Fraxel^® – Rediscover the fresh, healthy skin of your youth

Fraxel treatment is a safe, non-invasive laser skin treatment that removes years from your appearance — without the risks, side effects or prolonged downtime of other procedures.

Whether you have sun damage, wrinkles or other signs of age, Fraxel treatment rejuvenates your skin with minimal downtime. That means you can quickly return to work or other activities with renewed skin — and renewed confidence.

Fraxel FAQ

How does Fraxel work?

Think of your skin as a digital photo that is delicately touched up one spot at a time. Fraxel treatment, likewise, affects a fraction of tissue at a time with thousands of microscopic laser columns — each just one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle. Then your body takes care of the rest. The laser columns stimulate a natural healing process that works from the inside out, replacing damaged tissue with younger, smoother, healthier skin.

The science of Fraxel treatment involves three key components:

The epidermis – the outer layer of our skin
The dermis – sub-layers of skin that include collagen and elastin
Microscopic laser columns – rebuilding skin from the inside out

Under the epidermis is a network of collagen and elastin, which are proteins that keep your skin youthful and tight. But as you age and get more sun exposure, those proteins simply break down faster than your body can rebuild them. As a result, your skin may start to sag and show damage like wrinkles, lines or spots.

This is where Fraxel laser treatment can help. Microscopic laser columns penetrate deep into the dermis to create tiny wounds, which trigger your body’s natural response system to heal those wounds. This process expedites your body’s remodeling of collagen and elastin, which results in tighter, fresher, more youthful-looking skin. This is how Fraxel treatment creates new skin from the inside out.

Skin renewal – from 28 days to 2 days

Just as important are the areas of skin that Fraxel treatment doesn't touch. Because the treatment is so precise, the laser columns target only a fraction of skin at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This “fractional” treatment allows your body to heal the skin much faster than if the entire area were treated at once.

How fast? Your body’s natural skin renewal process is about 28 days. Fraxel laser treatment does it in two.

How does Fraxel feel?

Most patients describe a "prickling" sensation during treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure and cold air is used on the treatment area during the procedure.

What side effects can I expect and how long will they last?

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel. Any swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a day or two, and any redness typically fades within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. The Sylvana staff will provide specific instructions about what to expect and how to minimize any side effects.

What precautions should I take after treatment?

Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.

How many Fraxel treatments will I need and how will they be spaced?

That depends on the severity of the damage and other factors. At Sylvana, we have found that by combining both Fraxel and Pearl® laser treatments, patients get excellent results with fewer treatments. We’ll discuss your treatment plan options when you come in for a free consultation with our staff.

How long do the positive effects of Fraxel last?

It depends on your particular condition and how you care for your skin. Once your skin is treated, continue to protect it as described above. For conditions such as melasma, it is very important to avoid direct sun exposure. The Sylvana staff will give you specific advice based on your individual needs.

Who can benefit from Fraxel?

Fraxel is for men and women of all ages. Whether you're in your 30s and just starting to see wrinkles, or in your 60s or older with deeper lines and loose skin, Fraxel can rejuvenate your skin, treat sun damage, uneven texture, brown spots and fine lines. It’s also effective for treating acne scars and Melasma.

Does Fraxel work on darker skin tones?

Since African-American, Latino and Asian skin types generally have more melanin (pigment) than Caucasian skin, they’ve traditionally been at a higher risk for discoloration and scarring with conventional laser treatments. But unlike these other procedures, Fraxel treatment is safe and effective for all skin colors. Because it precisely targets microscopic areas deep in the skin, Fraxel treatment leaves surrounding tissue intact – without scarring or increased pigmentation.

Where else can Fraxel be used?

Because the technology is so precise, Fraxel treatment works not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands.

Bio-HRT

Age-Related Hormone Imbalances Can be Treated Naturally - find out more.

As seen on Oprah

Learn more about Bio-HRT Age-Related Hormone Imbalances Treatmentss

See the Results!

View Before and After Photos

The Benefits Are:

1. Improve texture tone and pore size
2. Erase unwanted brown spots
3. Smooth wrinkles around the eyes
4. Reduce acne scars
5. Rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands

What Our Patients Say About Us

Sylvana’s Testimonials - Discover what our patients are saying about us. View Testimonials.

Dr. Jeanne O’Connell’s Philosophies on Patient Care

Sylvana Blog

Learn more about Sylvana at our blog.

Learn More about Sylvana's Blog