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Fraxel Re:pair and Fractional CO2 for Acne Scars

asked 3 years ago by Sami1984 in London
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 2,390 times
Tags: acne scars

I'm considering Fraxel Re:Pair or Fractional CO2 to treat my acne scars. The only problem I've noticed in most, if not all before and after photos is that the surrounding skin looks almost smudged in. Acne scarring appears to look better but surrounding skin is more red and blends in with the scar, so it appears to have improved. Fractional CO2 seems offers a ''messy'' improvement. My doctor is going to use the SmartXide and inject adipose stem cells (separated from fat) as well as PRP (platelet rich plasma) and fibroblasts (Isolagen) to allow skin the regenerate as optimally. Any opinions on this?

4 answers to Fraxel Re:pair and Fractional CO2 for Acne Scars

+2

Much disappointment with Fraxel for acne scarring

Allow me to touch on the excellent responses from Drs. Waldman and Schlessinger. I saw the results from quite a few acne treatments using Fraxel at the center where I was associated. While some people had amazingly good results, most people were disappointed. There was no way to differentiate the responders from the non-responders prior to treatment. I agree with the use of fillers. It seems to me there is such an emphasis on treating wrinkles, that a number of patients, physicians... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+2

The injections may be much more helpful than the fractional CO2`

In my opinion the loss of soft tissue volume is the main issue in the most severe acne scarring. Therefore injection with fillers is a very good solution. When we first used Isologen years ago I as very impressed with our early results. I was not even aware that it was back on the market as an FDA approved material? At any rate I do not think that Fraxels or Fractional CO2 Laser treatments of any type provide a very good solution for acne scarring. I think some improvement can be... more
S. Randolph Waldman, MD

Lexington Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

It may be a lot of money for little or no improvement

One of the saddest things I have seen is the lack of improvement of acne scars to laser treatments. Having started with the older CO2 lasers back in 1994, I was optimistic that a full face laser resurfacing might improve scarring. While it did in some patients, it wasn't predictable. Some of my patients were thrilled, while others were just so-so. Some were very unhappy due to the cost vs benefit. For this reason, I shy away from doing re:pair or CO2 on acne scars unless I tell the... more
Joel Schlessinger, MD

Omaha Dermatologist
+1

I am impressed with the results of Fraxel re:store on acne scars

Although I have no experience with SmartXide, I am impressed with the improvement we get with multiple Fraxel Re:store treatments for acne scars. One treatment with Fraxel Re:pair can improve the scars but you are limited in how many treatments you can have with this more invasive laser. Isolagen is a wonderful technique but is not yet approved in the United States. The Isolagen method allows your physician to harvest your own fibroblasts which are the cells that make your collagen. Once... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

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