Alternatives to facial scarring

Theodore Katz, MD answers: Is Fraxel the only option for indented scars?

I have tons of indented acne scars, enlarged pores and a fairly large chicken pox scar on my eyebrow. Every skin laser office I go to recommends Fraxel. But I hear it is painful and the side effects are bad. Is Fraxel really my only option left? And if it is, is it worth it? I feel hopeless. Thank you.

 


Theodore Katz, MD
19 days ago
By Theodore Katz, MD - Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

The Fraxel (and technologies similar to it - that is fractionally ablative lasers)  have good to excellent results for facial acne scars and that is the reason why this is highly recommended.  I don't know what you mean by "bad side effects" as in the hands of an experienced physician these should be limited.  The pain can be controlled with proper sedation in the office and I have yet to have a patient who could not tolerate the procedure which takes about 20 minutes, once the facial skin has been "numbed".  We use the term numb, but the topical agents just decrease the pain during the procedure.  There should be no pain after the procedure.

Web reference: http://www.lifestylesurgicenters.com
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