Brief Description of Procedure:
This procedure builds the collagen in the wrinkle and removes the scar. This is different then traditional resurfacing CO2 laser, which causes significant improvement at the cost of skin breakdown and prolonged down time.

These devices are fractionated and leave the surface layer of the skin intact and create the zone or columns of damage under the skin. This device includes Fraxel, 1540nm laser 1140nm and 1320nm wavelength lasers. These lasers are truly non-ablative and don't cause any damage to the skin and getting more popular.

Who are the Best Candidates for this treatment?
These lasers could be best used in a patient's with:

· Wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and forehead
· Acne scars
· Melasma
· Diffuse blotchiness of the skin
· Scars from any other reason
· Postoperative surgical scars
· Dull skin tone and pigments on the skin
· Enlarged pores and sebaceous glands
· Some patients with sagging skin
· Stretch marks

What areas can be treated?
Most of the areas could be treated with one or the other device, but most common areas treated are:

· Face and neck
· chest ,arm and hands
· acne scars in any area

What are the causes of the condition?
Wrinkles happen over the time with the aging process. Patient also gets acne scars from previous acne and also previous surgeries and pregnancies.

How does the treatment work?
This laser treatments, penetrates deeper into the skin to the columns of lasers with normal tissues in between. This causes heat in the tissue and causing it to shrink and also at the same time it builds the collagen in the wrinkle. This treatment does not affect the skin barrier. Effect of this laser helps to improve the texture and pigment problem and also builds the collagen in the wrinkles and scar.

How long does the treatment take?
The procedure itself takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes depending on the area treated.

What are the benefits of procedure? (Or how is it different from resurfacing laser?)
This procedure is different as compared to the traditional surfacing laser, which can cause skin breakdown and prolonged down time. This is a fractionated device, and there is minimal down time of 24 hours at the most. Also, with this device physician can treat the area affected only as compared to the previous resurfacing lasers, where the line of demarcation was making it difficult to treat isolated area. Downside of the procedure is that it does require about four to six treatments as compared to the traditional resurfacing laser which required only single treatment.

How many treatments will I need?
Depending on your problem you may require about four to six treatment. It also depends on which device is used and what is the primary problem being treated. Treatment is done approximately 3 to four weeks apart.

What kinds of results can I expect? And how fast do I see the results?
You can start seeing some results after about two to three treatments. After finishing a course of six treatments, you will continue to see the benefit, and your body will continue to build the collegen.

Are the Treatments safe and painless?
Most patients do not have any pain or may feel slight pain. Some patient might require topical anesthesia. Treatments are very safe in all skin types including lighter to darker skin types.

Do I need any preparation before the procedure?
You do not need any specific preparation prior to this procedure. You might need to come 30 minutes before the procedure if you have a sensitive skin and might require topical anesthesia.

What kind of recovery period is needed after the procedure?
This procedure has a minimal down time as compared to the previous resurfacing laser. You may experience minimal pain and redness or swelling in the area for 24 hours following each treatment. You need to apply ice postoperatively to reduce the swelling.

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