Photo Rejuvenation & Fraxel Skin Resurfacing

Photo rejuvenation and Fraxel Skin Resurfacing are two non-invasive skin treatment procedures that target melanin and hyperpigmentation.

Photo rejuvenation is the process of using intense pulsed light to absorb pigmentation. It is usually done in series of treatments that can eventually treat the entire face, and does a great job removing hyperpigmentation, age spots, overall sun damage, freckles, dark circles (in some), and melasma patches. When going through any kind of treatment like this, it's best not to be using retinoids, AHAs or harsh scrubs. The skin will be in a very sensitive state.

Generally, photo rejuventation is not recommended for darker skin types. It usually is only considered effective for caucasians or very light skin tones. The reason is because of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Irritation (especially on this intense, micro-sized level) can cause an abnormality in melanin production which can either dramatically stimulate it (darken) or in some very rare (and I emphasize rare) cases does it depigment. But photo rejuvenation is not recommended for non-white skin types.

Fraxel Skin Resurfacing is similar but different (and IMO, more effective). It delivers millions of microscopic points of light which target all surface area of the skin. Fraxel Skin Resurfacing takes several sessions, but most people see dramatic results just by the first treatment. They apply a topical anesthetic which makes the entire process easy and not uncomfortable at all. They apply a blue tint gel over the face, which activates the intensity of the laser. The laser slowly covers the entire face, treating acne marks/scars, melasma, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage. I'm not confirming anything, but some celeb gossip websites say Beyonce personally loves to get Fraxel laser treatments. Interesting, LOL.

After each treatment, the skin is red (similar to a sun burn, but not damaged in anyway). Typically this fades in a couple of hours for most people. Fraxel is much more suitable than photo rejuvenation for skin types that have more melanin.

Laser Genesis is also a great non-invasive method to treating pigmentation issues.

I want to note that these procedures are done to correct pigmentation problems. They do have the ability to make your skin as light as the lightest part of your body (or how you were prior to sun damage), but they won't make you lighter than what your original melanin production ever was. That is where lightening products come in.

Many spas, and most skin care clinics offer fraxel, laser genesis or photo rejuvenation. You have to look around your city, research and see which place is best. Also, I should advise not to just jump into this. Lasers (even though they aren't invasive or anything) should only be considered in extreme cases AND after all topical treatments (meaning using sunscreen, lightening creams, vitamin c, niacinamide, peels, etc) have been exhausted. These should be a last resort, in my opinion.

=D