Fraxel For Men: One Fisherman's Tale
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It's possible that men need Fraxel more than women. Without the help of makeup, men are forced to deal with unattractive skin conditions head-on and enter the world that way each day. Acne scarring, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and excessive redness can all be eliminated with Fraxel, a proven medical procedure that promises better, healthier looking skin without pain or downtime. This newest generation of non-invasive laser technology called Fraxel® Laser Treatment (FLT) resurfaces photodamaged skin, treats periorbital (around the eyes) wrinkles and improves pigmented lesions such as melasma, age spots and sun spots on the face, neck, chest and hands.
The Fraxel laser is specially designed to create thousands of microscopic thermal spots that form vertical columns of treated skin tissue that are separated and surrounded by unaffected, healthy skin. This innovative approach allows the doctor to treat only a small fraction of skin at a time so it heals much faster than if the entire area were treated at once. Moreover, and in contrast to non-ablative laser/light therapies, Fraxel Laser Treatment creates new epidermal skin in the treatment zones within 24 hours. "Fraxel Laser Treatment represents new-generation laser resurfacing with predictable results. It rebuilds damaged skin like digital modification – pixel by pixel, spot by spot," says Dr. Ro, who is the first in the area to own the advanced laser system. "Think of your skin as a family portrait or a digital photograph in need of high-quality restoration or touch-up. A painting is delicately restored one small area at a time, or a photo is digitally altered, pixel by pixel. That’s the scientific principle behind Fraxel Laser Treatment." Safe and effective, the Fraxel laser is cleared by the FDA and has undergone extensive testing in the lab and out in the field. Based on clinical experience, an effective treatment regime generally requires 3 to 5 treatment sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart.
"In our practice, we have observed nice improvements in uneven skin color and wrinkles around the eye area. The treated skin is smooth, soft and fresh. In fact, our patients are so thrilled with how young and attractive they look that their friends and family members are requesting Fraxel treatment, especially when compared to other abrasive treatments that are associated with far more significant side effects." Other key advantages of Fraxel Laser Treatment (FLT) are:
No scalpel, no stitches, no needles
No general anesthesia – FLT is well tolerated with a topical anesthetic
Convenience – the procedure takes about 30 minutes in the doctor’s office
High safety and proven effectiveness on neck, chest and hands
Minimal risk of complications or adverse events
Natural, youthful-looking results
What Makes Fraxel so Effective?
Fraxel works in similar ways as the CO2 resurfacing laser, though skin heals faster with less discomfort. The procedure involves the division of a laser beam into thousands of microscopic treatment zones, each targeting a specific area of skin. The selective portions of skin are heated and then healthy new cells fill in the damaged areas. Healing time is reduced because fewer cells have to be replaced. A patient can expect to see results within a few days after the first session although it is important to note that the overall effect will occur gradually over time. For optimal results, Fraxel patients are encouraged to have 4 to 6 20-minute sessions spaced 7 to 10 days apart. Common side effects include a red sunburned appearance to the skin, a feeling of tight skin and mild to moderate flaking. These reactions tend to reduce and go away after a few days and are less severe than effects associated with other laser resurfacing methods. Going Deeper
Fraxel works wonders on many kinds of skin flaws and on many parts of the body. However, most patients focus on areas of the face, neck, arms, hands and chest. Not only can you remove acne scars from the past, but you have erase signs of aging such as wrinkles, aging spots, and discolored skin that results from overexposure to the sun. Similar to an artist working in Adobe Photoshop, a skilled surgeon narrows in on your skin and works away in small sections in order to gain the most perfect result possible. Fraxel is unique because of how the treatment actually does what it does. The laser produces thousands of tiny localized treatments known as MicroThermal Zones. These zones are what define an area that will undergo alteration and an area that will remain untouched. During the process, collagen and elastin are regenerated and about 20% of the skin is resurfaced with each session. What makes Fraxel special is its ability to bypass healthy, living skin cells and touch only those cells that require re-growth. This level of precision makes the procedure safe, reliable and worth the big bucks it’s going cost. The "fractional" treatment area is what makes the healing process work so quickly. Instead of the body facing a large portion of skin to re-grow it can focus on smaller areas. What is the treatment like?
During the treatment your doctor will administer a local anesthetic so you do not have to worry about deep sedation. Next an FDA-approved blue tint is applied to the skin to create a colored surface that allows the laser to travel over the skin’s surface. A computer hand piece is then maneuvered across the desired treatment area and the lasers go to work beneath the surface. Your recovery will also be quick and relatively free from discomfort. How Quickly Can I See Results?
Results are usually seen early on during treatment, often after the first session. This is because the laser targets collagen beneath the skin and as the collagen is repaired and re-grown the skin will take on a tighter, smoother feel. Many women are turning to this new form of skin renewal due to its ability for turning back the years, the physically visible ones anyway.
Although physicians will set their own costs, expect to pay $1000 to $2000 per session and purchase a package designed for your needs.
New Survey Suggests Adults with Acne Scarring Face a Disadvantage at Work and Play Mountain View, Calif. – April 1, 2006. According to a new survey released today at the 26th annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) in Boston, MA, adults with acne scarring encounter significant prejudice at both work and play. Dr. Zakia Rahman, clinical instructor of dermatology at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, and medical director of the Fraxel® Laser clinic in Mountain View, CA, reports that the survey shows women with moderate-to-severe acne scarring have a harder time getting a date than women with a smooth complexion. On the work front, similar findings occur. Men and women believe that individuals with acne scarring are prone to career obstacles not faced by their clear-skinned counterparts. "The good news for people suffering the physical and emotional ramifications of acne scarring is that the Fraxel laser just received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to treat acne scarring," says Dr. Rahman, the principal investigator of the clinical study that Reliant Technologies, manufacturer of the Fraxel laser, presented to the FDA for 510(k) clearance. Dr. Rahman explains, "Only the Fraxel laser’s breakthrough science of fractional resurfacing can gently repair epidermal (surface) abnormalities while simultaneously reaching deep into the dermis to stimulate new collagen formation – safely, effectively and without the downtime associated with invasive treatments." This is significant since 7 out of 10 survey respondents would consider a "no downtime" laser procedure to remove acne scarring. Other key findings of the survey of 1,015 Americans 18 years of age and older include: On a Date. 84 percent of adults agree that women with moderate-to-severe acne scars have a harder time getting a date than women with a good complexion.On the Job. 65 percent of adults agree that people with moderate-to-severe acne scarring are at a disadvantage when going for a job interview.Losing Your Hair. 65 percent of adults consider moderate-to-severe acne scarring to be more undesirable than moderate-to-severe hair loss.Tipping the Scales. When acne scarring was compared to being overweight,
41 percent of adults believe that moderate-to-severe acne scarring is the more undesirable trait. Women rated being overweight only slightly more undesirable than having acne scarring (45 percent vs. 43 percent).Grin and Bear It. When comparing the undesirability of moderate-to-severe acne scarring and moderate-to-severe crooked teeth, adults rated both traits equally – with 43 percent of those polled considering each to be the more undesirable trait. Adults aged 25-34 (49%) and 45-54 (48%) are more likely to consider acne scarring the more undesirable trait than younger respondents aged18-24 (31%).
Quick Fix. 70 percent of adults agree that if they had serious acne scarring, they would consider having a ‘no-downtime’ laser procedure to improve the condition. More women (75%) would opt to undergo this type of procedure than men (64%).Acne scarring is a common condition that is difficult to treat with even the most aggressive topical and abrasive therapies. While the exact number of people suffering from acne scarring is difficult to pinpoint because the condition often goes unreported and untreated, data analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates that more than 1.3 million American men and women age 15 to 44 years old have some degree of acne scarring. The CARAVAN® survey was commissioned by Reliant Technologies, Inc. to support the new FDA clearance of the Fraxel laser for acne scarring and was conducted in February 2006 by the independent research firm Opinion Research Corporation. Survey results are based on telephone interviews with 1,015 adults 18 years of age or older conducted February 16-19, 2006. The margin of error at the 95% confidence level is plus or minus three percentage points.
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