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Using AHAs Before Fraxel Restore - Did I Cause Damage?
asked 1 year ago by MishkaB
Latest answer by Grant Stevens, MD
Question viewed 179 times
Tags: AHA, damage
I wasn't told by my clinician to cease using AHAs on my face before fraxel restore treatment (& only found this out after ). My face went incredibly puffy for the first 4 days and then peeled on day 2. I was told the redness and flaking skin would resolve on day 4 but it is now day 11 and i am still pink and have a dry, bumpy texture around my naso-labial area and chin similar to the sandpaper effect following treatment. I am worried my skin is permanently damaged. She used the highest setting.
3 answers to Using AHAs Before Fraxel Restore - Did I Cause Damage?
+2
AHA and Fraxel
We can never predict the exact recovery period for every patient...unfortunately. Most patients, regardless of AHA usage before treatment, are red/pink for about a week. The sandpaper-like texture that you are referring to is not uncommon in patients. It can last a few weeks after treatment and resolves on its own. You may experience another round of mild peeling and flaking while it resolves. AHA can make skin more sensitive for treatment but shouldn't have any long...
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+1
Fraxel re:store if using AHAs
Fraxel re:store is a non-ablative laser, meaning it does not destroy the skin that it treats. That is why there is a very low risk of side effects, and almost no risk of permanent damage. Using AHAs makes your skin more sensitive. If you did not stop the AHAs before your Fraxel treatment you would expect to have the same after effects as people who haven't used AHAs but yours would last longer. Almost everyone gets swelling and redness that may last 2-4 days and...
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Jordana Gilman, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Fraxel Restore
Even with highest settings, it is doubtful, although not impossible, to have a permanent negative effect with Fraxel Restore in terms of textural change. See your doctor soon for an evaluation.
