In today’s fast-paced world of beauty advances, it is no surprise that we have seen such dramatic improvements in laser technology over the past decade. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser skin resurfacing procedures among women increased 56% between 2000 and 2005 and 157% among men between 2004 and 2005. That makes laser skin resurfacing one of the most popular age-defying procedures in the United States today.

Laser resurfacing works by vaporizing damaged skin cells and collagen. This process induces the body to make new cells and collagen, giving the appearance of younger, fresher looking skin. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons regard laser resurfacing as a widely effective tool in the war against fine lines, wrinkles, acne, scarring, skin discoloration, large pores and any number of other skin miseries.

Until the creation of the Fraxel Laser, approved by the FDA in July of 2004 for use in skin resurfacing, most lasers not only damaged the skin being treated but the healthy skin as well, resulting in more pain, more time in the doctor’s office, more damage to the skin and more downtime. In their new approach to laser technology, the creators of the Fraxel™ Laser promise a different experience.

According to the manufacturer of, Reliant Technologies, the Fraxel Laser was developed by Drs. Rox Anderson and Dieter Manstein of Harvard's Wellman Laboratories, Dr. Scott Herron and Len DeBenedictis, of Reliant Technologies in the aim to create a more focused, effective laser that not only leaves healthy skin undamaged but also allows for a more controlled treatment. Rated among the top eight beauty breakthroughs of 2005 by Prevention Magazine and featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, it’s clear that their innovative thinking paid off.

As explained on the Fraxel Laser website, “Fraxel Laser Treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep columns of treatment in your skin, known as microthermal treatment zones. This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deep into the dermis. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel Laser leaves untouched. For every microthermal zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections.”

Unlike other laser skin resurfacing procedures which require a week or more of recovery, the Fraxel Laser requires no down time, and the discomfort during and after the procedure is mild. The general treatment protocol is 3 to 6 Fraxel Laser treatments given approximately 7 days apart, with possible follow-up treatments in the future. Although the cost varies, the average range is $500 to $1,500 per treatment

If the idea of a Fraxel Laser treatment has piqued your interest, videos of the procedure as well as news reports on Fraxel Laser resurfacing can be found HERE.