When performed properly, all of the treatments (Portrait Plasma, Fraxel re:pair, and Active FX) give excellent results with skin resurfacing.  When investigating the technologies and doing my "due diligence" before incorporating Fraxel re:pair into my practice, I spoke with many respected experts in the field. 

It is my impression from these discussions that the safety window for avoiding permanent scarring is greater with fractionated CO2 lasers.  One of my colleagues reported that he had seen some burns with plasma resurfacing.  There can be complications with any technology, but in my practice I want to use the safest and most effective tool. 

Whichever technology you choose to go with, the most important aspect is to choose your treating physician most carefully.  Be well.

Dr. P 

I have used both the Fraxel re:Pair and Portrait in my practice. Portrait was presented as a non ablative resurfacing treatment although the recovery course may suggest otherwise. Fraxel re:pair is an ablative laser, although being fractionated CO2 its recovery course is shorter than the traditional non fractionated CO2. Overall, I have seen a better wrinkle reduction with the Fraxel re:pair than with plasma rejuvenation using Portrait. Age spot reduction is the same for both the portrait and Fraxel re:pair in my opinion.