“Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle.”
If you think that you’re going to wake up with spotless, healthy and glowing skin one fine day, then you’re living in a bubble. Allow us to break it for you! Skin imperfections are a part and parcel of life. No woman can escape skin woes such as acne, dullness, wrinkles or uneven tone. But, thanks to professional skincare treatments, you don’t have to live with it all your life.
One such on-the-rise skincare treatment is Fraxel laser. Imagine peeling away all your skin imperfections such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, dullness and acne scars in one go. Wouldn’t it be just magical?! Not a single acne scar and an even tone throughout—sounds like a dream-come-true. But, what exactly is Fraxel laser, you ask? Read on… we’ve answered all your questions!
- What is Fraxel laser treatment?
- Are there various types of Fraxel lasers? And how do they work?
- How should one prepare for the treatment?
- How to care for your skin after the Fraxel laser treatment?
What is Fraxel laser treatment?
Fraxel lasers treat acne scarring, fine lines, uneven tone, sun damage and dull skin. While most people have lasers used on their entire face (as that’s where your skin imperfections are highly noticeable), the neck, arms, hands and décolletage are also popular areas to treat.
Acne scars that heal over time are not as much of a concern as textured acne scars. To treat the latter, lasers are far more effective than any topical treatments. Lasers go deep into the skin to break the scar tissue completely, something a regular cream wouldn’t be able to.
Are there various types of Fraxel lasers? And how do they work?
A Fraxel dual laser is the most commonly found device often used by a dermatologist. You will find two lasers in a single device with different wavelengths. One laser will help treat sun damage and pigmentation, whereas, the other will go deeper to target wrinkles, fine lines and acne scars.
Any type of Fraxel laser will first create tiny columns of thermal destruction in the skin that will ultimately replace the old, dead and damaged cells with new, healthy skin cells. This treatment actually works from the inside out, accelerating the skin’s healing process.
How should one prepare for the treatment?
Before you book your Fraxel laser appointment, make sure you don’t have any open wounds, infections or extensive breakouts, and avoid using products infused with retinoids a week before the treatment. The actual procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the area of your laser treatment. Once the treatment is done, you’re going to be red, scaley and peeling, so give yourself a downtime of three to five days. The laser treatment will take that much time to settle in.
How to care for your skin after the Fraxel laser treatment?
In the first week after your treatment, keep a safe distance from harsh skincare products. Instead, opt for gentle and lightweight cleansers and moisturisers. Cleanse and moisturise twice a day without fail, and avoid peeling or picking your skin. Exfoliating is a strict no-no because scrubbing your skin vigorously can make it peel further. To soothe your skin, you can opt for a DIY compress made with two simple ingredients—ice water and whole milk. Lactic acid and fat content in the milk will help calm your skin.
Written by Fatema Habib on Mar 17, 2020