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How many microneedling treatments are equivalent to a fraxel restore or repair treatment?

Hi, I had A super aggressive IPL a few years ago (face was swollen badly for a week) and soon after got facial fat loss and indenting so I'm trying to avoid lasers again but now i have quite a bit of wrinkling around mouth area. Can I do a series of monthly microneedling for a year and if so would that be equivalent to maybe one fraxel laser treatment? Thank you!

Doctor Answers 4

March 13th, 2016

Microneedling with PRP or Fraxel

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I concur that microneedling should be done in combination with laser resurfacing. The effect of microneedling is increased with PRP or topical recombinant growth factor/serum application.

Dr Karamanoukian
#RealSelf100 Member

Learn more: http://www.lookgood90210.com

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
January 11th, 2016

Microneedling vs. Fraxel

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Hi Lolo.  Fraxel and other fractional resurfacing procedures will not cause facial fat loss (nor IPL) so you would not have to worry about this concern.  

Microneedling does not perform the same function as laser resurfacing.  In a fractional laser resurfacing tissue is ablated (Vaporized) causing the skin to regenerate new tissue.  With microneedling, small holes are poked in the skin, but no tissue is ablated.  For this reason, fractional resurfacing actually removes acne scar tissue and microneedling does not.  

To see before and after photos of laser resurfacing procedures for acne scars, click on the link below.  

Learn more: http://www.celibre.com/acneScarsLaserRemovalBeforeAfterPicturesPhotos.aspx

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.4 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

January 9th, 2016

Microneedling versus Fraxel

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There is no comparison between these procedures. I do them together to get even better results and do microneedling between laser treatments for rejuvenation and long term maintenance.  I suggest seeing a cosmetic dermatologist with expertise in combination treatments.  Best, Dr. Emer.
Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 202 reviews

January 9th, 2016

Depends

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There are so many variable, including your exceptions, the number of passes that was performed and energy levels of Fraxel Restore - Repair. 

With skin needling this would also depend on other factors such as the depth of needles, the number of passes, the areas treated, and if healing techniques such as micro needling PRP was to be performed at the same time. 

There is new device called INFINI RF- far superior to micro needling alone as it delivers RF energy that is insulated. Downtime only 2 days at maximum. I am starting to combine this with PRP for even better results with a recovery of less than 36 hours. 


All the best,

Dr Davin Lim
Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist
Brisbane, Australia
Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD

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