It is my greatest privilege and challenge to seek out, personally test, and then introduce new cosmetic procedures for our clients to feel better about their appearance.

I am always researching the efficacy of new technologies. As I spot promising procedures to add to our Menu of Services, I continually ask four questions:

1. Is this something my patients would want?
2. What is the average down time?
3. Is it affordable - especially in the ecomony of 2009?
4. Does the technology live up to its claims?

I applied these questions in my search for a new treatment for those patients who desire a fast recovery with amazing results. Fractional CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers provide a one-step alternative to multiple other options which we already offer. Three fractional CO2 lasers quickly emerged as the leaders: the DOT; the eCO2; and the Fraxel re:pair. During the last six months of the 2008, I personally had three treatments using all three devices.

Doctor's Notes

1. Would my patients benefit?
Most of my clients seek improvements in skin laxity, texture, wrinkles, sun damage, fine lines, redness, flushing, uneven skin tone, acne scars, brown spots, and broken capillaries. We offer technology that addresses all these issues.  The IPL Photofacial improves broken capillaries, redness, brown spots, and flushing.  Thermage tightens loose and sagging skin.  The South Beach IPL eliminates pre-cancerous lesions.  The new fractional CO2 device improves deep and superficial wrinkles around the mouth and eyes while improving skin texture; acne scarring; and skin laxity.  The challenge I had was selecting between the DOT, eCO2, and the Fraxel re:pair. Only one emerged as my favorite: the Fraxel re:pair.

2. What is the down time?
All three devices caused swelling for about 5 days. Of the three, the Fraxel re:pair induced a bright red glow three days later for about one week.  The DOT and the eCO2 caused immediate redness that lingered for about six weeks.  The Fraxel representative said that the other two devices were not as effective in eliminating skin from the tunnel created by the carbon dioxide laser.  As a result, the heat created by the laser was unable to escape causing immediate and prolonged redness and discomfort.  I found this to be accurate.  Immediately after the DOT and eCO2, I experienced immense discomfort and redness that was difficult to coverup.  This was not the case with the Fraxel.  It took three days to develop redness and I had no post-operative discomfort whatsoever.  It looked like the Fraxel re:pair was quickly making its way to the top of my list.

3. Is it affordable?
Naturally cost is a big factor when purchasing a new device. Taking their retail prices into account, I noticed that the least expensive laser did in fact deliver the least impressive results. It did improve the wrinkles around my eyes, but I was not satisfied with the results.  I felt that after all that I experienced, the improvements should be better.  The mid-price-range laser did a better job at reducing the wrinkles around my eyes, but it too fell short.  Finally, the Fraxel re:pair completely eliminated the wrinkles around my eyes and improved skin laxity. (Just in case you are wondering if the additive effects of these lasers made this possible on me, I reviewed the results of the other five test subjects who had Fraxel re:pair on the same day as my treatment. One had very deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes that seemed to disappear.)  This result led me to believe that Fraxel re:pair was indeed the best fit for my practice, even though it had the highest retail price.  Over the past ten years, I've found that most patients would rather pay a little extra for a treatment that WORKS than less for one that delivers marginal results.

4. Does the technology live up to its claims?
All three devices did in fact improve wrinkles, skin tone and texture, and skin laxity, but only one stood out from the rest.  The Fraxel re:pair seemed to do a better job at everything.  What I found most impressive about the Fraxel re:pair was its ability to reduce redness on one of my acne rosacea patients.  We were afraid that he would experience profound flushing after the treatment, but the opposite was true.  In addition, none of the test subjects or myself experienced ANY pain or discomfort after the procedure.

I was sold!

Today with so many competing devices out on the market claiming to be the best, it is a personal challenge to choose the one best suited for my practice. My patients lead active lives and in this new economy are very price-conscious.  They can't afford the down time, much less the discomfort of other procedures.  They want a product that will work well the first time.  For this reason,  Fraxel re:pair is now a permanent member on our menu of services.

Treat wrinkles now, avoid a facelift later.  All in a single treatment. All without surgery.

Please call the office today at 512.347.9794 to schedule a complimentary consultation. I'll assess your personal condition and offer treatments to fit almost any budget, including the exciting new Fraxel re:pair technology. When you see how other patients have responded, I'm sure you'll agree, Fraxel re:pair is a good investment.