Does Fraxel Laser Treatment Tighten Skin?

The Fraxel ReStore is nonablative meaning that no tissue is removed while the Fraxel Repair is ablative (removes tissue). The Repair will tighten skin as it can remove about 20% of the skin surface area with an average treatment. The Repair will be more effective in treating skin laxity and wrinkles but require more recovery and downtime.

Having used both the Fraxel re:pair (ablative) and the Fraxel re:store (non ablative) in my practice, the re:pair has better skin tightening properties than the restore. Re:pair has a more involved downtime profile when compared to re:store and should only be used on lighter toned Caucasian skin types. Its results (re:pair) are however much more significant and it is a 1 time treatment only. Re:store gives modest results, requires a series of 3-4 treatment at 2-4 weeks interval. It is however used in most skin types with minimal downtime.