Is It Ok to Get a Chemical Peel in Between Fraxel Treatments?

A light chemical peel would be beneficial to reduce hyperpigmentation from a Fraxel laser. By all means, always confirm with your treating physician first. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Dear Patient, I often pre-treat my fractionated CO2 and Erbium patients with a regimen that includes Kojic acid, Hydroquinone cream, Retin A and also includes weekly Glycolic acid peels. I start with a very low concentration such as %10 and move up to %35. Light Glycolic (Alpha and Beta acids) can prep the skin and prevent blotchy skin and prolonged redness after the treatment. These peels should be very light and performed by an experienced Dermatologist. They are specially valuable in patients with darker skin color (Hispanic, Asian, Light toned African American patients). Please discuss this with your surgeon. I hope that this answer was helpful. Yours, Dr. David R

Thank you for you question. I would recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks after a Fraxel treatment before getting a peel depending on the depth of the treatment. As stated below, unless you are prepping the skin prior to the treatment I would be surprised if you need a peel immediately following a Fraxel treatment as it is stronger than any peels.

- Best wishes

I would wait at least 6 weeks after a Fraxel CO2 laser treatment before you consider a chemical peel.  The Fraxel or microablative fractionated CO2 laser should be better than any peel and I would be surprised if you would even consider it unless it is used to refresh your skin about once a year.