Why is fraxel getting such a bad rep? Is it a safe treatment?

Thank you for your question. It is important to seek a Technician and or Dr. that is certified and well trained in laser treatments. Skin type does play a factor in how the treatment can be set to give optimal results. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeons office to discus which laser treatments will be the most helpful and safe. You will get a highly trained staff and direct Physician involvement with your treatment and after care.

Hi Tricia,Fraxel repair is an excellent laser treatment.  It is a fractionated CO2 laser.  I have been using the technology since it came out in 2008.  We have not had any negative results with our Fraxel repair treatments.  It sounds as if your mother is an excellent candidate for Fraxel repair as she is fair skinned. As with any treatment, the results and adverse events are dependent on the skill, experience, and knowledge of the treating physician.  It is most important to choose your treating physician most carefully.  Good luck and be well.Dr. PEncino, CA

Hi Tricia.  Fraxel and CO2, although different wavelengths are still very similar in that they are fractionated lasers.  This means that the light beam has been divided into many hundreds of small spots that perforate the skin.  This makes these lasers "ablative" which means you will have a recovery period.  If your Mom is looking for improvements in the skin TEXTURE, either of these may be good options, although we love the Sciton profractional Erbium laser.  If as an alternative, she is primarily interested in removing age spots (brown spots, liver spots) then we would suggest a q-switched lasers.  Ablative lasers like Fractional lasers are best for texture, but for color, they are not ideal.  To see examples of age spot removal with q-switched lasers in Chino, click on the link below to view the before and after photos.  

I do fractional co2 and nonablative Fraxel everyday in my practice with amazing results.  We combine treatments with PRP and microneedling to enhance the results.  I suggest you see a laser expert for treatment.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Fraxel is my number one favorite laser for removing brown spots, sun damage, and fine lines.  One of the reasons that you read reviews that are unfavorable has to do with many different inexperienced doctors using lasers and saying that they are "Fraxel" when in fact they are not.  In experienced hands, the Fraxel laser is a remarkable laser with excellent and reproducible results.  For the best cosmetic results please consult a board certified dermatologist with experience with Fraxel laser.

I've been using a variety of Fraxel lasers for about seven years and have not seen any significant or lasting negative side effects.  Conversely, in experienced hands, results are consistently excellent and down time is limited. Pain, if any , is usually mild.  I mostly use the Fraxel Dual, but a milder version by the same manufacturer is the "Clear and Brilliant" device.  I recommend making sure the treatment is performed by an experienced doctor, nurse, nurse-practioner, or PA in a cosmetically oriented dermatology office or plastic surgeon office.

Fraxel gives phenomenal results when used by a properly trained and skilled physician. The other thing is that there are several fraxel lasers. Fraxel is just the brand name...our office uses the newest fraxel lasers with minimal downtime. Please consult with a board certified specialist who can assist you with achieving the results your mom seeks.

The results of Fraxel in my hands are very reliable, and consistently very good. My patients are happy. I've been using the Dual since 2009. My before and afters are all over their website. It is great for pigment, and fine lines. Tightening is better done with the Infini. RF is better for this. I think most problems are related to over treatment or improper use of the laser.

Hi Tricia,There are three different Fraxel wavelengths (CO2 - ablative; 1927 nm and 1550 nm  - nonablative) and each one has different associated downtime/recovery. I have had great success with all three without complications. Some people are not good candidates for these lasers, which is why the consultation visit is very important. It is also very important to have a trained laser expert do the treatment and for you to have an understanding which device is going to be used. There are treatments that are milder than Fraxel (Clear and Brilliant for example) but your mother may need to do many more treatments to achieve the results of one Fraxel treatment.

Fraxel is an umbrella term for various types of lasers and wavelengths including 1927, 1550 and of course CO2. Each type of Fraxel has a specific application, and also treatment parameters. Finding a skilled Specialist who can apply the type of Fraxel laser for a particular skin condition is the key to success. You are indeed correct, Fraxel over the years has been getting a bad rep because of lack of training. The lasers themselves are World Class, however its the laser operator that is usually at fault for not matching the correct parameters for the condition. Sun damage on the face can be treated with either the CO2 Fraxel or even the 1927 Fraxel.All the bestDr Davin LimLaser DermatologistBRISBANE, Australia