What is Effect of Fraxel on Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

Question

I am 58 with history of adolescent and young adult acne. I have many enlarged hardened sebaceous glands below corners of mouth and on cheek. They are between the wrinkled creases. They aren't raised up much, but they can be felt and are definitely visible under the surface when I stretch the skin over. Would Fraxel make these go away, or will it make them show more so should I have the sebaceous hyperplasia treated first?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

I have not noticed sebaceous hyperplasia becoming more obvious after Fraxel. It may not eradicate them to your satisfaction, but it does often shrink them. They do continue to grow over your lifetime so don’t think of the treatment as a cure.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi UCB,
I have treated two patients with sebaceous hyperplasia with Fraxel repair, a fractionated CO2 laser, with excellent results.  Look at images 8,9, and 10 in the below Web reference link.
Discuss your options with your treating physician.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

William Groff, DO · Answer

The Fraxel repair and restore may make the sebaceous hyperplasia slightly smaller, but I would recommend treating them with a hyfrecator, the smoothbeam laser, or a CO2 laser. These work much better and can be done at the same time as a fraxel resurfacing. Take care, Dr. Groff

Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD · Answer

Fraxel laser improves the appearance of sebaceous hyperplasiae, but does not eliminate them. Electrodessication of each individual lesion, performed conservatively, in one or two sessions may yield superior results.

What is Effect of Fraxel on Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

Answers (5)