Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the new Fraxel Dual Laser by Solta:

What is different between the new Fraxel re:store Dual and the older Fraxel re:store?

The Fraxel re:store Dual is a combination of the 1550nm laser which the older re:store had, and the 1927nm laser, which is the only laser with this wavelegth. With the older Fraxel re:store, 4 treatments were recommended, now the same correction with the Dual can usually be done in only 3 treatments. The improvements in the 1550nm are:

Faster Treatment Times - With upgrades in the software, you can cut treatment times by about 25% and have no degredation in effectiveness More Comfort - The new handpiece has an integrated Zimmer Cooling Device (cold air) which allows for the skin to be chilled directly where the treatment is occuring.

The 1927nm wavelength allows for:

Groundbreaking pigment eradication - The 1927 allows for a very superficial resurfacing which can eliminate pigmentation from melasma, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, actinic keratosis safely in all skin types, on all parts of the body. It is thought that it will be more effective in treating melasma as it produces minimal heat compared to other laser systems.

Extremely comfortable - very little, if any topical anesthesia is needed for using just the 1927nm laser. This allows for large surface areas to be treated in a single session.

Superfical resufacing similar to a superficial CO2 laser resurfacing - without the downtime or wound care. It is partially ablative, partial nonablative.
When used simultaneously with the 1550nm laser, you get more effective resurfacing - a superficial and deep resurfacing - leading to less treatments for the same results.

Safe for all skin types and all body surfaces.

Please explain further the Fraxel Dual 1550nm nonablative fractional resurfacing?
Fractional laser resurfacing is treating a fraction of the skin with the laser and leaving the majority of the skin uneffected. Typically about 20-35% of the skin is treated with microthermal zones (MTZ's). These MTZ's are columns of tissue heated by the laser that are about 1/10'th the diameter of a hair. By only treating a portion of the skin, the downtime and risks are minimized but the treatment depths can actually be higher - leading to more effective treatments. The 1550nm laser is an Erbium laser which is a rather "cold" laser. It causes very little "peripheral" damage when creating MTZ's, and just heats the tissue. This is nonablative resurfacing. In contrast, the CO2 laser vaporizes tissue (removes tissue) which is ablative resurfacing. Typically, nonablative resurfacing will require multiple treatments, and will have minimal or no downtime.

What can this laser do?

FDA indications include treatment of pigmented lesions, acne scars, melasma, mild to moderate periorbital rhytids (wrinkles), surgical scars and actinic keratosis. Physicians have been using the 1550 nm restore for stretch marks, burns, improvement in pore size with great results. The addition of both wavelenths in a single treatment makes the improvements faster and increases its effectiveness.

For pigmentation, should I do IPL or Fraxel Dual?

An IPL is limited by the natural pigmentation in the skin. If there is a large difference between the area of pigmentation which one wants to remove and the natural skin color, IPL is effective. However, if the pigmentation is light, or very close to the skin color, an IPL has trouble safely removing the pigment. The Fraxel Dual does not care what skin color you are or what color the pigment is. It works by going down to the layer of skin where the abnormal pigment is, and renews/resurfaces it. An IPL can take up to 4 treatments to remove pigment and the Dual should take 1 or 2.

What can I expect after the procedure?

You will have pinkness and mild swelling for about 3 days. There is no wound care, and no dressing changes. Your skin will feel dry and we recommend a moisturizer such as SkinCeuticals Hydra-Balm or Epidermal Repair, Cetaphil, or Aquaphor. After a few days your skin will bronze and feel rough. It is about to peel at this time, and the peeling will take about 3 days to complete. Your skin will then look very refreshed and pink and will return to its natural color in about 5-10 days. By 10 days, my patients look like they have make up or powder on because of the uniform color of their skin.

What are other physicians saying about the Dual?

“With the new technology I can offer my patients the safety, comfort and minimal downtime of a non-ablative treatment and achieve results comparable to superficial fractional CO2 treatments. Dr. Vic Narukar, San Francisco, CA

“The expanded versatility of the Fraxel re:store Dual System, with the addition of the new 1927 nm wavelength, increases the number of patients I can treat by providing a safe and very effective treatment for the pigmentation and actinic keratoses associated with photodamage.” Dr. Roy Geroneumus, New York, NY

"I think that Solta Medical (Fraxel) is underestimating the potential for the 1927 laser. I have seen tremendous improvements in my patients in areas other than pigmentation. The beauty of the minimal downtime and minimal discomfort makes this laser very well received with clients, particularly with its effectiveness. This might be the most effective laser vs downtime on the market. I’m very excited about its possibilities." Steve Weiner, MD Santa Rosa Beach, FL

"It is the best Dual since at least Hamilton-Burr" Michael A. Persky, MD Encino, CA
If you should have any further questions or concerns regarding this incredible new technology, please contact me. Be well and wear you sun protection. Dr. P