Carla R. Retief, MD
Nashville Dermatologist
Recent answer posted by Carla R. Retief, MD
Q: Fraxel restore or Fraxel repair for facial scar treatment?
Fraxel restore is a non cutting laser and has been shown to do nothing for scars. Fraxel repair in the right hands at heavy or deeper setting can help scarring. This laser is a cutting or ablative laser and penetrates deeply enough to potentially help scars. Again, it depends on the setting used and the type of scarring. I find no laser helps "rolling" scars, which are the very wide scooped out scars that you notice with overhead lights. Scars similar to chicken pox scars can be helped with ablative lasers.
Again, it's not really the name brand of laser, it is the doctor performing it. Many lasers perform similarly to the Fraxel:repair and would produce similar results ie the Encore, the Quadralase. Of course, any traditional CO2 laser would also be useful which the two lasers above offer. Keep in mind that there is no treatment that will be 100% effective on scars.
| Board certification | |
| Education | Undergraduate: B.A., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 1989 Medical School: M.D., University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, 1994 |
| Post-medical school training | Internship: Northwestern University / McGraw Medical Center Chicago, IL, 1994-1995 Residency: Dermatology, Rush-Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center Chicago, IL, 1995-1998 Fellowship: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC, 1998-1999 |
| Aesthetic medicine experience | 15 years (post-medical training) |
| Professional memberships | American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) |
| Hospital affiliations | Baptist, Centenniel |
| Medical or professional license | TN |
| Requesting an appointment with Carla R. Retief, MD using RealSelf.com is free & confidential. Consultation fee: $50.00 | |
| Location | Affiliated Dermatologist of Green Hills, PC 4301 Hillsboro Rd. Suite 200 Nashville, TN View map |