Bleaching Cream Prior to Fraxel Restore Question?

Question

Is there a "waiting time" you need to go to fraxel after putting on the bleaching cream? I've put bleaching cream on for a month and stopped and its been another month now and i want to go to my second session of fraxel. Will the cream be ineffective due to the long period of time i stopped using it? Or is meant to use it one month just before you go to fraxel?

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Check with your provider, but in my practice you would be fine.  Our use of bleaching creams varies patient to patient based on skin type, the condition of the skin and time of year.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

All skin tones should use a skin brightner or bleaching agent prior to Fraxel. Generally you would want to start 3 to 6 week before treatment to prevent any post inflamatory-hyperpigmentation. Depending on your provider they may have you use it up until the date of treatment, however some may ask that you stop 3 - 5 days prior to treatment. During the post treatment period patients should be off of any active or stimulating products for 5 - 7 days. If you have not used your bleaching cream for a month the benefit of usage will have disipated.

Mark Hamilton, MD · Answer

Bleaching creams can be beneficial prior to laser resurfacing to minimize the chance of hyperpigmentation after the procedure. We often consider using a course of hydroquinone before the treatment in patients who have some color to their skin since they are at higher risks.Each physician had a different approach-I would highly recommend discussing this with your physician prior to treatment.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi ET.  This depends on your skin type, the procedure you are undergoing (how aggressive, which type of Fraxel) and your practitioner's opinion.  Without knowing you, the procedure and your skin type, we would not be able to say whether we would recommend a bleaching product before laser.  In our practice it is rare that we would prescribe hydroquinone for this issue.

Bleaching Cream Prior to Fraxel Restore Question?

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Bleaching Cream Prior to Fraxel Restore Question?

Answers (4)

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