ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Fraxel treatment is a revolutionary laser treatment that helps you to remove years from your appearance. Fraxel is the pioneer of "fractional photothermolysis," a technology in which thousands of microscopic laser columns - each just one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle - treat a fraction of the skin at a time without affecting the surrounding tissue. These laser columns stimulate the production of younger, smoother, healthier skin to replace damaged tissue.

Traditionally, two kinds of laser treatment have been available for cosmetic skin treatment: ablative and non-ablative. Typical ablative treatments, which use a high temperature to vaporize unwanted tissue, can be effective—but with significant side effects and several weeks of recovery time. Non-ablative treatments, meanwhile, have very few side effects and low downtime, but they commonly require numerous treatments to produce more modest results.

Fraxel laser treatment delivers the potency of ablative treatments with the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers. So you get the best of both worlds: dramatic results and less downtime.

The Fraxel family of products has three treatments, all delivering remarkable results safely with fast recovery. The three Fraxel treatments fall into two categories:

• Non-ablative
• Fraxel re:fine^® treatment—for prevention and maintenance
• Fraxel re:store^® treatment—for mild to severe skin damage

As non-ablative laser treatments, Fraxel re:fine treatment and Fraxel re:store treatment can improve mild to moderate skin damage with little to no downtime.

• Ablative
• Fraxel re:pair^® treatment—for the most severe skin damage

Fraxel re:pair treatment is a revolutionary new way to correct the most severe skin damage—without the degree of risks, complications and prolonged downtime of other ablative procedures. Fraxel re:pair treatment uses a high-intensity carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser to vaporize unwanted tissue, but thanks to fractional technology, the treatment delivers dramatic results with dramatically faster recovery time than non-fractional treatments—all in a single treatment.

Fraxel re:fine treatment targets age spots/sunspots, fine lines around the eyes, and other pigment irregularities such as melasma and uneven skin tone. The treatment uses microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen. And since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing. You will have minimal downtime, and you’ll have very little swelling or redness. Unlike treatments such as IPL or microdermabrasion, which target a very superficial layer of your skin, Fraxel re:fine treatment actually resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.

• Smoother, fresher, younger-looking looking skin
• Improved tone and texture
• Erasing of unwanted brown spots
• Reduced fine lines around the eyes

• Fine lines around the eyes (periorbital fine lines)
• Age spots/sunspots (pigmented lesions)
• Melasma (irregular patches of brown skin on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and nose)
• Skin resurfacing

First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, about 60 minutes prior to treatment, a topical anesthetic ointment will be applied to the treatment area. The Fraxel re:fine procedure takes 20 to 25 minutes for a full face.

Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 4 to 6 sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending on your condition and schedule, you and the physician may choose to space treatment sessions further apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allow for complete healing and the production of new collagen and elastin to replace damaged tissue.

Most patients describe a "prickling" sensation during treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure and cold air is used on the treatment area during the procedure. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn, which usually diminishes in 1 to 3 hours.

During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel like it’s sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. You can wear make-up to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two, and as you continue treatment, the sunburned-to-bronzed appearance will repeat. As with a sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Use a moisturizer to reduce the appearance of dry flakes.

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel re:fine treatment. Any swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a day or two, and any redness typically fades within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. There is a very limited risk of infection, hyperpigmentation, or scarring. The intensity and duration of side effects depend on the aggressiveness of treatment and on your particular healing characteristics. Your physician will provide specific instructions about what to expect and how to minimize any side effects. Please see our committment to safety statement for a list of potential side effects.

Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.

It depends on your particular condition and how you care for your skin. Once your skin is treated, continue to protect it as described above. For conditions such as melasma, it is very important to avoid direct sun exposure. Your physician will give you specific advice based on your individual needs.

Depending on your condition and the areas to be treated, in the U.S. the cost ranges from $750 to $1,000 per treatment. Keep in mind that maximum benefit is usually achieved in 4 to 6 treatment sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart.

Fraxel re:store laser treatment targets aging and sun-damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen. And since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing. Fraxel re:store treatment resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.

• Smoother, fresher, younger-looking looking skin
• Improved tone and texture
• Erasing of unwanted brown spots
• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
• Improved appearance of acne scars and surgical scars

• Wrinkles around the eyes (periorbital wrinkles)
• Acne scars
• Surgical scars
• Age spots/sunspots (pigmented lesions)
• Melasma (irregular patches of brown skin on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and nose)
• Actinic Keratoses (precancerous lesions)
• Skin resurfacing

First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, about 60 minutes prior to treatment, a topical anesthetic ointment will be applied to the treatment area. The Fraxel re:store procedure takes 20 to 25 minutes for a full face.

Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending on your condition and schedule, you and the physician may choose to space treatment sessions further apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allow for complete healing and the production of new collagen and elastin to replace damaged tissue.

Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure and cold air is used on the treatment area during the procedure. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn, which usually diminishes in 1 to 3 hours.

During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. You can wear make-up to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two, and as you continue treatment, the sunburned-to-bronzed appearance will repeat. As with a sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Use a moisturizer to reduce the appearance of dry flakes.

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel re:store treatment. Any swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a day or two, and any redness typically fades within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. There is a limited risk of infection, hyperpigmentation, or scarring. The intensity and duration of side effects depend on the aggressiveness of treatment and on your particular healing characteristics. Your physician will provide specific instructions about what to expect and how to minimize any side effects. Please see our committment to safety statement for a list of potential side effects.

Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.

It depends on your particular condition and how you care for your skin. Once your skin is treated, continue to protect it as described above. For conditions such as melasma, it is very important to avoid direct sun exposure. Your physician will give you specific advice based on your individual needs.

Depending on your condition and the areas to be treated, in the U.S. the cost ranges from $750 to $1,500 per treatment. Keep in mind that maximum benefit is usually achieved with an average of 3 to 5 treatment sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart.

Fraxel re:pair treatment is a revolutionary new way to correct deeper wrinkles and tighten skin. Fraxel re:pair treatment also has a much lower risk of scarring or delayed pigment changes than other ablative procedures. Fraxel re:pair treatment is a safe and effective way to remove years from your appearance.

Like some other ablative procedures, Fraxel re:pair laser treatment uses a high-intensity carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser to vaporize unwanted tissue. But unlike other ablative procedures, Fraxel re:pair treatment uses fractional technology to deliver dramatic results with dramatically faster recovery time—all in a single treatment. Fraxel re:pair treatment uses thousands of microscopic laser columns to penetrate deep into the skin and remove old, damaged skin cells. This stimulates your body’s own natural healing process, which replaces the cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin. Because the technology is so precise, Fraxel re:pair treatment works not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands.

Both Fraxel re:pair treatment and Fraxel re:store treatment use fractional technology, but in different ways. As an ablative procedure, Fraxel re:pair treatment uses a carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser to vaporize microscopic columns of tissue deep within the skin. Fraxel re:pair treatment is the more agressive procedure and is used to treat the most severe skin damage, results are achieved in a single treatment and involves wound care recovery time is generally longer than other Fraxel treatments. Fraxel re:store treatment, on the other hand, is a non-ablative technique that intensively treats older skin cells while leaving the skin’s protective barrier intact, this results in less downtime and need for post-treatment wound care.

• Significant results in a single treatment
• Smoother, more even skin tone and texture
• Softening of deep frown lines and wrinkles
• Improved appearance of redness caused by sun damage

Fraxel re:pair laser has received FDA clearance for many indications on and off the face, including:

• Wrinkles
• Irregular texture
• Age spots/sunspots (pigmented lesions)
• Sun-induced redness (vascular dyschromia)

Clinical studies suggest that for most people, maximum results are realized in just one treatment. The Fraxel re:pair treatment was specifically engineered to enable your physician to tailor the treatment to your particular needs. If you have deep, severe sun damage, your physician may treat the skin more aggressively, which can mean a week of downtime. No matter what your situation is, Fraxel re:pair treatment can produce remarkable results without the prolonged recovery time and complications of other non-fractional procedures.

First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, 60 to 90 minutes prior to treatment, a topical numbing agent will be applied to the treatment area. Your physician may also choose to give you another medication, such as Ativan, to relax you. Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment, and there may be some discomfort or pain. However, unlike the experience in traditional CO₂ treatments, you will feel quite comfortable immediately after a Fraxel re:pair treatment. The procedure takes approximately 30-40 minutes for a full face.

Depending upon the aggressiveness of your treatment, there might be some pinpoint bleeding following the procedure, as well as some oozing for up to 48 hours until the wounds close. The most common side effects are edema (swelling), which usually subsides after a week, and erythema (redness), which may last up to a month, depending on the aggressiveness of treatment. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, oozing and crusting. There is a risk of, and there have been reported cases of, delayed wound healing, infection, pigmentary changes (hyperpigmentation) or scarring. Please see our committment to safety statement for a list of potential side effects.

Follow your physician’s advice on wound care, which is essential for your skin to heal properly. Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.

The results of Fraxel re:pair treatment are both immediate and progressive. Soon after the treatment, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter and show more even tone. The next 3 to 6 months will bring more improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to heal.

Depending on your condition and the areas to be treated, in the U.S. cost of the treatment ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.