The highly sought-after Fraxel laser treatment has grown in popularity due to its ability to fix all of your skin concerns from hyperpigmentation to acne scars, fine lines and sun damage. The procedure allows for all of one’s imperfections to be peeled away and reveal a new layer of healthy skin. Haute Beauty caught up with Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, a board-certified dermatologist who dishes on what exactly Fraxel laser treatments entail and more.

What is fractional CO2 resurfacing? 

CO2RE is the versatile fractional CO2 system that enables you to precisely target and effectively treat the skin’s surface, middle, and deep dermal levels. It works by utilizing energy from light to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This laser delivers the light energy in precisely controlled tiny beams allowing the skin to repair and heal in a safe way and minimal recovery time. This happens when the dermal layer of the skin is stimulated, and improves the elasticity, tightness and overall look of your skin, by giving it a more youthful glow. It also helps undo all the damage from years of sun exposure, plus whatever effects the pollutants in our environment have on our skin.

What are CO2 lasers generally used for? 

Fractional Co2 laser is considered a resurfacing laser peel or an ablative treatment and is common for people aiming for dramatic changes in their skin tone, texture and tightness. These significant changes include treating acne scars and post-surgical scarring, textural changes from sun damage and deep wrinkles, all while stimulating skin regeneration and rejuvenation. This is as close as you can get to a clean canvas of skin surface.

Can you combine this with other procedures? 

At Precision Skin Institute, I often combine the fractional Co2 treatment with a PRP (platelet rich plasma) application. We use the powerful growth factors in the patient’s plasma to layer on top of the skin right after the laser to travel deep into the skin and re-invigorate the skin’s capacity to regenerate, heal; this ultimately leads to more clear, smooth, and radiant skin.

What is the downtime following Fraxel? 

Depending on the depth of the Fraxel or Fractional Co2 laser treatment, the downtime can vary from several days to a week. The deeper the treatment, more wrinkle and textural correction and tightness of the skin is achieved. The deeper treatment also correlates with longer recovery time. Therefore, Co2 treatment depth goal is individualized for each patient.

How long does the procedure take? 

The Fractional C02 laser procedure takes about 45 minutes to perform.

What are the 3 benefits of Fraxel? 

Fraxel ideally improves skin surface changes – tone, texture and tightness.

What is required after the treatment to maintain results?

The results of the fractional Co2 treatment last several years as long as the appropriate skin care is maintained. The gold standard of skin care after Co2 procedure includes an antioxidant, DNA repair and sunscreen protection in the morning to minimize external skin toxins and retinoid repair at night. Enhancement of skin care with growth factor serums, such as Biopelle Tensage, commonly amplify the results of the treatment.