Is scarring a side effects with a higher intensity laser beam?

Yes. Scarring can occur with either the Fraxel Re:store or Re:pair laser but there is a higher chance with the latter. Scarring may be red thick raised or depressed scars. This is rare but no physician can guarantee that scarring won’t occur with chemical peels, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing of any kind.

Both Fraxel Re:Pair and Fraxel Re:Store can do an excellent job of smoothing out scars, making them less noticeable or even invisible. They have very few side effects and have been proven safe by the FDA and by years of use. Re:Pair is a stronger, ablative CO2 laser and will work in one session. Re:Store is gentler, non-ablative and will probably take several sessions to remove your scars. 
In the hands of an expert, neither Fraxel laser should cause scarring. During your consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, your skin will be evaluated for texture, tone and color so that the correct laser and settings can be determined. Side effects for Re:Pair include a reddened face that may feel tight for up to two weeks. Re:Store generally has no side effects at all. Some peeling or dryness may occur for some patients with either laser. Please find a board-certified dermatologist to find out which Fraxel will work best for you.

Scarring is ALWAYS a side effect with ANY laser. That is why it is VERY important to go to a physician who is an expert in laser surgery. Reducung the appearance of acne scars usually takes more than one treatment. We have found that patient’s can expect a 50% improvement with each treatment so that 1 treatment gives you a 50% improvement , 2 treatments give you a 75% improvement, 3 treatments gives you a 87.5% improvement, etc.

Hi Vin,
Fraxel re:store is less aggressive with almost no chance of scarring with the series of treatments.
Fraxel re:pair (fractionated CO2 laser) is more aggressive and treats acne scarring more effectively. There is increased chance of scarring with more aggressive treatments, but it is very rare, especially in acne scar patients.
Good luck with your treatments and be well.
Dr. P

Thank you for your question. I can understand you concerns, however scarring is always a side effect with any laser. That is why we always recommend you to see an expert physician with any treatment you undergo, especially in laser surgery. Normally it takes more than 1 treatment to reduce acne scars and you can expect to see 50% of improvement with each treatment and the percentage rises with each treatment. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

Thank you for
your question. I can understand you concerns, however scarring is always a side
effect with any laser. That is why we always recommend you to see an expert
physician with any treatment you undergo, especially in laser surgery. Normally
it takes more than 1 treatment to reduce acne scars and you can expect to see
50% of improvement with each treatment and the percentage rises with each
treatment. I recommend having a consultation with an
expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

There are two Fraxel lasers commonly in use:  Fraxel Repair, a carbon dioxide laser, and Fraxel Dual, a thulium and erbium laser.  Acne scars are generally treated with either the Fraxel Repair or the Fraxel Dual erbium.  These devices deliver a 'fractionated' laser beam which means that skip areas of untreated skin are left between the microthermal heated zones of treatment.  That speeds healing and reduces the risk of complications.  However, every treatment can carry risks including scarring.  It is critical that you see a physician with training and experience, ideally a board certified dermatologist or plastic/facial plastic surgeon.  The Fraxel is not a procedure appropriate for an aesthetician, medical assistant or nurse.  You physician should discuss with you the possible complications, your personal risk of infection (generally patients with a history of herpes virus/cold sores are pretreated with valcyclovir to avoid an outbreak), and what to expect during healing.  If anything occurs that is not part of the normal expected healing described, you must call your treating physician.  Blistering or extensive scabbing can cause scarring if not treated appropriately.Regarding dosage, your physician will pick the treatment parameters based on your condition and skin color.  Acne scarring invariably takes multiple treatments with either Fraxel so physicians often start with the gentlest dosing they think will be effective and increase as tolerated for subsequent treatments as indicated.I hope this answer was helpful. Best wishes.

Common side effects or reactons to fractional ablative laser treatments such as the Fraxel Laser or the Sciton HALO Laser include swelling, redness, skin flaking. The incidence of these is dramatically reduced with the HALO’s unique hybrid synchronous fractional/ full-field energy delivery mechanism. Patients do have some stinging during the treatment and for about an hour or two afterwards. By day three most patients get a bronzed or tan look. Every patient should be asked prior to treatment if they are susceptible to cold sores and pre-treated if necessary. Side effects also depend on the intensity and depth of the treatment. The stronger the settings the more downtime you can expect.

If Fraxel Laser Treatment done properly for acne scars, Fraxel Laser Treatment should work great and shows good result. 

The benefit of Fraxel Re:store is its relatively low side effect profile.  By leaving the outer layers of the skin less affected, most of the initial reaction is limited to mild-to-moderate redness and swelling for 1-2 days after the treatment.  This accounts for the minimal social downtime.   After the swelling and redness resolves, fine dandruff like flaking can occur, which may last 1 week.  Like other laser devices, burning, scarring, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur, but the risks are minimized with the fractionation of energy.  These uncommon side effects, but real risks are the reason why it is important to have your Fraxel treatment performed in a physician's office.