Vancouver Fraxel^® DUAL laser treatments (in Surrey)

The Fraxel^® DUAL is a mid-level, non-ablative skin resurfacing laser meant for improving skin tone, texture and fine lines. It can also be used for scarring treatments.

Generally, at our Vancouver-area laser clinic, Fraxel^® DUAL is used for cases of:

• Sun damage, such as brown spots, age spots, sun spots and the like
• Actinic Keratosis (AK) lesions from prolonged sun exposure
• Scar reduction, such as for acne scars or surgical scars
• Stretch marks
• General anti-aging treatments (such as for wrinkles)

However, depending on the case, we may use other machines that either go deeper, or more shallowly into the skin. For example, a fractional CO2 laser that does a more comprehensive job may be needed. The pros and cons of each option must be balanced against the results desired, and the downtime that can ensue afterwards.

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The Fraxel^® DUAL works by creating very tiny punctures in the skin. These punctures are scientifically called “microthermal zones.” About 1,000 – 2,000 microthermal zones are created per square centimetre during a Fraxel® treatment.

The Fraxel^® laser is described as non-ablative, because it doesn’t leave the surface of the skin open and ‘raw,’ the way an Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) or non-fractional CO2 laser works.

Instead, lasered skin cells remain in the ‘holes’ that were created during treatment. After treatment, those cells die off. The body slowly, and naturally, ejects the dead skin cells. It then replaces them with renewed skin and collagen.

Thus, you are left with 15 – 20% new, healthy and supple-looking skin. This process takes about 4 – 8 weeks to complete. A series of treatments can ensue for better and better results.

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When you arrive for your appointment, we will cleanse your skin and apply a numbing cream on the area to be treated. About 1 hour later, we will remove the numbing cream and begin the Fraxel^® laser treatment. We will go over the area, pulse-by-pulse, multiple times. Each pulse will cover about 1 cm in diameter.

Depending on how big of an area you would like treated, a single session can last between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. For example, a facial treatment could take 45 to 60 minutes. But the face, neck and chest together could take up to 1.5 hours.

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The treatment will feel like pins and needles being poked into the skin. It may also feel hot. There will be cold air blown alongside the pulses to help reduce this sensation. Pain is described as mild to moderate by those who have undergone a Fraxel^® laser treatment.

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The number of treatments you’ll need for your specific condition can vary. For example, deep acne scarring and red colouring on the skin may require 6 or more treatments. But lighter coloured brown spots may take under 5 treatments.

To give a very general idea, most patients need around 3 to 5 treatments, every 2 to 4 weeks. The exact schedule for your condition is best determined after an in-person, professional consultation at our clinic.

You should start to see results as soon as one week after your first treatment. Your skin may appear noticeably smoother and less blotchy.

After about 2 – 3 months of going through a regular treatment schedule, you’ll start to see better and better results. Sometimes, people see results after 3 to 6 months. This is because it takes time for your body to push out the dead skin cells, and make way for new ones.

During treatments and after, you should be taking very good care of your skin, in order to see long-lasting results. This means wearing high-SPF sunscreen, and avoiding UV exposure.

The actual length of Fraxel^® laser effectiveness will ultimately depend on your genetic aging process. That said, results can sometimes last years after a course of treatments, with perhaps only an annual maintenance session required.

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There is not a lot of downtime with a Fraxel^® laser treatment. However, that is not to say there is no downtime. However, the healing time goes by much faster than with ablative or deeper-penetrating lasers.

The immediate, post-treatment effect on the skin is similar to the feeling of getting a sunburn.

Other redness, swelling and peeling can last for around 1 week on the face. On the neck and chest, these after effects can last 10 days to 2 weeks.

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The cost for a Fraxel^® laser treatment in Surrey can vary depending on the condition being treated. We will first take a look at the size of the area, and the depth of skin damage or discolouration. This will determine not only how long a single treatment can take, but also how many sessions are required.

To get a general idea of pricing for Fraxel^® treatments, please fill out the form above, and click on ‘Submit.’ Please remember that any pricing we give you online is only a guide. A consultation at our clinic can give you a more accurate quote.