Active FX

Active FX is also a CO2 based laser, known as ‘ Fractionated CO2 laser’ or ‘Fraxel CO2’. Active FX is a significant advancement in laser technology.

Active FX is a fractionated laser, meaning that microscopic pulses of laser energy are delivered to the skin surface, such that only a percentage of skin is treated, thus, fractionated and non-ablative. Each microscopic pulse is surrounded by a microscopic area of non-treated skin, creating bridges of untouched, normal skin. It heals much more quickly than ablated skin. The beauty of this technique is that the percentage of skin surface treated can be varied.

The downtime will be less and the risks of complications are lower than traditional ablative laser resurfacing. Ultimate results may not be as good as a fully ablative CO2 laser, but the tradeoff is an easy one. It is much easier to tolerate the healing process, the risk of hypopigmentation (lightening) of the skin is less, and the risk of demarcation lines is less. The treatment can be repeated for even better results.

Active FX improves fine lines, brown spots, minimizes large pores, acne scars and irregularities of texture. Active FX does not treat melasma, rosacea, or telangiectasias (broken capillaries). Active FX is performed in the office using a topical anesthetic cream, pain medication and anti-anxiety medication. Treatment varies but usually takes about 1 ½ hours.

After the procedure there is minimal pain but has a sense of warmth similar to a sunburn. There is swelling and itching as the photodamaged skin starts to flake off. Downtime is approximately 5 – 7 days of redness, flaky skin and mild swelling.

The results of Active FX are visible within a few weeks, but collagen formation continues to become more evident over many months. A touch up treatment can be considered after 2-6 months.