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Best Pre-treatment Protocol for Total FX or Fraxel Re:pair?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Joel Schlessinger, MD
Question viewed 4,754 times
Tags: protocol, setting

Is it important to stop Retinol or Retin A products 5 days before doing Total FX/Active FX or Fraxel re:pair? I was told 2 different things by 2 different doctors. Do doctors who frequently perform Total FX or Fraxel Re:pair employ any pre-treatment protocol to get the best results (and avoid hyperpigmentation)?

3 answers to Best Pre-treatment Protocol for Total FX or Fraxel Re:pair?

+1

Obagi is our choice for a system prior to Fraxel

We place all of our patients on the Obagi system prior to Fraxel laser treatments and it seems to decrease the recovery time significantly. Additionally, as part of the system we place patients on Retin A prior to the treatment and stop it a few days in advance. Recovery time is the most important aspect of this treatment and a good preparation may shave days off of the recovery, which is a great thing.
Joel Schlessinger, MD

Omaha Dermatologist
+1

Pre-Treatment Protocol for Fraxel re:pair, Total FX

Hi JJ, It is best to stop all retinol products at least 10 to 14 days prior to Fraxel re:pair or Total FX, or any fractionated or traditional CO2 laser treatments. We pre-treat darker skin types with Hydroquinone for two weeks prior to treatment. All patients use a strong steroid cream, Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% for two days prior to the treatment. Good luck. Dr. P
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

It depends on your skin type

Pretreatment witha pigment controlling agent that contains hydroquinone can help reduce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation after a fraxel re:pair treatment. This is particularly important in people with darker skin types. We do have people stop the use of retinols for 2 weeks prior to fraxel re:pair treatment.
Min S. Ahn, MD

Westborough Facial Plastic Surgeon

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