How Long Should I Wait Between Fraxel Re:Pair and Ultherapy?

I would recommend the ablative lasers after Ultherapy, but choosing this route is OK.  Ultherapy can be performed within two weeks, preferably, after the skin is healed. Our office recommends customized Ultherapy sessions to tailor your areas of concern. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Dear patient, I have performed about 30 or 40 Ultherapy treatments followed by a light CO2 laser (Mixto) the same day. I have not had any issues. Deeper acne scars need a deeper CO2 laser. It may be wise to wait 2 weeks.

If Ultherapy and Fraxel Repair are done on the same day, the Ultherapy should be done first as the Fraxel Repair does induce breaks in the skin barrier and the Ultherapy device should not be applied to raw skin. There certainly can be more swelling and redness after the combined treatments. If Ultherapy follows the Fraxel Repair your reaction may differ based on the exact settings used by the doctor with the laser, how sensitive your skin is in general, and if your skin were pretreated with a Retin-A like medicated cream which can make it more irritable to the Fraxel treatment. If the Ultherapy is then done, especially with the more superficial 1.5 mm. deep transducer which can cause temporary welts, there might be excessive reaction in one's skin. 

With all these variables, your doctor will have to determine how safe it is and when to perform the Ultherapy after the Fraxel Repair laser resurfacing for your face.

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs.

Hi Ms. Molly,

Both Ulthera and Fraxel repair may be performed at the same sitting.  There is usually a bit more swelling of the face when they are combined.  Once you have had Fraxel repair, it is okay to have Ulthera when your skin has healed.  It may be anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after your laser treatment.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Hi Molly- There are many advantages to doing the procedures in the same day.  First, you would have only one period of recovery and one time that you would need pain meds. (both treatments have some discomfort)  We use IV or intramuscular narcotics and Valium for our patients.  The procedures compliment each other very well, as the Ulthera goes much deeper than the Fraxel.  Both procedures yield tightening and lifting, and the Fraxel has the additional benefit of surface improvement.  The Ultherapy can yield minor to modest improvements in texture, depending on the transducer used and the number of lines, etc.  The Ultherapy does very well for lines and wrinkles on the chest.  Our practice did a clinical study on this and the results are very nice.  Take care, Dr. Groff

I recommend a period of healing after your Fraxel treatment of approximately 2 weeks to allow epithelialization. Thereafter, there is no contraindication to receive your Ultherapy treatment. Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below. 

Hello Molly - I use both the Fraxel Re:Pair and Ultherapy lasers in my practice.  My patients wait about a month between the two treatments in order for the skin to reepithelialize.  You will likely have a bit of swelling and redness, and this will allow time for that to heal as well.