Nowadays, we humans use lasers to solve our problems. Bad eye sight- laser eye surgery. Jacked-up teeth- laser dentistry. Boredom- Pink Floyd laser light show. Tanking economy- hold the world hostage with lasers. And now, lasers have gone all “Hollywood”, as they’re beginning to solve our cosmetic needs. That’s right, with the help of C02 lasers, the skin on every woman’s face can be as tight as Dakota Fannings’. Active FX has made natural aging a thing of the past, helping women lie about their age much more convincingly!
What is it?
Lumenis Active FX is a cutting edge procedure known as fractional laser treatment. Don’t let the name fool you (assuming there is an equal amount of reluctance to the word “fractions” as there is “laser”), fractional laser treatment is doing wonders to damaged skin. The term “fractional laser treatment” refers to the fact that the laser only treats a small fraction of the skin’s surface, ideally allowing for a much faster healing process. Active FX treatment is done using a fractional C02 laser and can be successfully administered in one sitting. Basically, a high energy beam of laser light is used to smooth out lines, wrinkles, and scars on the face, as well as remove brown spots or other discolorations. In addition, Active FX tightens skin and helps to stimulate the formation of collagen over time.
The actual procedure is relatively quick, generally falling somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes. About 30 minutes before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream will most likely be applied to your face so as to minimize any discomfort. The entire procedure is supposed to be relatively painless, the biggest setback being that after the procedure, your treated skin will probably feel sunburned.
Who needs it?
If you’re constantly spouting, “time is money, people!” then you probably don’t have that many friends because that’s an annoying thing to say. However, if you live a fast-paced life then Active FX is ideal for you, as the procedure is done in one treatment and the downtime is minimal, at best. So if you have to constantly be in the office, fear not, as Active FX can and will accommodate you. You can continue to stress out about work, while looking ten years younger!
Otherwise, Active FX is a long-lasting treatment for those with dyschromia, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Besides that, it can also correct acne scarring.
Benefits
Besides the obvious benefit of reducing wrinkles and fine lines, Active FX can produce immediate results in the area of skin tightening. By the end of the week, dramatic improvements in skin tone and texture should be visible, giving you that healthy youthful skin you’ve been dreaming of. An added benefit is that the procedure stimulates new collagen formation, which ultimately leads to continued inner-tightening, meaning that the full results of Active FX may come to fruition three to five months after you’ve had the procedure.
The effects are also considerably long-lasting, in some cases persisting for years if proper sun protection is being practiced (warning: this may mean limiting the amount of times you go to see Jimmy Buffet in concert over the summer). All in all, not too shabby for a procedure that takes less than an hour to perform.
Risks
While Active FX is low-risk, there are things that should be clarified for patients considering going under the laser. The Active FX people, whoever they may be, like to push the idea that there is virtually no down time attributed to the procedure. This is not completely true, as your face will be red and swollen for a majority of the next day. Within the week you’ll start to peel and may have to return to the physician’s office for them to completely plane (i.e. razor) off the remnants of scale-like skin. It sounds more disgusting than it actually is. But still, if you have to give a eulogy anytime soon, hold off on your Active FX treatment until after the funeral.
The bottom line
Active FX is widely regarded as one of the best procedures available for rejuvenating skin and eliminating wrinkles. So Grandma, rejoice in the wonders of Active FX and marvel at the amount of times people confuse you for Haley Joel Osment.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.
If you are considering Active FX, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:
Atlanta Dermatologists | Boston Dermatologists | Charlotte Dermatologists | Chicago Dermatologists | Dallas Dermatologists | Los Angeles Dermatologists | Miami Dermatologists | Minneapolis Dermatologists | New York Dermatologists | Philadelphia Dermatologists | Phoenix Dermatologists | San Francisco Dermatologists | Seattle Dermatologists | Washington, DC Dermatologists | See More Cities
