Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

All patients at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa will receive a comprehensive, complimentary consultation with the medical staff prior to scheduling Fraxel laser skin resurfacing. They will review your medical history and the medications you are currently taking to rule out any contraindications. It is also important to understand your skin care and sun care routines.

For optimal results, accelerate healing, and minimize your risk of complications you should:

• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and carefully apply sunscreen for two weeks prior to treatment. Fraxel cannot be performed on sunburned skin.
• Do not wax, use depilatory creams or receive electrolysis 5–7 days prior to treatment
• Avoid laser treatments 4 weeks before your Fraxel appointment, and plastic surgery 12 weeks prior to treatment
• Discontinue Isotretinoin (Accutane) 12 months prior to treatment
• Ensure that you are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Avoid retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, chemical peels, benzoyl peroxide, or any medication that exfoliates or compromises the skin for one week prior to fraxel laser skin resurfacing.
•  If you have a history of cold sores or fever blisters and are having your mouth area treated, you will need to have your physician prescribe suppressive therapy and take as directed.

You’ll be in the experienced hands of professional laser technicians for your Fraxel laser surfacing treatment at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa. Please arrive at your appointment make-up free (lip balm and sunblock are okay). After a thorough cleaning the patient’s skin, it will then be treated with a topical numbing anesthetic for approximately 60 minutes.

Here’s what to expect during a Fraxel Dual treatment for the face. First, your provider will determine the ideal fractional laser setting for you. Next, she will run the Fraxel laser handpiece over your face, making two to three passes over each treatment zone (forehead, nose, cheeks and chin). Multiple passes ensure that your skin receives a consistent, even treatment.

Most patients describe feeling a warm, prickly sensation as the laser moves across their skin. The feeling of heat intensifies with each additional pass. However, numbing cream and the cooling system (integrated into the Fraxel handpiece) make the intensity of this fractional laser treatment feel only mildly uncomfortable for most.

Plan for a few hours of social downtime after your treatment. The most common side effects after a Fraxel Dual treatment are redness, swelling and slight discomfort (warmth and tightness). Some patients describe feeling like they have a sunburn. Swelling is minimal and typically subsides within a 1-2 days, while redness usually fades in 2-3 days post treatment.

Your skin will feel dry and might also peel or flake. Many patients describe their skin as having a “sandpaper” texture a few days after a Fraxel laser treatment. This is the treated tissue slowly making its way out of your body to make room for new, freshly regenerated skin cells. Dead skin will begin sloughing off 3-4 days post-treatment. Your skin should be a rosy pink glow by 5-7 days after your Fraxel session.

Some patients might also experience a minor breakout of whiteheads or milia due to rapid turnover of skin, but this is less common.

Fraxel is effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types, textures, and tones. It is safe for healthy individuals, unless you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Schedule a complimentary consultation with the medical team at Viva Day Spa + Med Spa to find out if Fraxel is the best skin rejuvenation treatment for you.

The most common treatment areas for skin resurfacing with Fraxel are the face, neck, chest, and hands.

For your health and safety, Fraxel Dual laser treatments cannot be performed on pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also contraindicated for patients with a history of vitiligo, scleroderma, collagen disorders, psoriasis, and keloid formation. Patients who are currently undergoing or have had Accutane treatments within the past 12 months or have a predisposition to keloid formation or excessive scarring should not receive Fraxel treatments. No use of tetracycline, minocyline, doxycycline, or erythromycin taken in last month.

Viva Day Spa + Med Spa only offers the Fraxel Dual, which is the latest generation of Fraxel laser treatments. It delivers the efficacy of ablative lasers with the gentler benefits (less downtime, less discomfort) of non-ablative lasers.

The Fraxel Repair laser is a a fractional CO2 ablative or wounding laser that removes the outermost layer of epidermis. It is more intense, invasive skin resurfacing treatment that delivers fantastic results, with significant recovery downtime.

Protect the investment in your skin and help it heal more quickly after Fraxel Dual with these post-care steps.

• If necessary, use ice packs to alleviate the heat sensation
• You may cleanse your face with a mild cleanser like Soothing Cleanser, Gentle Cleanser, or Simply Clean Cleanser by SkinCeuticals
• Keep your skin moist by applying a bland moisturizer —like SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 or Daily Moisture — or a very thin post-procedure ointment like SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm

• Continue cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
• Incorporate a Vitamin C serum to your routine, like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic.
• Do not scrub, rub or exfoliate your skin while the dead cells are sloughing off. Allow it to heal naturally.

• Do not expose your treated skin to the sun or heat
• Avoid exercise, swimming or any activity that makes your perspire
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Your skin will be sensitive. Do not use abrasive scrubs, toners or products that contain Retin A or glycolic acid.

After your skin has completed the sloughing process, you can wear make-up and return to your normal skin care routine.

• Continue to cleanse and moisturize your skin daily
• Apply a broadband sunscreen (UVA and UVB) protection with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more for at least three months after your last Fraxel treatment. Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.
• If direct sun exposure is necessary, wear a hat and clothing that covers the treated area.
• Be sure to discontinue the use of bleaching cream while your skin is tender