Fraxel Under Eyes
The delicate skin under the eyes can very quickly develop fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, brown spots, and bags, causing us to look tired, worn, and older than we are. These under-eye concerns can be caused by a multitude of factors, including genetics, aging, sun exposure, and repetitive eye movements. Over-the-counter under-eye creams, serums, and masks are not always effective in treating the under-eye area; luckily, non-invasive laser treatments such as the Fraxel laser are here to help. Dr. Green employs the Fraxel laser in her private New York City office to provide overall rejuvenation to the under-eye area with little downtime or side effects.
Fraxel laser is an FDA-approved, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that stimulates collagen production in the dermis layer of the skin. This revolutionary device is often known as “the magic eraser” due to its effectiveness in treating fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, brown spots, and overall pigmentation. Dr. Green uses the Fraxel laser under the eyes to create a more youthful-looking, radiant appearance without the need for long recovery times or plastic surgery. After just a few Fraxel treatment sessions, patients can look forward to full under-eye rejuvenation with results that last.
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned, board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience treating the world’s most discerning men and women with non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as Fraxel. She is consistently rated as a top dermatologist in New York City by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times due to her expertise and dedication to her patients. Dr. Green employs the most cutting-edge, innovative treatments available and embraces a “less-is-more” approach to her practice. When you consult with Dr. Green in her private Upper East Side dermatology office, she will assess your skin type and concerns to create an under-eye treatment plan best suited for you.
What is Fraxel?
Fraxel is a non-invasive fractional laser that works to promote new collagen production within the dermal layer of the skin while leaving the outer epidermis layer unharmed. Fraxel was the first fractionated laser to be approved by the FDA for laser skin resurfacing. By increasing the production of collagen, Fraxel laser treatment will result in younger-looking, smooth, radiant skin. There are three different types of Fraxel lasers: the Fraxel Dual, Fraxel Repair, and Fraxel Restore. Dr. Green uses the Fraxel Dual laser in her private NYC dermatology office as it is a gentle, non-ablative laser that uses two different wavelengths in order to treat a multitude of skin concerns. Fraxel is used to treat conditions such as acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture, sun damage, sun spots, discoloration, and uneven pigmentation. After a series of treatment sessions, Fraxel can leave you with long-lasting, smooth, youthful-looking skin with minimal downtime.
How does Fraxel Dual laser treatment work?
The Fraxel Dual laser contains two distinct laser beams: an Erbium laser at 1550nm wavelength for improving acne scars, skin texture, fine lines, and wrinkles, and a Thulium laser at 1927nm for improving sun spots, sun damage, discoloration, and pigmentation. During treatment, a handheld device is passed over the skin to deliver fractionated energy in a targeted manner. By creating microscopic injuries to the skin, Fraxel is able to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and promote the synthesis of new collagen. The benefit of using fractionated light energy is that, in contrast to traditional ablative skin resurfacing lasers, the skin where the energy does not penetrate is unharmed, leading to faster recovery times after treatment.
Typically, multiple treatment sessions are needed to achieve the best results, as each Fraxel laser session treats around 25-40% of the treated area at a time. Treatment sessions should be spaced at least one month apart, and the number of sessions needed will depend on the exact under-eye concern and the severity of the condition being treated. While you may notice immediate improvement in the under-eye area after one session, each Fraxel laser treatment will work to form new collagen for continued under-eye rejuvenation.
What is Fraxel laser treatment for under eyes?
Fraxel can be used under the eyes to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and bags and even out discoloration, such as dark circles and brown spots, to overall rejuvenate the undereye area. Fraxel is especially effective at treating periocular lines, or the fine lines around the eye area, using the Erbium 1550nm laser. Using the Thulium 1927nm laser, Fraxel treatment under the eyes can even out pigmentation under the eyes that may be a result of sun damage or aging.
Are there side effects to Fraxel treatment?
There are few side effects associated with Fraxel treatment, as Fraxel is a non-ablative laser that does not harm the outer epidermis layer of the skin. After a Fraxel session, you may experience some redness and swelling that will last for about 48 hours. Many patients find that their skin may feel akin to a sunburn during this time. When utilizing the 1927nm wavelength to treat the under-eye area for discoloration, brown spots, and pigmentation, there are about 5 to 7 days of peeling, which will typically feel like a rough sandpaper texture. It is imperative to adhere to a proper skincare routine, including using a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen, to ensure proper healing after treatment. Dr. Green recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher to prevent skin damage from occurring.
Some very rare side effects associated with Fraxel laser treatment include scarring, infection, and hyperpigmentation. The best way to avoid experiencing any adverse side effects or poor cosmetic results is to have your Fraxel laser treatment performed by a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green. Dr. Green has been at the forefront of non-invasive laser treatments for over 25 years. She will determine the correct laser settings for you based on your unique skin type and concerns in order to achieve a safe and effective Fraxel treatment.
Does Fraxel help under eye wrinkles?
Absolutely! Fraxel can be performed with the Erbium 1550nm laser setting to treat under-eye wrinkles, also known as periocular lines. Under-eye wrinkles can be caused by a multitude of factors, including aging, excessive sun exposure, repeated facial movements, and genetics. Some individuals may notice the appearance of under-eye wrinkles as early as their mid-20s, making them look older and more tired than they truly are. Treatment with Fraxel will work to improve natural collagen production, leading to smoother skin and a reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes.
Can Fraxel be used around the eyes?
Yes, Fraxel can absolutely be used around the eyes. Common skin concerns around the eyes are the appearance of brown spots and periocular wrinkles or lines around the eye area. Brown spots can be caused by excessive sun exposure or the natural aging process and can be treated with Fraxel by the Thulium 1927nm laser setting. Periocular wrinkles can be a sign of aging or caused by repetitive movements such as squinting and smiling. These wrinkles can be treated with Fraxel by the Erbium 1550nm laser setting. In some cases, periocular wrinkles may additionally need to be treated with Botox, a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles responsible for repetitive movements. Injections with Botox into these muscles can effectively reduce the appearance of
fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Dr. Green can employ both Fraxel and Botox in your customized eye rejuvenation treatment plan to create beautiful, smooth skin around the eyes.
Can Fraxel be used under eyes?
Fraxel can be used under the eyes for eye rejuvenation treatment. Fraxel is an excellent skin-resurfacing laser that can address a multitude of under-eye skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, dark under-eye circles, and bags. As the laser works to stimulate new collagen in the skin, you will begin to notice a new, revitalized texture and appearance to the skin under the eyes. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will confirm that you are a good candidate for Fraxel under-eye treatment and create an individualized treatment plan best suited to your under-eye rejuvenation goals.
Will Fraxel help under-eye bags?
The effectiveness of Fraxel treatment will depend on the severity of the under-eye bags. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to sagging skin and the appearance of bags under the eyes. Fraxel works to increase the production of new collagen in the skin and can produce some skin-tightening effects. However, a dedicated skin-tightening laser, such as Thermage, is more suited for mild skin laxity. If there are a significant number of under-eye bags, a blepharoplasty by a board-certified plastic surgeon will be needed.
Which laser is best for under-eye bags?
Fraxel and Thermage are two non-invasive laser treatments that can effectively improve the appearance of under-eye bags. Fraxel employs fractionated energy to the under-eye area to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and increase new collagen production. Due to increased collagen, Fraxel treatment can result in some skin-tightening effects and reduce the appearance of under-eye bags. Thermage, a non-invasive skin-tightening, is typically more suited for treating under-eye bags. Thermage employs radiofrequency energy to stimulate the production of new collagen in the skin. Treatment with Thermage under the eyes can improve the appearance of loose, sagging skin around the eyes and minimize the appearance of under-eye bags.
Non-invasive lasers such as Fraxel and Thermage are excellent for improving the appearance of under-eye bags with natural-looking, long-lasting results. In some cases, non-invasive laser treatments may not be well-equipped to treat under-eye bags due to excessive skin laxity in the area. During your consultation with Dr. Green, she will assess your under-eye bags to curate an individualized treatment plan best suited to you and your facial anatomy. If you are not a candidate for under-eye bag treatment with non-invasive cosmetic procedures, Dr. Green will refer you to a trusted, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon for further evaluation and possible blepharoplasty.
Can Fraxel be combined with other cosmetic procedures under the eyes?
Yes! Dr. Green often combines multiple cosmetic procedures in your treatment plan to fully rejuvenate the under-eye area and produce beautiful, long-lasting results. Fraxel is often complemented with noninvasive treatment options such as Thermage, hyaluronic acid fillers, microneedling, mesopeels, and chemical peels to treat a variety of different under-eye concerns. When you consult with Dr. Green in her private NYC dermatology office, she will assess your under-eye area to tailor a treatment plan suited to your specific skin concerns and aesthetic goals.
Thermage is a gold-standard treatment for non-invasive skin tightening. Thermage delivers precise radiofrequency energy to the targeted area to increase collagen production and create firmer, smoother skin. When used under the eyes, Thermage can reduce the appearance of periocular lines and under-eye bags to revitalize the eyes. Zero downtime is involved with Thermage, making it an excellent and effective treatment for reducing skin laxity under the eyes. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane can be used to treat the appearance of under-eye hollows and dark circles. These dermal fillers restore lost volume and provide moisture to the under-eye area, providing an immediately visible reduction in the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and bags.
Microneedling is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure used to reduce dark circles and under-eye puffiness. During the procedure, a handheld device containing small, surgical-grade needles is passed over the skin’s surface to create microscopic wounds. These wounds stimulate the natural wound-healing process, stimulating collagen and elastin production. Platelet-rich plasma can be added to a microneedling procedure to enhance results, expedite healing, and increase skin rejuvenation.
Chemical peels are often used to rejuvenate facial skin, as well as the delicate under eye area. The Mesopeel Periocular is often recommended to treat dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation. This specialized chemical peel is designed to gently exfoliate dead, pigmented skin cells from the skin’s surface to reveal the healthy skin underneath. There is no downtime at all from the mesopeels, and a series of peels is needed to lighten the underlying pigmentation. The Mesopeel is excellent for reducing melanocytic activity in the treated area to eliminate discoloration.
How to get started with Fraxel laser treatment for the eyes today?
If you’re frustrated by the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, bags, pigmentation, and discoloration under the eyes, Dr. Green is here to help. Dr. Green often refers to the Fraxel laser as “the magic eraser” due to its safety and efficacy in treating various skin concerns, including the delicate skin under the eye. Whether you want to look younger or improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven pigmentation, Fraxel treatment may be the perfect skin resurfacing laser treatment for your under-eye rejuvenation goals.
Dr. Michele Green is a world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience treating her patients with non-invasive cosmetic treatments such as Fraxel, Thermage, and Botox, and chemical peels to rejuvenate the under-eye area. Due to her dedication to her patients and expertise, Dr. Green is consistently voted as one of NYC’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and The New York Times. When you consult with Dr. Green in her private Upper East Side office, she will customize a treatment plan suited to your under-eye concerns and aesthetic goals to deliver smooth, radiant, youthful-looking skin that lasts. Find out more and schedule a consultation with Dr. Green today by contacting us online or calling 212-535-3088.