Does Fraxel Need to Be Done by a Doctor or Can an Esthetician Do It?

Each of the forms of Fraxel are lasers.  Lasers are focused specific wavelengths of light which can achieve wonderful results, but can cause severe injury if used improperly.  For this reason, it is absolutely crucial that a Physician perform your treatment.  To paraphrase an old axiom of Surgery, "Don't do the procedure if you can't treat the complications".

Fraxel Restore, Fraxel Dual and Fraxel Repair should be done by a physician or under the direct supervision by the physician, depending on that state's law. Fraxel Refine was marketed for aesthetician use but does not produce any appreciable long term results.

In many states, the regulation of laser administration can vary. However, the Fraxel must be purchased by a physician. Oversight of individuals delivering the therapy can be different from state to state. Typically in Illinois the therapist delivering the treatment must be under the supervision of a physician.

Your question is a very common one with a complicated answer. Who CAN perform laser treatments will be determined by state law. In the state of Texas almost anyone CAN perform laser treatments as most cosmetic laser treatments are not legally considered medical procedures. The more important question is who SHOULD perform laser treatments. In my practice, I perform all laser treatments. If you choose to go to a practice where someone other than the physician performs the treatments, be sure to at least be evaluated before and after the procedure by a physician and that the physician is trained in dealing with possible complications of laser treatments.

Both M.D. s and estheticians do fraxel work. In my office the evaluation and post- op work is done by myself, the actual lasering is done either by myself or a technicion. An esthetician can certainly do it but its nice to have a physician involved in the process to make sure all is done correctly and goes well.