Fraxel - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Fraxel or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
- Medical dermatology
- Medical Dermatology
- Popular Treatments
- More Treatments
- Actinic Keratosis
- Alopecia Areata
- AviClear Acne Laser
- Basal Cell Cancer
- Brown spots
- Dermatosis P. Nigra
- Dry Skin - Xerosis
- Eczema Atopic Dermatitis
- East Asian Dermatology
- Ethnic Dermatology
- Hemangioma
- Herpes simplex
- Hives - Urticaria
- Hyperhidrosis (Sweat)
- Impetigo
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Lupus
- Melanoma
- Melasma
- Mohs Surgery
- Molluscum
- Nail Fungus
- Poison ivy
- Port Wine Stains
- Rashes
- Shingles
- Skin Cancer
- Vitiligo
- Seborrheic Keratoses
- Cosmetic dermatology
- SHOP
- About us
- Contact
Written by Dr. Ringpfeil
Fraxel
- Medical dermatology
- Medical Dermatology
- Popular Treatments
- More Treatments
- Actinic Keratosis
- Alopecia Areata
- AviClear Acne Laser
- Basal Cell Cancer
- Brown spots
- Dermatosis P. Nigra
- Dry Skin - Xerosis
- Eczema Atopic Dermatitis
- East Asian Dermatology
- Ethnic Dermatology
- Hemangioma
- Herpes simplex
- Hives - Urticaria
- Hyperhidrosis (Sweat)
- Impetigo
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Lupus
- Melanoma
- Melasma
- Mohs Surgery
- Molluscum
- Nail Fungus
- Poison ivy
- Port Wine Stains
- Rashes
- Shingles
- Skin Cancer
- Vitiligo
- Seborrheic Keratoses
- Cosmetic dermatology
- SHOP
- About us
- Contact
Overview:
Improved appearance through delivery of heat to layers of the skin where collagen production is stimulated. Not harming the surface of the skin, this laser is indicated for those who cannot afford the downtime of a traditional CO2 laser treatment with multiple treatments, results approximate those of a CO2 treatment.
Expected results:
Treatment of photo damage and sun spots, reduction of fine and intermediate lines, improvement of scars, reduction of melasma. Treatment is not limited to the face.
Preparation:
Vigorous regimen of daily sunscreens (for all areas to be treated) and night time retinoids for several weeks to months (for treatment of face), no alcohol and aspirin for 2 weeks prior to the procedure, vitamin C 1000 mg daily starting 2 weeks prior to the treatment. Local anesthesia is applied prior to treatment.
Post treatment instructions:
Rigorous sun avoidance/protection for 3 months. Refrain from alcohol consumption for 2 weeks after the treatment, avoid aspirin for 10 days, continue vitamin C 1000 mg daily for 3 months. Application of ice once an hour for 2-3 days may provide added comfort. There is no need for dressings. Skin care in the immediate postoperative period includes the use of a very gentle non-soap cleanser, broad spectrum sunscreens and oral medication to prevent herpes reactivation. Topical retinoids can be resumed after 1 week.
Time to desired results:
4-8 treatments about 3-4 weeks apart.
Duration of desired effects:
Several years (exact duration is unknown at this time)
Contraindications:
Isotretinoin in the past 6-12 months. This laser is safe on all skin types.
Downtime:
1- 6 days of redness and swelling.
Selected Patient Questions and Answers
# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM
PATIENT RATINGS
Would you recommend us?
- definitely
- 93.1%
- probably
- 6.16%
- maybe
- 0.58%
- not likely
- 0.08%
- no
- 0.02%
Compare our service to other similar practices
- excellent
- 87.9%
- very good
- 10.1%
- good
- 1.8%
- poor
- 0.06%
- very poor
- 0%
Overall doctor performance
- excellent
- 94.2%
- very good
- 4.89%
- good
- 0.80%
- poor
- 0.03%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor listened to you attentively
- excellent
- 93.9%
- very good
- 4.97%
- good
- 1.05%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor took time to answer your questions
- excellent
- 94.0%
- very good
- 4.66%
- good
- 1.27%
- poor
- 0.02%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 94.3%
- very good
- 4.16%
- good
- 1.25%
- poor
- 0.14%
- very poor
- 0.02%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 92.0%
- very good
- 5.69%
- good
- 2.18%
- poor
- 0.11%
- very poor
- 0.0%
Front desk performance
- excellent
- 85.6%
- very good
- 10.2%
- good
- 3.66%
- poor
- 0.31%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Aesthetician performance
- excellent
- 88.6%
- very good
- 7.61%
- good
- 3.39%
- poor
- 0.24%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Office comfort
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 6.93%
- good
- 2.08%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0.05%
Parking
- excellent
- 66.4%
- very good
- 14.4%
- good
- 15.7%
- poor
- 2.49%
- very poor
- 0.9%
Friendliness of the staff during appointment
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 7.23%
- good
- 1.85%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
What WE DID WELL
(Answers:674)
I thought the doctor was very thorough in explaining the procedures I need to take care of my skin problem
#12025-11-01Punctuality - Perfect Sense of humor of staff
#22025-10-04medical assistant
#32011-11-30 15:41:16Staff was very friendly. The office is beautiful, organized, and very clean. I am very happy with my choice to see Dr. Ringpfeil!
#42025-10-21The doctor took a lot of time explaining my treatment and making sure I was comfortable.
#52026-02-11The professionalism was awesome.
#62012-07-03 15:04:31I was very please with the service when setting up my appointment, and when I called back with questions concerning my insurance. Very pleasant and accomodating staff!
#72011-01-04 10:23:13interaction with staff
#82026-01-02The doctor and physicians assistant were both very professional and knowledgeable.
#92025-07-02Everyone was very nice!
#102025-04-14What can we do better?
(answers:373)
Overall excellent service. Friendly front desk staff. A very small suggestion would be to have someone immediately identify themselves as the person to register a new patient and direct where to go when someone enters the waiting room. With a big waiting room and three people at the front desk, it is a lot to take in and not know to whom to speak. Having had negative experiences with doctors' receptionists where all three of the three people at the front desk have ignored me until I called out and forced a response, I am sensitive to the issue and imagine others have had this experience as well.
#12011-01-31 10:42:48you can not top anything. this is the best run office and staff that I have ever been in.
#22011-05-26 11:49:32You often have a long wait time in the room for the doctor. When she does come in it is not for a very long time.
#32010-08-23 17:00:56This was my first visit and although i was uncomfortable with my problem which was addressing I was truly happy with everything else.
#42011-07-28 15:11:23The music in the waiting area could be a bit softer.
#52025-12-16While I totally understand the late policy, unfortunately my daughter and I drove 1.5 hrs to the facility and given the weather and errorous directions, we ended up being 7 mins late. I immediately called the office while on route to explain that we were lost and sought correct directions. The receptionist was very curt, short and condesending. Upon our arrival, there was no warm greeting and very limited eye contact. Again,as a heath care provider myself, I appreciate the need to follow a schedule, however, our appointments were in direct succession and I do not think it would have had a significant impact on the work schedule, given our special circumstance.
#62011-03-24 10:10:11do not change a thing
#72026-03-04WINE AND CHEESE WOULD BE NICE IN THE WAITING AREA
#82011-02-09 12:32:20I have an unusual challenge getting to and from the office. Your practice is doing a great job; I will deal with the transportation issues.
#92011-03-21 10:03:43everything was great.
#102011-03-18 11:09:57
i want to know how much does it cost for one treatment.
FRAXEL is the name of a company and their original product, FRAXEL, is synonymous with fractionated laser ablation. These days, there are at least 5 different FRAXEL models that target different imperfections. The original one is not really used anymore. It has been replaced by more efficient lasers. Cost depends on the issue of concern, the area that is treated and the number of treatments needed for the desired results. In general it is best to have a consultation, so that we can examine the area of concern and you can learn which treatments will bring you to your goal.
hi, I was wondering how many treatments with the Fraxel laser will I need to cover at least 90% of the skin on my face if the density is set at 30% coverage each time. Thank you for your time
During each FRAXEL treatment, about 20-30% of the skin is treated. With each additional treatment, the same occurs. Neither FRAXEL nor any other laser know which area of the skin was treated before and therefore it is very difficult to state when 90% of the skin have been treated. The overall improvements are usually seen after several treatments. Most experts in the field nowadays state that it takes 3-5 treatments to get results and that nothing much dramatic happens after 1 or 2 treatments. I do not offer FRAXEL treatments in my office because I have more treatment flexibility with my CO2 laser – however, if your laser surgeon is experienced with FRAXEL and you can commit to several treatments, you should see good results.