Fraxel Laser

by Jennifer Abney

Published: Thu, March 06, 2008 - 7:09 am CST Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 8:55 pm CST

Living on the Gulf Coast and enjoying sunny days outdoors has led many to search for a way to turn back the hands of time. Now some are finding that found of youth in a device called a Fraxel Laser. Mo Ray is one of those people. She had always liked the way her skin looked, but a few years ago that changed.

"I always had nice color in my skin, as I grew older it changed,” said Ray, “I had the sun spots from being in the sun in the south."

Like most people, Ray wanted to see an improvement, but didn’t have a few weeks to recover from a treatment. But then, she heard about the Fraxel Laser. In the past, a patient’s only option was an ablative laser. Doctor Rob Bolling with Eastern Shore Plastic Surgery Center in Fairhope, AL was glad to give his patients a new option.

"Ablative is the old laser, it would run across the skin and destroy the whole top layer,” said Bolling, “You would need few weeks of down time."

However, the Fraxel Laser is different and less harsh on the skin.

"Fraxel has combined ablative with non-ablative which basically causes microscopic wounding, actually fractional laser resurfacing,” said Bolling, “ It only treats a fraction of the skin, you may have a day of redness and not peel."

Stephanie Morrison has also spent many years enjoying the southern sun. She now wants fewer sunspots and a more youthful look around her eyes. She has had three treatments.

"Each time the sunspots faded, the most important thing to me is that I had deep circles under my eyes,” said Morrison, “Now they are gone and its more full and the lines are decreased."

Morrison had decided against an invasive procedure. That was a big part of her decision to try the Fraxel Laser. But, she still wanted to know exactly how it would work.

"The laser is wounding the skin, causing injury,” said Bolling, “Then the surrounding skin actually begins remodeling, you are getting a brand new layer of skin."

The shorter healing time and fewer side effects made this treatment perfect for Ray too.

"I worked the day of the procedure,” said Ray, ”My eyes were puffy, but I didn't scare anybody."

Since it treats smaller areas Dr. Bolling suggests four treatments for optimal results. And, he also says that the Fraxel Laser will not replace the more intrusive procedures.

"It's not going to replace a face-lift or surgical things, it does the subtle things like acne scars," said Bolling. He also says that this procedure will not help laugh lines or deep lines, as much. But, it will help with crows feet and fine lines around the eyes.

But, it was just what Morrison needed to feel like a new woman.

"It's amazing the difference," said Morrison.

The laser can also be used to treat sunspots on the hands, arms and chest. The treatments can be expensive. The treatment packages range from $3500 to $6000 depending on how much surface area you want treated. Dr. Bolling says this is also the first laser to treat all skin types and colors. In the past, lasers would leave a splotchy or discolored effect on darker skin tones.

For more information on this procedure go to fraxel.com
For more information on the Eastern Shore Plastic Surgery Center go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com or call 251.929.7850

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