Fraxel Re:pair vs. other lasers - What's the difference?

Laser facial resurfacing has become very popular over the past few years. Fractionated technology, otherwise known as Fraxel, has allowed facial resurfacing with a laser to become much safer. It also requires significantly less downtime for recovery. The two main categories of fractionated lasers include ablative and non-ablative.

The Fraxel re:store is an example of a non-ablative fractionated laser. This particularly laser heats hundreds of thousands of micro-treatment zones to stimulate collagen formation. One of the big benefits of this laser includes quick recovery time of only a few days. One of the downsides includes less improvement because it is less aggressive and usually requires multiple treatments.

The Fraxel re:pair is an example of an ablative fractionated laser. This laser also uses hundreds of thousands of micro-treatment zones, but it actually ablates or removes microscopic columns of tissue. The tissue removal causes significant tightening of the skin immediately. The Fraxel re:pair laser still retains the collagen stimulation effect seen with other lasers. This more aggressive laser is able to achieve greater results and only requires one treatment. It remains safe because each micro treatment zone is surrounded by normal tissue to help with healing.

The Fraxel repair laser is excellent for treating wrinkles, irregular skin texture, acne scarring, and age/sun spots. Many feel this laser gives the effect of a mini facelift and may help decrease the need for facelift in the future.

How does fat transfer work and how long does it last?

Fat transfer allows your surgeon to move accumulated fat from an unwanted location of your body and use it as a natural facial filler.

Facial plastic surgeons have recognized that the natural loss of youthful volume in certain areas of the face results in an aged appearance. The face descends and falls as this normal facial fat is lost over time. The procedure can be performed as a simple office procedure with local anesthesia and mild sedation. Fat is typically taken from the abdomen through very small puncture sites. This fat is gently suctioned to keep the fat from undergoing any damage that would impair it's longterm survival. Tiny needles are then used to distribute this fat in small amounts throughout the facial areas that have had fat loss. Typically this would be below the eyelids, in the cheeks, the nasal grooves, and the jowel areas. Amazing and immediate results can be appreciated. There is very minimal postoperative discomfort or downtime with minimal bruising at the harvest site or the face. Sophisticated MRI studies have shown that much of this fat will survive as long as five years. The procedure can be performed with other facial cosmetic procedures such as Botox or Fraxel CO2 laser resurfacing to further enhance the results. A combination of multiple minimally invasive office procedures such as these can produce amazing restoration of your natural youthful look without all the downtime of traditional surgical therapies.