Fraxel 1550 recovery: my skin is still red and has hatching marks 2 weeks post-op -- is this normal?

Question

I had fraxel 1550 for some small acne scars, fine lines and pores. My skin is still red and has hatching mark's after 2 weeks. Is this normal? If not what are my options to calm down my redness. The doctor told me the redness is the collagen working and doing its thing to remodel. Help?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Yes, this is normal. Typical healing is 28-40 days due to skin cell turnover after having a procedure like this. Cell turnover is the skin's natural exfoliation process. The skin naturally sheds deadskin cells through a process called desquamation. Every 28-40 days, on average, a new skin cell is "born" in the stratum germinativum, the deepest layer of the epidermis.

Christopher Dannaker, DO, MPH, FAAD · Answer

Persistent redness for several weeks after Fraxel restore can be normal, however, sun exposure after the treatment can contribute to prolonged redness and later, hyperpigmentation.  Daily use of sunscreen is important for several weeks after Fraxel, especially if you live in a sunny environment.  If you have very light skin (Type I) , redness after even mild non ablative treatments such as Fraxel restore is more likely and considered normal.  However, if you have lines or a pattern to the redness, your physician will consider whether to reduce the Fraxel energy, or more likely, reduce the pixel density of the laser such that less heat is transfered to the surface.  An experienced, board certified, dermatologist or plastic surgeon is able to sort out these variables and adjust the treatment parameters, if necessary.

Fraxel 1550 recovery: my skin is still red and has hatching marks 2 weeks post-op -- is this normal?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Fraxel Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Fraxel 1550 recovery: my skin is still red and has hatching marks 2 weeks post-op -- is this normal?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Fraxel Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.