I hate wearing makeup on my neck. However, years of sun damage and spritzing on fragrance has left the skin red and blotchy with brown patches that need covering. A serious high-tech treatment was in order - enter the specialists at About Face with Fraxel re:fine skin laser. Editor Trudi Brewer reveals how this treatment works.

Before and after two sessions of Fraxel re:fine skin laser.

Fraxel re:fine skin laser is known as the worldwide gold standard in anti-ageing lasers. Creating younger-looking, clearer skin Fraxel can quickly transform the look of pigmentation (brown spots) and fine lines by kick-starting new collagen production from the inside out. Fraxel specialist Jackie Hendy says she has seen great results with this laser for removing mild acne scarring to hard-to-shift hormonal pigmentation, sun damage and brown marks. All music to my ears for the fragrance marks and sun damage on my neck. "Brown marks down each side of the neck are common, and indications that alcohol from perfumes has caused this. The skin is more sensitive when you're out in the sun, (especially if you're not wearing sunscreen). Over time you will see brown blotches appearing where you sprayed the scent," says Hendy. Encouraged by the thought that this can be corrected, my Fraxel treatment was focused on the jawline, neck and décolleté. Relatively straight forward, the laser head passes over the skin two to three times and works by creating microscopic wounds (rather than just focusing on localised pigmentation), which causes soft tissue coagulation (blood thickens), prompting fibroblasts and new collagen. "The action of the Fraxel kick starts the natural repair process, which helps your body rebuild the integrity of your skin," says Hendy. Does this hurt, yes a little. In the same way sun or wind burn will make skin feel hot and prickly, however, it's bearable thanks to the numbing cream applied 20 minutes before the treatment, and that mild stinging sensation only lasts for a few hours post treatment.
I had both my treatments on Friday afternoons, so by Monday, I was ready for work sporting a light dusting of mineral powder buffed over my neck. The next few weeks my skin felt rough as the dark spots started to flake off. Hendy recommends wearing an SPF 50 plus sunscreen every day to prevent future brown marks, and 'top up' courses are recommended every two to three years. As far as spritzing my neck with fragrance - I will never do that again.
Here's what you can expect.

The step-by-step of a Fraxel re:fine skin laser treatment

The treatment starts with numbing cream applied to the neck and jawline. This takes effect within 15 minutes.
Once the skin is cleansed it's prepped with an alcohol pad, and then glasses are placed over your eyes to protect them from the laser light.
The Fraxel tool passes over the skin in a grid like pattern; the feeling is hot and prickly, however it is made bearable by a hand-held fan of cool air that you operate while the laser is blasting the skin. The treatment takes around 30 minutes depending on the size of the area that is being treated.
Post treatment cool towels are placed over the skin, and a concoction of healing Pure Fiji Dilo serum and cream is applied to speed up the healing.
Then it's under the Omnilux light for 15 minutes to help speed up the repair and recovery.
After two treatments on my neck and jawline the uneven look was improved (see before shots below), and the texture of my skin is much firmer. Within a week of the treatment my skin felt slightly rough, while the brown spots were flaking off. But the most impressive part of this treatment is watching the improvement of skin over the next few months as the healing process continues. This is one treatment that you need to be patient with results, the improvement takes time but it is well worth the wait.

The 'Renew You' course of Fraxel re:fine skin laser is on sale this month for $2,200 (that's $500 off the regular price). Plus when you book a course your receive three free Skin Peels and a full sized sunscreen, valued at $400. This offer is valid until June 30, 2017. Learn more here