Fraxel is a breakthrough aesthetic solution for the face, neck and hands based on a new science of "fractional" skin repair.

Used mainly for skin textural improvement, acne scarring, lines, open pores, melasma and brown spots it provides the safest form of skin resurfacing as the skin is left intact. Revolutionary new technology from the USA allows the skin to be treated with a million microscopically small holes which can't even be seen. Because the skin surface remains intact and only 15-30% of the skin surface is treated at any one time, the skin heals within 24-48 hours. Fraxel is now into it's second generation so ask for Fraxel SR1500 for the latest in skin rejuvenation.

You may have seen Fraxel on "Campbell Live", TV3 or Extreme Makeover recently where excellent results were shown for acne scarring and skin texture.

Fraxel laser treatment is used to treat a variety of problems associated with sun-damaged and ageing skin.

It is effectively used to treat pigmentation, fine to moderate lines and acne scarring. Fraxel can be used on all skin types including Asian and Polynesian skin. We have seen excellent results on acne scarring. It also provides general improvement in skin texture by promoting collagen production.

It can be used to treat the face, neck, chest, hands and legs. All skin types can be treated.

How Fraxel works

Fraxel laser treatment repairs aging and sun-damaged skin - pixel by pixel, spot by spot. Think of a digital photo that is comprised of thousands of pixels. Now imagine damaged skin that is delicately repaired, pixel by pixel, spot by spot.

• The Fraxel laser passes through the top layer of skin like light through glass, reaching into the dermis below to create thousands of tiny, microscopic areas of thermal damage that stimulates the body's only wound healing response, notably new collagen production and replacement of damaged skin surfaces with new epidermal skin.
• The penetrating wavelengths of Fraxel laser treatment resuface damaged skin, reduce periorbital wrinkles and correct pigmented lesions such as age spots and sun spots as your skin gradually becomes softer, smoother and fresher.
• Fraxel is a mid-infrared 1550nm laser. It is a non-ablative treatment, which makes it a great alternative to traditional ablative treatments. Ablative treatments resurface broad areas of skin and involve many risks of side effects and longer healing and recovery time. Because Fraxel laser treatments are non-ablative, side effects and recovery time are minimal. In the healing process, new, healthier and tighter tissue is produced to replace skin imperfections. Fraxel resurfaces 20% of the skin surface each time and over 5 treatments is able to treat the whole area. Resurfacing the skin 20 per cent each time with Fraxel is like fixing a digital picture pixel by pixel.

Before treatment, a Palm Clinic doctor will assess your skin and discuss with you, the area to be treated and the types of results that can be achieved. Studies have shown that a course of up to five treatments two weeks apart to be most effective. Treatments will be 4 weeks apart for darker skin types.

After each treatment, you can expect your skin to have a pinkish tone for 3-5 days. You may have minor facial swelling for 2-3 days. You may also have a bronzed skin appearance for 3-14 days due to the exfoliation of skin tissue and pigmentation. Make-up can be applied after each treatment. It is essential that you wear sunscreen and minimise sun exposure during the skins healing phase. Your skin will improve in texture and colour after each treatment and will continue to improve for weeks and months each treatment due to the healing and rejuvenation process.

Areas That Can Be Treated:
Fraxel laser treatment can successfully treat:

• Face
• Necks and chests
• Hand
• For pigmentation (age spots and sun spots), lines and wrinkles, pore size, acne scarring and skin texture.

What Happens During Treatment:
A topical anaesthetic gel is applied to your skin 1 hour prior to treatment. Your skin will then be thoroughly cleansed and a water soluble blue dye applied. The dye highlights the contours of the skin to be treated and will be washed off when treatment is complete.
During the treatment, the fraxel laser will be passed over your skin and create thousands of deep treatment columns in your skin called microthermal treatment zones. These zones penetrate deep into the dermal layers of your skin where collagen is stored and created. The skin surrounding each zone is left intact. This allows the skin to heal much faster than older, traditional ablative techniques. The skin is then stimulated to produce collagen and pigmented skin is broken down and replaced.

What To Expect After Treatment:

• Slight redness or pinkish skin lasting 3-5 days
• Minor swelling of skin lasting 2-3 days
• Bronzed appearance for 3-14 days.

Contraindications:
You may not have Fraxel laser treatment if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have taken or use oral retinoids eg, Roaacutane within last 6 months
• Have used topical skin products with Retinols in the last 2 weeks.
• Have had recent sun exposure or used sun beds within the last month.
• Are on Roaccutane or any other medication with photo-sensitive side effects.
• Have a history of Keloid scarring.

These will be discussed with you during your consultation.