Fraxel an Option Instead of Facelift? Doctor Answers, Tips

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Fraxel instead of Facelift depends

A person "can" benefit from a fraxel type of skin ablation or even a standard skin resurfacing. This technology can tighten the skin. A facelift usually provides more skin tightening--you actually remove skin. Here are the real questions: How much extra skin do you have? What are your expectations? What is your budget? How much of a recovery time can you deal with? What is the status of your health? As you can see, the only way to have a doctor respond with accurate... more

Michael Kulick, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel improves texture of skin

A comprehensive face/neck lift is performed to address subplatysmal and submental fat in the neck, tightening of the anterior platysmal bands, lifting the jowls and excess facial and neck skin. In addition, the face/neck lift also tightens facial and neck muscles to improve the jaw and neckline. Fraxel cannot perform any of the above procedures. It is simply done to improve the texture of the skin by removing sunspots.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Laser vs Facelift

You can do either procedure or both. However, the procedures treat two separate problems. Lasers improve the quality of the skin including texture, pigmentation,etc. A facelift will remove, reposition, or lift sagging skin, fat, or underlying muscle. This is a contouring procedure.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel will not tighten enough

These two procedures are not a replacement for each other; they are complementary. Fraxel will not tighten enough, whether it be the Re:pair or Re:store, but they can smoothen the skin and improve the texture remarkably. You will need to be evaluated for the best answer appropriate for your face.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

www.thenyac.com

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Fraxel vs Facelift

The one word answer: yes, it is an option. But skin resurfacing with Fraxel or other CO2 lasers works differently and only affects the skin. Facelifting affects sagging tissue including the skin, fatty tissue, muscle, and other connective tissue. Gravity affects all these tissues, not just the skin. So if your concerns are only 'skin deep,' resurfacing may address most of your concerns. But for many patients, more is needed to meet their goals. The best thing to do is to see a Board... more

Jason L. Swerdloff, MD
Clearwater Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel re:pair or Deep FX are excellent options vs. facelift

Hi Carol, You have asked a great question and obviously one that strikes controversy in the facial plastic surgery world with close to 20 responses here on RS. To answer your question precisely as you asked it, yes Fraxel re:pair or Deep FX are excellent options for patients who do not wish to undergo surgical facelift, but desire to look younger, healthier, and natural. Fractionated CO2 lasers will not replace surgical face-lifting, but are one of the best options for those who... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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No, not at all

Fraxel will do some minor skin resurfacing which will reduce mainly sun damage (fine lines and wrinkles, some blotchness perhaps, reduce thickened skin, smooth the surface). A face lift will tighten the skin, smooth the wrinkles due to sagging (not sun damage), and will also remove excess skin while raising and tightening muscles and fat pads. Liposuction is usually performed at the same time as an adjunct. So be clear. mild skin resurfacing-Fraxel Face lift with moer powerful... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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No, they do different things. But, both can be good at what they do well.

Carol: Fraxel and other brand name fractional ablative laser treatments are skin surface treatments. They work on skin pigment and texture. The most aggressive treatments, with the longest downtimes, crusting, swelling, etc. have the most benefits in these regards. They have a small effect on the tone or the tightness of the skin. Facelift is a three dimensional procedure in which skin is tightened, but much more is accomplished. For most patients, tight skin is not their goal, but... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel wil not lift the face

Nothing will achieve the same result as a face lift. Fraxel is good at removing pigment and improving skin texture but will not lift the skin. Skin tightening machines such as LuxIR Deep, Thermage, Titan and others will tighten skin about 20% of that achieved with a face lift.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

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At best, the improvement from Fraxel are quite modest

Dear Carol The fraxel is designed to improve skin quality without the down time and discomfort of standard CO2 laser. However, there is no question, that the results of fraxel are put simply, modest. You will see on the internet claims of dramatic facial tightening with Fraxel but this type of result seems to be extremely rare and it is misleading to imply that one can expect this type of result. The lower facelift continues to be one of the most powerful and reliable methods for... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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You may need both but the fraxel will not achieve the same result as a facelift.

As long as you are willing to accept a less agressive result. A fractionated laser treatment may deliver a result of 1-3 on a scale of 10. However, if you are willing seeking a result of 6-9 on a scale of 10, you may be disappointed as this is more likely to be achieved with a face lift. As long as you are wiling to accept this outcome, then you may be very pleased. The two procedures may be complimentary rather than exclusionary.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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Depends on your goals and starting point

You can't get the result of a well performed facelift from a laser alone. So, if you have sun damage and slightly lax skin, you might be very happy with a laser. But if you have jowls, neck fat and neck skin laxity, the laser will fall far short of your goals. Perhaps you could post a photo so we can be more specific.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel is not an alternative to a facelift

Fraxel is a great tool to resurface irregularities of facial skin. Irregularities such as blemishes, discoloration, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, etc., can all be improved by laser skin resurfacing. NONE of these can actually be improved by a facelift. A facelift will LIFT sagging tissues and tighten the skin by removing excess skin. Most patients benefit from a COMBINATION of a facelift and skin resurfacing. You need to understand that a laser procedure will actually... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

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A better treatment than Fraxel is Palomar's Fractionated Erbium laser treatment

A face lift is best for lose skin and to reshape the facial structures and should include a brow lift and eye lid surgery and fat grafting when indicated. These are great procedures for the right conditions. Fraxel or Palomar's Fractionated Erbium laser treatments are much better for wrinkles and pigmentation. Fraxel was the first it seems to me to be more painful and less effective that Palomar's Fractionated Erbium laser treatments.

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

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Consider doing both

These procedures are complimentary and can be done in combination. It would not be an either or situation. I would discuss this with your physician before spending your money to see if the results you are looking for could be achieved with just one treatment or if perhaps both would be better.

Charles Perry, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

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Different issues addressed

First, I am assuming you are talking about fractional CO2 Fraxel Repair or Lumenis Total FX (regular Fraxel Restore is not a competetor for severe aging). These technologies can rival a face lift for dramatic, long-lasting effect, but the effect is different. These lasers do tighten a little, but help peri-oral and peri-orbital lines and discoloration dramatically. Facelifts only pull and tighten sagging, without addressing lines, color, and texture. Many patients actually need both laser... more

Mary Lupo, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist

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Laser is not a substitute for a facelift

Laser is not a substitute for a facelift. Laser is good for fine lines and minimal skin tightening. There is no way that this can be equated with a facelift. If you post a picture, then we may be able to give you more specific advice. It all really depends on what would benefit you most. Good luck with your surgery/procedure.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

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It depends on exactly what you want.

If you have sagging skin that needs to be removed--Facelift. If you have severe wrinkles then you need the CO2 laser. If pigmentation and age spots, texture, etc. is the problem--Fraxzel laser.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Two different types of procedures

I agree with the others. These are two very different types of procedures, while the lasers will improve texxtrue, skin tone, lines, and pigment, as well as some tightening and firming of the skin, it will never replace a face lift. However, depending on the severity of your skin issues and your health, you maybe very satisfied with the Fraxel Laser. As always, seek a physicians consultation that has expertise in both.

Carl N. Williams, Jr., MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel versus Facelift

Fraxel is a great treatment modality, but it cannot do what a facelift does. Fraxel is great for providing uniform pigmentation of the skin, correcting sun damage, and providing smoother skin. A face and neck lift, on the other hand, corrects structural problems. The operation provides dramatic correction of jowls, sagging neck, neck cords, and descended midface, as well as tightening and rejuvenating the skin. The results from a facelift are far more dramatic, but the downtime is also much... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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Choose the treatment based on your anatomy and goals

If you need smoothing of your skin's surface or improvement of textural problems, Fraxel might be an option. If you have excessive skin, particularly of the neck, or volume issues, a "lifting" procedure might be the option. Fraxel is not nearly as dramatic or effective as a well-performed lifting procedure or CO2 resurfacing. As people age, both contour issues and textural issues appear so you might be a candidate for both approaches although there may be an emphasis on one or the... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel will not do what a facelift does

Fraxel is a great tool for altering what is ON the skin, like blemishes, very fine wrinkles, brown spots, etc. However, Fraxel will not alter jowls, neck looseness etc. Only a facelift will do that. Review your desires with a board-certified plastic surgeon and they will be able to direct you toward the best alternative for your situation.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

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May also be an alternative if you're not a facelift candidate...

If you are a smoker or have other medical problems which prohibit anesthesia, you might be a candidate for Fraxel or a CO2 laser peel. Both these techniques are less invasive and can give great results (not facelift results but, great results) in patients with the proper expectations.

Robert Frank, MD
Munster Plastic Surgeon

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Fraxel an Option Instead of Facelift?