Melbourne Eastside Dermatology is Melbourne’s premium specialist dermatology practice utilising the latest Candela™ FraxPro (included in the Nordlys system.)
This laser is a more recent technology and provides a more cost effective laser option compared to the older Fraxel™ laser.
In Melbourne Eastside Dermatology, this device is used either as a stand-alone modality , or in combination with other technologies, such as PicoWay, VBeam Perfecta for a customised treatment that targets the problem specific to each individual.
飞梭 Candela™ FraxPro Laser
Melbourne Eastside Dermatology is Melbourne’s premium specialist dermatology practice utilising the latest Candela™ FraxPro (included in the Nordlys system.)
This laser is a more recent technology and provides a more cost effective laser option compared to the older Fraxel™ laser.
In Melbourne Eastside Dermatology, this device is used either as a stand-alone modality , or in combination with other technologies, such as PicoWay, VBeam Perfecta for a customised treatment that targets the problem specific to each individual.
FraxPro is the latest technology which is included as part of the multi-platform of Candela Nordlys laser technology.
FraxPro laser is a “non-ablative” fractionated laser (NAFL) technology utilising 2 wavelength 1940nm and 1550nm, included in the Nordlys laser platform.
“Non-Ablative” Fractionated laser (NAFL) is a way laser delivers energy to tiny near-invisible micro-fractions into the skin. The result of this is it clears superficial skin pigmentation, stimulates collagen formation, smoothen skin and fine lines, and improves overall skin contour and acne/surgical/trauma scars. The downtime is only a a few days of redness/swelling, and 2 weeks of skin dry flaking.
The 1940nm wavelength is especially effective in treating superficial pigmentation, surface rejuvenation and wrinkling. The commonly known “Frax” treatment acts as an “eraser” of the skin imperfections. The 1550nm targets deeper dermis skin layer for stimulating collagen formation and reducing acne/traumatic scarring.
The 2 wavelengths can be performed on a single session in suitable patients to achieve a superficial and deep rejuvenation treatment.
Fraxel Dual, like the FraxPro laser system, is also a fractionated non-ablative laser that contains 2 wavelengths 1927nm and 1550nm (FraxPro contains 1940nm and 1550nm wavelengths).
1927nm (Fraxel) Vs 1940nm (FraxPro) Wavelength
Fraxel Dual has been around for few decades, and has long been used for addressing pigmentation, wrinkling, skin ageing, skin textures and acne scarring. This has been a very popular system that multiple dermatology practices have utilised across the world. It utilises Thulium 1927nm to achieve majority of these effects.
FraxPro, with the most recent breakthrough, utilises the Diode laser system to generate 1940nm. This has been shown in recent studies that it can achieves similar properties as 1927nm in Fraxel – being absorbed superficially by the targets in the skin surface (epidermis), improving the same concern of pigmentation, skin photo ageing, skin wrinkling, improving luminosity and scarring.
1550nm Wavelength (Both Fraxel and FraxPro)
Both the Fraxel and FraxPro utilise the same 1550nm wavelength.
Cost
The operation of the Fraxel system requires the operator to pay a consumable cost for EACH treatment (3 figures in AUD dollar at time of writing 2023/2024 of this article) whereas the Candela FraxPro does not have a consumable cost.
Therefore FraxPro offers a much more cost-effective option to achieve similar outcome.
Downtime
Both Fraxel and FraxPro requires similar downtime of swelling (Few days) followed by peeling (1 week or 2).
Result
Recent studies have demonstrated very similar clinical outcome of the 2 systems (addressing the same skin concern)
Pain
Both system requires good amount of topical anaesthesia. Anecdotally (our clinicians’ personal opinion), the pain is very well tolerated with FraxPro therapy. We have not required more than topical anaesthesia, cooling or ice to relieve pain. It seems to be better tolerated that Fraxel, even though the time required for treatment is longer (about 30minutes for full face therapy).
FraxPro is the latest technology which is included as part of the multi-platform of Candela Nordlys laser technology.
FraxPro laser is a “non-ablative” fractionated laser (NAFL) technology utilising 2 wavelength 1940nm and 1550nm, included in the Nordlys laser platform.
“Non-Ablative” Fractionated laser (NAFL) is a way laser delivers energy to tiny near-invisible micro-fractions into the skin. The result of this is it clears superficial skin pigmentation, stimulates collagen formation, smoothen skin and fine lines, and improves overall skin contour and acne/surgical/trauma scars. The downtime is only a a few days of redness/swelling, and 2 weeks of skin dry flaking.
The 1940nm wavelength is especially effective in treating superficial pigmentation, surface rejuvenation and wrinkling. The commonly known “Frax” treatment acts as an “eraser” of the skin imperfections. The 1550nm targets deeper dermis skin layer for stimulating collagen formation and reducing acne/traumatic scarring.
The 2 wavelengths can be performed on a single session in suitable patients to achieve a superficial and deep rejuvenation treatment.
Fraxel Dual, like the FraxPro laser system, is also a fractionated non-ablative laser that contains 2 wavelengths 1927nm and 1550nm (FraxPro contains 1940nm and 1550nm wavelengths).
1927nm (Fraxel) Vs 1940nm (FraxPro) Wavelength
Fraxel Dual has been around for few decades, and has long been used for addressing pigmentation, wrinkling, skin ageing, skin textures and acne scarring. This has been a very popular system that multiple dermatology practices have utilised across the world. It utilises Thulium 1927nm to achieve majority of these effects.
FraxPro, with the most recent breakthrough, utilises the Diode laser system to generate 1940nm. This has been shown in recent studies that it can achieves similar properties as 1927nm in Fraxel – being absorbed superficially by the targets in the skin surface (epidermis), improving the same concern of pigmentation, skin photo ageing, skin wrinkling, improving luminosity and scarring.
1550nm Wavelength (Both Fraxel and FraxPro)
Both the Fraxel and FraxPro utilise the same 1550nm wavelength.
Cost
The operation of the Fraxel system requires the operator to pay a consumable cost for EACH treatment (3 figures in AUD dollar at time of writing 2023/2024 of this article) whereas the Candela FraxPro does not have a consumable cost.
Therefore FraxPro offers a much more cost-effective option to achieve similar outcome.
Downtime
Both Fraxel and FraxPro requires similar downtime of swelling (Few days) followed by peeling (1 week or 2).
Result
Recent studies have demonstrated very similar clinical outcome of the 2 systems (addressing the same skin concern)
Pain
Both system requires good amount of topical anaesthesia. Anecdotally (our clinicians’ personal opinion), the pain is very well tolerated with FraxPro therapy. We have not required more than topical anaesthesia, cooling or ice to relieve pain. It seems to be better tolerated that Fraxel, even though the time required for treatment is longer (about 30minutes for full face therapy).
Sun Damage and Pigmentation
This photograph shown is the classical patient that benefits the best from a combination of FraxPro and Nordlys IPL treatment. One to three treatments will give good clearance of pigmentation, redness, fine wrinkling and improves skin texture.
![](https://www.eastsidedermatology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1.webp)
![](https://www.eastsidedermatology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Skin-tone-Pore-Size-Uneven-Skin-Texture-1000x600.jpg)
Photo ageing, wrinkling, texture and luminosity
Both the IPL treatment and the non-ablative fractionated laser (FraxPro) are used to reduce fine wrinkling and improve skin quality. The “Light and Bright” treatment protocol is a great way to reverse skin ageing.
Acne Scarring
The FraxPro 1550nm combined with the 1940nm wavelengths can target superficial and deep scarring from acne, surgery or trauma. It provides one extra option or complement other modalities of scarring treatment offered in MEDerm.
![](https://www.eastsidedermatology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MEDerm-acne-scarring-picoway-laser-treatment-1000x600.jpg)
Before & After
Sun Damage and Pigmentation
![](https://www.eastsidedermatology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FraxPro-before.webp)
Sun damage with pigmentation on face before FraxPro treatment
![](https://www.eastsidedermatology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FraxPro-after.webp)
After 1 FraxPro treatment
Treatment by Dr Desmond Gan and cosmetic nursing team.
Individual results may vary.
What is the difference between Fraxel and FraxPro?
FraxPro is the latest technology by Candela. The 2 systems are similar in wavelengths and the clinical outcome. The differences are discussed on the top of this article.
What is the cost difference between Fraxel and FraxPro?
Fraxel system requires a consumable cost of 3 figures for each treatment, so generally speaking, the clinics do need to recover this cost by including this in the treatment cost for patients.
Candela FraxPro, on the other hand, does not have consumable cost, and the cost saving is significant for patients.
What can Candela FraxPro treat?
Candela FraxPro is included in the Candela Nordlys multi-platform system. It can treat a range of problems. It is said a all-rounder treatment that can target pigmentation and facial redness caused by sun damage, large vascular lesions (angioma or blood vessels), fine wrinkling, acne and acne scarring.
It is also an excellent “entry level” multi-purpose rejuvenation treatment for anyone looking to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
Is FraxPro right for me?
FraxPro is suitable for all age groups from the very youthful to the more advanced-age groups of patients.
It is safe in the lighter skin type. In more tanner skin type, the clinician will discuss the suitability or the other options that our clinics offer that may be safer (such as PicoWay pigmentation laser, micro-needling, Vivace or Venus Viva radiofrequency)
Is FraxPro able to treat chest and arm sun damage?
Pigmentation, “décolletage” and sun damage on chest can be treated with Nordlys / FraxPro. In fact, if a combination of sun damage is seen, this is the best form of treatment.
Is FraxPro safe?
All lasers carry inherent risks including FraxPro and our clinicians will discuss about the the potential problems. These include prolonged redness, scarring and infection.
If this is used in slightly darker skin types (Fitzpatrick skin type 3), the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is higher.
FraxPro laser produces little microchannels and the risk of bacterial or viral (herpes simplex) is present. We will provide a single dose of antiviral tablet just before the treatment is given. If you have frequent or recent cold sore (within 2 weeks before treatment), it may not be suitable.
Is FraxPro a laser?
It is a non-ablative fractionated laser, similar to the well-known Fraxel laser.
Is FraxPro painful?
Like all non-ablative fractionated lasers, this laser can produce pain during treatment. However, most of our patients tolerate this procedure very well with topical anaesthesia, cooling and ice. We have not required anything more than oral Paracetamol for this treatment.
The face feels like a minor “sunburn” degree of pain for a few days, and then dry scaling of skin takes over as the sensation as it recovers.
What happens after each FraxPro laser treatment?
Face is red and slightly swollen for a few days. The skin then starts peeling for a week or 2. Most skin will recover fully within 2 weeks or so, with some minor redness felt that can be covered with make up easily.
In some patients, especially for the darker skin colour (“Fitzpatrick skin type 3”), the face can be slightly darkened (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). If you are darker skin type, we will discuss this possibility or offer alternative treatment options.
We do not anticipate severe pain (any severe pain after treatment should raise suspicion of infection and you should contact your practitioner ASAP to consider testing for infection, and starting oral antibiotic, oral antiviral tablets).
How many FraxPro treatments will I need to reduce visible signs of sun damage?
Improvement can be seen after just 1 treatment.
If you choose a low density “light” treatment, this can be repeated after a month or so, for a few sessions.
If you choose a higher density treatment, we really only expect to perform this procedure once per year on average.
Is there a lighter versus deeper treatment?
Yes, we can tailor to your requirement.
For example, a lighter treatment will reduce the amount of swelling, redness and scaling seen after treatment, which may suit some patients who need to go back to work quickly. However, you may need more sessions.
Can you combine FraxPro with IPL?
Yes. We frequently combine FraxPro with the Candela IPL (same system) to achieve a better result. The treatment per session is extended by around 10 minutes, with the light IPL performed first, followed by anaesthesia cream, and then the FraxPro treatment.
Can I return to normal activities after treatment?
After the first 2 days of redness and swelling, the skin does have fine peeling reaction for a week. You can resume to normal activities and go back to work (accepting the level of skin peeling – you can wear a face mask to hide the skin peeling).
In terms of swimming and water sports, we recommend to resume only after the peeling has settled down completely.
What is the cost of FraxPro treatment?
Generally, FraxPro is the much more cost effective option compared to Fraxel, and many times only 1-2 treatments is required to see the improvement. If you are used to the pricing of Fraxel laser, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear of the cost of FraxPro.
Please contact us to discuss the cost of treatment.
Where can I have FraxPro laser in Melbourne?
We are one of very few official Candela™ recognised dermatology specialist practice use of Nordlys and FraxPro in Melbourne. We perform the Candela Nordlys FraxPro treatment in our practice in Blackburn South. You can ask for a consultation with us in our Blackburn South rooms.
We are within the vicinity of Knox, Wantirna, Mitcham, Ringwood, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Kew, Camberwell, Balwyn, Doncaster, Donvale, Templestowe, Box Hill, Mont Albert and Surrey Hills, and we serve a large referral base up to Croydon, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Boronia and Yarra Valley / Yarra Ranges wineries.