Fraxel In The News

Click here to see video of Fraxel CO2 repair

Before                                                  After

Before                                                  After

Before                                                  After

Before                                                  After

Before                                                  After

These photos were taken 1 month after a full face treatment and the patient is not wearing any makeup

Through one single session treatment, the re: pair laser employs a new application technique that scans the skin in a computer-controlled pattern, allowing the physician to treat small portions of skin while leaving the surrounding areas intact. The treatment stimulates the growth of new collagen, the main component of healthy skin that breaks down over time. The result is smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin.

Before and After Fraxel® CO2 Repair laser

Dr. Ahn says he's excited about the results of patient studies using the Fraxel re: pair laser. "This may be the most technologically advanced anti-aging tool available today," he says. "The re: pair laser produces significant tissue tightening, wrinkle reduction and textural improvements to both the face and neck. Leading physicians throughout the country are reporting significant skin smoothing and tightening results," he adds.

"In my opinion, achieving such results in an office setting-with little recovery time-constitutes a breakthrough in anti-aging."

Perhaps even more promising, Dr. Ahn says, is the idea that treating skin with lasers earlier on in the aging process-at around age 40-50-may actually slow or prevent the skin from breaking down and appearing wrinkled and saggy later on in life.

"If we can remove some of the skin at an earlier age and stimulate the growth of new collagen, we might actually slow down the aging process significantly, allowing us to have healthier, better looking skin later in our golden years," Ahn says. "That's a benefit worth talking more about."

The Fraxel re: pair laser has undergone extensive safety testing in the lab and out in the field. Recovery from Fraxel re: pair consists of an at home recovery for 2-3 days with redness, swelling, and some crusting. After about 5 days patients can return to their normal activities with mild to moderate redness that can be covered with makeup.

To determine if you are a candidate for Fraxel re:pair, please call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahn.

Fraxel CO2 Repair Laser

The goal of the Aesthetic Wellness Center is to make your Fraxel CO2 repair experience and recovery comfortable and pleasant.  Paying careful attention to the written and verbal instructions provided to you by Dr. Ahn and his staff will help us to achieve these goals.

Fraxel CO2 Re:pair quickly removes and eliminates aged and damaged skin without the prolonged downtime.  The Fraxel re:pair laser system is FDA cleared for fractional ablative treatment of wrinkles, rhytides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions and vascular dyschromia.  This procedure, however, does produce some discomfort for the first two to three days, due to the sensitivity of the skin and the crusting over the face.  It is essential, therefore, that each patient understand and follow these general wound care instructions carefully.

General information

Through one single session treatment, the re:pair laser employs a new application technique that scans the skin in a computer-controlled pattern, allowing the physician to treat small portions of skin while leaving the surrounding areas intact. The treatment stimulates the growth of new collagen, the main component of healthy skin that breaks down over time.  The result is smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin.

In general these procedures are relatively uncomplicated office or operating room procedures that can be done in less than one hour.  The most important thing that we emphasize with all our patients is that their involvement in postoperative care of the wounds is critical to achieving a satisfactory healing course.

The following instructions are provided so that you, as a patient, are aware of your role and contributions necessary to ensure the procedure goes smoothly.

It is important that you are well hydrated prior to the resurfacing procedure. Drinking 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day, up to 12 hours before the surgery, is most important.  Continue to drink plenty of fluids throughout the recovery.

Any history of breakouts of cold sores, skin disorders or previous problems with scarring should be brought immediately to the attention of Dr. Ahn and his staff before any resurfacing procedure is performed.  Although this has been discussed with you during a consultation with Dr. Ahn, we must stress the importance of informing the staff that any such reactions or conditions exist.

Please be sure to take all medications that have been prescribed to you by Dr. Ahn.

After the Fraxel re:pair procedure, the area will become quite swollen within a day or so. Mild to moderate swelling, a mild burning sensation and generation of clear fluid from the affected skin all may last two to three days.

The area will become quite red and can be sensitive.  There is discomfort associated with this phase of the process and pain medicines are provided to alleviate the discomfort.

Cool ice packs or cool compresses will help to reduce swelling, especially during the first 2 days after the procedure.  Apply the cool packs twenty minutes every hour.

Keep your head elevated on 2-3 pillows or sleep on a recliner.  This will help reduce swelling. 

Keep a generous amount of Aquaphor ointment applied to all areas that have been resurfaced.  This keeps the area moist, soothes the skin irritation and helps with healing.  Do not let any area become dry.  Keep the treated area moist at all times.

Taking showers and washing your hair is allowed starting 48 hours after the treatment.  Use lukewarm water. 

Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection.  Wash hands thoroughly with soap, rinse and dry before each wound care session.

On the 3rd -5th day most of the crusting will disappear and the new skin will appear.  The skin is very sensitive and red or pink.  Redness may last several months.  Please be patient and take care of the new skin.

It is most important that you do not allow any sun exposure during the healing phase and for one month after treatment.  Sun exposure may result in unpredictable pigmentation (skin coloring) changes to the skin during this critical time.

After 3 days makeup may be used to cover the pink areas. 

If any breakout or crusted lesion appears in or around the mouth (or anywhere on the face), other than the initial crusting, notify Dr. Ahn and his staff immediately.  Such lesions may represent an early cold sore that must be treated medically.

You should immediately call the office if you experience any one of the following:

• Pain that is not relieved by medication.
• Excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, and/or scab formation.
• Excessive itching
• Signs of infection:  which are whitish to yellowish film on the treated area, with or without a foul odor
• Fever over 101°
• Or, if you have any questions or concerns.