San Diego Active FX doctors

With proper topical numbing and/or nerve blocks where appropriate, the Active FX procedure is very well tolerated by patients.  We use forced air cooling in addition to numbing agents to increase patient comfort during the procedure.  Very rarely does a patient require an oral medication for pain control or relaxation during or after the procedure. 

Temporary burning and tingling sensation is common following fractionated laser resurfacing procedures, this subsides in 2-4 hours.  After this period, very little discomfort is felt, although swelling can occur for an additional couple of days, especially when areas such as the face are involved.  Continuing discomfort, redness, or swelling should be evaluated, as this may be an early sign of infection.

I caution the use of Deep FX on the neck and chest.  The density of hair follicles from which new skin cells are generated is sparse, and energy levels should be adjusted.  At our clinic, we only allow this procedure to be performed by board-certified physicians.

Same laser, different spot sizes. The bigger the spot size, the less deeply  the beam penetrates the skin. So the "Deep FX" spot size targets deeper lines, wrinkles, and scars, whereas the "Active FX" spot size targets pigments, superfical lines, etc.  By combining the two (Total FX) you can get  a dramatic treatment result with minimum downtime.

Some patients with severe lines and laxity still opt for  a "Max FX" (high powered Active FX). This has a longer downtime however.

Make sure you choose an experienced doctor, and they should choose the best settings for you.