Erasing the years with Fraxel - Wrinkle Treatment

Erasing the years with Fraxel
October 07, 2007
By Rosalie Earle
The Charleston Gazette

Ever since it arrived, Dr. Toni Frederick and her colleagues have been practicing on one another. SheÌs had her face and neck done and eventually plans to treat her entire body.

And on Tuesday, the Charleston anesthesiologist will begin offering Fraxel laser treatment to the public.

Frederick said she has the only such laser in West Virginia. She paid $130,000 for the laserÛrumored to be the reason for the youthful good looks of several Hollywood actresses.

Frederick is the anesthesiologist for plastic surgeon Andrew Stewart. She wanted him to buy the laser, after reading and hearing about the procedure. He, in turn, urged her to make the investment.

So she has set up shop at 880 Oakwood Road. The location is ideal, she believes, because there is a beauty shop downstairs and another across the road. On the same floor is Spa Bliss, which offers several types of therapeutic massages among its services.

A client for laser treatment can have a manicure, pedicure or massage while waiting the 60 to 90 minutes for the numbing medication to take affect.

What Fraxel laser treatment does is increase the collagen in the skin over a three- to six-month period, Frederick explained.

The treatment removes wrinkles, age spots, acne scars and stretch marks, she said.

ÏFraxel will take 10 years off. If you want 20 years off, have plastic surgery,Ó Frederick advised.

A brochure published by Reliant Technologies explained the laser penetrates deep in to the dermis layer of skin, eliminating old epidermal pigmented cells, but leaving the surrounding tissue untouched. As a result, the pamphlet says, the skin heals much faster than if the entire area were treated.

After Fraxel laser treatments, Frederick said, ÏThe skin will look much younger. Then it will age like normally it would. You would still have to use sun block.Ó

Frederick said she will explain the benefits and risks of procedure during a consultation Û the first step in the treatment process.

There are some medications that must be stopped for three days up to a month. And having worked for a plastic surgeon, she realizes some people have unrealistic expectations. ÏIf someoneÌs 65 and they want to look 25, you probably donÌt want to treat that patient.Ó

The procedure itself only takes 10 to 15 minutes after the numbing cream has been applied. One the advantages of being an anesthesiologist, she said, Ïis I know exactly how much area can be numbed.Ó

She said the treatment isnÌt painless Û Ïlike a prickÓ Û but she found it tolerable with her low pain threshold.

Follow-up care includes applying ice, sleeping with your head elevated, using sunscreen and moisturizer.

The Fraxel brochure says makeup can be applied and the face shaved soon after treatment, and some patients are able to return to work the same day.

For maximum results, Frederick said a series of four treatments is usually required. For face treatment, she plans to charge $1,000 a treatment or $750 each for a package for four. Chest treatment will cost about the same, with hands and neck treatment less expensive.

ÏIÌll have multiple-area discounts,Ó she said.

Although she concedes to being a little nervous about her new venture, Frederick said the arrangement suits her lifestyle. She can make appointments around the days she works for Stewart, and still have weekends off so she and husband Damon can watch their 14-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, play golf.

Elizabeth Frederick enrolled at the Hilton Head golf academy school in August. She just won the girls 14 and younger U.S. Junior Amateur.

Appointments can be made at Laser Skin Solutions by calling 546-0176 or 344-4905.

For more information on Fraxel laser treatment, visit its Web site at www.fraxel.com.

To contract staff writer Rosalie Earle, call 348-5115 or use e-mail.

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