Can non ablative fraxel lasers cause fat cell/ volume loss in th face?

Question

I have done 2 at home treatments with the age defying Tria laser. I recently found reviews stating that fraxel lasers can cause fat cell loss months after a treatment.!?!? And many women are stating that these treatments have ruined their faces? Can you please advise if this is a real possibility with a non ablasive Fraxel laser? I am scared I have already done damage and I won't know for months.

Payman Kosari, MD, FAAD · Answer

A non-ablative fractional laser such as Fraxel does not reach deep enough in the tissue to cause any injury to the subcutis (fat layer).  I would bring up any concerns you have with your doctor but you are ok on this one.  Best of luck!

Christopher Dannaker, DO, MPH, FAAD · Answer

We have all seen a myriad of online complaints connecting treatments to previously unreported complications.  The Tria fractional device is similar to Fraxel restore 1550 but much lower powered.  The penetration of these devices is correlated to the power setting.  The tria beauty, because of it's extremely low power, may take months to a year to see any significant skin improvement.  It's much higher powered cousin, the Fraxel Restore 1550 still cannot reach the depth of the fat.  There are no reports of fat loss with Fraxel treatments in any peer-reviewed journals that I am aware of.  Having used this laser for many years, I have never see any fat loss.  Radiofrequency  a decade ago did cause such complications but it is well known that RF (radio frequency), but not Fraxel,  can reach the fat layer.

Can non ablative fraxel lasers cause fat cell/ volume loss in th face?

Answers (2)