Fraxel Laser Q&A
55%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
515 Reviews
Fraxel Laserbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Fraxel Laser Cost: $1,775

Learn about Fraxel Laser

1,960 people and 240 doctors are talking about Fraxel Laser

Get Free Email Updates

Is Fraxel Effective for Treating Hyperpigmentation That Results from a Vitalize Peel?

asked 10 months ago by River28 in New Brunswick, NJ
Latest answer by Joseph A. Eviatar, MD
Question viewed 451 times
Tags: acne, candidate, hyperpigmentation, olive skin

I am of a Latina with olive skin and got 3 vitalize peels to treat acne scarring, but I ended up with hyperpigmentation that worsened with each treatment. I had a Fraxel restore treatment 2yrs ago for my acne scarring with great results but will it work as well for this type of hyperpigmentation? I want to get a fraxel treatment to "jump start" the process rather than waiting 6 months for something like obagi nu-derm to work because it looks so awful. What would you recommend?

4 answers to Is Fraxel Effective for Treating Hyperpigmentation That Results from a Vitalize Peel?

+2

Fraxel for Acne Scarring

If you want the greatest improvement in the shortest amount of time, I'd recommend having the Fraxel Re:pair laser treatment for your acne scarring/skin discoloration. The Fraxel Restore is a fractionated non-ablative laser that requires multiple treatments; the ultimate result after several treatments - in my opinion - is not as impressive as what you would have after one treatment with the Fraxel Repair (fractionated ablative, carbon dioxide laser). The fractionated ablative laser has... more
Monika Kiripolsky, MD

San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Treatment for pigmentation following a peel - is fraxel a fix?

All patients with dark skin must be very careful with any invasive (laser, peel, abrasion etc) treatment of the skin because of something known as "post inflammatory hyperpigmentation" (PIH). PIH occurs when anything inflames the skin, including acne and other injuries. There is an increase in melanin production, which if then exposed to the sun becomes even worse. I have seen this as a result of Fraxel and almost every other laser. Once PIH occurs, the... more
Stephen Mandy, MD

Miami Dermatologist
+2

Fraxel lasers may help with pigmentation

This is very difficult to predict. Fraxel lasers have a strong safety record in olive skin and for pigmentation disorders. It works by damaging columns of skin which are then extruded or 'spit out' by the skin as the fine crusts you feel after the treatment. If it causes hyperpigmentation, it will resolve, but in the process the lighten the hyperpigmentation. I must say that it is unpredictable and if I treated you I would make sure to do a gentle treatment or... more
Daniel I. Wasserman, MD

Naples Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Fraxel is generally not a great treatment for hyperpigmentation.

Fraxel is generally not a great treatment for hyperpigmentation. Often hydroquinone bleachers as well as intense pulse light can be better. Sometimes, depending on the type of fraxel (i.e. an ablative fraxel), it can make the hyperpigmentation worse. You must be careful.
Joseph A. Eviatar, MD

Bronx Oculoplastic Surgeon

Ask a question