What is Fraxel Restore?

Fraxel Restore is the original Fraxel erbium laser.  Fraxel Dual is the updated Restore and contains both an erbium and a thulium laser.  Both are fractionated which means they treat a fraction of the surface of the skin and leave skip areas in between.  That allows healing to progress more quickly than if the entire surface were treated.  Recovery from a Fraxel Restore (erbium ) or Dual(erbium alone, thulium alone or erbium plus thulium) treatment  generally takes 3 - 5 days.  If the erbium alone is used, the patient experiences redness, swelling and a sandpaper feel to the skin for about 3 days.  If the thulium alone is used, the redness and swelling are a little less and the skin develops a bronze appearance that peels starting on day 2 that generally clears by day 5.  If both are used, the experience combines the two.Fraxel Dual is a great treatment for photoaging on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands.  It can be used to improve color, texture and even actinic keratoses (precancerous skin lesions).  It also works well for as well as acne scars and stretch marks.  The number of treatments necessary to get the results you want depends on the degree of what needs treatment.  In general scars and stretch marks require more treatments than wrinkles, but deep wrinkles will need multiple treatments.  Tightening of thin skinned areas like the eyelids is seen after even one treatment.  To see tightening of the jowels or neck, expect a series of 3 to 5 treatments.Generally patients relax with topical anesthetic in the office for 1 - 2 hours, then the procedure takes 15 - 30 minutes.  It will feel like a sunburn.  Treatment with topical ice, keeping well hydrating internally and most importantly externally is key to healing quickly. Makeup can be worn immediately.   Although some patients will return to work the next day, the first two days the swelling is most signficant.  Most patients wait 3 - 4 days to return to work and social responsiblities.  I recommend planning treatment so that you have at least a week until something very important when you must look your best
I hope this answer was helpful.  Best wishes.

Fraxel restore uses a patented technology to target damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into the skin. You can expect smoother, fresher looking skin. Improved tone and texture reduced wrinkles around the eyes. It is also used to improve the appearance of acne and surgical scars. Usually four treatments are the ideal. You will have some swelling but you will be able to go back to work the following day.