Fraxel® DUAL | Meet Skin Rejuvenation and Restoration
Dave MacGregor
September 3, 2023
Fraxel DUAL | Meet Skin Rejuvenation and Restoration
As we age, the effects of sun, pollution, stress, and fatigue can take a toll on our skin. We try to do all we can to look and feel great, but sometimes it can take a bit more to keep us looking as refreshed and youthful as we feel inside. That’s where Fraxel® DUAL resurfacing treatments help.
By utilizing patented fractional laser technology, Fraxel® DUAL by Solta Medical can target both the surface layer and deeper layers of your skin for a smoother, fresher, and more youthful-looking appearance that shines through.
Why Fraxel DUAL?
Fraxel® DUAL technology has been proven effective in improving skin tone and texture, reducing wrinkles around the eyes, and erasing unwanted brown spots, making it easy to restore a youthful glow without splitting treatments to conquer multiple skin issues.
About Solta Medical
Solta Medical, an innovator in skin resurfacing technology, created Fraxel® DUAL for faster clearance of unwanted skin pigment and to improve other superficial skin conditions. This development marks an exciting milestone for aesthetic treatments, offering unprecedented treatments with off-the-face indications. Utilizing two specialized wavelengths, Fraxel® DUAL possesses enhanced capabilities to provide superior results that exceed those of traditional fraction laser treatments.
Fraxel DUAL Benefits:
- Fraxel® DUAL is non-ablative, meaning there is minimum injury to the surface of the skin.
- Fraxel® DUAL safely treats skin on the face, neck, and decollete.
- The technology combines two wavelengths: 1550nm and 1927nm.
- The 1550 wavelength smoothes the skin’s texture and boosts skin firmness and elasticity. Patients will notice improvement with fine lines and wrinkles, pore size, and acne scarring.
- The 1927 wavelength lifts away skin discoloration such as hyperpigmentation, sun damage, precancerous lesions melanoma and dark spots.
4 Key Benefits of Fraxel® Dual
Texture and Scar Refinement
Laser treatments are increasingly becoming popular for acne scar removal. The Fraxel® DUAL laser treatment has proven very effective in improving the appearance of scarring. The laser resurfaces the skin, targeting and breaking up only the areas that suffer from acne scars without harming the surrounding healthy skin. The procedure causes minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to their daily routine shortly afterward. Furthermore, since the healthy parts of the skin stay intact, less downtime and faster healing are experienced.
Fraxel® DUAL causes a focal injury within dermal tissue underneath acne scarring. With this stimulation, new collagen is formed which helps restore texture, softening skin depressions and reducing pitted marks caused by acne scarring. While not all cases of acne scars can be completely remedied, most cases show an improvement in overall skin smoothness after having Fraxel® DUAL treatments. Because of these advantages, many people are turning to this form of treatment as a solution for their confidence-plaguing acne scars.
Powerful on Pigment and Saves Sun-Damaged Skin
Pigmentation, photo-aging, and wrinkles are all common skin conditions influenced by sun exposure. Our skin’s DNA is disrupted by excessive amounts of harmful UV rays, resulting in patchy pigmentation or discoloration, accelerated aging, and premature wrinkling. The effects of sun damage worsen over time, making it important to take the necessary steps to protect your skin from further damage.
Fortunately, Fraxel® DUAL is an effective solution available to combat these issues The 1927 wavelength is used to target specific areas of the face to break up dark pigments or discolorations while stimulating collagen production. By increasing cell turnover in the treated area, DUAL can help reduce the appearance of fine lines while making skin feel smoother. Not only do laser treatments help lighten dark spots, but they also help improve overall texture by restoring youthful skin vibrance.
Proactive Actinic Keratosis Treatment
Actinic keratosis (AK), or sun-induced skin damage, is related to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun over a long period. This condition can cause pesky signs of aging like rough, scaly patches on the skin that can appear on areas exposed to the sun. In addition, Actinic Keratosis can evolve into skin cancers if left untreated. Luckily, those living in sunny places like Bay Area, California now have a safe and effective laser option for treatment available – the Dual Thulium laser.
The Thulium setting on the Fraxel Dual is specifically designed to treat actinic keratosis. This unique FDA-approved technology targets pre-cancerous cells— destroying them reducing the risk of developing skin cancer. Using this innovative approach, even advanced form AKs are effectively treated with minimal inflammation or side effects compared to other treatments such as cryotherapy or topical applications. Plus, you get improvement in discoloration problems along with the destruction of damaged cells due to AKs at once!
What to Expect with Your Fraxel® Dual Laser Treatment
Pre-treatment
Before deciding on a Fraxel® skin treatment, it is important to know that you will need to be mindful of prolonged sun exposure. We advise the daily wear of sunscreen with a UVA/UVB rating of 30+ SPF. Talk to our team for assistance in making a selection that is best suited for your skin type, such as those made specifically for dry, combination, or acne-prone skin.
You can also add an extra layer of protection by wearing a hat ad sunglasses when outdoors.
Day of treatment
On the day of your treatment, a topical numbing agent is applied to the treatment area to minimize potential discomfort. The treatment itself takes approximately 15 minutes for the face. Larger body areas like the arms and legs can take up to 30 minutes.
Post-treatment
Your skin will feel warm after your Fraxel® Dual treatment. Many of our patients liken it to a mild sunburn. Cold compresses may be applied, and makeup can be applied immediately. For the first few days, we suggest a gentle cleanser and sunscreen only. Avoid the use of retinoids and other anti-aging skincare until directed by our team. Expect your skin to bronze over the next few days following your initial treatment. Some patients will notice skin flaking.
How many treatments are needed to see results?
Generally speaking, most patients need between 3 to 5 treatments spaced 4-8 weeks apart to achieve optimal results. This will vary for each patient depending on their specific needs and desired outcomes.
Dr. MacGregor will design a custom plan tailored to your unique skin concerns in your Fraxel® Dual consultation. On average, patients can expect significant improvements after completing their first three treatments and realize full results within six treatment sessions or less. Maintenance sessions are recommended to sustain your results.
When will I see my final results?
The Fraxel® laser treatment is one of the most popular and effective skin-rejuvenation procedures for those looking to treat wrinkles, scars, and age spots. After undergoing the treatment, your body works hard to restore its cells and, as a result, you will start to see improvements in your complexion over time. While some patients may experience immediate results after their session, it can take weeks or even months for the full transformation to be complete.
In general, the majority of patients will begin to notice significant changes four to six weeks following their last treatment session.
Book A Consult with Dr. David MacGregor to Learn More
Knowledge is the power to make informed decisions! The first step on your skin rejuvenation journey begins with a consultation. If you’re interested in learning more about this cutting-edge dual-technology, we welcome the opportunity to evaluate you to prescribe a treatment plan. Contact our team to get started today.