The Fraxel Repair is the newest member of the Fraxel family of lasers, and it provides an additional option for skin resurfacing. The major difference between the Fraxel Repair and the original Fraxel is that the light emitted by the Fraxel Repair laser is based on carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of erbium. The use of carbon dioxide as the source of the laser light results in the Fraxel Repair laser being a more effective skin tightener than the original Fraxel laser. In addition the Fraxel Repair will improve brown pigment, fine lines, acne scars, other facial scars, and facial redness.

The use of carbon dioxide as the source of the laser light in the Fraxel Repair results in significant skin tightening. In addition, it allows us to complete the laser treatment in only one or at most two treatment sessions. These are two of the major advantages of the Fraxel Repair laser.

The Fraxel Repair is best suited for patients who have moderate skin laxity and relatively deeper lines and wrinkles in their face and lips. It can be used to treat the entire face or it may be used to treat smaller areas such as the upper lip and eyelids. When the upper lip or eyelids are treated, the result is a much smoother upper lip and more open upper eyelids.

In addition to its use on the face, the Fraxel Repair may also be used to treat the neck and chest. In these off-face locations, the laser treatment again results in skin tightening, improved skin texture, and improved skin color.

This laser is FDA approved for the treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented skin lesions, and vascular dyschromia. (Vascular dyschromia is the medical term for broken capillaries and diffuse redness.)

Like the original Fraxel, the Fraxel Repair utilizes Fractional Resurfacing Technology. The laser delivers a series of closely spaced laser spots to the skin while preserving normal healthy skin between the laser spots. This preservation of normal untreated skin between the laser spots results in rapid healing after the treatment.

The Fraxel Repair may be used by itself or in combination with the original Fraxel laser. When used in combination, the Fraxel Repair is used to treat the more affected areas of the face where the lines are deeper and the tissues have more laxity, and the original Fraxel is used to treat the less involved areas.

Treatment with the Fraxel Repair results in visible skin tightening and significant improvement in wrinkles and pigmentation in the treated areas. The skin heals with an improved texture. The result is smoother, tighter, and younger looking skin. Often, only a single treatment is needed. Some patients, however, may wish to undergo a second procedure to further enhance their results.

Fraxel Repair treatment does have some downtime. A full-face treatment generally has three to five days of downtime.