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.

An anaesthetic cream may be applied at least 1 hour prior to the treatment session. For higher power settings, local anaesthetic or oral pain medicine may be used for the treatment session.

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.

The Fraxel® SR is an innovative new laser system that can rejuvenate or "resurface" sun-damaged skin without causing a visible wound or a prolonged, uncomfortable healing period.

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 therapy is a safe, effective, and commonly used treatment, providing optimal results in areas such as the removal of unwanted hair skin rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, leg veins, or tattoos; and the treatment of acne. Lasers work by delivering an intense beam of light that is absorbed by the skin. This light is converted to heat and is absorbed by the cells being targeted, while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected.

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.

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.

Lasers are optical devices which produce intense beams of light. A laser consists of an active medium such as a crystal, gas or liquid that amplifies light when stimulated by an external energy source (such as a flash amp or electric discharge). The laser can be fine-tuned to generate a very narrow band of light wavelengths. In one pulse, the laser can remove all the hair on a patch of skin ranging from 9-18mm in size on average.

In the past, the usual remedies for unwanted hair were plucking, shaving or electrolysis. Some are painful; some are messy and most are temporary. A laser produces a beam of highly concentrated light. The light is well absorbed by the pigment located in hair follicles. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, disabling numerous follicles at a time to eliminate or significantly impede the hair's re-growth.

A:The laser targets the pigments in the red blood cells in the unwanted veins, in the same way that the laser targets pigments in the hair follicle during laser hair removal.

The Soft Touch Laser helps to rejuvenate the skin. For additional information, see our Nulase Technology Page

To appreciate how it works, you need to understand the basics of how hair grows and replaces itself in its natural cycle. Every hair on one's head usually grows for several years and then falls out. The root then rests for some weeks before starting to re-grow a new hair. This cycle continues throughout our lives. Unfortunately, as we age, some people replace fewer hairs than are shed (and/or thinner, lighter hair) resulting in thinner hair and gradually baldness occurs.

If after the initial laser surgery there is persistence or additional CNV, further laser treatment may be possible. If the CNV has grown too large or involve the central fovea, additional laser treatment may not be helpful. In patients with wet AMD in one eye, it is very important to monitor the vision and the macula in the other eye also. Using the eyes for reading, watching television, or driving does not damage them. It is important to continue with as normal a life style as possible.

Laser/light selectively targets the melanin in the hair so it is most effective on light, clean skin with dark follicles. After your initial preparation, your treatment provider will move a wand-like hand piece over your skin. The hand piece emits the light that disables the hair follicles. Most people perceive the light as a gentle "snapping" sensation. Once this is completed, the treatment provider will wipe away any loose hair from your skin, and you're ready to go.

Sun-damaged facial skin has traditionally been treated with with deep peels and laser resurfacing. These procedures are invasive, involve a certain amount of risk and downtime, and cannot be performed on areas other than the face. Certain non-invasive laser treatments used for wrinkles, such as NLite and CoolTouch II lasers, light chemical peels, mcrodermabrasion and photodynamic therapy can be used, but with less permanent or noticeable results.

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.

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.

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.