45 Thomas Johnson Dr., Suite 209 & 210, Frederick, MD 21702
LUMENIS TOTAL FX
The Total FX is a fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment that treats only a fraction of the skin, leaving bridges of untouched skin that aid in the healing process and reduce healing times enabling you to return to normal activities quicker. Unlike traditional carbon dioxide lasers, the Total FX and its fractionated capabilities allows for greater effectiveness, but even more important, better safety with less chance of side effects. When you choose to undergo a carbon dioxide resurfacing laser, you need to make sure your provider is fully trained and performs these procedures often. At Frederick Dermatology, we preform these procedures daily and stay updated on changing protocols for better results. We spent considerable time in our selection of our CO2 laser. There are many on the market and many do not achieve the same results at the same safety level as the Total FX by Lumenis.
Fractionated laser resurfacing has become an important part of rejuvenating the changes that occur with aging and sun exposure. Laser resurfacing is performed in the office to help:
- Erase fine lines and wrinkles of the face
- Smooth and tighten eyelid skin
- Improve crow’s feet around the eyes
- Soften pucker marks and frown lines
- Remove brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin color
- Improve and flatten scars-including acne and burn scars
- Repair smoker’s lines
- Improve skin tone and texture
- Improve appearance of stretch marks
What is Total FX?
The Total FX is a fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment that treats only a fraction of the skin, leaving bridges of untouched skin that aid in the healing process and reduce healing times enabling you to return to normal activities quicker. Unlike traditional carbon dioxide lasers, the Total FX and its fractionated capabilities allows for greater effectiveness, but even more important, better safety with less chance of side effects. When you choose to undergo a carbon dioxide resurfacing laser, you need to make sure your provider is fully trained and performs these procedures often. At Frederick Dermatology, we preform these procedures daily and stay updated on changing protocols for better results. We spent considerable time in our selection of our CO2 laser. There are many on the market and many do not achieve the same results at the same safety level as the Total FX by Lumenis.
How does Total FX work?
The Total FX procedure begins with numbing the skin with a topical anesthetic to aid in treatment comfort. Your total treatment time will last approximately 45 minutes, though total time will vary depending on the areas treated. During the procedure, you will feel a warm sensation as the laser is applied. Immediately following treatment, your skin will be warm, and will appear as though you were sunburned. We will provide you with a skin care regimen to follow for the days after your treatment and as your skin heals, you will begin to notice an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, scars, pigmentation, tone and texture. You should expect to continue to see improvement for up to six months following the procedures. Because this is the most aggressive resurfacing laser, we have you come in 90 minutes early for adequate pain relief with topical and local anesthesia.
Before and After Photos
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the benefits of Total FX?
Total FX benefits include: smoother tighter facial skin and contours, deep wrinkle/scar improvement, immediate skin tightening, stimulates collagen, softening of smokers’ lines and vertical lip lines, and fading of skin discoloration. At Frederick Dermatology Associates also has great success with the Total FX and surgical scars, acne scars, and stretch marks.
Does Total FX hurt?
Before the procedure a topical numbing cream is applied and oral medications are given in order to make the patient relaxed during the procedure. We ask our patients to have a driver to take them home given the sedation during the procedure. After the laser treatment, the patient feels as if they have a bad sunburn for 2-4 hours. We supply our patients with enough oral pain medications to alleviate the discomfort during this time. Although there may be some swelling over the next few days, very few patients report notable discomfort.
How long is Total FX effective?
You will see immediate results — continuing for up to six months due to the new collagen formation. Patients should expect about 5-7 days of crusting and social downtime. After one week, new skin is revealed that is quite pink. This pinkness will continue to fade over the next 4-6 weeks and covers well with make-up. The patient can start to use sunscreens and their make-up one week after the procedure. The patient should expect to look 3-5 years younger with one Total FX treatment. This resurfacing laser has the benefit of being a one time treatment. For best results, many patients with also undergo volume replacement before or after the laser treatment. Therefore, the skin itself is healthier and the structure underneath the skin is replaced to provide the fullness and lift that more youthful faces possess. Frederick Dermatology are experts in the combination of skin resurfacing and liquid lifts with Botox and dermal fillers like Voluma and Radiesse. Many times this approach will allow great rejuvenation for the most natural look, and avoids you from undergoing plastic surgery. The Total FX should last you for years to come, especially if one continues maintenance of a good skin care regimen, sun avoidance, and more mild resurfacing procedures such as peels or HydraFacials.
Are there any side effects involved with getting Total FX?
Immediately after the procedure the skin will be very hot for about 2-4 hours. You should cover the treated area with an occlusive ointment like Auqaphor or our special Elta MD laser post laser therapy cream. You may notice mild to significant swelling. The more aggressive the treatment, the greater the swelling is likely to be. Most swelling starts to significantly improve by about day 3. The swelling is usually the worst around the eyes, especially in the mornings. The patient can continue to use cool compresses to help alleviate the swelling. Starting on the evening of the treatment, you can wash your face with a gentle rinse that we will recommend and/or one tbsp plain white vinegar to 1-2 cups cold water. The water/vinegar combination is weak ascetic acid and will act as an antibiotic and sooth the skin. Detailed post care instructions will be given to you after your procedure.
WELCOME TO FREDERICK, MD
Frederick Dermatology Associates has put Frederick, MD on the map as a regional authority on skin health and wellness. With an emphasis on building a natural, refreshed look in our patients, we focus on innovations in cosmetic, medical and aesthetic dermatology, backed by experience and supervision by our board-certified dermatologists. Whether you’re local or out of town, consider Frederick, MD as your destination for excellence in dermatology.
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