If you’ve heard of it, you probably know it as one of the most effective and intensive skin resurfacing treatments available.

We sat down with the team at Perth skin clinic, Skin Resus, which offers Fraxel Laser treatments, and asked them everything we wanted to know about the procedure.

What is Fraxel Laser?

Fraxel Laser is an innovative approach to treating pigmentation (freckles, sun spots, actinic keratoses, chloasma and melasma), lines and wrinkles, and scarring from acne, infections and surgery.

At Skin Resus, the team use the Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 Laser which uses microscopic laser columns to penetrate deep into your skin to expedite collagen remodelling and stimulate the production of younger, smoother, healthier skin to replace damaged tissue. This type of Fraxel laser is known for its rapid recovery times.

Fraxel is used mainly on the face, neck, décolletage, hands and forearms. Some people will have specific smaller areas like nose or cheeks, however it can be used on many other areas of the body.

What are the benefits of Fraxel?

Fraxel has amazing benefits that address many areas of skin concern. The collagen remodelling that occurs post treatment means fresher, smoother, younger looking skin with improved tone and texture. You will find pores are smaller, scarring and fine lines are reduced, and overly pigmented areas are minimised or erased.

Who would suit Fraxel?

Fraxel can make a big difference for those who have sun damage, pigmentation, dull skin tone, acne scarring and irregular texture. However, due to the intensive nature of the treatment, a skin consultation is necessary to determine whether someone is a suitable candidate for Fraxel Laser.

What is involved in a Fraxel Laser Treatment?

Pre treatment

If you get your Fraxel treatment done at Skin Resus you will start with a free consultation appointment, it’s the first port of call for anyone seeking treatment there. In this time you can discuss your concerns with their registered nurses and after answering a questionnaire and examining your skin they can  recommend the right treatment for you.

Treatment

At your Fraxel appointment you will have a thin layer of anaesthetic gel applied to the area to be treated and left to work for an hour. During this time patients relax in their private lounge.

After an hour, the doctor will remove the gel, clean the skin and apply eye protection. The laser is then passed over the skin surface. Fraxel laser in their Perth clinic takes 20 – 45 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. Most people find this treatment very tolerable, with the majority saying the Fraxel hurts less than IPL. You will hear a clicking noise of the Fraxel and a whirring of the fan blowing cool air on to your face.

Post treatment

Immediately following treatment your skin will feel sunburned for approximately an hour or so, followed by some mild discomfort. Some minor swelling can occur, which usually resolves in a day. Any pigmentation present in the skin will gently darken, with some patients reporting it looks like small flecks of paint. The skin, particularly the darkened pigmented areas will become quite dry and flaky, and it is imperative you do not pick at it. It will shed naturally on around day three or four. After this time your skin will look fresh and smooth, although some pinkness can persist for up to 6 weeks.

What are your tips for recovery and maintaining results?

Avoiding the sun and the use of sun protection is extremely important, both during the healing phase and for several months after treatment. Your skin will be a little more sensitive, particularly to the sun, and you will feel that bite if you go out unprotected. Makeup can be worn through the entire recovery process and the Skin Resus team recommend a mineral based makeup. Just be gentle when washing it off and don’t use any exfoliating products including retinol serums during the initial recovery phase.

After your skin is fully healed, sun protection is still the number one anti-ageing, anti-pigment product on the market.

How much is Fraxel?

At Skin Resus a full face Fraxel Laser treatment is $995. For more information about Fraxel you can visit their website. Hint: they have a VIP program which you can join online and you’ll receive a $50 voucher for any treatment – get on it.