How Does Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing Work?
A Not-So Technical Overview of Laser Resurfacing
The Fraxel® Laser: How does it work? How is it different from other lasers?
Article reviewed by: M. Kirk Moore, M.D. - West Jordan, Utah
Fraxel® Lasers use thousands of tiny beams of light to establish microscopic treatment zones that treat only a predetermined percentage of skin while leaving normal surrounding skin to help with the healing process. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire surface of the skin were treated at once. Using microscopic treatment zones also allows certain Fraxel® Lasers to penetrate more deeply into the dermis than traditional lasers. This deeper penetration helps to stimulate collagen production helping to make the skin appear more youthful and counteract the effects of aging. Generally, 3 - 5 treatments spaced 2 - 4 weeks apart are recommended.
Fraxel® Lasers can provide different treatment strengths depending on the model of laser and the settings used by your plastic surgeon. The Fraxel® Laser’s adjustable settings allow your plastic surgeon to customize your treatment to your situation. Both the fraction of the skin treated and the depth of treatment are variable, permitting your plastic surgeon to customize the treatment to the condition being treated and the outcome desired.
Fraxel® Laser- Quick Topic Navigation
To learn more about using Fraxel® Laser, please click on the sections below.
- Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing- Overview
- How Does Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing Work? (you are here)
- What Parts of My Body Can Be Treated with a Fraxel® Laser?
- How Much Does Fraxel® Laser Treatment Cost?
- The Fraxel® Laser Procedure
- Recovery from Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing
- How Long Will the Fraxel® Laser Treatment Last?
- Choosing a Plastic Surgeon for Your Fraxel® Laser Treatment
- Before and After Photos - Fraxel® Laser Patients