How long should it take for my skin to return to its normal texture after Fraxel? (photos)

Question

I had a second round of Fraxel for my acne scars and after 9 days my cheeks have a rough, bumpy very unsightly texture to them. I hadn't had this problem the first time I had Fraxel. This rough texture is only on my cheeks (the doctor did turn the laser up for this area since scarring was the worst here). I have a few breakouts on my jawline (a side effect I also had after the first treatment) but the texture is more concerning to me. Is this normal? Will my skin ever return to normal?!

Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS · Answer

While Fraxel results can be apparent immediately after your
procedure, your final results may not become visible for a month or two. You
mentioned that you had your most recent treatment 9 days ago—it’s common to
have some uneven skin texture after this amount of time, particularly since
your surgeon used a higher intensity treatment on your cheeks. Have you been
moisturizing regularly with the lotions your doctor recommended? It’s also
possible that the unevenness is simply due to the remaining scarring present on
your cheeks. Some patients may need 4 to 6 Fraxel treatments before their
issues are fully resolved.

Susan M. Stuart, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to read about your
concern. Uneven skin texture is expected following a Fraxel treatment, but the
expected duration is sometimes difficult to estimate. You mentioned the
intensity of the treatment for the cheeks was higher, and that may contribute
to a longer recovery period. If you've followed your physician's post-treatment
instructions and the texture of your skin isn't improving after 2 weeks, I
suggest contacting his or her office to schedule an appointment. Best of luck
to you.

Jill C. Fichtel, MD · Answer

The timeline of your recovery after Fraxel treatment will vary depending on the settings your Dermatologist used.  In general, swelling peaks within a few days and will gradually subside thereafter.  Most patients are satisfactorily recovered by week 2, but mild redness or irritation may be noted for several weeks.It is very important to follow your Dermatologist's post-Fraxel protocol to make sure you get the best results.  Also note that, for some patients, 3-4 sessions may be required. As always, If you have concerns about your treatment, I recommend you contact your Dermatologist.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Depending on the settings used it can take up to two weeks for the skin's texture to return to normal.  If you have any concerns I would return to your treating physician for examination.

How long should it take for my skin to return to its normal texture after Fraxel? (photos)

Answers (4)

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