It seems like Fraxel and ActiveFX are both supposed to treat the same problems, but which one is better?
While both Fraxel and ActiveFX laser technologies function in a similar manner, they are two distinctively different lasers. Fraxel technology delivers fractionated Erbium laser energy while ActiveFX utlizes fractionated energy from a carbon dioxide laser. Even though the two are similar, the increased heat provided by the ActiveFX appears to result in more effective skin tightening and, overall, better results.
Let me start by saying that not all skin types (pigment) are safe for all lasers. Fraxel laser was, in its day, a breakthrough device in the world of fractional lasers. Fractional lasers, instead of treating the entire surface, instead puts individual beams of laser energy into the tissue. Depending of the wavelength of the laser, different things will happen. Fraxel (brand name of a fractional laser) helped get fractional treatments started, but it is a wavelength that really can’t achieve a whole lot. It requires multiple treatments, is rather painful, and the results are mild to moderate.Active FX is also a fractional laser (as opposed to full field), and uses the ablative fractionated CO2 wavelength. Active FX and Deep FX are much more precise than the old full field and fractional CO2 lasers. Historically, CO2 lasers were not a good choice for patients with medium or darker pigment. Too much heat, resulting in complications such as PIHP (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and/or scarring. The newer fractional CO2 layers have greatly sped up the delivery of the laser energy, thereby reducing many of the complications previously associated with CO2 lasers.Depending on the skin type of the patient, the issues we’re addressing, etc, determines which laser I use. Often I use the Active FX and Deep FX, but many times I’ll choose erbium fractional laser or the Halo laser by Sciton, which incorporates erbium (ablative laser that sees water only), and the 1470nm laser that heats, but does not vaporize tissue. The Halo is colorblind, and the outcomes are fantastic for a variety of issues for almost all patients.I feel it is imperative to understand the skin physiology of all patients, and have a number of energy based tools and devices that can be used individually, or in combination, to give stunning results.I sometimes give patients this analogy: you can take a Steinway grand piano, and an average pianist, and get a so so outcome. Or, you can take a concert pianist and put them on an old upright piano, and also get a so so outcome. But, if you put a concert pianist on a Steinway grand piano, the result can be amazing. Excellent technology, combined with a skilled medical laser specialist, yields the best and safest results, and the highest patient satisfaction
