What Is Fraxel® Laser?
Those seeking advanced skin resurfacing procedures, such as Fraxel® in Chantilly, can benefit from premier laser therapy at The Virginia Institute For Surgical Arts. Fraxel® emits monochromatic light waves to treat sections of the skin in vertical columns, leaving the skin in between the columns untraumatized. Fraxel® laser treatments are designed to treat between 5-35 percent of the skin’s surface leaving the remaining 65-95 percent to stimulate the production of healthier skin to replace damaged tissue. Because the fractionation is at a microscopic level, it appears as if the whole skin surface has been treated and Fraxel® is extremely accurate making treatments safe for even delicate areas including the neck, chest, and hands.
The term “Fraxel” comes from the fact that Fraxel® lasers operate using fractional light technology as opposed to light technology on a uniform plane older CO2 lasers systems used. Fraxel® technology is superior to competing laser treatments because it is able to precisely treat the targeted microscopic areas of the skin using pinpoint laser beams that penetrate the surface to extinguish old skin cells. Fraxel® laser systems deliver the potency of ablative treatments with the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers so you get dramatic results with less downtime. Fraxel® Laser Science
- Epidermis (outer layer of your skin)
- Dermis (sub-layers of your skin that includes collagen and elastin)
- Microscopic Laser Columns (rebuilding skin from the inside out)
Understanding The Different Fraxel® Laser Treatments
The Virginia Institute of Surgical Arts, under the direction of Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, M.D. (Dr. V), is proud to offer three of the currently available Fraxel® treatments. Solta Medical, Inc. is a global leader in the aesthetics market and since 2002, almost one million Fraxel® procedures have been performed safely on patients in over one hundred countries around the world. Fraxel® is a proven laser technology for patients who want to reverse the visible effects of aging without the extended downtime and recovery that comes with cosmetic surgery.
Dr. V understands that your genetic makeup and personal history contribute to how your skin looks and feels and she will develop a treatment plan with Fraxel® that fits your specific needs and fits into your busy schedule. Fraxel® Re:pair® Treatment
The Fraxel® re:pair® treatment is designed for patients in their late 30s-70s seeking treatment for deeper wrinkles and firmer skin without surgery. The newest product in the Fraxel® family, the Fraxel® re:pair® system is the industry’s first and only Fractional Deep Dermal Ablation (FDDA) treatment that leads to tissue contraction, tightening, and collagen remodeling. During an FDDA treatment, the skin is ablated and coagulated in deep columns called Microscopic Treatment Zones (MTZ) and the Fraxel® re:pair laser’s advanced high speed optics can deliver thousands of MTZs making it faster than other ablative fractional devices. The strongest treatment in the Fraxel® family, Fraxel® re:pair is a more aggressive procedure used to treat the most severe signs of skin damage. It is also the only system clinically demonstrated to create zones of treatment beyond 1.5 mm that are spaced evenly across the skin’s surface providing tissue tightening. Fraxel® re:pair utilizes carbon dioxide laser beams to not only diminish wrinkles, smooth rough skin, and improve discoloration: in addition Fraxel® re:pair tightens skin because of the increased new collagen found in the dermis.
Fraxel® Re:fine™
The Fraxel® DUAL Laser
What Conditions Does Fraxel® Address?
A Fraxel® laser treatment is a cosmetic procedure that is designed to treat facial skin problems such as lines, wrinkles, damage caused by overexposure to the sun, and scarring from acne. Fraxel® laser treatments not only treat superficial problems of the skin, they also trigger the mechanisms within the skin that naturally fight the signs of aging. When projected into the skin, the laser helps rejuvenate the cells in the tissue stimulating the body to produce more collagen, which is responsible for giving the skin its youthful, resilient appearance. Fraxel® Re:pair Treats:
- Age-related deep lines
- Hard-to-erase lip lines
- Pronounced photo damage
- Sagging face and neck skin
- Moderate to severe wrinkles
- Irregular texture and tone
- Age and brown spots
- Fine lines around the eyes
- Rhytides
- Pigmented lesions
- Textural irregularities
- Furrows
Fraxel® Re:fine Treats
- Pigmented lesions
- Periorbital fine lines
- Melasma
- Skin texture
- Skin discolorations
- Skin tone
- Overall skin rejuvenation
- Minor skin damage
- Brown spots
- Pigmented birthmarks
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Age spots
Fraxel® DUAL Treats:
- Periorbital wrinkles (wrinkles around the eyes)
- Age spots
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Pigmented lesions
- Melasma (irregular patches of brown skin on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and nose)
- Actinic Keratoses (precancerous lesions)
- Skin resurfacing
- Tone and texture
- Unwanted brown spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
Fraxel® Laser Before and After
Curious about Fraxel laser treatments? View our patients from the Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts’ stunning skin transformations, often where other treatments fell short.
Why Choose Dr. V for Fraxel® Laser?
Dr. V is a trusted reconstructive facial plastic surgeon based in Chantilly, VA with a national reputation for excellence. She combines advanced technical expertise with personalized care.
Each laser procedure that uses Fraxel® in Chantilly is customized to your skin’s condition, your age, and your lifestyle, as well as cosmetic and structural best approaches for long-term health. Every session is designed to ensure minimal Fraxel laser downtime and transparent Fraxel laser price guidance.
Fraxel laser treatments with Dr. V means experiencing all of the following:
- Extensive training. Dr. V’s double-board certification and fellowship training signify exception care and place her among an elite group of facial plastic surgeons in the USA.
- Plans catered to your skin needs, from anti-aging to scar or epidermal lesion reduction.
- Comprehensive pre- and post-treatment care so you feel seen and supported between sessions.
State-of-the-art equipment in a serene medical spa setting, including all three leading Fraxel laser modalities.
Your Fraxel® Laser Treatment in Chantilly, VA
Fraxel® lasers have received multiple FDA clearances and have been found safe and effective in treating many areas of the face and body. Dr. V will personalize your Fraxel® program in Chantilly, VA to meet your individual expectations and the number of treatments you need will depend on your overall goals and lifestyle.
Although you will see a difference after only one session, clinical studies suggest that on average an effective treatment regimen is 3-5 sessions spaced approximately four weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive with the optimal outcome visible in six months and how long your improvements last is dependent on how you care for your new skin. Fraxel® Consultation
Preparing For Fraxel®
How Many Fraxel® Treatments Will I Need?
Fraxel® Results
Fraxel® Re:Pair Treatment
Fraxel® Re:Fine Treatment
Fraxel® Dual Treatment
Fraxel® Laser Ideal Candidates
You may be a good candidate for Fraxel® if you have any of the following:
- Wrinkles or fine lines
- Irregular skin texture
- Pigmented lesions
- Sun spots or vascular dyschromia (sun-induced redness)
- Age spots
- Scar tissue buildup
Fraxel® Laser Downtime and Recovery
Benefits of Fraxel® Laser Treatments
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles for markedly smoother skin.
- Improves skin texture and tone.
- Minimizes acne scars and surgical scars.
- Treats sun damage and age spots where other lasers might be too harsh.
- Stimulates collagen production for long-term tighter, bouncier skin.
- Safe for nearly all skin types and tones, including darker skins.
- A quick recovery with minimal post-Fraxel® laser downtime, with most patients returning to normal activities the same day of treatment.
- Non-invasive way to enhance total skin radiance and health.
- Natural-looking results lasting 1+ year or more.
Risks of Fraxel®
Complementary Treatments with Fraxel® in Chantilly, VA
Fraxel® treatments can be safely paired well with other skin-health treatments, often maximizing results. In some cases, these complementary treatments can be performed on the same day, minimizing any laser downtimes and treatment recovery.
These treatment combinations, alongside Fraxel® lasers, can enhance skin’s texture, brightness, tone, and overall appearance for comprehensive skin resurfacing rejuvenation.
Microneedling with PRP
Microneedling stimulates collagen, while the added applied formula of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) accelerates skin’s healing and final dewey glow. Combined with Fraxel®, microneedling can dramatically improve skin’s texture and also reduce the appearance and color of raised scars.
Hyperpigmentation Chemical Peels
Chemical peels (derma peeling, chemexfoliation) are often combined with Fraxel® DUAL laser or Fraxel® re-pair laser treatments to exfoliate the skin and promote cellular turnover and growth. The results? Amplified skin brightness and smoothness for an advanced refreshed look.
Botox® Injections
Botox’s neurotoxin formula relaxes facial muscles, reducing dynamic wrinkles. Combined with Fraxel’s® resurfacing, it offers a comprehensive anti-aging solution targeting both surface and deeper dermal wrinkle formation.
Dermal Fillers
Fillers offer potent volume restoration to key facial areas like the cheeks and lips. When used alongside Fraxel®, fillers can create a balanced, youthful appearance by addressing both texture and volume loss, all while amplifying the natural contours of your face.
Book a Consultation
Schedule your consultation with Dr. V today to explore if Fraxel® laser technology is the right treatment for your skin concerns.
Learn More About Fraxel® Dual Lasers
Click through our blog articles to dive deeper into the benefits of laser skin resurfacing treatments.
FAQ
In the decade since Fraxel® first pioneered true fractional laser technology, physicians around the world have treated more than 800,000 men and women from all walks of life including all ethnicities. At the Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts, Dr. V has deployed over a decade of fractional laser treatments successfully for her patients, including Fraxel® Chantilly treatments geared specifically for patients in and around our community.
Unlike traditional laser devices, Fraxel® brand laser systems treat microscopic volumes of skin with each unique pulse, leaving the surrounding area intact but stimulating the body’s own capacity to heal quickly. Other laser treatments offer a similar approach in terms of underlying laser-emitting medical technology, but affect a wider surface area, leading to greater treatment recovery windows.
The length of a Fraxel® Chantilly procedure depends on the size, location, and condition of the area to be treated. Sixty minutes prior to a Fraxel® treatment, your skin will be cleansed and numbed with a topical anesthetic ointment and typically the procedure takes 20-30 minutes for a full face.
You will be instructed to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and avoid direct sun exposure while you are healing (at least three months). This gives Fraxel® laser treatments’ targeting your epidermal layers an adequate and full healing timeline.
No, most patients do not report pain in their Fraxel® laser reviews. A topical anesthesia will be applied before the procedure and cold air will be used on the treatment area during the procedure to minimize discomfort. After treatment, most patients report a slight tingling sensation similar to a sunburn, but this usually subsides in 1-3 hours.
All Fraxel® laser treatments use fractional technology to heal your skin from the inside out but they have different levels of intensity. The range of Fraxel® procedures vary in aggressiveness, downtime, results, and the number of treatments needed. The most aggressive procedure is Fraxel® re:pair, which produces dramatic improvement for severely damaged skin. Less aggressive treatments, like Fraxel® re:store, can produce significant results for mild to moderately damaged skin over the course of 3-6 treatments. When considering which Fraxel® option is best for you, Dr. V will evaluate your skin conditions and tailor a plan to meet your circumstances and lifestyle.
Written by Dr. V.
Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen (“Dr. V”) is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in advanced cosmetic and reconstructive facial procedures in Northern Virginia.
