skip to main content
Quick Contact Form

 please send me email updates

For security validation, please enter the text from the image:

Please use this quick contact form to send a question or message to Dr. Brown.

About Fraxel Laser Treatments in Loudoun

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Rejuvenating lasers for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

Fraxel is effective for many ages and skin types as well as skin conditions.

How does Fraxel work?

Fraxel method or mechanism of action is reviewed on the Fraxel page on the site.

What does Fraxel do?

  • Smoother, fresher, younger-looking looking skin
  • Improved tone and texture
  • Erasing of unwanted brown spots 
  • Reduced fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
  • Improved appearance of acne scars and surgical scars 

What is Fraxel FDA approved for?

  • Wrinkles around the eyes (periorbital wrinkles)
  • Acne scars
  • Surgical scars
  • Age spots/sunspots (pigmented lesions)
  • Melasma (irregular patches of brown skin on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and nose)
  • Actinic Keratoses (precancerous lesions)
  • Skin resurfacing

How are Fraxel treatments peformed in Northern Virginia?

First, your skin will be cleansed. Then, about 60 minutes prior to treatment, a topical anesthetic ointment will be applied to the treatment area. The Fraxel re:store procedure takes 20 to 25 minutes for a full face.

How many Fraxel treatments will need to be performed and at what interval or treatment?

Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending on your condition and schedule, you and Dr. Brown and his medical aesthetician may choose to space treatment sessions further apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allow for complete healing and the production of new collagen and elastin to replace damaged tissue.The basic Fraxel treatment plan is a series of 5 treatments, 1 month apart.

Does Fraxel hurt?

Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure and cold air is used on the Fraxel treatment area during the procedure. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn, which usually diminishes in 1 to 3 hours.

What should be expected after Fraxel treatment?

During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. You will wake up the next morning and your face will be swollen. The degree of swelling depends on the intensity of the treatment and your genetics. You can wear make-up to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two, and as you continue treatment, the sunburned-to-bronzed appearance will repeat. As with a sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Use a moisturizer to reduce the appearance of dry flakes.Your skin will feel rough for approximately 2 weeks as the old skin and columns of debris are exfoliated. The Fraxel pictures below demonstrate the before and after Fraxel treatment in the early phase. You can see that her face has turned red and she is swollen. The redness is well demarcated around her eyes, and her nose is swollen from the Fraxel treatment. You should be able to appreciate that she is still presentable and able to go out in public and return to work. By the second day the redness and swelling have lessened.

Early Fraxel Pictures

What are the side effects of the Fraxel treatment and how long will they last?

Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel re:store treatment. Any swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a day or two, and any redness typically fades within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring. The intensity and duration of side effects depend on the aggressiveness of treatment and on your particular healing characteristics. The office will provide specific instructions about what to expect and how to minimize any side effects.

What precautions should be taken after a Fraxel treatment?

Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you?re in the sun.

How long will the position effects of a Fraxel treatment series last?

It depends on your particular condition and how you care for your skin. Once your skin is treated, continue to protect it as described above. For conditions such as melasma, it is very important to avoid direct sun exposure. Dr Brown and his master aesthetician will give you specific advice based on your individual needs.

How much does the Fraxel cost?

Depending on your condition and the areas to be treated, the cost ranges from $750 to $1,300 per treatment. Keep in mind that maximum benefit is usually achieved with an average of 3 to 5 treatment sessions spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart.

How Fraxel treats?: Fraxel can effectively treat a variety of skin conditions. Click to learn about Fraxel laser in Northern Virginia. What Fraxel treats can be learned by visiting the Fraxel Treatments in Northern Virginia page.

Other cosmetic laser treaments provided by Dr. Michael J. Brown, M.D. are the Titan laser facelift, and there is the Genesis Skin Thereapy - a comfortable laser treatment for sun damage, redness, large pores and uneven textures. IPL Therapy helps to eliminate broken capillaries, wrinkles, rosacea, spider veins and freckles. Laser Hair Removal, is provided at a reasonable and affordable price.