Can laser resurfacing and wrinkle fillers be combined?

I am confused about Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, and laser resurfacing. Are they safe together? I thought Hyaluronic acid and laser are attracted to water, so wouldn't the laser cause more intense treatment in the areas where there are fillers?

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8 answers to “Can laser resurfacing and wrinkle...”

A: Yes to Lasers and Fillers on the same day

By Bruce Katz, MD - New York City Dermatologist

The answer is YES! These are two of the best options to combat the signs of aging. You would want to start with a skin resurfacing laser treatment(s), such as the Affirm CO2 laser. This would help erase wrinkles, tighten the skin, even out your skin tone, and also stimulate collagen. After your laser... more

A: Combining Laser Resurfacing and Wrinkle Fillers

By Robert J. Chiu, MD - Pittsburgh Facial Plastic Surgeon

The word is still out on the concomitant use of lasers and wrinkle fillers like the H.A.'s. As long as the fillers are injected at the correct depth, and the laser you are talking about is targetting shallower areas, this is not a concern. There are many lasers out there,... more

A: Lasers and HA's

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most lasers do not go deep enough to cause a problem with HA's. In terms of timing, it really depends upon the laser procedure. If it is an ablative laser, I like to fill in the lines first and then "peel" the skin. Once swelling comes in afte a "peel" it can be difficult to see... more

A: HA filler safe with laser

By Peter E. Johnson, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

With the increased popularity of both laser procedures and fillers such as Juvederm this question as to the suitability of combining the two often comes up. Also I receive questions about the use of fillers with other procedures such as light peels. Such procedures often compiment one another. We use laser and... more

A: Laser resurfacing and filler safety - There is no data to prove otherwise

By Ronald Shelton, MD - Manhattan Dermatologic surgeon

Some medical professionals have studied this question, and there has been no information to conclude that there is a problem with lasers and hyaluronic acid fillers.

A: Active FX is safely combined with Restylane or Juvederm

By Stella Desyatnikova, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

We frequently combine Active and Deep FX, which is a CO2 laser, and is indeed attracted to water, with filler injections such as Restylane or Juvederm. We usually recommend to get the fillers two - three weeks after the laser resurfacing procedure, because some tightening with laser may affect the filler... more

A: Fillers and Laser: Is it safe?

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Generally fillers are injected beneath the level at which lasers act. You are correct that some lasers target water but not all. For example KTP lasers are targeted more for blood vessels. Other lasers are targeted for pigment in the skin (many of the hair or tattoo removal lasers). So it really depends on... more

A: HA fillers are not affected by laser resurfacing

By Steven F. Weiner, MD - Fort Walton Facial Plastic Surgeon

True, certain lasers are attracted to water. However, the fillers are placed at a much deeper level than the laser penetrates and won't be affected. There are studies which support this. If given the option to do fillers or laser resurfacing first, I would do the laser first, wait for the... more

Comments

awalk
465 posts
21 Feb 2009

Thank you so much for all the great and informative answers....You guys know your stuff... I'm curious about fillers such as sculptra and encapsulated fillers... I read that some say its safe.. but also read that fraxel creates an immune response to remove tattoo ink because of what the ink is encapsulated in.... Would this be true for encapsulated fillers that are not a gel ect...with deeper treatments... There appears to be different answers from professionals.. It seems like an important thing to clarify from Doctors with experience using this technology for newbies and patients... Thank you very much

drhumes
24 posts
12 Jan 2009

You ask a good question, and one I am asked often. You are correct, hyaluronic fillers and lasers are attracted to water, however, because they are working on different layers of the skin, they can safely be used together. In fact, often doing combination therapy such as lasers and fillers can give you superior results to doing the treatments alone. This is because you are treating the skin from above and below the surface of the skin, and combating photo-aging on multiple levels. I recommend a consultation with your treating physician prior to starting your treatments. When possible, I recommend doing the treatments on different days. Depending on the type of laser resurfacing being done, and treatment goals would depend on if I would recommend treating with lasers of fillers first.

Steven A. Schlosser M.D.
92 posts
12 Jan 2009

Recent studies in the past 2 years have shown the lasers make actually improve the longevity of H.A. fillers. We used to be concerned that the heat from the laser might hurt the integrity of these fillers, but fortunately the opposite appears true. The fillers are placed deeper than most lasers go so no need to worry, but of course it's wise to ask your doctor which laser he is using. I would not recommend doing both procedures on the same day as the pain level increases significantly. I usually do them a week or two apart.

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