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Can Fraxel Laser Treatment Cause Cheeks to Lose Volume?

I have apple cheeks. Will the treatments from the fraxel laser cause me to lose volume?

Doctor Answers 3

Fraxel is a resurfacing laser and does not cause fat loss

September 22nd, 2009
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Fraxel is a resurfacing laser which means it vaporizes the upper layers of the skin. It does not have any effect on the deep fat layer and therefore you should retain your "apple-cheeks".  

Lenore Sikorski, MD


Orange County Dermatologist
4.3 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Fraxel laser does not cause volume loss

July 11th, 2012
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Neither the non-ablative Fraxel:restore nor the ablative Fraxel:repair causes volume loss.  They stimulate collagen and thicken your skin but do not penetrate deeply enough to melt fat which gives volume.  They also will not melt filler you may have in your cheeks that has replaced your volume loss.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC
Toronto Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 20 reviews

Fraxel lasers do not create volume loss

September 23rd, 2009
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Fraxel makes two lasers: one that removes tiny columns of skin (Fraxel Repair CO2 laser) and one that coagulates columns of skin (Fraxel Restore).

Neither have effect on actual facial volume. Your skin will tighten, but you won't lose fat, bone or muscle, which are the real cause of volume loss or volume deficiency. This response is based on the assumption that the laser technician is staying within the accepted treatment guidelines which limit the combined energy levels and number of passes in the treated area.

Volume deficiencies, whether genetic or from age, weight loss or illness are generally corrected with injectables such as Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse or the newly approved Sculptra product which gives you the opportunity to restore volume over a broad area by stimulating your own collagen. You can also opt for fat transfer.

If you are seeking volume reduction, that's another issue and is resolved with surgical Liposuction, though only in certain areas of the face where you are dealing with fat.

Web reference: http://totaldermatology.com/pages/fraxel-repair.htm

Nissan Pilest, MD

Nissan Pilest, MD
Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.