Cell By Cell Facial Makeover Offers New Approach to Eternal Beauty

More and more fantasy beauty solutions are becoming here-and-now realities. As society moves in the direction of looking for more subtle changes in their approach to cosmetic surgery, new and better lasers are beginning to surface on the market pushing their results to the limit, at the same time minimizing patient discomfort and downtime.

(PRWEB) June 24, 2005 -- "People want to look better and they don't want the downtime. They want changes that look natural rather than looking like a subject of the 'extreme makeover' programs but they DO want definite improvements."

Enter the new hybrid laser that offers a cell by cell makeover--- Fraxel. Hailed by CBS News as the top ten beauty breakthroughs for 2005, Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing, nicknamed Fraxel, is the latest high-powered resurfacing laser treatment approved by the FDA for wrinkles around the eyes, as well as age spots and rough skin. There is considerably less recovery time, redness and discomfort than other high-powered laser resurfacing procedures.

One of the secrets to the technology is that the fractional resurfacing only effects between 12 and 20 percent of the skin, which allows the other cells to assist in the healing process. Fraxels parent company, Reliant Tech indicates that the technology divides the skin into thousands of zones, and then targets just the unhealthy skin, sparing the healthy skin cells.

"Our patients have been thrilled with the results from Fraxel laser treatment. The procedure is well tolerated and most of our patients return to their normal activities the next day. The clinical success and patient satisfaction we've seen in a relatively short period of time is remarkable. As we continue to explore the versatility and functionality of this laser technology, I expect we will find more therapeutic and cosmetic applications for fractional resurfacing procedures." Says Dr Low Chai Ling, the first doctor in South East Asia to start using the Fraxel laser in her clinic in Singapore.

Fractional resurfacing with the Fraxel laser is a new concept where only a small percentage of the skin is actually treated," Dr. Low says.

With Fraxel resurfacing, small columns of the skin are heated and the collagen is denatured down to about 300-600 microns. If you look at the newsprint in a newspaper, each picture consists of a number of tiny dots that, when viewed from a reasonable distance, are not discernable. The same goes for the Fraxel Laser Treatment where there are literally millions of very small laser treatment zones distributed across the face. The procedure involves application of a blue colorant to the skin, and a topical anesthetic. As Dr. Low states, The laser uses the blue colorant as a 'mouse pad and tracks movement of the skin. It then removes tiny dots of damaged skin at a time, much like pixels on a digital photograph." Whats unique is that each tiny treatment spot cannot be viewed with the unaided eye.

"The majority of the surrounding skin is left completely untouched. This allows the skin to heal in from the sides rather than only from underneath. It heals very, very quickly and there is no significant downtime," she says.

"By performing multiple treatments over the area, you can cover the majority of the surface - and get very impressive results without the downtime." The results are cumulative and the results long lasting.

The innovative Fraxel Laser is specially designed to dramatically alter the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin regenerating the coveted youthful glow with amazing results, minimal discomfort and very little downtime. Think of it like Adobe Photoshop for your skin, the Fraxel Laser repairs and restores the skin spot by spot, or pixel by pixel" notes Dr. Low. With each treatment, about 20% of the skin is repaired, leaving the remaining 80% untouched. This accounts for the minimal recovery period.

What does the Fraxel laser treat? The Fraxel Laser Treatment improves wrinkles and photodamage and as well as uneven pigmentation such as age spots and sun spots on the face, neck, chest and even hands. But that is not all, there are also inprovements in acne scars and reduction in acne as well. The results we have seen for acne scars, wrinkles and photodamage are remarkable. There is no other laser that can achieve such dramatic benefits with such low risks or little interruption to patients routine activities," adds Dr. Low.

Unlike the other ablative lasers already on the market, which remove the top layer of skin, the Fraxel produces tiny, microscopic areas of thermal wounds in a dot-like grid, leaving areas of untouched healthy skin in between. According to Dr. Low, The Fraxel is different because it leaves alone the healthy cells in the untouched areas promoting microscopic rapid healing of the entire area. For optimal results, patients receive a series of 3-5 treatments, spaced two-weekly. Each treatment takes roughly 20-30 minutes. It is several steps ahead of the existing lasers and photofacials available today".

Another benefit to Fraxel treatment is its abbreviated treatment regimen. While traditional ablative treatment can take months to achieve maximum results, Fraxel usually takes only three to five treatments with redness lasting usually one to two days. In addition, results are both immediate and progressive; most patients see improvements after the first session, but results continue to build as the collagen regenerates over the course of several weeks.
In addition to shortening the treatment period, Fraxel"s technology also cuts down on the pain, disfigurement and healing time of laser treatments. "The reduction of both short-term and long-term side effects usually associated with an ablative approach is perhaps the most significant factor for patients who choose the Fraxel treatment," Dr. Low says. "Their quality of life is vastly improved -- they can resume their normal activities the next day, and can even apply light makeup to the area immediately after treatment." As first doctor in Southeast Asia to offer Fraxel, Dr. Low notes that the new treatment is also usually less costly than other laser and even non-laser anti-aging options. As improvement is gradual and progressive patients like that the results are very natural looking unlike facelifts and other aggressive surgical procedures, yet the results are still much more apparent than the milder and older non-ablative options like IPL etc.

So if you have always wished you could touch up your skin the way you can with a digital picture? Then wait no longer. Mdm Kwok, 45, a patient of Dr Low Chai Ling from The Sloane Clinic is a big fan of the Fraxel laser treatment. The Singaporean mother of two said Fraxel did just that for her -- it erased years of sun damage and wrinkles with a simple "zap."

"After the first (treatment), it was such a huge, amazing change that I was a believer," she said. "It didn't hurt at all. There was one part I was laughing because it was tickling me. And so many things about my face improved, from my pigmentation to my fine lines to my skin texture."

Dr Low Chai Ling is a fraxel certified physician practicing at The Sloane Clinic in Singapore.

The Sloane Clinic branches are located at :
CitySphere branch: 30 Raffles Place #03-01 Caltex House, Tel: 65-6533 2522 and
VillageSpace branch: 43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-66 Chip Bee Gardens, Tel: 65-6471 1108

To find out more about Fraxel and the doctor, please visit www.sloaneclinic.com

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