Cosmetic Image Clinics is owned and operated by former AMA Qld President and TV Medical Journalist Dr Ingrid Tall who has over twenty years of experience in the cosmetic medicine industry. Our clinic is medically supervised and if experience, credibility and a ‘natural look’ is what you are looking for, then make Queensland’s largest cosmetic clinic, Cosmetic Image Clinics your preferred provider.

Fractora is the most advanced fractional radio-frequency treatment providing anti-ageing improvements on skin tone and texture for a more radiant appearance through ablation and skin resurfacing.

Fractora delivers RF energy to the skin through an array of pins producing localised heat and small micro-lesion dots in the treatment area. The gentle heat Fractora pinsgenerated by the Fractora pins in the sub-dermal tissue promotes some restructuring of tissue for skin rejuvenation and an improved appearance in the skin. The methodical scattering of micro-lesions allows the skin to heal faster than if the entire area was ablated.

Cosmetic Image Clinics offers ‘Fractora™’, by Invasix, which provides non-ablative to minimally ablative results up to 1mm in depth. Fractora is one of numerous fractional resurfacing machines and ‘resurfaces’ a ‘fraction’ of the skin- typically up to 6-10% of the skin’s surface in each treatment. It is similar to other fractional resurfacing technologies in this methodology, examples of which include ePrime, SmartXide DOT CO2 Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing and ProFractional™.

Fractora radio-frequency fractional resurfacing can be used in areas that demonstrate fine or deep wrinkles, scars or discoloured red and brown skin tone. The most common areas of treatment are the neck and décolletage, chest, smile lines, cheeks or mouth.

The action of fractional resurfacing removes tiny columns or ‘fractions’ within the upper layers of the skin. The resurfaced skin is replaced by new skin that grows out from the hair follicles.

This new skin, having been protected in the depths of the hair follicles from the effects of the sun, will have a fresher and smoother appearance. In addition, after any form of skin resurfacing, new collagen fibres are laid down in the deeper layers during the healing phase.

After fractional resurfacing, the skin usually heals completely within days. Usually the skin will be pink, like sunburn, for approximately three days; occasionally this can last for a longer period.

However, you can wear camouflage make-up immediately after the treatment. Many people choose to have this procedure on a Friday and they are back at work on a Monday.

You will experience redness and some ‘dots and spots’ or slight roughness on your skin. Redness, streakiness or ‘dots’ in the skin usually resolve around three days however they can persist for longer in some people. Typically the skin surface feels slightly ‘rough’ for approximately a week as the smaller dots gradually heal over.

Swelling may occur but it is not usually significant unless combined with another procedure.

You will feel as if the treated area is hot or severely ‘sunburnt’. You may feel itching or stinging for a day or two after the procedure. This can be improved with the application of cold packs and also calming balms such as Synergie’s ‘Recover Balm’.

If you use a prescription vitamin A product tretinoin, such as Stieva A, Retin A or Retrieve A, or glycolic or alpha hydroxy acid products, you should be able to start using them again after one week.

Prolonged Redness of the Skin – Redness of the skin after healing is normal and resembles mild sunburn. Usually this redness disappears after about three days but in some individuals with sensitive skin it may take longer up to approximately a week, occasionally longer. Sometimes small areas or patches of skin take longer to settle. In the meantime the redness can be hidden with a suitable foundation.

Increased Pigmentation (Hyperpigmentation) – This is more likely to occur in people with brown, olive or Asian skin. It may also occur if you expose your new skin excessively to the sun within three months of your procedure. Therefore, in order to minimise this risk it is recommended that for three months after your procedure you apply every morning an effective physical barrier sunscreen such as an SPF foundation or moisturiser. If pigmentation does appear, this will settle spontaneously over time. A depigmenting cream such as Hydroquinone can be prescribed to help it fade, but it is better to prevent it happening in the first place. In rare instances, hyperpigmentation, despite fading creams, can be longer lasting however this is unusual.

Decreased Pigmentation (Hypopigmentation) – This is a permanent lightening of the skin due to injury of the pigment-producing cells. This has never occurred with radiofrequency fractional resurfacing in our clinic, however should it occur, there is no treatment other than the use of make-up to camouflage it or cosmetic tattooing.

Infection – This is uncommon however a possibility with any breach of the skin. If you notice any white pustular lesions on the skin or an increase in pain or discomfort, please contact the clinic.

Scarring – This has never occurred in our clinic with the use of ‘Fractora’ however it is a very small but potential risk. Early scarring usually appears as a thickened red area. Early scarring can usually be treated by applying an anti-scarring silicon gel application plus injections of cortisone directly into the developing scar tissue.

Contrast with Adjacent Areas – If the adjacent areas are significantly sun-damaged they may contrast with the new skin in the treated areas. Accordingly, it is sometimes necessary to combine the fractional resurfacing with chemical peeling or laser of the adjacent areas to eliminate or reduce this contrast.

Demarcation Lines along the Edges of the Treated Area – These are very uncommon after ‘Fractora’ Fractional Resurfacing treatment.

You will be given fractional resurfacing post-treatment instructions and you should follow these exactly as outlined.

After fractional resurfacing you should avoid excessive exposure to the sun for at least 3 months. It does not mean that you have to stay indoors but sun-baking is definitely out. Adequate sun and UV protection is the rule.