Is Fraxel re:pair different from fraxel laser?

Hi, I posted awhile back because I became aware of being allergic to cetaphil so we do have sensitivities and it is so up to us to figure it out most of the time as no one understands us like ourselves. Good doctors help. I had the fraxel re:pair about a month and a half ago. One of the things I notice is that as my skin returns to normal some of my lines are deepening too. (It looked so cool about a week after when I was still slightly swollen!) So now I am worried about how long the results will last. I had a thread lift a few years ago and it only lasted about a year and I looked worse after. I hope that doesn't happen with the Fraxel. The other question I have is that no matter how much moisturizers I use or different kinds. I still am very very dry with flaky skin. Do you have a suggestion? I am wondering if I should be exfoliating too? Love this site!!!!! Diane

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I had Fraxel:Repair done 9 days ago. After the 3rd day, I was using Aquaphor on my cheeks, but the rest of the face and neck was healed nicely and I was given SkinMedica Ceramide Cream to moisture with on those healed areas. By day 5, I was off Aquaphor totally and only using the Ceramide Cream. I was healing nicely and a week after the procedure was told I didn't have to come back to see the doctor for a month. I complained of some itching and was told to use Benadryl at night. Well, the next morning I woke up to a beet red face and the swelling was like it was the day after the procedure. Back at the doctor's I was told I had either an allergic reaction to the Ceramide Cream OR a yeast infection due to the antibiotic and antiviral meds I was given for the procedure. I was then put on Desonide cream and Diflucan. The itching is horrible. It is now approximately 36 hours later and the swelling and redness is abating but the itching is horrendous. I see the doctor tomorrow who has told me to take the Benadryl, but I am wondering if the Benadryl could have been a part of the problem and why the desonide cream has not helped the itching at all. Help! I can't sleep and am going crazy!

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Hi Dr. P, Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions. That is wonderful and generous of you! I am reading this thread with great interest, and some (of course!) confusion. I am a potential client who has been doing web research on facial resurfacing, Until now I thought Fraxel and "fractional laser" and "fractional co2 laser" were all the SAME THING! So glad I did my research!! From what I have been reading, I THINK that fractional co2 laser is the way for me to go. In many sites, "fractional co2 laser" is toted as being one of the best new technologies in resurfacing, more effective with less down time..but then I have seen many references to "co2 laser" as having a lot of down time. So they are different? I would so apprecite it if you could answer these questions: -What is the difference between "fractional co2 laser", "Fraxel" and "co2 laser", "re:pair" and "re:store"? -I had thought that Fraxel was the brand name for fractional co2 lasers. If not, is there a specific brand name I should ask for when looking for fractional co2 laser treatment? -Many clinics seem not to have heard of fractional co2 lasers. What is the best way to find a practice near me (either in Oregon, Colorado or New Mexico :) -I am most interested in smoothing under eye lines. Is fractional co2 laser the most recommended process for this? -Is there a general price range for sessions? Would any of the doctors be able to give me comparison prices of the 3(?) different types I have mentioned? -Finally, Is it true that fractional co2 laser usually only takes one session, whereas other treatments take several? MANY MANY MANY thanks for taking the time to answer these questions!!! Thanks so much for this informative website!

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Hi tj, Hope that you made it through the night without too much discomfort. Hopefully you are feeling better today and your doctor is able to help. It is difficult to figure out what occurred to you. It would help to know the setting that you were treated at. I have never heard of a Benadryl allergic reaction so I don't think it was the cause. Ceramide is occlusive so perhaps there was a delayed allergic reaction. The likelihood of a yeast infection is rare, but possible. It sounds like your doctor is knowledgably and treating you properly. Much good luck with the itching (hopefully gone by now, let us know), and be well. Dr. P

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Hello Dr. Persky, I've been reading some of the posts on a web site and I have one question for you -that came up. The whole idea of a laser - as improviing and increasing collagen production is a bit illogical - considering that the laser is basically an intense version of the sun. Some people say that the process actually causes a further break down of the collagen - which makes sense from a lay-person's point of view. And the improvements are really just the result of the tightening of the outer layer of the skin. Can you point me in the direction of some actual conclusive literature - perhaps the things that you read during your "due dilligence" - that would somehow prove to me that - this is not some kind of quick fix - which will show very negative results in the future. I'm looking for something that shows a measure of collagen pre - Fraxel and post Fraxel. Does that exist? Thanks, Neil Redmond, NYC

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Hi, I am a 41 year old fair skinned female that worhsiped the sun for many, many, many years. Over all my skin is aging pretty well considering the amount of time I baked myself. the one area of main concern for me though is the mouth area and "lipstick lines". I understand these are the most difficult to treat and was wondering wht kind of results can be expected from the Fraxel Re:Pair for this problem? Also is it an area that can be treated on its own, or should the entire face be treated? A little botox has seemed to do the trick for the upper face. Thanks so much for all your advice!

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The Fraxel re:pair is very good at these areas. You're right, this is a very difficult area. It can be treated alone, and can be done a second time if results aren't satisfactory. Other alternatives are complete ablative CO2 plus/minus dermabrasion. I feel that the risk of scarring and hypopigmentation are too great doing this though. Fillers and botox can help the lips as well.

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I had the fraxel repair done on 4/25/2008. I am on my 6th day of recovery. My face is still swollen espicailly around the check area and chin. My chin looks really bumpy not pimple wise maybe lumpy is more the right word. I did have noticeable knots (i thinks that was what is was) I am a picker so, when i did pick those spots only on some occasions did any liquid come out. My doctor said it could be scar tissue and we would adress that problem once i am completely held and if the knots were not gone. Well back the the fraxel repair, on the 6th night i stopped the aquaphor. All other lotions gave me a burning sensation. I have not itched that much, but i have took benadryl at night. I have took 2 one-half of water pills for the swelling with no result, i have used ice packs with no results. My chin looks deformed and where you used to could see my check bones all i see now is a fat. Can anyone tell me when the swelling will go away. On 4/30/08 my doctor did give me a shot for what the nurse said was for swelling. It is now 5/04/08 and i still look like a fat face. Hopefully no one will take the offense for me using "fat face". But that is what i see in the mirror. Redness is still present but i can live with that. But my skin feels like sand paper. Any answer for that ??? I know my Dr. had only performed this new laser on 4 people prior to me. But he had been using the old lasers since they were invented. My face was done with the 40 setting all over except for my eyes where he used the 30 setting. My most problem area was my lips, lines from smoking and the sun bathing did not help. I see a dramatic reduction in the lip lines, but I still see a few on them. Would you recommend a second treatment on that area ?? Is there anyone out there that can give me an answer on all of this, I would very much apperciate it. Last, is swelling going to last for another week ? Should I still be using ice packs, my notes were only to use the first 2 to 3 days. I am a thin person and I hate looking at my face in the mirror..... I am happy to report that most if not all of my lines around my eyes and the creepyness of the skin around my eyes are gone. I hope they stay gone.

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After having a less than desirable result from my CO2 Laser resurfacing of my face in 1999, I have been trying to find a treatment that would reverse the hypopigmentation (my face is lighter than my neck area and also will not tan), remove the red lines from my forehead and try to have the dividing line under my chin less noticeable. After all this time, I find myself becoming more self conscious about my skin, is there ANYTHING that you might be able to do to help improve my condition? Thank you, in advance.

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Dr. P / Dr. Wiener, Thank you for your time responding to questions. This website has been so helpful in answering many of my questions. One that is still a concern is: My doctor quoted one treatment and this web site states that the re:pair is a one treatment process possibly two for more serious cases. The Reliant website provides photos of before and after pictures of re:pair patients in test studies. The photos are impressive but if you notice all the "after" pictures are after 4 treatments. What are the results after 1 treatment and where can I find before and after photos? I am concerned that this is truly a 4 treatment process. LC

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