Active FX

How Does Active FX Work?

Like many other forms of laser skin surfacing, Active FX-also known as Fractional Resurfacing or FX Fractional Resurfacing-works by using a specially calibrated medical-grade laser to remove a very small amount of tissue from your skin. The removal of these skin cells stimulates the body to repair the damaged tissue, which refreshes and rejuvenates the skin, helping to tighten away wrinkles. The repair process can also remove some blemishes and pigmentation problems, because the old, flawed cells are being replaced. The heat of the laser also stimulates the production of collagen, which is one of the basic building blocks your body uses to grow new cells. The growth of additional new cells (not just the ones needed to replace what's been removed) also helps with wrinkles and scars, since these new tissues can fill in the empty spaces and smooth out the overall appearance of the skin.

What Are The Advantages Of Active FX?

The biggest advantage of Active FX is that it is a fusion product, bringing together some of the benefits of two different popular types of laser skin resurfacing, Like a CO2 resurfacing laser, Active FX relies on reliable, tested laser equipment to effectively remove offending skin cells and stimulate the body into repair and new growth. Like the Fraxel laser, though, Active FX uses a fractionated laser, which in layman's terms means that instead of being a single, intense beam of light, the Active FX laser is composed of many tiny, scattered beams, which makes it much gentler than many of its other CO2 laser counterparts. A fractionated laser is capable of removing much smaller amounts of tissue in a scattered pattern, which means that the damaged cells lie right next to healthy tissue. This honeycomb effect makes for much faster and efficient healing, as well as less pain and a shorter, less intense recovery period.

What Kinds Of Problems Does Active FX Fix?

Active FX laser skin resurfacing procedures are very effective at treating a wide range of skin problems and conditions. Your doctor can advise you more fully about whether or not Active FX is the right treatment for your particular problem, but the procedure is widely used for all of the following conditions:

• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Surface impurities or imperfections
• Enlarged pores
• Fine or moderate wrinkles
• Scars, including acne scars
• A dull or dark complexion
• Pigment issues
• Sun damage
• Old or inelastic skin

How Many Active FX Treatments Will It Take For Me To See My Desired Results?

The answer to this question depends a little on exactly what your desired results are, as well as the overall health of your skin. In many cases, however, only one treatment is required to solve the patient's skin problems, and even severe cases should look noticeably different after just one treatment. Patients with very deep of numerous wrinkles or marked facial folds, or who have severe pigmentation problems or deep scarring may need multiple treatments. In addition, those with more minor problems may want to return to their doctor at two- or four-year intervals for touch-up treatments to retain their results.

Am I A Good Candidate For An Active FX Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure?

The requirements for receiving a laser skin resurfacing are not very stringent, so people of all ages can easily qualify, so long as they do not have any very severe medical conditions. Active FX treatments are quite successful at treating a wide range of skin conditions, including things like wrinkles, scars, acne scars, and pigment problems. The treatments are effective on both women and men of all skin colors, and unlike some procedures, it can be used on sun-damaged skin. Laser skin resurfacing is geared toward people who want better results than they may have previously gotten with microdermabrasion or light chemical peels, but have neither the time nor the money for some of the more intensive cosmetic procedures out there.

What Should I Expect If I Choose To Get An Active FX Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure?

Before your procedure, you will meet with the doctor for an initial consultation. This meeting will give you a chance to meet with him or her before you commit to anything, so you can gauge whether or not you would be comfortable allowing him or her to perform the treatment. It also is a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the procedure, the doctor's credentials, or the recovery period following your treatment. In turn, it allows the doctor to examine your skin and any skin problems you may have, to learn a little more about the state of your health and the goals you have for your appearance, and to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure. The initial consultation is also usually where the doctor and patient agree upon a price, and discuss financing, if needed.

If you decide to go ahead with the procedure, you will schedule an appointment at this time, and the doctor will instruct you on how best to care for your skin in the interim, and what to do to prepare for your laser skin resurfacing treatment. This may include restrictions on how much or what kind of makeup to use, restrictions on certain cleansers or lotions (especially some of the harsher ones, such as those containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids), and instructions on when and how to cleanse your face or any other areas you plan to have treated. In addition, the doctor may prescribe you some sort of antibiotic to take before you have your procedure, in order to minimize the risk of any kind of infection.

On the day of your procedure, you should make sure you arrive at the office a little early. This will not only give you a chance to fill out any necessary paperwork and avoid delays, but it will also help to relax. Many people are a little nervous about laser skin resurfacing, especially if they haven't had it before. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life for just a few minutes before your procedure can help reduce your anxiety level, which in turn will make your experience more pleasant.

When the doctor is ready for you, you will be brought back into the room where your treatment is to take place. Although there is not typically much pain associated with laser skin resurfacing, you will probably be given some form of anesthetic to control what pain there is, and to keep you from worrying about it. Typically, this anesthetic takes the form of a surface-numbing gel, but in some cases it is possible that you will receive local anesthetic through an I.V. line instead.

Once you have received your anesthesia and any other necessary medications (some doctors will also administer a mild sedative to help calm excessively nervous patients), the doctor will use the Active FX laser to remove a very small amount of tissue from the surface of the skin. Because of the Active FX laser's special properties, the doctor can be very precise about how much tissue to take, and the procedure is usually neither very painful nor traumatic. When it is finished (usually between 20 minutes and an hour, depending on how many areas are being treated and how extensive the wrinkles or scars are), you will be given a quick exam to make sure that you aren't experiencing any negative reactions, and then you will be sent home to start your recovery.

What Is The Recovery Like For Active FX?

Active FX laser skin resurfacing procedures are pretty mild, as far as cosmetic procedures go, but there is a certain amount of discomfort which is to be expected after the treatment. Active FX treatments usually cause the skin to appear reddened or slightly raw for a few days up to a week after the procedure. In appearance, it will resemble sunburn, and the pain will be reminiscent of a burn as well. Some swelling is also quite possible for a few days following the surgery, as is itchiness or tingling. Occasionally, patients may have trouble with some dryness or mild peeling, like sunburn. Patients with dark skin or those who have had the procedure in order to address skin pigmentation issues may find that their skin actually darkens for the first few days, but the effect is temporary and it will lighten again soon. Full recovery from the procedure usually takes between one and two weeks, although you should be able to resume most of your normal activities after the first few days.

Before you leave the clinic, your doctor will counsel you regarding what over-the-counter pain medications you should take f they are needed, or he or she may give you a prescription for something a little stronger. You can also use cool compresses to help sooth any irritated or painful patches, although you should be careful not to leave an ice pack on the area for any longer than ten minutes at a time. You will also want to wear comfortable clothing during your recovery, and you should to try to avoid any excessive bumping or scarping of skin-not only will it increase your pain, but it may slow down your recovery as well, and make your more vulnerable to an infection or other complication.

In order to speed your recovery, you may be given one or more medications to take. Make sure you do so according to the schedule you are given, even if it is bothersome or seems unnecessary. Use a timer or set an alarm if you have difficulty remembering to take your medication at its scheduled time.

In addition to the medications, you will likely be given a special moisturizer or cream to apply to the affected area, preferably several times a day. If you got your laser skin resurfacing procedure on your face, you may also be asked to sleep with your head elevated on one or two extra pillows for the first few nights. You should refrain from wearing makeup or performing any of your regular skin care regimen for at least four days following your procedure.

Finally, you need to be aware that your skin will be extremely vulnerable to the sun for up to two months after your procedure. Ideally, you should try to avoid the sun altogether, but if you must go out, be sure to apply sunscreen liberally, and try not to stay outside for more than a few hours at a a time.

Above all else, listen to your doctor. Your recovery from laser skin resurfacing does not have to be particularly difficult or painful, but if you disregard his or her advice, it may become so. Remember, your doctor has had years and years of training in medicine in general and this procedure in particular. He or she is more familiar with the recovery process then you are, and more likely to have the right answers. It's in your best interest to follow all of his or her instructions as closely as you can.