Fraxel Restore Vs. Fraxel Repair

Hi Kim,

The new Fraxel re:pair is made by Reliant Technologies Inc., which is the same company that made the first fractionated lasers including the "Fraxel that is already out" (has been out for the past 3 years).

Re: pair is a completely different laser (CO2) while the "older laser" is a non-ablative fractionated erbium laser. They have renamed the older version Fraxel re: store (aka Fraxel 750 and Fraxel SR1500). The new re: pair is an ablative fractionated CO2 laser that tightens laxity of facial and neck skin with minimal downtime, risks, and complications that have been seen with the older traditional CO2 lasers.

Like the Fraxel re: store, the re: pair also treats brown pigment, age spots, scars, wrinkles, melasma (brown pigment of birth control pills and pregnancy), but the big difference is in tightening and deeper lines. Also red discolorations respond well with re: pair.

Unlike the previous Fraxel re: store, re: pair achieves this in a single treatment. Re: pair is more painful so a local anesthetic nerve block can be used, and the recovery time is greater than with re: store.

Be well.

Dr. P

The fundamental difference between Fraxel Restore and Repair is that the former (Restore) is a “non-ablative” laser and the latter (Repair) is an “ablative” laser. What this means is that the Restore delivers laser energy into the skin that is not sufficient to fully vaporize tissue but still induces coagulative damage which translates into healing and neocollagenesis whereas the Repair vaporizes tissue in order to induce a healing and neocollagenesis response. Practically speaking, this means that the downtime associated with Repair is typically longer but the results are more pronounced after a single session. Hope that helps!

Fraxel Repair has been out for a while and is far more effective than Fraxel Restore (2-3 times more effective). However it is already "old technology" and in my opinion other lasers like the Sciton Skin Tyte and BBL are far more effective and uses RF as well as laser technology.

One Fraxel Repair does more than three Fraxel Restore laser treatments. We have both lasers and I like them both. They are very different lasers however.

The Fraxel Restore is a nonablative laser (does not remove skin). The Restore is an Erbium glass laser. Because it is nonablative, it can be used by physician extenders such as physician assistants, nurses, aestheticians, or nurse practitioners. The Fraxel Restore laser is an excellent dermatologic lasers which will improve skin color (dyschromia), skin tone, texture, pore size, and overall quality. It is best for patients with early signs of aging who have minimal wrinkles and gravitational changes in the face (example: jowls). The Restore is used in a series and a recommended 3 to 5 treatments are necessary to achieve the desired result. There is very little downtime with this laser and it can be done as a "lunchtime" procedure. In addition, the Restore can be used periodically to keep the skin rejuvenated through a process called collagen remodeling.

The Fraxel Repair is a carbon dioxide fractionated laser (CO2) which is ablative meaning that skin or tissue is removed. An average of 20% of the skin surface can be removed in a single treatment which dramatically tightens the skin and improved wrinkels and gravitational signs of aging. The Fraxel Repair is usually done as a single treatment by a physician. The recovery is about 5 days to get back into makeup. This laser will do everything that the Restore will do but in a single treatment and has the added benefit of skin tightening and wrinkle reduction. It is generally best for patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who desire wrinkle reduction.

Fraxel re:store
• Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allows for complete healing and replacement of damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin, and viable healthy skin cell growth.

Fraxel re:pair
• Results are immediate and progressive. In the three to six months after treatment, you'll get even more results as the deeper layers of skin continue to heal. Although, there are several different types of laser fraxel machines so make sure the laser is the right one for what you want treated.

Great question. Yes, both are from the same company, Solta, formerly called Reliant. The Fraxel Restore was the first to be developed. The Fraxel Repair came to market this year.

Both produce small holes in the skin leaving behind normal skin between the holes. The skin heals faster than the older carbon dioxide laser, which blasted away all the skin in the area.

The Restore produces minimal down-time, with redness and flaking for up to several days, but you are expected to be in public right away. The Repair treatments are of a deeper level and you have a solid three days, if not up to one week, of very red, almost oozing skin.

The wavelengths of the lasers are different. The Restore may improve texture, coloration, acne scars and fine lines. The Repair may improve deeper lines and even tighten sagging skin of eyelids and jowls.

Repair is fractional CO2. Restore is fractional erbium glass. The wavelenghts of energy are different. Repair is ablative. Restore is non-ablative.Although others may disagree, I find Restore is more versatile and able to be safely used on more skin types. 

I was involved inthe development of the fraxel laser in 2003 and conducted all the pivotal FDA clinical trials for this laser while I worked on a prototype device.  The fraxel restore is a fractionated erbium laser that only makes the skin slightly red and swollen.  But there are no raw areas.  mulitple treatmnets need to be done.  This laser can be used for the treatment of wrinles, acne and surgical scars, stretch marks, melsams and sundamage.  Fraxel Repair is the fractionated beam of the co2 laser. it has about one week down time and is more effective for wrinkles on the face and skin tightening.

Fraxel Repair is an ablative CO2 laser.  Which means that tissue is being removed (epidermis). Gravitational signs of aging, wrinkles and over all tightness will be improved in just one treatment.  Repair requires about 3-7 days of downtime.  It is important to spend the time to educate your patient of this.  If this is not something they can or are willing to incorporate, then Restore would be their best option. Restore is a non-ablative erbium laser. With a series of Restore, which may be better for some patients, you will see improvement in skin tone, texture, pore size and fine lines. It is best for a younger patient with early signs of aging.
These lasers have different wavelengths and penetrate the skin on different levels.  Best thing to do is understand what your patient's desired results are, make your recommendations, and then discuss together which would best suit them.

"Dr.D"