Fraxel® Laser Treatment is a safe, non-invasive procedure that allows you to rediscover the fresh, healthy skin of your youth.
The LUMEN Laser Center offers the Philadelphia Main Line area’s most experienced Fraxel® Laser Treatment in our beautiful 3,000 square foot complex staffed by expert medical personnel. Dr. Kwak, a nationally recognized physician who received training at some of the best medical institutions in the United States, has undergone extensive training and has special expertise in using the Fraxel and laser technology, in order to achieve the maximum results for each patient.
Fraxel® is the only fractional non-ablative resurfacing treatment with proven clinical efficacy.
Wrinkle and scar reduction and skin rejuvenation.
Stretchmark reduction.
Minimal downtime.
Dr. Andrew Kwak is the Philadelphia Main Line region's most experienced
Fraxel® provider, having performed hundreds of treatments.
Dr. Andrew Kwak is an invited Educator by
Fraxel® to teach other physicians about treatments and techniques.
The LUMEN Laser Center was awarded "Best of Philly 2006" for the
Fraxel® Laser Treatment by Philadelphia Magazine.
Dr. Andrew Kwak and his staff attend educational conferences for advanced
Fraxel® training.
The LUMEN Laser Center uses the
Fraxel® SR1500.
To view a video about
Fraxel® on The Today Show, click on the video below. Please note that the
Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatment does not require use of the blue dye referenced in the video; the blue dye is used with the
Fraxel® 750, which is an older version of the
Fraxel® Laser.
In this video clip below from The Today Show,
Fraxel® Laser is featured as a laser skin resurfacing technique to remove dark splotches and other spots that form as we age. With virtually no downtime, the procedure is perfect for almost any area of the body, including the neck. To view additional facial skin care videos, visit http://www.fraxel.com/fraxel-news.cfm
Benefits of Fraxel® Laser Treatment
Smooths and evens out skin tone and texture
Reduces pore size
Erase unwanted brown spots
Smooths wrinkles around the eyes
Improve the appearance of acne scars and surgical scars
Improve the appearance of stretchmarks
Treats melasma (mask of pregnancy)
Minimal downtime
Works on all types of skin including skin of color
Effective both on and off the face, including neck, chest and hands
Until now, two varieties of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic enhancement-ablative and non-ablative. Ablative, which literally means to vaporize at a very high temperature, are very effective at destroying unwanted tissue but have significant side-effects and require a lengthy healing period. Non-ablative, on the other hand, have very few side-effects and require almost no healing time, but involve numerous treatments over many months to achieve only modest results.
At long last, a laser with the potency of ablative treatments and the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers has won approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat a variety of important cosmetic conditions.
Fraxel® Laser Treatment is designed to target aging and damaged skin by creating microscopic "wounds" within the targeted areas well beneath the skin's outermost layer. In this way, Fraxel® Laser treatments trigger the body's own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. And because Fraxel® Laser Treatment combines the impact of ablative lasers with the gentleness of non-ablative lasers, healing occurs so quickly that there is very little downtime for patients.
After several years of studies and mounting evidence of the Fraxel® Laser's safety and effectiveness, the FDA has cleared this unique new laser to treat the following conditions:
Uneven Pigmentation / Discoloration
Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy)
Age Spots / Sun Spots / Brown Spots
Fine Lines and Wrinkles Around the Eyes / Periorbital Fine Lines
Acne / Surgical Scars
Actinic Keratosis (Pre-Cancerous Spots)
Pigmented Lesions
Skin Resurfacing
Soft Tissue Coagulation
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Acne Scars
Anyone double-burdened with watching their teenage acne turn into adult acne scars knows the profound devastation this circumstance can have on self-esteem and life-outlook. Yet, every bit as profound is the utter transformation – physical and emotional – awaiting those who take advantage of a revolutionary change recently underway in cosmetic health.
Acne scars form wherever acne advances to the point of injuring our tissue. These injuries arise as an inflammatory response to sebaceous follicles becoming plugged with oils, bacteria and dead cells. The result is the formation of a scar – that discolored fibrous tissue with abnormal collagen function that replaces our healthy skin. Successful treatment of a scar requires both the removal of damaged epidermal tissue and the stimulation of new collagen to improve the region's tone and texture.
Traditional approaches – topical agents, abrasion therapies, surgery and conventional lasers – either achieve only moderate results, or else destroy unacceptable amounts of healthy tissue along with the scar. The more effective techniques can also require a great deal of recovery time.
A monumental breakthrough came only recently when the FDA approved Fraxel® Laser Treatment for acne scars, after studies showed that the new laser could be far more effective than traditional therapies at both removing damaged tissue and inducing the formation of new collagen.
Fraxel Laser Treatment, with its gentle non-ablative skin rejuvenation and rapid healing time, is now available to people of all skin types for the treatment of acne scars. Numerous patients have received Fraxel laser treatments for acne scarring at the LUMEN Laser Center.
Although the appearance of age spots might seem like an obvious indication of aging skin, they are instead our body's attempt to protect itself from sun exposure by overproducing melanin. Also called liver spots or sun spots, age spots are blemishes that range in color from dark yellow to black and locate themselves in exposed areas of the body, such as the face, hands, shoulders, arms or forehead.
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Only occasionally do age spots pose a serious medical risk. They sometimes obscure detection of skin cancer, and, rarely, can indicate accumulated wastes or a bodily dysfunction.
Even when harmless, these blotchy brownish patches pose a tough cosmetic challenge that can make us look and feel much older than our years.
Conventional strategies for eliminating age spots include cryotherapy, acid washes, bleaches, pulsed light or traditional laser treatment. Too often such techniques will fade but not completely remove age spots.
The real breakthrough came recently when the FDA approved Fraxel Laser Treatment® for age spots after studies showed that the new laser could be far more effective than traditional therapies.
Fraxel® Laser Treatment, with its gentle non-ablative skin rejuvenation and rapid healing time, is now available to people of all skin types for treatment of age spots. Numerous patients have received Fraxel laser treatments for age spots and fine and coarse wrinkles at the LUMEN Laser Center.
Melasma is a skin condition in which patches of brown or tan discoloration appear on the forehead, cheeks, lips, nose or forearms as a result of the body’s sudden overproduction of pigment. Sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy," melasma can afflict anyone, but is most often triggered in women—especially during the hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptive use or hormone replacement therapy.
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Melasma affects an estimated six million people in the US alone. Though not dangerous, the condition can cause embarrassment and undermine self-confidence.
Conventional remedies for melasma include enzyme inhibitors, depigmenting agents, bleaches, steroids, pulsed light, acid facial peels and aggressive dermabrasion techniques. Seldom are such strategies effective. Traditional laser treatments can also produce lackluster results. Many people give up and simply hide themselves behind heavy makeup.
A breakthrough finally came when the FDA approved Fraxel® Laser Treatment for melasma after studies showed that the new laser could be highly effective even in cases where traditional therapies had failed. Numerous patients have received Fraxel laser treatments for melasma at the LUMEN Laser Center.
Wrinkles around the eyes, often called crow's feet, are categorized by doctors as dynamic wrinkles because they develop largely from years of contracting the muscles that display our emotions when we smile, squint, deeply consider, show surprise or laugh. If you've developed such wrinkles yourself, we're happy to hear that life has dealt you so many rich emotional experiences! Now, about those wrinkles.
There are countless cosmetic strategies for reducing crow's feet-including acid peels, injectable fillers, collagen, dermabrasion or traditional laser treatment. These techniques can achieve moderately successful results for many patients.
The real breakthrough came recently when the FDA approved Fraxel® Laser Treatment for wrinkles around the eyes after studies showed that the new laser could be far more effective than traditional therapies. Numerous patients have received Fraxel laser treatments for crow's feet at the LUMEN Laser Center.
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Answers to Common Questions about Fraxel® Laser Treatment
Fraxel Laser Treatment (FLT) is a "fractional" treatment that produces thousands of deep, tiny columns in your skin, called microthermal treatment zones. FLT is "fractional" in that it intensively treats old epidermal pigment cells without affecting any of the surrounding tissue, which reduces healing time and promotes the skin’s natural process for creating new, healthier tissue to replace the damaged cells.
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How is Fraxel different from other laser treatments?
Until Fraxel, there were two types of available laser treatments. Ablative laser treatment, which literally means to vaporize at very high temperature, is very effective but has significant side effects and requires a lengthy healing period. The other available laser treatment, being non-ablative, has little or no side effects and almost no healing time, but requires numerous treatments over many months and has limited results at best. Fraxel treatments offer the effectiveness of ablative treatments with the benefits of the gentler, non-ablative lasers.
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How Does Fraxel Laser Treatment Work?
FLT is designed to target aging and sun damaged skin by targeting portions of specific damaged tissue. By creating microscopic "wounds" within the targeted areas well beneath the outer most epidermal layer of skin, Fraxel laser treatments trigger the body’s natural healing process accelerating the production of collagen and new, healthy skin cells.
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What are the benefits of Fraxel Laser Treatments?
Since FLT has the impact of ablative lasers but the gentler benefits of the non-ablative treatments, healing time is significantly accelerated so there is minimal downtime. Because the Fraxel laser penetrates the non-living out layer of skin leaving it completely untreated, make-up can be worn immediately following the procedure. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. Others require a little more time, depending upon their skin condition and treatment. Please consult your physician to understand how Fraxel Laser Treatment will fit into your schedule.
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What are the risks of Fraxel Laser Treatments?
Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from treatment. If swelling does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two. Redness may occur and will fade within a few days. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring.
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How many treatments will I need?
Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending upon your condition and schedule, you and your physician may choose to space treatment sessions even further apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allows for complete healing and replacement of damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin, and viable healthy skin cell growth.
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How are Fraxel Laser Treatments performed?
To prepare your skin for treatment, your skin will be cleansed. The topical aneshetic will be applied to the treatment area approximately 60 minutes prior to treatment in order for the anesthetic to take full effect, and it is removed before treatment. The procedure takes between 20 to 25 minutes for a full face.
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Is Fraxel Laser Treatment painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as having a "prickling" sensation. The topical anesthetic and air cooling alleviates most discomfort.
What should I expect after Fraxel Laser Treatment?
During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. Make-up can be worn to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two. As you continue treatment, the sunburned to bronze conditions will repeat. Just like a natural sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Using a moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of dry flakes.
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What precautions should I take after treatment?
Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher twice a day is especially important. Avoid direct sun exposure during the healing process and for at least 3 months after treatment. Wearing wide brimmed hats is highly recommended when out in the elements.
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Where can I see before and after photos of actual patients?
Think of your skin as a family portrait or digital photograph in need of high-quality restoration or touch up. Just as a damaged painting is delicately restored one small area at a time, or a photographic image is altered, pixel by pixel, Fraxel® Laser Treatment improves your appearance by affecting only a fraction of your skin at a time with thousands of tiny microscopic laser spots.Fraxel Laser Treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as microthermal treatment zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deep into the dermis. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel laser leaves untouched. For every microthermal zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections.
Overview
At your initial consultation, we will determine the best treatment plan for your desired results. By design, each Fraxel Laser Treatment targets between 20 and 25 percent of the skin's surface. Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 4 to 5 sessions, spaced about 4 weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. Because Fraxel Laser Treatment spares healthy tissue, it is effective even on delicate skin areas, such as the neck, chest and hands.
Preparing for Treatment
Fraxel Laser Treatment can be performed right in our office using only topical anesthesia.
What Happens After Treatment
You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour, and then minimal discomfort. The skin may have a pinkish tone for 5 to 7 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days. You may apply make-up or shave soon after treatment. Some patients are able to return to routine activities, including work and social obligations, the same day of treatment. Others require a little more time depending upon their skin condition and treatment. Please consult with us to understand how Fraxel Laser Treatment will fit into your schedule. New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. This process of skin repair involves:
Bronzing: Your skin may have a bronze appearance that lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on your treatment level.
Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigorously exfoliate as new skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar to that of minor sunburn, but without the associated pain. Use of a moisturizer will mask the appearance of flaking.
Sunscreen: Be sure to use a moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, several times daily to protect your skin from sun exposure during both the healing phase, and for several months after treatment. For added protection, wear wide-brimmed hats when in direct sunlight.
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Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel treatment, producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy, youthful appearance.
To read what our Fraxel clients are saying about their experience at the LUMEN Laser Center, please visit our Patient Testimonials page.
For more information or to make a consultation appointment, please call the LUMEN Laser Center staff at 610.525.0606, or e-mail us using the Contact Us Form.
