Fraxel can help treat and reduce your Surgical Scars after Plastic Surgery

Wouldn’t it be great if surgery didn’t leave scars? Unfortunately, all surgeries will leave some sort of scar around the surgical incision point(s). If you want to reduce your post-surgical scars, try Fraxel surgical scar revision treatments as part of your post-operative skin care regime.

Some scars will heal better than others, and some incisions are in places where your movements can inadvertently make scars worse during the healing period.

Even some skin types scar more than other skin types (such as Asian or other highly pigmented skin tending to form raised keloid scars).

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But scars can be hidden AND reduced through precise surgical placement & post-op scar healing techniques

Many, though not all, scars can be highly minimised – even hidden – by an adept Plastic Surgeon.

First, let’s look at how wounds (incisions) heal. It’s a skin restructuring (renewal) process that can sometimes take months (up to 12 months) to fully heal – and even then, your scars may continue to fade over time.

Note that SILICONE strips can also help reduce cosmetic surgery scars.

Treating and Minimising your Plastic Surgery Scars

Reducing Breast Scars After Lift or Breast Reduction Surgery

For breast surgery, there are several options for incisions for patients, although patient suitability for a particular approach may vary.

Breast Reduction Surgery using the Le Jour incision method (a lollipop incision) leaves a vertical scar, rather than a larger/wider anchor scar.

Reducing Scars After Facelifts, Eyelid Surgery or Rhinoplasty Surgery

Facial scars can often be hidden in the hairline, in or behind the ear for a facelift or Otoplasty – or in the normal eye creases for eyelid surgery – or even in the normal skin contours or skin folds (such as for a rhinoplasty nose surgery or a chin lift.)

Reducing Body Scars after a Body Contouring/Body Lift or Tummy Tuck Procedure

Body surgery scars can also be strategically placed where they can be readily hidden under clothing or under swimwear (this is often the case for Tummy Tuck or Belt Lipectomy scars and incisions for many other Abdominoplasty procedures).

Reducing Arm lift or Brachioplasty Scars

In terms of hiding or minimising scars, body lift scars including scars from brachioplasty (arm reduction surgery) give most Surgeon’s more of a challenge than other scars.

Upper arm scars from an ARM LIFT or Arm Reduction Surgery, whilst difficult to fully hide, can be placed where the arm meets the inner rib cage when your arms are by your sides.

Why use Fraxel to reduce Scars? – Fraxel is the Gold Standard of Scar Treatment

Whilst dealing with unattractive surgical scars might be bothersome or put you off of surgery, scars can be treated and reduces during your post-op healing stage.

In addition to aiming for minimal incisions where possible and facilitating scar healing (such as with special strips, garments and bandages or early scar-area movement limitations as your scars first start to heal), scars can not only be PLACED in the least obvious possible location, but they can also be treated using skincare lasers, such as Fraxel Restore.

Not every Surgeon makes use of Fraxel laser technology or other available scar minimisation techniques, however. But for a number of our Plastic Surgeon’s body, breast or face surgery procedures, we offer scar minimisation including Fraxel.

Surgery patients are often surprised to learn that Fraxel laser treatment can help reduce the appearance of their surgical or traumatic scars.

Fraxel procedures are not always completely painless, but using numbing cream an hour beforehand can really help. Plus, if the procedure is administered properly by a caring, highly experienced Dermal Clinician or Physician, Fraxel can be quite effective at reducing the formation of scars.

Scars will still take time to heal even with Fraxel, but they will tend to settle better and become less visible with time.

Fraxel is considered by many to be one of the top “gold standard treatments” for revision of various scars, including surgical scars. The others include Micro-needling by a highly-skilled Dermal Clinician, or a combination of peels, supplements and light-based treatments including Healite II.

This is because Fraxel treatments are not only effective, they are considered to be non-invasive and less costly than surgical scar revisions (which may still be necessary for some scars).

Aside from treating scars, Fraxel laser treatments are also effective at treating a wide array of skin conditions – including:

helping minimise sun spots or reduce uneven pigmentation
can reduce some acne scars or refines the texture of your skin
reduces fine lines
may help minimises the appearance of stretch marks (but cannot remove them)
helps with skin blemishes

Using Fraxel laser is also considered to be a safer and more effective method of scar prevention (and reduction) than some other traditional laser treatments.

How does Fraxel Laser Treatment work?

The Fraxel laser involves the use of a hand piece, attached to advanced light-based laser equipment
The unique hand pieces of Fraxel laser equipment helps your Clinician deliver the scar reduction treatment directly to the area of the forming scar
The Fraxel hand piece works by creating what amounts to tiny dots (micro-incisions or pixels) that penetrate deep into your skin’s surface
These ‘dots’ help stimulates your dermal layers and your body to repair itself
- The controlled interruption of the skin (or forming scar) means the body often ends up repairing itself by pushing out the damaged skin
- The body then replaces the old, damaged skin (or forming scar tissue) with newer layers of healthier, undamaged skin including skin with better collagen

Like other lasers and related light therapy treatments (and even similarly to facial peels), Fraxel treatments help to trigger your own innate healing processes (natural healing capacities). This helps your body to increase (speed up) collagen production and skin renewal, which happens anyway – over time – but with Fraxel, more deeply and a bit more quickly.

This results in smoother, healthier, and radiant complexion.

It still takes time for scars to heal, however – and multiple treatments are usually required over several months during the post-op healing phrase (especially for tummy tuck or other significant scars on your body).

How many Fraxel Treatments do you need to achieve Visible Results?

Research shows that most patients have multiple Fraxel treatments. Patients typically have them performed every 3-8 weeks. ^[1]
The results of your treatment can vary from someone else’s Fraxel treatment, so scar revision results are not fully predictable – but many patients get excellent scar minimisation results.

This is especially true if they follow other scar minimisation protocols and our Rapid Recovery healing instructions.

Your ultimate scars will depend, however, on several factors such as your skin type, skin condition, and adherence to ALL of your Surgeon’s post-treatment instructions. It is also CRUCIAL that you NEVER smoke before, during or after your surgery, as smoking greatly compromises all of your organs – of which your SKIN is your largest organ.

Is there discomfort or pain related to Fraxel Scar Treatment Procedures in the Clinic?

If your clinician doesn’t numb the area, Fraxel is painful.
Normally, however, Fraxel is tolerable and relatively comfortable during your treatment
That’s because we use numbing cream – but you’ll need to arrive at the designated time WELL in advance of your appointment – usually one hour – as it takes that long to have a numbing effect before Fraxel

After the Fraxel procedure, however, you might feel slight discomforts or pain.

This can be anything from a tingling sensation in the newly-treated area to redness and swelling.
Most of these post-treatment discomforts will usually resolve within a few hours after your treatment.
Most people tolerate Fraxel treatments fairly well. However, if you know you have a very low pain threshold, ask your Surgeon or Physician for stronger topical creams or gels (prescription strength) to help minimise pain – or medications for some patients may be helpful

How long do effects of FRAXEL Laser Treatment last?

Treatments are long lasting but take some time to show full effect.
You will require several treatments at appropriate intervals to minimise most scars.
You can get follow up treatments once the scar has healed. Most patients find that they don’t require further treatments, however.

Tips for FRAXEL for Scar Reduction

If you adhere to your Surgeon’s and your Dermal Clinician’s advice you’ll likely get some beautiful scar minimisation results. This is especially true when compared to what the scar might look like if you didn’t have the treatment.

Again, Fraxel results will vary from person to person.
Scars tend to settle over about 12 months in total, sometimes more and sometimes less.

It is possible you may benefit from additional maintenance Fraxel treatments over the years, but your Clinician can advise you on what might help your scar care over longer periods of time.

What You Can Expect During Fraxel Laser Treatments for Scars:

Your clinician will cleanse your skin to prepare it for Fraxel. They will also apply the numbing cream before treatment.
You will put on protective eye goggles.
Then you lie down while your Clinician glides the laser rollers evenly over the targeted area of your post-op scar.
After your Fraxel procedure, you can typically resume all normal activities – it has minimal to no downtime for most patients.
Some patients have redness or swelling so DO let your Clinician know if you have these after Fraxel

Tolerance or Safety of Fraxel Laser Treatments

The Fraxel laser has a positive patient safety record when used by a properly trained Clinician.
People get Fraxel laser treatments because they’re generally a low-risk way to minimise MOST surgical scars. Additionally, it doesn’t compromise the outcome of your procedure (or your health) as long as you follow instructions.
It is safe and effective for all skin types and skin colours. This is because it does NOT target the pigmented cells of your skin (melanin). Rather, it penetrates deep layers to stimulate renewal and increased collagen.

If you want to know more about the procedure and how this post-op treatment will minimise scars, consult with our highly experienced Dermal Clinicians or Plastic Surgeons. Start your journey towards a scar less procedure and get LESS scarring after Surgery using our Fraxel treatments.

Preparing for Fraxel Treatments

Whether you’ve had recent surgery and want to minimise your scars or want to refine and rejuvenate your skin, the Fraxel Restore laser is considered to be a gold-standard skin renewal & skin resurfacing treatment.

You can read more about how the treatment works on our other blogs or visit our Fraxel page.

Here are the primary reasons why:

Aprofessional Skin Care consultation is necessary prior to Fraxel rejuvenation treatments
You should expect very specific post-operative instructions for Fraxel scar minimisation treatments.

Skin Consultation prior to ANY Rejuvenation procedure is very Important.

Step 1: Assess your skin care needs with a full skin assessment to determine the best procedure for scar minimisation

Here at Coco Ruby Skin & Anti-Ageing, we recommend that you have a thorough consultation with our expert Dermal Clinicians (or our Aesthetic Physician or Senior Nurse Injectors) to determine what skin treatment will best suit your needs.

Why: Skin assessments prior to ANY rejuvenation treatment are crucial as every two skins are different.

We will take time to ensure that we are selecting the correct treatment to achieve the optimum results for you. Our clinicians will inform you about the possible outcomes you can achieve. And our clinicians will discuss the downtime associated with Fraxel Restore for scar minimisation with you, as well.

Step 2: Discuss your answers with your Clinician and ask any questions you have before proceeding with Fraxel

These are some questions that we will need to talk about during your consultation.

What are you hoping to achieve?
How much downtime can you allow for, if any? Are there any time restraints on your treatment, such as an upcoming wedding, photo shoot or big event?
Are you prone to cold sores?
What is your nutrition or day to day diet like?
Have you got any allergies, such as to topical skincare, food, heat, pollens or perfumes?
Do you use anything topically on your skin (e.g. active ingredients such as retinol products or peels)?
Have you got a history of breakouts or acne in the skin?
Are you on any medications?
What other treatments/if any, are you having at this time?
Do you take any supplements? Or herbal medicine?
Have you followed the specific post-op (or preparation) tips we’ve given you for Fraxel?
- Some patients need at least 30 days to prepare for a facial Fraxel treatment
- We give specific guidelines as well as individual tips to help get you a good outcome and to minimise discomfort

Purpose of the Consultation

The consultation aims to ensure that you are well informed about your Fraxel treatment before proceeding (or other rejuvenation procedures, such as fillers and injectables, Laser Genesis treatments or skin peels).

This also allows your to ask any questions that they may have prior to having the procedure. You can expect some downtime with Fraxel laser treatment. So we want to allow the patient to arrange the time that best suits their schedule.

Step 2: Expect questions about how your skin has reacted to the treatment at every subsequent appointment

We want to know how your skin (and health) have been between treatments. With your answers, we can adjust treatments as necessary OR give you some additional individually-specific tips for improved results.

Step 3: Be sure you arrive early to allow the numbing cream time to work properly.

For Fraxel, there is often a numbing agent applied about 1 hour before your treatment.

Sometimes we will use special wraps that will also help the numbing cream penetrate your skin better.

Step 4: The treatment process could finish in a matter of minutes.

People commonly seek out Fraxel for skin rejuvenation, collagen stimulation and skin renewal. To find out if you’re a suitable candidate for a treatment (or series of treatments) OR if you want to treat a post-surgery to minimise scarring, send an enquiry form today.

Medical References:

Murad Alam (19 November 2011). Evidence-Based Procedural Dermatology. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 272–. ISBN 978-0-387-09424-3.

Fraxel Surgical Scar Revision – the Gold Standard