Fraxel / Pixel
How It Works
At the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery, our skin aestheticians perform fractional resurfacing utilising both ablative and non-ablative devices. The Fraxel SR1500 is a non-ablative means of resurfacing, utilizing an Erbium Fiber laser which is scanned across the treatment site.
The laser delivers an array of microscopic beams which create tiny zones of thermal damage, ensuring that the skin remains intact and subsequently recovery time is relatively rapid. Fraxel can improve skin texture and color via its resurfacing effect while it simultaneously induces new collagen formation as a result of its deep thermal reaction.
The Fraxel treatment is therefore used to treat a variety of skin anomalies including pigmentation (photodamage or melasma), poor skin texture, general skin rejuvenation, fine lines and wrinkles and scars that include acne and surgical. Body areas can be treated just as successfully due to Fraxel’s high safety profile.
The Pixel device also resurfaces via the fractional principle; however it utilizes an Erbium: YAG laser which is ablative. Essentially the zones of thermal damage are larger in diameter and thus evoke slightly more obvious skin exfoliation whilst maintaining a residual thermal effect to potentiate new collagen synthesis.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Both the Fraxel and Pixel devices will benefit those who are showing signs of ageing but want to try a less invasive procedure before undergoing surgery. Although laser treatment produces results that are more subtle than a facelift procedure, the effects build upon your skin’s natural healing process to create soft yet inherent results.
The collagen produced by your skin compounds to produce a noticeably younger-looking complexion over time. As your skin restores itself, you will notice a reduction of in the number of imperfections present. Fine lines, wrinkles, scars and age spots all dissipate with regular laser treatment.
If you find that you do in fact desire significant and permanent results, consult with your physician at Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery to learn more about your candidacy for facial rejuvenation surgery.
Your physician can help you narrow down your cosmetic goals and decide upon the proper treatment method. It’s not uncommon to combine multiple procedures to achieve the best result; however, with skin resurfacing, it’s best to assess your results first before undergoing additional treatment.
How Many Treatments Are Recommended?
Three to six treatments are recommended to achieve optimal results and body areas are safe to treat. The Pixel laser requires no pre-treatment anaethesia whereas a topical numbing agent is applied prior to Fraxel. Degrees of redness, swelling, sunburn sensation and rough skin are normal anticipated responses to fractional resurfacing, the duration of which is determined by the aggressiveness of the treatment and the severity of the ageing qualities that you exhibit.
For more information about treatment with Fraxel and Pixel, contact Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery on (03) 9508 9508 and schedule a consultation. During an appointment with your physician, you can learn more about the laser treatments available and choose an application that works for you.
