Does Dermapen work for under eye wrinkles or is Fraxel better?

Unfortunately there is no head to head trial, or split face study that has compared Fraxel to Microneedling treatments. But based on experience with the use of both, results are really dependent on the provider and how the treatments are being done. There are many variables when deciding how well a treatment will perform, such as: the power setting of the Fraxel laser vs. the depth setting on the microneedling pen, and also the number of passes over the areas being treated. The price point however is probably not too different between the two options. Fraxel if used on a higher setting may provide superior results to a session of microneedling but will produce redness after the treatment with a downtime of 3-5 days. Microneedling has less recovery time. Both are great options, and some patients like to alternate between both treatments.

Hi Sort.  We would not waste your time with the dermpen for under eye wrinkles, especially if you have mildly lax (or crepey) skin.  To improve this sort of skin requires tissue tightening (HEAT and lots of new collagen).  While the dermapen can stimulate the development of small amounts of collagen, it is in no way equivalent to the tissue response when using a "coagulation" setting during fractional resurfacing.  This type of setting results in deep tissue heating and tightening of loose skin.  Dermal fillers can also benefit the process if volume loss is an issue.  The Dermapen is better at breaking up scar tissue than it is at improving wrinkles, but we still prefer fractional resurfacing in all cases for skin texture issues.  

Microneedling
and Fraxel laser can both achieve great results for fine lines around the eyes.
The results and amount of treatments can vary based upon the provider's
settings on the fraxel, number of passes, or the depth of the microneedling
pen. In our practice, we do both procedures and have seen similar results.

Dear SORTWIK,
Great question regarding Dermapen vs. Fraxel as that is a common choice for patients to make when choosing ideal treatments. Microneedling was developed years before Fractionated lasers. The idea was that if you macerated the tissue with hundreds of small superficial injuries, you would create a healing response to the injury, and thus improve scars and wrinkling. The disappointing results seen with these instruments is what lead to the development of Fractionated lasers. Simple insertion of a non-heated or electrical injury conjoined needle does little to your skin. Think of getting a blood test, or skin test for allergies. Poking the skin, even multiple times with a series of needles, can only make a change relative to the degree of injury sustained by the skin. There are just much more effective ways of doing this with a laser. That is not to say that benefits cannot occur, because they can. BUT, only to the degree to which the skin is injured. Using lasers or electrified needle arrays is a much more precise way of delivering a specific level and severity of injury in just one pass. Hope this information helps you make the most informed decisions on your treatment. 
Dr. S

Microneedling with the skinpen, will,without a doubt, help with under eye wrinkles. Depending on the severity of an individuals wrinkles, they may need a series of 4-6 treatments spaced about a month apart. With little to no down time and a reasonable cost, the skinpen is absolutely an amazing procedure.

In our practice we rarely use fractional lasers for under eye wrinkles. We've found a combination of micro needling especially with the addition or PRP, radio frequency, and good skin care have shown better results with virtually no downtime. Best to you,Dr. Norcom

Microneedling can be used on the upper cheeks to cheekbone area. I would not recommend this treatment for the eye area. Fraxel is great for fine lines and wrinkles. Please visit a licensed and experienced dermatologist who can successfully perform this procedure.

The Dermapen treatment creates micro “injuries” in the skin which triggers new collagen synthesis. The result is smoother, firmer and younger looking skin. In my office we use this procedure around the eyes and the entire face to improve tone, texture, color and glow. The Fraxel is also an excellent choice that uses micro “injuries” to trigger new collagen synthesis, between those two procedures the Fraxel is more powerful and would yield you a better result. Either option will give you improvement however both options would probably need multiple treatments for best results. Your Board Certified Dermatologist would know which treatment would be most effective for your specific concern.

Medical micro-needling, when properly done and combined with effective skin care products such as human growth-factor serums, has been shown to give as good or better results than laser or Fraxel treatments. And at a fraction of the cost! Compared to fractionated laser treatments, micro-needling not only spares the epidermis, it strengthens it. The key to micro-needling is the healing response that this process stimulates. The keratinocyte is responsible for releasing several key growth factors that orchestrate underlying cell turnover to facilitate ideal skin rejuvenation. Repeated "stimulation" of healthy keratinocytes leads to release of growth factors and cytokines that optimize cell-to-cell communication between keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. When these signals are boosted, fibroblasts differentiate to form normal collagen and greater amounts of hyaluronic acid. The result is thicker, healthier looking skin.