Most of the changes attributed to ageing are, in fact, secondary to sun damage. The sun damages the delicate collagen fibres, thus destroying the major support structure of the skin. This results in wrinkles, loose skin and age spots.

Dynamic wrinkles are the second cause of wrinkles due to expression lines such as frown lines and crows feet.

There are a number of individual treatment options available.

Dynamic wrinkles (ones caused by frowning or smiling) are best treated with muscle relaxants such as Botox and Dysport.

Wrinkles caused by sun damage and ageing respond best to laser resurfacing, including the new FRAXEL fractional resurfacing. We recommend laser resurfacing for many of our patients as it rejuvenates the skin and softens fine lines and wrinkles.

The FRAXEL laser is a unique approach to repairing ageing and sun damaged skin as well as pigmentary disturbances and acne scars.

Ablative laser resurfacing using combined Carbon dioxide and Erbium lasers is used for more advanced cases of sun damage and facial wrinkling.

Many scalpel facelifts cannot address these wrinkles.

These treatments are discussed below.

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For a smoother, fresher, younger looking appearance - an approach with many of the benefits of ablative laser resurfacing but with less down time and shorter recovery period.

The Erbium FRAXEL laser (FRAXEL Restore) and the new CO2 FRAXEL laser (FRAXEL Repair) are recent developments and another unique approach to repairing ageing and sun damaged skin. The FRAXEL lasers are one of the few modalities available which can also give a good improvement in the texture and colour of the skin of the neck, chest and hands as well as the face.

Unlike other lasers, they can be used on patients of all skin types, including those with darker skins who are unsuitable for laser resurfacing.


The Erbium FRAXEL laser

This laser works by stimulating new collagen. Using a technique called fractional photothermolysis, thousands of tiny but deep holes (about 2,000 per cm) approximately 70 microns in diameter are created down into the deeper layers of collagen, known as the microthermal treatment zones, to stimulate fibroblasts to lay down new collagen. It takes between three to six months for this to occur. This 'fractional' treatment requires five treatments spaced two to four weeks apart with relatively short healing time between each treatment. This allows the whole area to be treated more gently than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy, tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections.

Prior to treatment a special anaesthetic cream is applied for two hours.

Following treatment - You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for five to seven days. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in two or three days. The fine lines around your eyes and mouth will be markedly improved and also the brown spots caused by the sun will be much less noticeable.


The CO2 FRAXEL laser

This laser works in a similar fashion to the Erbium FRAXEL laser but gives a better result in more severely sun damaged skin because it is able to penetrate deeper into the dermis.

Usually one treatment is required using local anaesthetic and inhaled anaesthesia. Healing time is about one week which is longer than the Erbium FRAXEL but is still faster than traditional resurfacing procedures.

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Lasers offer an effective solution to address these problems. It is possible to resurface a single area, such as the upper lip or around the eyes, or to resurface the whole face. Benefits include smooth, rejuvenated skin and a lifted effect.


How Does Laser Resurfacing Work?

Resurfacing lasers work by vaporising the outer layers of skin. These lasers are computer controlled and extremely accurate. The depth of vaporisation is very predictable. Depending on the depth of the wrinkles, varying numbers of passes are made over the skin with the laser in order to achieve a satisfactory cosmetic result. Once the damaged skin is removed, new skin will regenerate from the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It also stimulates new collagen production beneath the outer layers of skin thereby giving the skin greater strength and elasticity.


Which Lasers are used for Laser Resurfacing?

The clinic is equipped with the latest lasers for resurfacing. The C02 laser was the first laser used for this type of treatment. More recently, the Erbium laser has become available which is much gentler on the skin and more suitable for younger patients, it also has a shorter healing time. Sometimes a combination of both lasers is used depending on the depth of wrinkling or sun damage to the skin with very pleasing results.


What does the treatment involve?

The procedures are performed at our state-of-the-art clinic at Neutral Bay. Depending on the depth of treatment, local anaesthetic or sedation is required. With one treatment (depending on the extent of damage),a very significant smoothing of wrinkles can be obtained. In some cases, a second treatment is required after six months to achieve the optimal result.

The healing process is usually complete after ten days, allowing a return to work in around two weeks. Some pinkness can persist, especially in fair skinned people for a number of weeks. This can be covered by makeup until the skin returns to it's natural colour.

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Dr James Walter, Dr Terence Poon, Dr Marianne Nolan, Dr Helena Torpinski and Dr Melanine Brown are highly skilled and experienced in these procedures and are available for consultation to discuss your requirements or concerns.  For an initial consultation, please contact the clinic on
02 9953 9522.

If you would like to find out more about these procedures, please phone the clinic on 02 9953 9522 to speak to one of our receptionists. They are very skilled in answering questions about the treatments we provide and will be able to assist you.