Fractional Laser Procedures Brisbane

Our highly qualified medical professionals are trained in choosing settings for your skin. They will explain the process and work to ensure your maximum comfort during and after laser resurfacing.

CO2 fractional laser resurfacing procedures stimulate regeneration of the important tissue structures that keep your skin firm, elastic and healthy. This procedure can help with several common ageing and damaged skin problems:

• Skin tone & texture
• Pore size reduction
• Line & Wrinkle reduction
• Acne and surgical scar re-modelling
• Age spots & brown sun spot pigmentation
• Full facial skin re-surfacing
• Strengthening of stretch marks

Pre-Procedure

Please avoid using any products that contain glycolic acids, retinol or retinoids, bleaching agents and hydroquinone for one week prior to this procedure. These products can be resumed 4 weeks post-procedure.

Before making a decision to proceed with surgery, please review our Consent for Surgery form about this surgery.

Surgery Consent Form

Care

A topical anaesthetic cream is applied to the area to be treated approximately 1 hour prior to ensure reduced discomfort during the procedure. The CO2 laser resurfacing procedure itself will last for between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be treated.

As the CO2 fractional laser moves over your skin, you will feel a prickling sensation.

Post-Procedure

Immediately after the laser resurfacing procedure, your skin may feel as if it has been sunburnt. This feeling of ‘heat sensation’ and/or itching usually disappears within 2-3 hours. We recommend that you apply ice packs to the treated area when you return home to help you feel more comfortable. You will notice redness and swelling commence shortly after the procedure, and this will continue for the next 24 hours. However, it is safe to drive yourself home after the procedure.

The redness and swelling may persist for 24 hours or up to a few days depending on the intensity of the laser resurfacing procedure and the condition treated. Your skin may appear ‘bronzed’ and red for up to 14 days and sometimes redness can remain for weeks. The duration of this will depend on the intensity of your procedure and the area treated (areas away from the face, e.g., neck and décolletage, usually take longer to heal). A good mineral makeup is advised if an intensive laser scar procedure is required.

During the next stage, you may see the skin exfoliate (peel), as the dead cells are shed and are replaced by new ones. Occasionally, patients might experience crusting or blistering in some areas, particularly if the procedure has been quite aggressive. After this ‘sloughing’ is complete, the redness will gradually resolve. However, you may notice a general ‘pinkness’ for a few weeks.

Most patients will begin to see some improvement after a few days as the collagen remodels in the deep layers of the skin. This process continues over several months after the CO2 laser resurfacing procedure, and this causes smoothing and tightening of the skin. If you elect to have a series of procedures, this gradual improvement can occur for up to a year.

Your role in the results

• It is important that you follow the post procedure care instructions in the week following your laser skin resurfacing procedure:
• Icepacks on the day of the procedure if needed
• Use the recommended moisturiser as often as needed
• No excessive exercise, sweating or swimming for one week
• No shaving of the treated area
• Avoid all sun exposure
• Continue to avoid the products named above for a further 2 weeks.

You may resume your normal daily routine the day after your procedure. However, because of your reddened face, you may prefer not to be physically present in your workplace. You may wear concealer or foundation makeup 5-7 days after a laser skin resurfacing procedure.

The Fraxis Duo is the ideal combination of CO2 fractional laser and Secret RF (a non-insulated microneedle factional radiofrequency system) technology. The combination of these two technologies is truly a partnership of two giants of skin therapy, affording maximum procedural flexibility and giving superior results. It is the first of its kind to arrive in Australia, and has been proven in tests to be highly effective in treating scars, photo-ageing and striae distensae (stretch marks) on the face and body.

Combining the 2 technologies means that the one process can treat the surface and the deeper layers of the skin. For the patient, this increases the effectiveness of the laser skin resurfacing procedures while reducing side effects.

Study Results for medical practitioners:

In 2013, a study was conducted to investigate the benefits and safety of combination therapy. The benefits of the combination therapy were documented by the dermatologist conducting the tests. (Ryu, H., Kim, S., Jung, H. R., Ryoo, Y., Lee., K.., and Cho, J. (2013). Clinical Improvement of Striae Distensae in Korean Patients Using a Combination of Fractionated Microneedle Radiofrequency and Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, DOI: 10.1111/dsu.12268)