Erbium Yag or Fraxel for Rhinophyma?

asked 2 years ago by BARBARA in TEXAS in Conroe, Texas
Latest answer by Shawn Allen, MD
Question viewed 1,762 times
Tags: nose

I'm beginning to show signs of Rhinophyma. There are a few nodules on one side of nose and some thickening on tip of nose which I absolutely hate. Which of these two lasers, Erbium Yag or Fraxel, would improve my condition? These two seem, from what I have read, have less downtime than the CO2. Thank you for responding. I am on Tazorac and cream antiobiotic. It helps somewhat but my main concern is the thickening on end of nose.

4 answers to Erbium Yag or Fraxel for Rhinophyma?

Erbium Yag or Fraxel for Rhinophyma?

Hi Barbara, You should treat rhinophyma with CO2 ablative laser. I have not been impressed by the results of Fraxel re:store or re:pair on rhinophyma. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

CO2 or erbium is preferred

We have all 3 lasers that you have mentioned in your question, and my 1st choice would be the CO2 laser. The Fraxel is not designed to target individual nodules, so it is not ideal. The erbium could be used, but the downtime would be the same as the CO2. I just submitted some photos of a patient with the issue that you are concerned about to RealSelf, and I treated him with CO2 on the nose, and Fraxel Repair on the rest of the face. Look for them under my name of photos of Fraxel Repair...sh more

William Groff, DO
San Diego Dermatologist

Fraxel and Erbium Laser For Rhinophyma

Ablative lasers work well for rhinophyma, as this is a proliferative condition of the sebaceous glands of the nose. In some cases, less invasive and simpler other modalities are used to treat rhinophyma such as CO2 laser, chemical peels, and surgery.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Rhinophyma Laser Treatments

You are doing great to get a head start on the problem . If you are developing nodules already then using any type of fractionated laser may not achieve your desired results. I use the erbium yag laser in full ablation mode for most of my rhinophyma patients and can balance the downtime with results by fine tuning the depth of the treatments. With this laser we can achieve dramatic results and it has been shown to heal quickly and carry less risks of scarring and... more

Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist

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Erbium Yag or Fraxel for Rhinophyma?