Dr. Pat Wexler, a dermatologist in New York City, explains the new non-invasive and FDA-approved laser procedure called the “fraxel”:

Fraxel laser treatment
The promise: Claims to zap away sunspots and fine lines by delivering microscopic laser hits to problem areas while simultaneously preserving healthy skin. It has all the benefits of nonablative lasers, or lasers that don't wound the skin, including minimal pain and no scarring. But it's more effective at evening out skin tone.

The reality: “Everyone I've seen try this has shown improvement,” says David McDaniel, M.D. of Eastern Virginia Medical School. Be prepared for red, swollen, peeling, and sandpaper-like skin for a couple days or so.

The numbers: Three 60-minute treatments spaced a few weeks apart. While some benefits are noticeable after the first treatment, the full effects won't kick in for several months. Results can last for a year or more. Cost: $1,500 to $2,500 per treatment.

The bottom line: An all-in-one treatment for blotchiness, sunspots, and fine lines.

Fraxel laser vs. traditional laser/chemical peel
The key difference between fraxel laser treatment and more traditional ablative methods is that fraxel does not affect all of the skin at once. Instead of a blanket surface treatment, fraxel treats pinpointed areas on the skin.

Fraxel laser treatment produces thousands of tiny but deep fractions by 400 to 700 microns — just deep enough to stimulate significant collagen regeneration.

These treated areas, known as microthermal zones, begin to regenerate collagen and the surrounding non-affected areas help to speed up the recovery session.

This treatment eliminates old epidermal pigmented cells. It also penetrates deeply into the dermis to improve imperfections such as acne scars. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the fraxel laser leaves untouched. The fraxel laser is so precise that it penetrates the non-living, protective barrier of the skin, called the stratum corneum, as if it were a window and leaves it completely intact. 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 tissue to replace skin imperfections.

The results are often compared to the superior results of ablative laser peels (like CO2 laser resurfacing). Patients get the results of the laser peels, but without the uncomfortable and long healing process.

Other non-invasive over-the-counter products:

Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology MMPI Skin Regenerating Serum
MMPs are naturally occurring enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of collagen in the skin. MMPI actively rejuvenates skin's surface at the structural level, measurably reducing visible lines and imperfections. MMPI technology boosts skins own regenerative powers, diminishes the visible signs of aging and restores a youthful appearance by inhibiting all 20 known MMPs.
Price: $55
Availability: Bath & Body Works stores nationwide

Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Exfoliating Glyco Peel System
This 3-step, 6-minute 10% glycolic acid peel safely exfoliates skin, evens skin tone, reduces signs of fine lines, and minimizes and unclogs pores. It employs peptides, alpha bisabolol and MMPI technology to rejuvenate skin's surface at the structural level.
Price: $65
Availability: Bath & Body Works stores nationwide

Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
The Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 improves the appearance of age spots and discoloration by brightening the skin with MMPI and botanical brighteners such as haloxyl peptide, arbutin and vitamin C. Thus, warding off the natural breakdown of collagen and protecting the skin from environmental stressors and UV exposure.
Price: $39.95
Availability: Bath & Body Works stores nationwide

ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum is clinically proven to visibly reduce deep wrinkles, smooth expression lines and diminish signs of photodamage by stimulating the skin's renewal process. The formula's patented technology combines pure ROC Retinol with magnesium, zinc, and copper to stimulate the skin's renewal process and bring newer, younger-looking skin to the surface.
Price: $19.99
Availability: Drugstores nationwide

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum
Olay Regenerist helps regenerate skin's appearance with concentrated amino-peptides to hydrate and regenerate damaged skin.
Price: $18.99
Availability: Supermarkets and drugstores nationwide

Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher
This self-heating, exfoliating formula can be used daily to regenerate skin. It deeply warms skin's surface to relax pores and exfoliates with micro-crystals, emollients and glycolic acid to gently polish away dry skin cells.
Price: $13.49
Availability: Supermarkets and drugstores nationwide

Neutrogena Advanced Solutions at Home Microdermabrasion System
The Advanced Solutions at Home Microdermabrasion System is specially designed to provide professional level microdermabrasion results at home for skin rejuvenation. The micro-oxide crystallized cream contains the same aluminum-oxide crystals used by dermatologists and salon professionals for professional level surface cellular renewal.
Price: $37.99
Availability: Drugstores nationwide

Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof/Waterproof Lotion SPF 30 and Coppertone Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF 50
These high performance UVA/UVB, ultra sweatproof sunscreens bond to the skin on contact with an ultra dry formula that doesn't leave a greasy residue. The formula is oil free, hypoallergenic, waterproof and PABA-free. Key ingredients include homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate and oxybenzone.
Price: $9.99
Availability: Drugstores nationwide

La Roche-Posay Anthelios l
Anthelios l is a maximum strength, broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 60 sunscreen, formulated into a cream with mexoryl XL and mexoryl SX. This patented sunscreen is designed to protect from both UVA and UVB rays in order to prevent sunburn. This formula, containing La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, also has soothing and softening properties.
Price: $30
Availability: www.pharmacymix.com

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