As temperatures continue hit triple digits across the country, be sure that you're taking care of the largest organ in your body: your skin. Sun damage can manifest itself with fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration or worse, skin cancer. It is therefore highly important to wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen whenever you will be exposed to the sun. However, if you're over 35 and grew up worshiping the sun, it's not too late to get rid sun damage and even pre-cancerous cells.
Results 1 week following treatment.
Image courtesy of DoctorOz.com
Recently seen on The Dr. Oz Show, fractional resurfacing devices such as Solta's Fraxel re:store Dual laser may be used to reverse some of the effects of sun damage and pre-cancerous cells known as actinic keratoses (AK). Recognized by many as the gold standard in the aesthetics industry, Fraxel has been available in the U.S. since 2003, when it received it's FDA approval for skin resurfacing. Although there have been many versions, the Solta Dual Laser or Fraxel re:store Dual adds another wavelength of light, allowing more options and control for physicians.
In a process of controlled injury, fractional resurfacing drills millions of miniscule holes into the epidermis. Reaching down to a approximately a millimeter, these narrow columns essentially vaporize the skin that it comes in contact with thus removing old and damaged skin cells. The pattern of the laser allows for untouched healthy skin to surround the intentionally damaged skin to cut down on healing time.
The treatment stimulates collagen regrowth and new skin that replaces the old damaged cells is healthy and fresh, resulting in improved skin clarity, texture and more even pigmentation. Typically used on the face, Fraxel can also be used to treat sun damage on the neck, chest and hands. Patients can expect to return to work in a day and return to normal social activities in a few days.
In a recent clinical study that used the new Fraxel re:store Dual laser to treat
Actinic keratoses (AK), 86% of AK lesions were cleared up. As an added bonus, pigment and texture of skin was greatly improved in just one treatment. The Fraxel re:store Dual offers both cosmetic and medical treatment in one procedure, treating sun damage that may be aesthetically displeasing as well as pre-cancerous lesions.
