The Lumenis Active FX Fractional Laser is a device that can dramatically improve the appearance of facial aging but with significantly less downtime than that seen with traditional CO2 lasers. Active FX diminishes fine lines, tightens skin, evens skin tone and reduces signs of aging and sun damage.
This laser energy effectively creates “micro-columns” within your tissue, which then stimulates your body’s healing response without removing entire layers of skin. This energy is versatile enough to address surface problems but can also penetrate your deep into the skin to stimulate collagen.
For many patients, a single session is the only treatment necessary for dramatic results. On the other hand, some patients opt for less downtime and less aggressive treatment sessions and so may require several treatments to achieve the same results.
Active FX addresses aging of your facial skin at two levels in a single treatment. The epidermal changes on the surface of your skin can provide immediate tightening, reduce pore size, in addition to improving the texture of your skin and removing brown spots. . At the same time, heat penetrating deeper in the skin’s dermal layer provides the mechanism for long-term improvement of skin laxity and texture as well as further reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Other treatment options available today include chemical peels, dermabrasion and other laser devices and no other treatment can provide both the dermal and epidermal improvements available with Active FX without significantly more downtime or risk or multiple treatments. After a treatment, your skin should appear younger on several levels with changes in tightness, tone, smoothness, and more even pigmentation.
While FX laser resurfacing is safe, as with any procedure there can be a few risks. You will need to rest for a few days after your laser resurfacing. And you will look like you have a significant sunburn for 2-5 days, depending on the intensity of your treatment. With superficial treatments there is less downtime (2-4 days) whereas with deeper treatments you can expect downtime of about a week. And although some degree of skin tightening is immediate, you can anticipate continued improvement over the next 6 months. It generally takes up to 6 months for collagen to complete its remodeling during which time you will enjoy continued improvement of your facial appearance.
A full facial treatment takes about half an hour. However, with pre and post-procedure care, expect to be in our office for about 2 hours. Candidates include those patients who are bothered by fine to severe wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, uneven skin tones or clogged pores.
And with proper skin care, your results should last several years.
Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS, PCEO (Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Director of BEAUTY by BUFORD) and Beryl Reker In addition, they are directors of the only recognized trainer center for ACTIVE FX technology in Colorado. (paramedical aesthetician and Medical Director of New You Skin Care) are nationally recognized trainers for Lumenis Encore FX Fractional Laser Technology.