How to Speed Your Recovery Time From Fraxel
Fraxel, a laser treatment for the skin, aims to reduce signs of aging such as lines and discoloration. As we age, collagen -- a major skin component -- becomes less flexible, leading to wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Fraxel treatment, according to a University of Missouri skin-care clinic, stimulates collagen to re-grow, producing a more youthful appearance. A patient may require around five treatment sessions over a 10-week period. Following treatment, the skin may be swollen, red and flaky, as if sunburned. Patients can take simple steps to minimize this skin irritation and speed their recovery following a Fraxel treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Ice packs
- Sunscreen that offers UVA protection
- Water
- Mild, non-soap skin cleanser
- Neutral barrier cream that does not contain alpha hydroxy acids
- Hypoallergenic moisturizer
- Sun hat
Instructions
-
-
1
Avoid using skin products such as Retin-A, Avage and retinols for at least a week before Fraxel treatment, according to the University of Missouri. You should also avoid chemical skin peels. This will ensure your skin is in the optimum state to make a speedy recovery after a Fraxel treatment.
-
2
Apply ice packs to the reddened area immediately after a Fraxel session to reduce swelling and redness. Fraxel practitioners recommend applying an ice pack for five to 10 minutes every two to three hours until the swelling subsides.
-
-
3
Apply sunscreen twice a day after your Fraxel treatment. The University of Missouri skin clinic advises you should maintain this regimen for six months following the final treatment session. According to dermatologist and UCLA Clinical Assistant Professor Susan Goodlerner in a 2007 Newsweek article, it's best to choose a sunscreen that offers protection against UVA rays.
-
4
Drink plenty of water before, during and after your treatment. Keeping yourself well hydrated should aid the skin-healing process, according to Fraxel practitioners at the JSPA Medical Day Spa.
-
5
Wash your face gently with warm water and a mild, non-soap skin cleanser. The JSPA Medical Day Spa advises that you should be able to wash your skin without problems in the evening of the same day you had the Fraxel treatment.
-
6
Smooth on a neutral barrier cream, such as Aquaphor, to deal with itchy or flaky skin. A hypoallergenic moisturizer can also be effective in dealing with redness or flaking. Do not scratch at irritated skin or pick away flakes of dead or reddened skin, as doing so may lead to scarring.
-
7
Wear a hat when outside to avoid exposing newly treated skin to direct sunlight. You should do this for at least three months after your final Fraxel session.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The Advanced Dermatology Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery advises that cosmetics can be applied without problems immediately after the procedure and that men can shave as normal following a Fraxel treatment.
Practitioners of Fraxel warn it is not suitable for women who are breastfeeding, or for anyone with an active skin infection.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit portrait of an old woman image by studio vision1 from Fotolia.com
