Fraxel

 

Pre-treatment Considerations:

 

• First and foremost, it is important to schedule your treatment at least two weeks prior to any important events.

• Discontinue retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide containing products at least 2 weeks prior to procedure. Be sure to check all skin care products including over-the-counter.

• No prolonged sun exposure, spray tanning, or tanning bed use for at least 2 weeks prior to procedure.

• If you have any history of cold sores, please let us know as soon as possible so we may prescribe Valtrex for you to take prior to and after your procedure.

• Please plan treatment with neuromodulators and fillers 2 weeks prior to or after your procedure.

• If you have been taking oral isotretinoin (Accutane) please wait 6 months after completing therapy to schedule your Fraxel Dual treatment.

• Please try to arrive for your appointment without makeup, but it may be removed at the spa if more convenient.

• If desired, a pre-treatment medication may be prescribed to help you to relax during your procedure. Please let us know 3-5 days before you would like to pick up your prescription so that we may have it ready for you. If you take medication for your procedure, you will need someone to drive you home after treatment.

 

 

What to expect during your treatment:

 

• When you arrive, photos may be taken and a numbing gel will be applied to your face for approximately 60 minutes.

• The numbing gel is removed and your provider will move the device over your face in a specific pattern.

• The treatment usually lasts for 20-30 minutes for full face.

• Aftercare products will be applied to soothe and calm the skin.

• Your skin will look as though you have a moderate sunburn and may have swelling and tightness.

 

Post-care instructions

• Swelling and redness is expected and usually peaks the day following the procedure. If your treatment was more aggressive or you typically swell more than others, the swelling may last longer. It is usually present to some degree for the first 2-3 days. You may use ice packs or cool compresses to the area for 10 minutes/hour to help reduce swelling and soothe the area. Some clients like to place two shot glasses into the freezer to use as ice packs around the eyes. Sleeping with the head elevated may also help to reduce swelling.

• Be sure to use gentle products on the face while skin is healing for the first 2 weeks. We recommend NeoCleanse Gentle by Neocutis or Image Ormedic cleanser followed by BioGel, BioCream, Alastin Skin Nectar, or Image I Rescue Crème. Please consult your provider for the best regimen for your skin.

• Redness decreases within the first week, but a “rosy” glow may persist for several weeks.

• Skin may feel dry, peel, and flake during the first week or so. A sandpaper like texture may also be present. It is important to keep the skin as moisturized as possible during this time. There is no such thing as too much moisture!

• The Fraxel Dual treatment causes destruction of microcylinders of skin which then exfoliate during the healing process. Bronzing of the treated skin usually occurs around days 4-5 with heavily pigmented areas being the most obvious. The skin may appear crusted with dots and it is very important not to pick, peel, or scratch at these dots as it could cause scarring. On the face, they usually shed between 7-10 days while areas treated other than the face may take as long as 3 weeks. Most clients enjoy scheduling a facial and dermaplane 7-10 days after treatment to remove any remaining flakiness.

• Sunscreen is very important after Fraxel to protect your new skin. Do not use any scrubs, alcohol containing toners, acids, or retinols for 2 weeks following treatment.

 

As always, please call us at 919-263-8510 if you have further questions or concerns.