Fraxel Repair Recovery and Healing

I inform my patients that Fraxel repair recovery generally takes 7 to 10 days before patients can comfortably plan on returning to work. The best news is that there is no pain involved with the recovery, at all. Immediately after treatment, the skin looks scraped with a small amount of pinpoint blood spots. There is slight "weeping" of the skin for the first 36 to 48 hours, then the skin is completely re-epithelialized. The skin is very red and swollen, maximally between days... more

The actual recovery times vary according the patient's age and how aggressive the settings for the laser were. In general, after about 5-7 days, my patients can wear make up and go out in public. The first 24 hours there is slight oozing. Your maximum swelling is about day 2-3. About 90% of the swelling is down by day 7. You can remain red/pink for up to 6-8 weeks. I am finding faster healing with use of Gentlewaves daily after the procedure and use of oral antioxidants (GliSODin... more

The pain after a laser procedure is quite variable and it depends on a great deal of things ranging from how deep your surgeon is going to your particular pain threshhold. While some of my patients breeze through it, some are in quite a bit of pain and itching after it and I would rather tell them straight up that they may be discomforted than to give them a rosy picture that misleads them into thinking they are the only weirdos who have pain. Additionally, I don't encourage any patients... more

Even after an aggressive Fraxel Repair treatment, you can usually wear makeup in 7 days, give or take a day or two in either direction. Some patients heal faster than others. You will find the rest of the answers at our website above. Take care, Dr. Groff

Fraxel recovery can take as little as 3 to 4 days (for a lighter treatment) and up to 10 days (for a deep treatment). The type of treatment you will need depends on the amount of sun damage and wrinkling we are trying to repair. The recovery is not painful however the skin is pink to red and peels on the second or third day. Most patients are able to return to work by the 4th or 5th day after treatment. Although the skin can remain pink for 1 to 3 weeks (depending again on the depth of your... more

Great question!  Recovery time is something I always go over with my patients during their initial consultation appointment so they can have realistic expectations about the procedure.  In comparison to the traditional resurfacing lasers, Fraxel Re:Pair has much less recovery time.  Nevertheless, you will want about 7-10 days before you are nearly back to your normal self.  Here's a play-by-play of what to expect: Day 1-3:  Expect redness, swelling,... more