FRAXEL VERSUS THE NEWER FRACTIONATED CO2 LASER LOS ANGELES/PASADENA COSMETIC SURGERY
This friend is considering having a fractionated CO2 laser treatment. In consideration for letting me use his photo, it's at no charge. This photo was taken in the Sierra.
Fraxel is a laser that delivers very small amounts of energy to the face and has been used for non-invasive treatments to the face for several years. In fact, it has almost been a fad and the name Fraxel has been taken by the laymen to denote many of the popular non-invasive treatments. In fact, for the high expense and the minimal result, it is my opinion after experience with the fractionated CO2 laser that the Fraxel is not worth all the money and height that has been spent on it. The new fractionated CO2 lasers including our new SMARTXIDEDOT®, are more effective and produce very little in the way of long term problems or complications.
The best thing about these lasers is that although a moderate recovery is necessary, the complication rate is very low. In other words, darkening or lightening of the skin is not seen often and it is generally very mild if it occurs. Scarring is almost unheard of when the laser is used properly. And for pigmentary problems, our laser and this group of lasers is excellent. See DrYoho.com for another article about CO2 fractionated laser.
Wrinkles are improved somewhat, but this requires a deep treatment. The most important concept about laser and peels and skin work on the face is that the more aggressive treatments will yield a more aggressive result or a better result and somewhat higher risks for complications. Less aggressive treatments in my opinion do almost nothing and this includes micro-dermabrasion, which has very little to no long-term benefits.
Wrinkles are improved somewhat, but this requires a deep treatment. The most important concept about laser and peels and skin work on the face is that the more aggressive treatments will yield a more aggressive result or a better result and somewhat higher risks for complications. Less aggressive treatments in my opinion do almost nothing and this includes micro-dermabrasion, which has very little to no long-term benefits.
In any case, the fractionated CO2 laser does thousands of tiny treatments to a given surface of the face, spraying the face with laser treatments, leaving bridges in between the treated areas. We use this for both Fresno laser treatments and for Pasadena/Los Angeles laser treatments, as we transport the laser to the Central Valley for cosmetic surgery there. These tiny laser treatments are actually pits or holes in the skin, which will heal and through this healing process improvement occurs. Typically, the patients have a little flaking for 4 to 5 days, some redness, and do not need any time off unless they cannot explain away the redness to their coworkers as a sunburn. We recommend just Cetaphil treatment as the only necessary cream treatment for the face during the first few days. Makeup can likely be reapplied on day 4, although this varies on the depth of the treatment.
Now when you request a fractionated laser treatment at our Pasadena or Fresno/Visalia area office, we are happy to provide a deeper treatment or a more superficial treatment. It does not take much longer and we are happy to not charge any more for a more aggressive fractionated laser treatment. This is certainly much more aggressive than the Fraxel laser in general. You will have a bit of a tougher recovery however so plan accordingly, but there is no extra charge.
Dr. Yoho has patients come from Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Encino, Huntington Park, Studio City, Arcadia, Montrose, Hollywood, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge, Valencia, Monrovia, Eagle Rock, Altadena, San Marino, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks, North Hollywood, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Calabasas, Palmdale, Fresno, Visalia, Northridge, and Westlake Village, and Simi Valley to have their appearance improved with our special surgical technique. Our Cosmetic Surgery center in Pasadena, California specializes primarily in Cosmetic Surgery including breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, cosmetic facelifts, forehead lift, Chin and jowl liposuction, Eyelid Surgery and other body contouring procedures. The center is lead by expert Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Yoho, who has passed the Boards in Cosmetic Surgery and is dedicated to providing high quality yet affordable cosmetic surgery options for his patients and being the best cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills.
