Is Fraxel or Microneedling better for minimizing pores?

Question

I have huge pores, and as a result, tons of blackheads. What would you recommend to use for that, Fraxel and Microneedling? Thank you!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend combining lasers, microneedling with prp and peels to help enlarged pores. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Dmitriy Schwarzburg, MD · Answer

Fraxel is a non-ablative fractional laser treatment that treats signs of skin aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, sun damage/age spots, brown spots, laxity, crepiness, pore size. It creates focal zones of thermal injury which causes intense collagen stimulation and growth of new cells. Please contact a qualified provider or a board-certified physician with extensive experience in these procedures.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

I choose a particular laser based upon the size of the pore, skin type of the patient, and expectations. I find that the most reliable method is with INFINI RF, micro needling using energy. This beats all my Fraxel lasers and chemical peel techniques. Very little downtime, and it is ideal for small to medium size pores. Fraxel 1927 comes in a close second in the high density setting. 
Chemical peels such as TCA (70-100%) placed focally in the pores is an excellent treatment for large pores. Fully ablative laser are excellent, but the downtime is long. I use both erbium and CO2. Fractional CO2 medium density can work, but you require 3-6 sessions. More in the pore section in the web reference below. Pore size reduction treatments should be tailored according to the patient IMO.
Regards, Dr Davin Lim
Laser and aesthetic dermatologist
  
Brisbane, Australia.

Alexis Parker, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The combination of hydrafacial and microneedling are a great start for your problem.  Once the skin is clean and free of blackheads, I would continue treatment of the large pores with a Clear and Brilliant laser that has been proven to shrink and decrease pores.

Is Fraxel or Microneedling better for minimizing pores?

Answers (5)

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