Frax 1940 / Nordlys Laser
The Frax & Nordlys system from Candela comprises gentle laser & light treatments. Lasers use specific wavelengths to target skin concerns including pigmentation, pore size, redness, wrinkles & dull skin. Each laser has a specific role to play. Different lasers are employed to treat different skin types & presentations.
FactsFacts On The Frax 1940 Laser
- This laser is classed as a fractional laser, treating predetermined portions of skin
- Frax 1940 is ideal for addressing pigment, dull skin, sun damage & wrinkles
- This laser is non-ablative, meaning it has a quick healing time
- Recovery ranges from 4 to 5 days
- Most patients require 1-3 sessions, depending upon your expectations
- Addition of retinoic acid directly after laser can improve clinical outcomes
What is the Frax Nordlys Laser?
This is a new & novel wavelength for 2022 & beyond. This laser is best for mild to moderate pigmentation, sun damage & wrinkles in lighter skin types.
It was developed to compete with Fraxel Dual, namely the 1927 & 1550 wavelength. The target for this laser is water in the upper epidermis & the papillary dermis. The depth of penetration for 1940 is deeper than Fraxel. The density coverage & power is equal (70%, up to 20 mj). Delivery of the laser beams are linear & sequential with the Frax.
What skin conditions can Frax 1940 laser treat?
Concept to understand: each laser wavelength plays a specific role. If a clinic has limited wavelengths & lasers, you may have a compromised treatment. The Frax 1940 laser is advertised as a multi-treatment platform that can address everything from melasma to wrinkles. My main indications are-
- Pigment or dyschromia in lighter skin types 1-2.
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Sun damage including sunspots & broken collagen (elastosis)
- Mild skin laxity in lighter skin types
I do not use this laser to treat melasma. Darker skin types can be treated with this wavelength however multiple sessions are required.
What condition can NOT be treated with Frax laser?
This laser is good for superficial skin conditions. It does not treat–
- Melasma (other lasers do a much better job)
- Skin laxity (mild cases can respond)
- Volume loss (only fillers or fat transfer can do this)
- Acne scars (different methods required)
- Deep wrinkles (Co2 lasers are much better)
What skin types can be treated with Frax 1940/1550 laser resurfacing?
Lighter skin types are suited for Frax 1940. This means Caucasian skin types. Darker skin types can be treated with this wavelength; however laser settings are conservative, namely lower energy & passes. Darker skin patients should be treated with pico lasers.
View our Treatment Gallery
Does Frax laser resurfacing hurt?
Treatments are well tolerated as we use a high concentration of numbing gel (prescription gel). This is augmented with cooling if required.
Post laser your skin will feel warm for 6 to 8 hours. No pain relief is required.
How many treatments will you need?
1-3 depending on your skin concerns, your skin type & downtime. The average patient has 2 treatments spaced 4-8 weeks apart.
More on this tonight at Candela’s Frax Pro meeting @candelamedicalanz
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🔎Aim: Combine Picoway + Frax Pro, safely in Asian-Ethnic skin type
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🔫Lasers: Frax Pro 5-10 mJ, 30 % density with extra passes at session two for 60+ % in select areas. Picoway 532 + 1064
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2️⃣Sessions: two only (combined lasers in each)
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👉Comment: Still learning how far we can push the 1940 in the context of ethnic skin
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😁Concept: two superficial treatments may have different cytokine expressions that may be synergistic. We are not looking at pigment reduction (easy with the Picoway to achieve), we’re looking at collagen production & reduction of wrinkles in darker skin types with the minimal number of treatments & S/E
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👊🏻More tonight
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
#frax #fraxpro #fractionallaser #candela #laserresurfacing #pico #picoway #Picolaser #ethnicskin #drdavinlim #davinlim #collagen
This was achieved with 2 sessions. First session, Picoway +Frax Pro 1940, second session Picoway 532 & 1064 only
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👉Concept: Non-selective photothermolysis. Sure, the 1940 has water as the chromophore & the pico, melanin, but the results to date, in skin type 4+ has been extraordinary. Possibly there is synergy between these two treatments (early days yet, as we have only treated 3 Asian - Ethnic patients with this combination, but the results are extraordinary). Same concept as ANFO, ammonium nitrate & fuel oil. Independently they do very little, apart from fertilizing your lawn & powering your tractor. Combine them, add a small propagation charge & BOOM !!! 💥
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👊🏻?: Possibly the cytokine pattern of LIOBs & the 1940+/-13 nm wavelength is the same as ANFO, only the BOOM is neocollagenesis. It’s been over a decade, & we still don’t fully understand the remodeling capabilities of very superficial (200 micron) non-ablative lasers- such a benign treat yields extraordinary results with collagen remodeling💯
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🙏🏼Join Phillip, John & myself this Thursday when we share our experiences with 1940. Half my presentation is on the on-label indications, the other half is when Alison & I can go way off label to see what good things can happen when we combine wavelengths
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👉For uncharted territory, I always choose family members, as they are less likely to sue me. This B&A is of my dear cousin😁
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
#drdavinlim #davinlim #fraxpro #picoway #skinrejuvenation #eyerejuvenation #antiaging #fractionallaser #fractionallasers #dermatologist #antiwrinkle #ethnicskin #skinrejuvenation
What is recovery like?
Recovery will depend on the settings we employ. We will give you an accurate estimate of downtime before the procedure. As a guide-
- Day 0-2 Redness
- Day 2-5 Shedding of skin. Makeup is not advisable during this period.
- Day 5-7 Recovery. Make up can be worn
- Day 7-9 Skin returns to normal
How does this compare to Fraxel & other fractional laser resurfacing?
The Frax system by Candela competes with other fractional laser systems such as Fraxel Dual & LaseMD by Lutronic. Each device has their pros and cons. Frax uses very similar wavelengths compared to Fraxel, namely 1940 (close to 1927) & 1550.
Fraxel is a good laser however it has consumables that are passed on to the patient. The Frax 1940 & thulium 1927 lasers are very similar, but it is more cost effective for the patient. The downside with Frax is the speed of resurfacing- typically 2-3 times longer than other fractional systems. Results are dependent on the clinic, not the laser.
How does Frax 1940 compare to HALO laser resurfacing?
I have used both systems. The HALO uses two wavelengths, one at 2940 (erbium) & at 1470. The ablative wavelength of HALO goes to 0.1 mm & the non-ablative goes to 0.7mm. The Frax is shallower but gives better results for superficial lesions. The HALO can be tuned for dermal pathology.
I use less of the erbium HALO wavelength, & I prefer the CO2 & thulium combination. This gives a much better result than HALO, at a third of the price with only one treatment.
What treatment is one level up from Frax 1940?
If you have stubborn pigmentation, spots & dots including seborrheic warts, sebaceous hyperplasia & deeper wrinkles/laxity, a higher-level laser is recommended.
I normally combine a CO2 fractional laser with 1927 Thulium. This is known as Hybrid laser resurfacing. Downtime is extended by 48 hours, but the results are much better than a single laser wavelength like Frax 1940.
What treatment is one level down from Frax 1940?
If you would like to explore laser skin rejuvenation but you are still apprehensive, one level down is a diode 1927 laser. This has a ‘downtime’ of 1-3 days. You will be pink for the first few hours, followed by a very light superficial peel at day 2-3.
Another option is pico laser resurfacing or gentle fractional CO2. Downtime is minimal, pain is minimal, cost is minimal. These lasers are best for mild pigmentation, fine lines, & prevention.
Can Frax 1940 treat melasma?
Though white papers & case studies suggest that this laser can treat melasma, in real life you have a great chance of flaring up this condition with lasers such as Fraxel Dual, Frax 1940, Frax 1550, Fraxel Dual & IPL.
The best lasers for melasma are the nano Spectra & pico lasers.
When can you restart your normal skincare routine again?
You can recommence your skincare routine at day 7 to day 12 post laser resurfacing. My clinical staff will guide you through this process. As a rule-
- Actives such as retinol, AHA, vitamin C, start slowly. Eg. every second or third night, increase weekly as tolerated.
- Vitamin B (niacinamide), hyaluronic acid can be reintroduced early
- BHA washes start at the end of week one.
What are the risks of Frax fractional laser resurfacing?
Frax 1940 & 1550 lasers are considered light (ish) resurfacing. On a scale of 1-5, it sits around level 2. Side effects are uncommon, but include-
- Infections including bacterial & viral
- Melasma flare ups: hence why we don’t treat melasma patients with this laser
- Gridding: can occur. Rare side effects.
- Redness – rosacea flare
How much does laser resurfacing cost?
The Frax 1940-1550 system is classified as a level 2 laser. This laser is performed by my nursing staff at Cutis, as a guide-
Level 1 Resurfacing $460 per treatment (Clear & Brilliant)
Level 2 Resurfacing $1090 per treatment (Fraxel- LaseMD)
Level 3 Resurfacing $1,490 per treatment (HD Fraxel – LaseMD)
Level 4 Resurfacing $1,990 per -$2490 per treatment (CO2 fractional laser +/- Thulium laser)
Level 5 Resurfacing $3,990 +++ per treatment (CO2 fully ablative / erbium)
How would you know if fractional laser resurfacing is for you?
Book a FREE consultation with my clinical staff at Cutis to discuss your skin care needs. We use over 30 lasers & energy devices to come up with a bespoke protocol based upon your concerns, skin type, skin history & downtime.
Disclaimer: A consultation fee applies for an appointment with me. I suggest you see my clinical staff for simple low downtime lasers like Frax 1940-1550-HALO-Fraxel- LaserMD , Pico & Clear & Brilliant
Davin’s Viewpoint on the Frax 1940 laser
The new platform from Candela provides a novel wavelength for skin rejuvenation. The Frax system comes in two wavelengths, namely a 1940 & a 1550. The 1940 is good for superficial skin concerns, including pigmentation (non-melasma) & dyschromia. This means sun damage, liver spots (often best in combination with the Pico or Q switch laser), sunspots or solar keratosis as well as fine lines & wrinkles.
Most patients require 1-2 sessions. In my practice I combine different lasers in the one setting. This is called hybrid laser resurfacing. It gives much better results than using one laser. Combinations with Frax include- CO2 with the CORE, eCO2, erbium fractional (much like HALO, only better), RF microneedling, & pico lasers.
We also use the Frax to deliver actives including retinoic acid & retinoids. These topicals further improve skin quality.
