Fraxel

Source - Reliant Technologies
Fraxel Video

Fraxel Laser Treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as MicroThermal Zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deeply into the dermis. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel laser leaves untouched.

The Fraxel laser is so precise that it penetrates the non-living, protective barrier of the skin, called the stratum corneum, as if it were a window and leaves it completely intact.

For every microthermal zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment" allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tissue to replace skin imperfections.
 

Source:Reliant Technologies

Preparing for Treatment
Fraxel Laser Treatments can be performed right in the Total Dermatology office using only topical anesthesia in most cases. Treatment is well tolerated and feels like a prickling sensation. The treatment area will be thoroughly washed prior to the procedure. then a layer of topical numbing gel is applied. Then the numbing gel has taken effect, an FDA certified water-soluble tint, OptiGuide Blue,  is applied to the treatment area to highlight the contours of the skin. The tint is washed off after treatment.

During Treatment
Dr. Pilest will glide the laser hand-piece across the area to be treated...face, neck, chest, hands or desired treatment location. A special cooling device will blow chilled air across the skin as it is being treated. As the hand-piece delivers the laser energy in tiny "dots", you will feel a heated prickling sensation and hear a sound from the machine that resembles radio static. In about 30 minutes, you're done. A nurse then applies a cool gel and removes the tint.

What Happens After Treatment
You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then virtually no discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for five to seven days. This is a normal sign that the skin is healing deeply, that dermal tissue is being repaired, and there is good blood circulation. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in two to three days.

You may apply make-up or shave soon after treatment.
Typically patients find they can go back to work soon after treatment or the next day. Some patients may wish to use Lycogel instead of makeup.

What Happens When You go Home
New epidermal skin develops immediately, within 24 hours. This process of skin repair involves:

Bronzing: Your skin will have a bronze appearance that lasts anywhere from three to 14 days, depending on the treatment level.

Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigorously exfoliate as the reorganized epidermal skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar to that of minor sunburn, but without the associated pain. Use of a moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking.