Written by Ray Rogers
Fall signals the beginning of “laser season,” notes Rishi Chopra, M.D., a Harvard-trained and board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with Union Derm. UnionDerm has two clinics in New York City and opened a new integrated location in Water Mill this summer. The period between fall and spring is the perfect time to reset your skin and correct the damage caused by summer sun exposure. There is no risk of further negative effects from continuous sun exposure when your skin needs to heal.
Good news for those interested in cosmetic Fraxel lasers. Fraxel lasers may also help prevent skin cancer, according to a new study from Harvard Medical School – Massachusetts General Hospital on non-ablative fractional lasers. “Fraxel has long been known to be an excellent beauty treatment for sun-induced signs of aging, such as sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles,” says Chopra. “But we didn’t clearly understand the medical benefits until this year’s study, which showed a 50 percent reduction in the risk of the two most common types of skin cancer.” .”
Bonus: Because non-ablative fractional lasers leave the skin intact (instead of removing the top layer like more powerful ablative lasers do), there is much less downtime for recovery (no redness, swelling, etc.) (Signs of peeling subside in 3 to 5 days; full recovery occurs within a week or so.) How does it work? Fraxel has two wavelengths, one that targets deeper areas. and the other is more superficial, Chopra says. “Our skin is made up largely of water, and these wavelengths of light specifically target water at different depths to generate heat, build new collagen, and resurface the skin. It can prevent and treat signs of aging and even acne scars.”
What makes Fraxel unique is its potential for localized drug delivery. “The skin has a barrier, and the laser helps temporarily break down that barrier,” he explains. “Therefore, applying medical-grade skin care such as topical TXA (tranexamic acid to treat hyperpigmentation and melasma) and vitamin C can penetrate deeper after the procedure and be more effective at treating the condition you are trying to treat. In addition to looking refreshed and glowing, “Fraxel actually improves the health of your skin,” Chopra says. It’s a win-win. 728 Montauk Highway, Watermill; unionderm.com
