Hydroquinone Absolutely Necessary Before Fraxel?

Question

I never had the fraxel treatment before, and I was consulting my dermatologist if I should get some. He said, that before putting me under the procedure he would have to put me on some hydroquinone for at least a month. The problem is, I need the treatment done fast, and therefore I don't really have the time to pre-treat my face. Is it safe enough to get fraxel (probably re:store or re:pair) without applying hydroquinone? How bad does the chance of possible side effects increase? Thank-you.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Skin brightening products are recommended prior to treatments with Fraxel lasers but not absolutely necessary!  I would highly recommend at least getting on these products IMMEDIATELY after your laser treatment to help prevent any unnecessary hyperpigmentations that may appear post procedure.  The use of sunscreen in addition, is highly recommended after any Fraxel laser.

	Hope this helps.

	 

	Dr. Grant Stevens        Marina Plastic Surgery Associates          Marina del Rey, CA         The Institute

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Depending on the skin type you can pre-treat patients with a hydroquinone.  Most patients who are fair do not require hydroquinones and I ask patients to stop all of these  before Fraxel.  For darker complexions there are times we pre-treat both before and after with hydroquinones.  This process is tailored for each individual patient.

Monica Halem, MD · Answer

The answer to this questions is it depends on what type of skin you have. If you have lighter skin you can most likely have the Fraxel laser treatment without pretreatment with hydroquinone. Darker skin types would need at least a month of pretreatment with hydroquinone. The hydroquinone decreases the chance of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dr. Halem

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

I personally never pretreat anyone with either Retin A or hydroquinone. Postoperatively, total sun avoidance until the skin gets back to normal color and treatment if necessary with hydroquinone works very well for me even in some darker skin types. We do hundreds of patients with Fitzpatrick skin types 1-IV. If there is a strong history of pimples turning brown and taking months to get back to normal color or minor injuries turning brown for months or years after healing, then there is more chance of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Even in those patients, I treat for hyperpigmentation post op rather than pre op if necessary. I recommend that you follow your doctor's instructions or change doctors if you want to get the treatment done sooner from a specialist who does not require a month of hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone Absolutely Necessary Before Fraxel?

Answers (4)

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