The smooth Fraxis!

In an era of perfect faces and bodies, your neck and hands can give away your true age if it’s wrinkled, sagging or covered with age spots. Youthfulness not only indicates beauty but vitality and good health as well. Besides, it is not easy to keep your neck and hands hidden at all times. 

Fraxis duo involves laser resurfacing using fractional carbon dioxide laser. This involves using pixelated shots of laser beams to create multiple tiny holes, or “micro-injuries” to the skin, in a controlled and even manner. This leaves areas of uninjured skin in between the tiny holes. Injury triggers the skin’s natural wound healing response, which leads to improved circulation to the skin, along with the formation of fresh collagen tissue which restores the skin’s youthful thickness and elasticity. The laser treatment also generates enough tissue heat to cause shrinkage or ‘remodelling’ of the existing skin collagen, which also translates into a skin tightening and lifting effect. 

Some of the celebs that have used this treatment are Courtney Cox,  Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Cameron Diaz.

One to three treatment session are generally required to achieve the maximal results. The treatments are done at monthly intervals. At the end of the treatment, the skin appears smoother, tighter, less pigmented, and with fewer lines and wrinkles. The Fraxis Duo device has a surgical handpiece as well, which can get rid of unsightly moles, skin tags or warts.

Pros: Most patients are looking for non-invasive or semi-invasive treatments for cosmetic indications. There is no need for local or general anaesthesia.  No need for hospitalisation or wheeling into an operation theatre. No tell-tale marks or scars of a facelift. No risk of bleeding or bruising.  The downtime is minimal. Laser resurfacing is also cost-effective, despite the multiple sessions. 

Cons: Laser resurfacing could be risky in very dark skin types. However, the Fraxis Duo device also offers Microneedling Radio frequency technology. This technology offers laser resurfacing in a colour-blind technique, as they are gentler on the skin compared to carbon dioxide lasers. The area to be treated is coated with generous layers of a skin numbing cream. It is then covered with tape or wraps and left for 60-90 minutes before the skin is rendered numb. The patient is now comfortable during the treatment, which usually takes 45-60 minutes. 

Post-treatment, the skin will look flushed and slightly swollen. Your doctor will recommend anti-septic creams, sunscreen and skin-repairing creams for the next three to five days, to allow speedy recovery of the resurfaced skin. Sun avoidance is recommended for a period of three days. Treatment cost varies from Rs 8,000 to 15,000 depending upon the area of the treated.

Dr Sunaina Hameed is a city-based cosmetic dermatologist.