Fraxel Explained

Fraxel Laser Treatment is a line of lasers developed by Reliant Technologies in 2004. It was developed from a US patent licensed from the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. R. Rox Anderson was the inventor. Fraxel lasers cause fractional photothermolysis for skin resurfacing.

Complications observed in a study of 961 fractional laser treatments included acne and herpes outbreaks.^[1] There have also been anecdotal negative accounts of bad scarring and hyperpigmentation following the use of Fraxel lasers.^[2]

Treatment purposes

Fraxel laser is used primarily to rejuvenate skin. It is used to treat hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and superficial signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne scarring.^{[3] [4]}

Types

Several variations of Fraxel lasers exist, each with distinct characteristics. These systems are distinguished by their laser types and the depth of tissue ablation they achieve.^[3]

• Fraxel Restore employs a 1,550nm erbium glass laser, which is categorized as a non-ablative laser, meaning it does not remove the outermost layer of skin. This characteristic positions it as the gentlest Fraxel laser and is used for improving skin texture, fine to moderate wrinkles, photoaging, and mild acne scaring.^{[3] [5]}
• Fraxel Restore Dual incorporates a combination of a 1,550nm erbium glass laser and an ablative 1,927nm thulium fiber laser. It is commonly used to treat wrinkles, photoaging, surgical scars, and acne scars.^[3]
• Fraxel Repair uses an ablative 10,600nm-wavelength carbon-dioxide laser. This laser is the most aggressive among Fraxel lasers and is commonly used in treating wrinkles, especially those around the mouth or eyes.^{[3] [5]}

References

• Hantash BM, Bedi VP, Kapadia B, Rahman Z, Jiang K, Tanner H, Chan KF, Zachary CB . In vivo histological evaluation of a novel ablative fractional resurfacing device . Lasers in Surgery and Medicine . 39 . 2 . 96–107 . February 2007 . 17311274 . 10.1002/lsm.20468.
• Tanzi EL, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Alster TS . Fraxel laser indications and long-term follow-up . Aesthetic Surgery Journal . 28 . 6 . 675–8; discussion 679–80 . 2008 . 19083597 . 10.1016/j.asj.2008.09.006.
• US . 8313481 . Kin F. Chan, George Frangineas, David Dewey, Leonard C. Debenedictis . Apparatus and method for adjustable fractional optical dermatological treatment . 16 October 2012 . 29 November 2010.
• US . 8323253 . Basil M. Hantash, Kin F. Chan . Method and device for tightening tissue using electromagnetic radiation . 4 December 2012 . February 22 2008.
• US . 8435234 . Kin F. Chan, Leonard C. DeBenedictis . Method and device for tightening tissue using electromagnetic radiation . 7 May 2013 . 7 November 2007.
• US . 8690863 . Kin F. Chan, Basil M. Hantash, G. Scott Herron, Vikramaditya P. Bedi . Laser-induced transepidermal elimination of content by fractional photothermolysis . 8 April 2014 . 10 October 2006.

Notes and References

1. Graber. Emmy M.. Side Effects and Complications of Fractional Laser Photothermolysis: Experience with 961 Treatments. Dermatologic Surgery. Tanzi . Elizabeth L. . Alster . Tina S. . 301–307. 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.34062.x. 18190541. March 2008. 34. 3. 23942929 .
2. Web site: Christine . Hoene . Adverse Effects Fraxel Repair. realself.com. RealSelf, Inc. 17 February 2014.
3. Preissig J, Hamilton K, Markus R . Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review that Delves Beneath the Surface . Seminars in Plastic Surgery . 26 . 3 . 109–16 . August 2012 . 23904818 . 3580982 . 10.1055/s-0032-1329413.
4. Ong . M. W. S. . Bashir . S. J. . June 2012 . Fractional laser resurfacing for acne scars: a review . The British Journal of Dermatology . 166 . 6 . 1160–1169 . 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10870.x . 1365-2133 . 22296284. 205262673 .
5. Utley C, Gold M . Treating acne scars in 2020: Use of lasers . Dermatological Reviews . 2 . 1 . 2021 . 2637-7489 . 10.1002/der2.35 . 4–10.