treatment are permanent; nevertheless, time, sun exposure, and gravity will continue to take its toll. The Fraxel® SR laser "turns back the clock", but doesn't keep the clock from ticking.

ELT stands for Endovenous Laser Treatment. This is an exciting new technique that is replacing traditional vein stripping in practices across the nation. It is predominantly used to treat varicose veins. ELT involves threading a laser fiber into the diseased vein and firing it along the length of the vein. This effectively “closes” the vein, preventing blood flow and the increased pressure associated with varicosities.

A:After your initial treatment, you will notice a significant reduction in the amount of hair in the treated area. However, it will take 2-4 weeks for the treated hair to push its way to the surface and fall out. It is important not to pluck or wax between treatments, as this may change the growth phase of the follicle. With each subsequent treatment, the hair in the active growing phase will be effectively treated.

Laser may be effective for the treatment of very fine spider veins in selected patients but has not been proven effective in the treatment of larger spider or varicose veins.

While we do have a laser available that is occasionally used to treat leg veins, we have found over the years that sclerotherapy (injection treatment) is more effective, hurts less, has fewer complications, less cost, and is far more efficient. While laser treatment has made the news a lot, most vein centers dedicated to vein treatment agree that topical laser treatment has been a big disappointment.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

Patients with wet AMD who have extra or juxtafoveal CNV. Some patients with poor vision and subfoveal CNV may also be suitable for conventional laser surgery.

No. Each laser machine is FDA approved for different treatments. Some are approved for hair removal, others for facial rejuvenation, and yet others for vein treatment. It is important to check that the machine being used is appropriate for the treatment given. Always seek treatment with a professional that has experience with laser vein therapy.

Laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure for superficial venous reflux. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening and a laser is used to collapse and seal shut the vein.

Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein. The laser procedure provides a less invasive alternative to stripping by simply closing the problem vein instead. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs.

Only a physician call tell you if laser treatment is a viable option for your vein problem. Experience has shown that the vast majority of patients with superficial venous reflux disease can be treated with laser treatment.

Many insurance companies are paying for laser treatment in part or in full. Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, based on medical necessity. Our staff can discuss your insurance coverage further at the time of consultation.

The Fraxel® SR Laser can be used anywhere on the body where the skin would benefit from resurfacing. Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, which removes the entire skin surface, most of the skin is left undamaged after each treatment, and heals rapidly from the surrounding, normal skin. Of particular interest are the neck and decollete, which were not treatable with previouly available methods.

Laser treatment is a safe, effective option that targets vessels under the skin while bypassing the skin itself. The laser energy is absorbed by hemoglobin, a substance in blood that gives it a red color, which causes the vessel to coagulate and subsequently be absorbed by the body.