At Miracle Face Medical Spa located in Manhattan, New York, Dr. Schwarzburg meets with a variety of patients for different purposes. For those who are focused on skin tightening treatments and improving the quality of their skin, we are excited to be offering Fraxel dual laser treatments to our patients. The Fraxel treatment deals with various skin concerns and provides long term results with minimal downtime in comparison to other laser resurfacing procedures. Being approved by FDA, Fraxel is a wonderful tool used to address a wide range of skin concerns, such as pigmentation, sun spots, sun damage, crapiness, fine lines, wrinkles, as well as general improvement of skin tone and texture. This laser treatment is applicable on different parts of the body including the face, neck, décolletage, back, hands, arms, and legs. The Fraxel laser is perfect for tackling issues on the more superficial layers of the skin and is effective at reducing pore size, acne, surgical scarring, and stretch marks. Many of Dr. Schwarzburg’s patients have had amazing results with Fraxel.

What Is the Fraxel Laser Designed for?

A variety of skin conditions can be treated by the Fraxel laser procedure that is approved by FDA. It can address different types of scars, such as acne scars including atrophic, ice pick and boxcar scars, as well as surgical scars from operations or injuries. Other skin concerns covered by the Fraxel laser include fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, perioral lines (the fine lines around the mouth), and periocular lines (the fine lines around the eyes). Fraxel is popular for successfully treating a wide range of pigmentation conditions, such as sun spots, age spots, freckles, sun damage, uneven pigmentation and discoloration, as well as overall skin tone and texture. A well-appreciated bonus of Fraxel is that while addressing all the mentioned skin conditions, it also minimizes pore size and betters the overall appearance of the skin.

Fraxel Laser Treatment

What is Fraxel Laser Treatment?

There are various fractional lasers one can choose from. However, Fraxel is the one highest in demand. There are a number of companies claiming their lasers to be Fraxel, when in reality their laser capacities do not even come close to what real Fraxel offers. The advantage of Fraxel over other lasers is its ability to pinpoint microscopic areas of skin to stimulate collagen production in order to heal and restore the skin and address each and every one of its impurities at a minimal or larger scale. You will see the benefits of Fraxel immediately after the first treatment and will continue to observe them become more and more obvious during the first week following the treatment. Not only are the results of Fraxel visible within only a few days after the initial procedure, but they are also long term. The treatment itself works by stimulating your own collagen production through controlled damage to microscopic areas of the skin. The procedure is quick and leaves you with brighter, clearer, smoother, firmer, and completely rejuvenated skin. For the majority of patients, one treatment will suffice for incredible results, however, based on the original state and quality of the skin, more than one treatment may be needed for the best Fraxel laser results.

Fraxel Laser procedure

Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

Other laser treatments use ablative lasers resulting in incredibly long recovery time. Fraxel, however, does not damage any of the surrounding tissues when penetrating deep into the skin to address microscopic columns and small areas of tissue at a time. You may think that it would take additional time for such precision, however, Fraxel is quicker and much more effective both during and after the procedure. Fraxel is the first FDA approved fractionated laser in NYC for non ablative laser skin resurfacing. It exceeds the expectations met with other laser treatments, rejuvenating the skin and producing new and healthy skin cells at a quicker and more effective rate. Controlled micro damage practiced during the treatment results in the stimulation of collagen production, giving you younger looking and more radiant skin.

Fraxel Laser

How Fraxel Treatment Works

The Fraxel Dual laser treatment has two different settings. There are two lasers, each of which comes with different wavelengths. The Thulium laser with the 1927 wavelength removes pigmentation, skin discoloration, age spots, sun damage, and more of the more superficial layer of the skin. The erbium component of Fraxel Dual with the 1550 wavelength is developed to improve skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and unevenness. This Fraxel laser in NYC is designed to treat deeper layers of the skin, boosting new collagen and elastin production which are vital for smoothing out any unevenness on the skin. The Fraxel laser treatment also includes a zimmer emitting cold air along with the laser to reduce any discomfort during the procedure as laser treatments can sometimes be unpleasant.

How is The Fraxel Treatment Performed?

If you are interested and want to try Fraxel Laser, then a personalized consultation provided by Dr. Schwarzburg is a must before the treatment. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your questions and concerns with Dr. Schwarzburg, as well as your treatment goals, to confirm that you are a good candidate for the procedure. During the consultation appointment you will have the chance to raise your questions and concerns, present your skin conditions, medical history, and more. If it turns out that you meet all the requirements for Fraxel Dual and are confirmed to be a candidate for the treatment, then you may move forward with the treatment either on the day of your consultation or another day and time fitting for both you and Dr. Schwarzburg’s schedule.

The preparation for the treatment includes sanitization of the treatment area 30 to 60 minutes prior to the treatment and the application of topical lidocaine rich numbing cream to ease the experience of any possible discomfort. For the completion of Fraxel Dual 1550/1927 treatment 20 to 60 minutes may be necessary depending on the size of the treatment area. After the completion of the procedure you will experience a sensation very much like that of a sunburn on the treatment area. The doctor will give you an ice pack to reduce swelling and discomfort after the treatment and a cream to prevent excessive dryness on the skin.

It is a common practice for Dr. Schwarzburg to combine Fraxel Dual with other skin tightening and rejuvenating procedures, such as dermal fillers or neurotoxins, such as Juvederm or Botox, in order to eliminate further lines and wrinkles. The ultimate purpose of Fraxel laser is skin rejuvenation and tightening and it is commonly combined with an under eye injectable filler to add overall brightness and rejuvenation to the face.

Whatever your desired result may be, Dr. Schwarzburg will develop a customized treatment plan that will meet your unique needs. The plan may include Fraxel combined with various other treatments over the course of several months. A popular pair to Fraxel is Secret RF, an advanced form of microneedling involving radiofrequency energy, especially when your goal is the elimination of deep scarring. The combination of the mentioned two can result in an amazing outcome.

The downtime associated with Fraxel is minor, though redness may be present for about a full month after the treatment. Depending on the severity of your case and your desired result, you can benefit from 1 to 5 treatments, which also varies based on your personal response to the treatment and additional measures taken to add on to the Fraxel treatment alone. You can expect an overall improvement of your skin texture, tone, and visible rejuvenation.

Am I a candidate for Fraxel Laser?

You are a candidate for Fraxel if you are in good shape in terms of mental and physical health, however are struggling with certain skin irregularities and conditions, like pigmentation, sun damage, stretch marks, pore size, and different types of scarring. The Fraxel treatment works best on patients with lighter skin colors, specifically type I through type III skin tones. Light skin tends to respond better to it. As for those with darker skin tones, chemical peels or eMatrix lasers may be more optimal. The Fraxel laser treatment is not the perfect solution for moderate to severe acne breakouts or overall active acne as the heat involved in the procedure may spread the acne instead of helping it. This is why Dr. Schwarzburg recommends waiting until the acne is under control until going for this laser treatment.

Is It Advisable to Treat Melasma by the Fraxel Laser?

Sadly, laser treatment may make melasma and its hyperpigmentation even worse. Therefore, Fraxel is not the right treatment for Melasma. Chemical peels such as Cosmelan can work far better on melasma than a Fraxel treatment. Dr. Schwarzburg cannot underemphasize the importance of a consultation with your physician before scheduling an appointment for an actual Fraxel treatment. The worst thing that you can do to yourself is undergoing a treatment that is not ideal for you and could make the situation worse instead of improving it.

What Is the Optimal Number of Fraxel Laser Treatments to Take?

The number of Fraxel Laser Treatments that you need largely depends on the outcome you are looking to achieve. It can take anywhere from one to five sessions to achieve your desired results. If you are looking to address facial pigmentation caused by sun damage, sun spots, and age spots, then three sessions spaced one month apart will usually work great. Each of the Fraxel laser sessions spots and treats 25 – 40 percent of the treatment area which means that it will take more than just one session to achieve the best results.

If you are struggling with fine lines, wrinkles, or scars such as acne scars, the average number of sessions you will need is around five, spaced one month apart from each other. It is common to combine Fraxel with other treatments, such as Secret RF microneedling, to help with skin scarring. Secret RF is also usually spread out over the course of several months.

How Different Is Fraxel Laser from Other Skin Resurfacing Lasers?

Being a non ablative fractional laser treatment, Fraxel laser resurfacing treats microscopic areas of the skin without damaging the surrounding tissue. The rest of the resurfacing lasers tend to use ablative technology which involves removing the epidermis (the outside layer of the skin) and heating up the dermis (the skin underneath). The ablation implies controlled heat damage to the skin stimulating the skin to regrow, produce new collagen and elastin and eventually regenerate. As a result, the skin becomes smoother. The main disadvantage of ablative lasers is the long recovery time. In contrast to abrasive lasers, Fraxel laser efficiently stimulates new collagen and elastin production, improving the quality of the skin, its tone and texture with much shorter downtime and no damage to the surrounding tissue.

How Much Does a Fraxel Laser Cost?

So how much does Fraxel cost? The Fraxel cost is affected by the severity of your case, the area of treatment, the number of sessions needed, and the qualifications of the administering expert. If you prefer to be treated by a technician rather than a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist, then the price will likely be lower. On average, the Fraxel laser treatment cost in New York City can vary from $1200 to $2000 per session.

Does Fraxel Treatment Tighten the Skin?

Apart from improving the skin tone and texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and treating different types of scars, Fraxel will also tighten the skin. Fraxel treatment is a great procedure that causes controlled damage to the skin using the 1550 laser setting, as a result of which the body produces extra collagen and elastin having a tightening effect on the skin due to fine scar tissue formed along the treatment area. When navigating through Fraxel laser reviews, you will come across some comments about skin tightening. However, the majority of reviews are mainly about the wonderful changes in pigmentation that people experience on their skin.

Are There Any Side Effects to Fraxel?

Fraxel being a non-ablative laser, has minimal side effects compared to those of ablative lasers. Even so, as with any other medical treatment Fraxel Laser also implies the possibility of risks and side effects. Scarring, hyperpigmentation, and infection are among the possible risks. If the patient tends to have acne breakouts, Dr. Schwarzburg may prescribe an antibiotic to use after the laser facial in NYC in order to prevent acne from spreading once the treatment is over. If herpes or cold sores are present in your medical history then Dr. Schwarzburg’s recommendation is to take Valtrex on the day of the procedure to avoid an outbreak.

Dr. Schwarzburg also recommends applying good sun protection to your skin before and after the treatment as a preventive measure from any kind of sun damage.

The skin is usually very sensitive after the treatment, so it is better to avoid the sun for 2 weeks after the treatment, thus preventing sun burns or additional damage.

While Fraxel is approved for melasma treatment, Dr. Schwarzburg recommends other treatments for melasma that he can discuss with you during your consultation. Fraxel will also work better on the patients whose skin type is I through III, with a lighter skin tone, in comparison to patients with darker skin.

What Should I Anticipate During the Treatment?

To ensure you are safe and guarded from infections your skin will be sanitized before the treatment. Also, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area 30 minutes prior to the treatment. During the treatment itself you will need to wear protective goggles to make sure your eyes are not damaged from the laser energy. Most likely you will experience stinging and heat during the treatment that will take about an hour depending on the treatment zone.

Is It Allowed to Combine Fraxel with Other Facial Rejuvenation Procedures?

There are a number of different facial rejuvenation procedures that can be combined with Fraxel. In case you want to volumize the seemingly sunken areas of your face, like the under eyes and cheeks, then you could go for dermal fillers such as Restylane. If you want to have a face lift, you could choose the option of jaw contouring that will give your face a fresher and younger appearance. Jaw contouring can be carried out by different dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, as well as neurotoxin such as Botox for jaw slimming or the PDO thread lift – a more dramatic means for a non surgical face lift.

Upon your needs and goals, Dr. Schwarzburg may also offer the combination of Fraxel with skin improvement and rejuvenation procedures, like Secret RF. At Miracle Face we also provide treatments such as the AquaGold facial and Hydrafacial, both of which can be well combined with the Fraxel laser.

What Makes Fraxel Stand Out?

Fraxel treats various areas of the skin through a fractionated carbon dioxide laser and does not harm or damage the tissues around the area of treatment. In comparison with a number of other laser treatments, Fraxel is a lot less aggressive and invasive, allows more precision and requires less downtime.

How Does Laser Resurfacing Work?

Microbeams of laser energy are used to create controlled damage to certain areas of the skin. The process involves elimination of thin layers of damaged skin cells and stimulation of new collagen, elastin, and healthy tissue generation. The end result of such a procedure is a smoother and more even toned skin. Moreover, the skin looks and feels healthier as laser resurfacing removes the damaged and precancerous skin cells. This is what we call laser resurfacing.

What Is Laser Resurfacing?

Removing damaged cells from the outer layers of the skin with the help of a laser is called laser resurfacing. With ablative laser resurfacing the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) is removed and the laser goes deeper into the skin. This also works for tightening the dermis – the sub-layer of the skin. Ablative laser resurfacing presumes a longer downtime – up to several weeks. When it comes to non-ablative laser resurfacing, a more superficial epidermis penetration is involved and sun damaged skin cells are eliminated. Here the intensity is not as high as with an ablative laser, which is why more than just one session may be necessary for best results. The advantage of non-ablative lasers, like Fraxel recovery, is that it takes minimal time. This is an important factor that makes Fraxel more preferable.

Is It a Dermatologist’s or Medspa’s Job to Perform Fraxel Laser Resurfacing?

Having your Fraxel laser treatment performed by a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist is the most advisable option, as you can rest with the thought that they have extensive experience in skin and laser treatment. Before scheduling an appointment you should do your own thorough research on your practitioner to make sure they are sufficiently qualified to administer the procedure.

Is Fraxel Worth It?

Fraxel is an amazing FDA approved cosmetic laser treatment designed to help with sun damage, acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and more. Fraxel is known for addressing a wide range of skin conditions on a number of treatment areas from the face to the body.

What Should I Expect After a Fraxel Treatment?

With a Fraxel treatment that uses only the Fraxel 1550 setting you will probably have some redness and swelling for approximately 48 hours after the treatment. Practicing proper skin care after the procedure, including the application of the best moisturizer after Fraxel, which should be thick, as well as a sunscreen is key.

When it comes to the Fraxel with the 1927 wavelength, your skin may peel for up to 5 – 7 days after the treatment. The first two days will be accompanied with some redness, looking and feeling like a sunburn that will be followed by the peeling process at around day 3 – 7. It is critical to avoid direct sunlight on your new skin to protect it from any damage. Apart from avoiding sun exposure, note that using hydroquinones, retinoids, exfoliating products or scrubs is prohibited during the first month after the treatment. What you should use is a thick moisturizer and a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. In case any acne breakouts occur, make sure to immediately contact Dr. Schwarzburg to get your antibiotic prescription to stop the spread of acne.

A significant advantage that fractional resurfacing laser offers is minimal downtime compared to any other laser treatments. After Fraxel skin resurfacing the only thing that remains to be done is protecting the skin from the sun. You will be well able to go back to your regular activities, however make sure to stay in for the first day to let redness and discomfort subside after the numbing cream wears off.

Are There Variations of Fraxel Lasers?

Dr. Schwarzburg utilizes the Fraxel Dual at his medical practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This is the best and most powerful type as it works with two lasers developed to target different skin layers and has the capacity to treat the skin in a non-ablative way implying minimal recovery time.

Fraxel Repair is another laser type that is mostly used for severe cases. It is effective, but does require a longer Fraxel laser downtime as it is ablative and the intensity of it is stronger.

Can Fraxel Laser Help with Acne Scars?

Different types of acne scars, like the atrophic, ice pick, rolling, and boxcar ones, can be treated by Fraxel laser. However hypertrophic scars cannot be easily handled by Fraxel especially when it comes to patients with darker skin tones. Fraxel works great for patients with type I through type III skin tones. It’s also worth mentioning that Fraxel can be used on acne scars only if the acne is under control. With active acne the heat of the laser may worsen the situation and cause the acne to spread.

Is Fraxel Painful?

In order to avoid any discomfort, patients are provided with a topical lidocaine rich numbing cream which is rubbed into the area of treatment 30 – 40 minutes before the session. As many patients will testify, there still is some level of discomfort, pain, heat, and stinging. However, the overall treatment is tolerable and does not cause unbearable discomfort.

When Will I Be Able to See the Fraxel Results?

As for Fraxel facial results, you will be able to witness them right after the first session. However, some redness is expected on your skin that should go away in a matter of 2 days. During the first week after the treatment you will start noticing how the pigmentation has gotten less visible and there is less scarring on your skin. Based on how severe the original condition of your skin is, you might need several more sessions for more dramatic results. The treatment sessions shall be spaced out one month apart from each other. Observe your results from Fraxel laser day by day and enjoy the process of witnessing how your skin transforms with Fraxel NYC.

How Long Will the Fraxel Effect Last?

The longevity of your Fraxel results largely depends on how you care for your skin after the treatment. It has the capacity to last long if properly maintained. It is always preferable to go for quality results rather than longevity. Undergoing 2 – 4 treatments annually helps maintain long term skin clarity, which is exactly what most patients do.

Please call us at (212) 920-7790, or email us at info@miraclefacemedspanyc.com to schedule your one on one consultation with Dr. Schwarzburg for Fraxel laser that is close and near to you to discuss a potential Fraxel dual treatment for yourself.

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