Amazing hand rejuvenation using ActiveFX Fraxel at www.scarlasers.com

65 year old patient treated with Fraxel.  Four week after treatment photo.

WWW.NEWHOPELASER.COM

scars erased at www.newhopelaser.com

This is a 75 year old lady who had Moh's surgery.  Her scar was resurfaced 2 months after the procedure.  The "after" photo was taken one month after the resurfacing with fractal laser.

Laser Scars Away at www.dermcard.com

Fraxel Review.   www.erasemyscar.com

Summary:

Fraxel is a skin laser treatment for men and women that is found at many spas and clinics all over the United States. The draw to this procedure is that it is supposed to be non-invasive, so there should be no downtime. This treatment is made for anyone who has aggressive facial wrinkles, intense sun damage, obvious dark spots, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, crow’s feet, or other scarring. This is supposed to revitalize your skin and bring back your youthful radiance. There are four different choices in these treatments, which are a refine treatment, a restore treatment, a repair treatment, and the Skin Ecology System. The refine treatment is used to prevent skin damage, the restore treatment is for medium to more serious sun damage, and the repair treatment is for intense skin conditions and excessive sun damage. The Skin Ecology System is designed for care post-treatment. There are pictures found on the website, and they offer customer reviews and stories on the website as well. The website does provide further information about what your skin looks like and how it can potentially be damaged in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Product Details:

This is an advanced anti aging skin care treatment, which does need to be administered by a professional. There is no downtime needed, and you do have to find a doctor in your area who can administer the treatment to you. There is a doctor locator tool on the website. The use of these treatments is for aggressive wrinkles, sun damage, scarring, or hyperpigmentation. There is no information about a money back guarantee since it is something that is administered in a spa or clinical environment.

Fraxel Pros:

• This is a professional procedure, and it will be administered by a physician.
• There are patient reviews and stories, as well as pictures of results from the treatment.

Fraxel Cons:

• These are professional treatments, so you cannot do them at home.
• They also do not offer any type of refund if you are dissatisfied with your procedure.
• There is little information about potential side effects from undergoing the treatment.
• There is also no price for the treatment listed on the website because you do have to go through your own doctor.

Overall Impression

Some individuals may find that this is a great laser skin treatment for them because it offers quick results for excessive wrinkling, sun damage, or sagging skin. However, it is going to be much more expensive than any at-home treatment. If you are looking for an affordable and advanced skin care product to take home with you, that it would be best to keep looking for a quality anti aging product that meets your needs. For instance, look for ingredients like Argireline and Collagen to apply topically to your skin at home, which will provide a much more affordable option as opposed to undergoing a professional spa treatment to resurface your skin. This treatment does not have any downtime, but it still will be pretty costly and involve time in going to a clinic or spa to have it administered.

Laser Scars Away at www.scarlasers.com

Laser Resurfacing In dermatology, lasers adds another dimension for the treatment of skin diseases. Laser resurfacing can improve cosmetic flaws, such as wrinkles, scars, and sun damage, and is the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Lasers (short for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) work by producing an intense beam of light that travels in one direction. This beam can gently ablate skin tissue to improve wrinkles, scars or blemishes. In addition, lasers can also be used to destroy visible blood vessels or to cut skin tissue. Using a laser hand piece, undesired skin cells and wrinkles disappear and are replaced by fresh skin cells. One of the laser's most significant advantages over traditional techniques for skin resurfacing is that treatment is relatively bloodless. This procedure also offers increased degree of precision and safety in treating delicate areas. It is important to understand the limitations of skin resurfacing using lasers. The laser is not a substitute for a facelift, nor can the procedure eliminate excessive skin. However, by tightening loose skin, laser resurfacing can improve certain folds and creases. More importantly, laser resurfacing offers an alternative to traditional resurfacing (dermabrasion) and can also work well in conjunction with other cosmetic skin procedures such as chemical peels. Laser Types There are two types of lasers used for laser resurfacing, the erbium:YAG and the CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, using local anesthesia in combination with orally- or intravenously-administered sedative medications. Laser resurfacing is often used to treat facial wrinkles. Wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or forehead may be treated individually, or full-face laser ablation may be performed. In general a partial-face laser ablation takes 30-45 minutes and the full-face treatment takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Following laser resurfacing, a sterile dressing is applied to the treatment sites for 24 hours. The patient then cleans the areas three times a day with saline solution. An ointment such as Vaseline or Aquaphor is then applied. Strict wound care is intended to prevent scab formation and facilitate healthy wound healing. Typically, the areas heal in 10-21 days. Once the areas have healed, makeup may be worn to camouflage the pink to red color that is generally seen after laser skin resurfacing. Most dermatologist recommend oil-free make-ups as well as green-based foundation since they neutralize the red color. The redness in the laser-treated sites generally fades in two to three months but may take as long as six months to completely disappear. People with blonde or red hair may have a prolonged period of recovery. Conversely, patients with darker skin tones have a greater risk of healing with darker pigmentation (referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). This may be minimized by use of a bleaching agent before laser skin resurfacing as well as continued use of this agent after healing. Laser resurfacing is a relatively safe procedure. However, as with any other medical procedure, one should be aware of complications that may arise. Milia, or small white bumps, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing. These lesions may be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth and do not scar. As mentioned above, increased pigmentation, and rarely decreased skin pigmentation, may result in the laser-treated areas. Lastly, reappearance of a cold sore may occur, especially after laser skin resurfacing around the mouth. This can be prevented by pre treatment with antiviral medication a day prior to the procedure. The final result of laser resurfacing can take up to six months to fully appear. These results are long-lasting, but not permanent. Some people will require re-treatments over the years. Protection from the sun and the institution of a good skin-care regime can help in maintaining a rejuvenated look. Laser Resurfacing Cost The cost of laser resurfacing is in the $2500 range.

Scarring - treated with new laser from Fraxel

How scarring occurs (www.erasemyscar.com)

Hypertrophic scarring one year after Road rashon the left, and the original wound on the right.

A scar is a natural part of the healing process. Skin scars occur when the deep, thick layer of skin (the dermis) is damaged. The worse the damage is, the worse the scar will be. Most skin scars are flat, pale and leave a trace of the original injury that caused them. The redness that often follows an injury to the skin is not a scar, and is generally not permanent. The time it takes for it to go away may, however, range from a few days to, in some serious and rare cases, a few years. Various treatments can speed up the process in serious cases. Scars form differently based on the location of the injury on the body and the age of the person who was injured. To mend the damage, the body has to lay down new collagen fibers (a naturally occurring protein that is produced by the body by fibroblasts). In wounded tissue these fibers are over expressed with collagen, but not so in non wounded tissue. Stable forms of topical vitamin C have been shown to improve collagen formation^[2]. Recent research has also implicated the gene product osteopontin in scarring and University of Bristol have developed a gel that inhibits the process^[3][4].

An injury does not become a scar until the wound has completely healed. And because the wounded body tissue over expresses collagen on the fibers and cannot re-build, the new tissue will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding normal tissue. This collagen producing process results in a fortuna scar.

Transforming Growth Factors (TGF) play a critical role in scar development and current research is investigating the manipulation of these TGFs for drug development to prevent scarring from the emergency adult wound healing process. As well, a recent American study implicated the protein Ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK) in the formation of scar tissue and found that the introduction of a chemical to counteract RSK could halt the formation of Cirrhosis. This treatment also has the potential to reduce or even prevent altogether other types of scarring.^[5]

[edit]Abnormal scars

Two types of scars are the result of the body overproducing collagen, which causes the scar to be raised above the surrounding skin. Hypertrophic scars take the form of a red raised lump on the skin, but do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound, and they often improve in appearance after a few years. Keloid scars are a more serious form of scarring, because they can carry on growing indefinitely into a large, tumorous (although benign) growth. Keloid scars can occur on anyone, but they are most common in dark-skinned people.^[6] Keloid scars can be caused by surgery, an accident, by acne or, sometimes, from body piercings. In some people, keloid scars form spontaneously.

Although they can be a cosmetic problem, keloid scars are only inert masses of collagen and therefore completely harmless and non-cancerous. However, they can be itchy or painful in some individuals. They tend to be most common on theshoulders and chest.

Alternately, a scar can take the form of a sunken recess in the skin, which has a pitted appearance. These are caused when underlying structures supporting the skin, such as fat or muscle, are lost. This type of scarring is commonly associated with acne, but can be caused by chickenpox, surgery or an accident.

Scars can also take the form of stretched skin. These are called striae and are caused when the skin is stretched rapidly (for instance during pregnancy, significant weight gain or adolescent growth spurts), or when skin is put under tension during the healing process, (usually near joints). This type of scar usually improves in appearance after a few years.

[edit]Treatments for skin scars

Currently no scar can be completely removed,^[7] although healing in embryos and some animals even after extended injuries can occur without scarring.^[8] Therefore all treatments will leave a trace, but a number of approaches have been tried with silicon gel sheeting and steroid injections having the most widely accepted role in general scar treatment.^[9]

In historical sequence, corticosteroid therapy by injection into the scars was introduced in the 1960s, from the early 1970s pressure garment therapy was introduced for widespread burn scars, and silicone gel sheets from the 1980s.^[10]

[edit]Needling

Needling is an inexpensive process where the scarred area is continuously needled to promote collagen formation. Once needled the area is allowed to fully heal, and needled again if required depending on the intensity of the scar. Scarring needles and needling rollers are available for home use; however, needling should not be done on parts of the face or areas where major nerves are located without professional medical supervision. Needling at home must also be done in line with hygienic and sterilization requirements.

[edit]Pressure garments

Pressure garments should be used only under supervision by a medical professional. They are most often used for burn scars that cover a large area, this treatment is only effective on recent scars.

Pressure garments are usually custom-made from elastic materials, and fit tightly around the scarring. They work best when they are worn 24 hours a day for six to twelve months.

It is believed that they work by applying constant pressure to surface blood vessels and eventually causing scars to flatten and become softer.

[edit]Steroids

A long term course of steroid injections under medical supervision, into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.

The steroid is injected into the scar itself; since very little is absorbed into the blood stream, side effects of this treatment are minor. However, it does cause thinning of the scar tissue so it does carry risks when injected into scars caused by operations into ruptured tendons. This treatment is repeated at 4-6 week intervals.

Topical steroids are ineffective.^[11]

[edit]Silicone sheeting and gel

Silicone scar treatments improve scar appearance and are often used to prevent and treat hypertrophic scarring. The exact mechanism of action is unknown though some studies suggest a manipulation of local ionic charges or a decrease in production of “pro-inflammatory” substances like TGFβ2.^[12]

Dimethicone silicone gel appears to be as effective as silicone sheeting in improving scar appearance.^[13]

[edit]Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion involves the removal of the surface of the skin with specialist equipment and usually involves a general anaesthetic. It is useful with raised scars, but is less effective when the scar is sunken below the surrounding skin.

[edit]Collagen injections

Collagen injections can be used to raise sunken scars to the level of surrounding skin. Its effects are however temporary, and it needs to be regularly repeated. There is also a risk in some people of an allergic reaction.

[edit]Laser surgery & resurfacing

The use of lasers on scars is a new form of treatment. Several cosmetic lasers have been FDA approved for the treatment of acne scars by using laser resurfacing techniques. Vascular lasers have been proven to greatly reduce the redness of most scars 6–10 weeks after the initial treatment. It has been theorized that removing layers of skin with a carbon dioxide or Erbium:YAG laser may help flatten scars.^{[citation needed]}

Scarring caused by acne (left), and photo 1 day after scar revision surgery. Area around sutures is still swollen from surgery

[edit]Surgery

Surgical excision of hypertrophic or keloid scars is often associated to other methods such as pressotherapy or silicone gel sheeting. Lone excision of keloid scars however shows a high recurrence rate close to 45%. A clinical study is currently ongoing to assess the benefits of a treatment combining surgery and laser-assisted healing in hypertrophic or keloid scars.

[edit]Radiotherapy

Low-dose, superficial radiotherapy, is used to prevent re-occurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. It is usually effective, but only used in extreme cases due to the risk of long-term side effects.

[edit]Natural remedies

Research shows the use of vitamin E and onion extract as a treatment for scars is ineffective. Vitamin E causes contact dermatitis in up to 33% of users and in some cases it may worsen scar appearance.^[11][14] Vitamin C normalizes collagen production and encourages the production of an organized, healthy collagen framework ^[15] which improves scar appearance. Vitamin C and some of its esters also fade the dark pigment associated with some scars.^[2]

[edit]Intentional scarring

The permanence of scarring has led to its intentional use as a form of body art within some cultures and subcultures (see scarification). These forms of ritual and non-ritual scarring practices can be found in many groups and cultures around the world.

Fraxel treats scars and burns - the Ultrapulse from Lumenis

At the age of 17 months, the 'Berns Triplets' were left with severe burns on their face, chest, arms, back and legs after their home was destroyed by arson.

The girls, now aged 22, were recently featured on The Today Show, ABC's 20/20 and People Magazine after receiving treatments using the revolutionary UltraPulse Fractional CO2 laser from Lumenis to the appearance of mobility of their scars.

The Today Show update air date: Nov 6, 2009

Please read on for their complete story, the treatment, before and after photos & video, and the physicians who performed the procedure's using the UltraPulse TotalFX system.

Continue to: The Berns Triplets Story 

Fraxel Laser Co2 Scar Burn Lumenis

AcuPulse™ CO₂ Laser

With SurgiTouch™ Automation System

Designed to create a new standard in treatment convenience, the new and groundbreaking AcuPulse represents an evolution in automated CO2 laser surgery. Physicians can achieve reproducible outcomes at the push of a button by simply selecting the laser application on an intuitive user interface. A mix of animated and real videos can be displayed showing various laser procedures, allowing for quick familiarization across specialties.

Attention has also been paid to the needs of the operating room staff. Video animations display the assembly instructions for various laser accessories, making it simple for new staff to become quickly familiar with the system. Personalized log-in with password stores individual settings and preferences. A “My Settings” feature allows storage of treatment pearls and other data. This automation and simplified use reduces complexities of the past.

Available in 30 and 40 Watt versions with or without SurgiTouch automation system.

AcuPulse Series Highlights : Compact size & cost effective Largest multi-disciplinary accessory assortment Reproducible and consistent treatment due to SurgiTouch automation system Video tutorials demonstrating accessory assembly SuperPulse-, Pulser- and CW operating modes offer adjustable thermal impact Storage of personalized laser treatment data Personalized log-in allows to define preferred user interface screens and navigation Optional smart footswitch and remote control panel (Fall 2009)