The Fraxel Laser: Does This Newest of Anti-Aging Techniques Actually Work?

Everyone, no matter how young or old, wants to look and feel their very best. As we age, our skin ages with us, our outward appearance succumbs to the everyday wear at tear that our life throws at us. Because of this, non-invasive aesthetic laser procedures have quickly gained in popularity. Before the advent of the laser, individuals would have to undergo risky, invasive procedures in order to rejuvenate and revitalize their skin, now, skin rejuvenation can be done on your lunch hour. And the results-simply amazing.

One of the newest procedures in the aesthetic laser field is called Fractional Laser Resurfacing. This procedure utilizes the Fraxel laser for complete facial skin rejuvenation. So how does it work you ask? The Fraxel laser penetrates through the outer layers of skin and into the deeper tissue below. The treatment produces thousands of tiny columns in your skin which are known as microscopic treatment zones. The laser light reaches these zones and damages the skin tissue while leaving the tissue surrounding these tiny zones alone.

When we are young, our skin is smooth and firm because of a healthy build up of collagen beneath the skin. As we age, our collagen production slows down, thus we experience wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. When the Fraxel laser reaches beneath the outer layers of skin, the heat produced by the laser damages the skin tissue. Our body's natural reaction to tissue damage is to produce collagen in order to heal the affected area. By damaging some areas or zones of the skin but not all, new collagen growth is encouraged and skin is effectively tightened.

The Fraxel laser treatment is performed in a series, patients will need anywhere from 3 to 5 treatments spaced about every 2 to 4 weeks apart. Once you've completed your series, you'll experience smoother, tighter skin. The greatest thing about these treatments is that they are non-invasive, so no downtime is required. You will experience some redness and swelling in the treatment area which can last about 3-5 days, but patients can take the steps necessary to cover up the redness in order to get on with their daily lives.

Patients will not see drastic results right away, but over the next weeks and months following a treatment series, patients will see a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, stretch marks and even some age spots. Results will vary but most will experience firmer skin for up to two years. This is a fantastic procedure for the building of collagen beneath the skin.

The Fraxel laser isn't the only aesthetic laser out on the market that can help with skin rejuvenation. For the past three years I have worked for LaserHairRemoval.Com as well as a local Laser Hair Removal clinic, so I have seen and experienced many different aesthetic lasers. As far as Laser Hair Removal is concerned there are three basic lasers that are used for the removal of hair which are: The Alexandrite, the Diode and the Nd: YAG. These three lasers all produce the same results, however each is designed to treat patients with specific skin types.

The Alexandrite Laser is designed specifically for those with lighter skin tones, the wavelength of laser is shorter because with lighter skinned patients it is easier to differentiate between skin tone and hair color. Those with darker skin tones will undergo treatment with the Nd: Yag laser. This laser has a longer wavelength with will help protect darker skin tones from adverse effects that can be caused by the laser if treatments are performed improperly. The diode laser can effectively treat those with lighter and darker skin tones, but many have seen more effective results with either an Alexandrite or a YAG.

I have personally undergone laser hair removal treatments for both my underarms and my bikini line. I have fair skin and dark hair so that made me the perfect candidate (the laser is attracted to the pigment in the hair follicles so individuals with white, gray, blonde or red hair will not see effective results). I underwent a series of 6 treatments and I couldn't be happier with my results. My underarms and bikini area are smooth and hair free, I'll never have to shave them again! For anyone that is a good candidate and is looking to remove hair for good, I highly recommend this treatment.

Another treatment that utilizes laser is cellulite reduction. The newest machine on the market is the VelaShape™. VelaShape™ is a revolutionary cellulite treatment that features elos™ technology, which utilizes both bi-polar radio frequency and laser light technology as well as vacuum and mechanical massage to effectively target problem areas. The combination of these energies works to increase the metabolism of stored energy, increase lymphatic drainage and reduce the size of the fat cells and fat chambers within the layers of skin(that create the dimpled appearance on the skin). A series of four treatments with this machine can drastically reduce the visible signs of cellulite as well as reduce inches off of your thighs, hips and buttocks.

We only recently introduced the VelaShape at our clinic, so I haven't had the chance to undergo a proper series of treatments. When the laser rep. came to train our technicians on how to use the machine, they used me as the guinea pig (if you will). They performed the treatment on my hips, and thighs and directly under my chin. After just one treatment I could see a little bit of a difference. My skin tightened, and I actually lost ¼ an inch around my thighs. I couldn't believe it!

Working in this industry I get to hear a lot about new and up and coming procedures, sometimes it is really hard to believe that they actually work, but I am proof positive that the VelaShape actually works. There are many other aesthetic procedures that are performed with laser such as tattoo removal, LASIK, acne removal and so on. I haven't personally experienced any of these treatments so I can't tell you if they actually work or not, but seeing the technology first hand, and seeing patients who have undergone the procedures, I can honestly say that aesthetic laser procedures do what they say they are going to do. Millions of patients around the world now look and feel better about themselves because of the aesthetic laser procedures they've undergone. Are you going to be next?

Sources:

Fraxel.com