Fraxel Repair Vs. Total FX (Active FX with Deep FX) - Which is Better?

There is alot of confusion, for both patients and physicians about the Micro Fractional Carbon Dioxide Lasers. First and most important is that the Carbon Dioxide laser is the Gold standard for tightening, smoothing, decreasing pigment and lifting sun damage skin. Its wavelength is 10,600 nanometers. All Lasers with a lower wavelength less than this will not work as well as this wavelength. Therefore patients, really need to look for this wavelength, rather than a specific name of a laser. Next, you need to look and see that the laser has a scanner that produces small holes that treat a "fraction" of the skin. The names used are "Microfractional"," Fraxel", "Dot", "Pixel". I have performed more than 4600 procedures with the C02 laser and have used every brand and in my hands they all perform exactly the same. The real difference is the skill of the Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon. I would ask if the Surgeon has performed at least 500 procedures. In my opinion, This laser should not be performed by Nurses or Non cosmeticaly trained physicians.

My obvious bias is the Fraxel re:pair that I have in my office.  When we made the decision to add a fractional CO2 laser to our services, we looked at multiple different platforms.  In my opinion, when a laser company produces a laser - and remember that lasers are designed to work at specific wavelengths to achieve their goals - that they claim can do everything from facial resurfacing to hair removal to tattoos, that they have a laser that does a lot of things "OK."  The Fraxel does resurfacing and that is it.  For my money, it is the best option for resurfacing.