Could You Tell Me the Difference Between Fractora Skin Resurfacing and Fraxel Laser?

Question

I am a 48 year old woman with sun damage and wrinkles on my forehead and around my eyes. I have had 3 Fraxel treatments, but really didn't see any change. Would the Fractora Skin Resurfacing work better for me?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Fractora is a bottom up device which consists of needles penetrating the skin and treating the skin in deeper areas than most lasers can penetrate.  Fraxel is a C02 fractionated laser which treats skin from the top down.  Both treatments have a place in treating skin depending on your goals and needs.

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

Fractora is a radiofrequency microneedling device targeted at photo rejuvenation of the skin. It is one of many devices in a large armamentarium available for this purpose. Fraxel is a brand of lasers that have many different wavelengths available. The best option for you will be based on your individual goals, needs and anatomy.
Energy-based devices like lasers, IPL, radio frequency, microfocused ultrasound and even coolsculpting cryolipolysis are all different tools in our toolbox. When seeking the best options for you, you want to make sure that you are working with somebody who has a full toolbox, and you are not just getting the recommendation for a few device options that they have to choose from. If you need screw tightened, you don’t want somebody trying to use a hammer to do it!
I keep 10+ devices on hand in my practice, which provides a very broad range and May serve as a good metric when speaking with somebody and considering your device options.
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these “core four” cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself100 Physician

Anna Hemming, MBChB, BSc, MRCGP · Answer

Fractora is a radio-frequency treatment directed through small needles into the skin. Treating the skin from the inside. It can be used to tighten as well as resurface the skin, this includes amazing results with active acne and acne scarring. There are different needle / pin heads which increase the concentration of energy in a more superficial treatment or decrease the energy but deliver it deeper.
Fraxel is a Co2 Fractional laser applied to the skin surface so it treated from the outside in. There are different types of fraxel to do different things.
Perhaps you should meet with your practitioner to discuss why Fraxel has not helped. Or if your relationship has broken down find a doctor who provides both Fraxel and Fractora.

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS · Answer

The skin is a complex organ.  It is not a 1-treatment-will-work, nor is it a 1-treatment-modality-will-take care-of-everything.  Because the Fractora works from the bottom up (radio frequency) and a thermal laser such as Fraxel (a brand of laser) or UltraPulse CO2 (another brand of laser) creates heat in the skin treating from the top down, I often use both modalities to get the best result - which is reorganization of the skin cells between the deep and superficial layers to contract the tissue (think shrink wrap).  CO2 is the gold standard in resurfacing, while Fractora 24-pin sends the energy needed deep into the tissue where the remodeling begins.  My end point is to investigate out-of-the-box ideas about treating your skin in order to get the very best outcome!

Patrick W. Blake, MD · Answer

Great question. These are both great technologies. Please make sure that the Fraxel Re:pair (for deeper tightening) and the Fraxel 1927 (for the more superficial lines). Given your age and the location, I'm betting most of the lines are fairly superficial. Personally, I do think the Fractora does more for wrinkles. Fraxel requires at least 4 (and frequently up to 6) treatments. With Fractora, I almost always see a big difference with 2 treatments. In fact, even after 1 treatment, I've never had a patient say they didn't see much. Fraxel does not have the scabbing and less downtime of Fractora, but it is a slower process. Talk to your doc and/or get a second opinion.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

The Fractora is very different from the Fraxel lasers. Fractora uses radiofrequency energy delivered through a hand piece with and array of pins about 1mm +/- long that are inserted into the skin and then discharge radiofrequency energy to melt small dots of skin and stimulate improvement in skin texture, wrinkles and scars. There are three Fraxel Lasers: Fraxel re:pair - an ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser, Fraxel 1550 ,a non ablative fractional laser and Fraxel 1927 Thulium laser that is superficially ablative. These devices are used in very different ways. See an expert for recommendation for your treatment.

Peter J. Jenkin, MD, FAAD · Answer

Without a picture, it's hard to make specific recommendations. The Fractora system is radiofrequency-not laser. I would think that that is not going to give you the results you're looking for. Botox into the forehead would help a lot with the wrinkles. You could continue with more Fraxel laser treatments because the effects are cumulative or you could switch to an ablative fractionated laser treatment such as Pearl Fractional laser. This will give you much better results in one treatment than the Fraxel but you would have approximately one week of down time. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Could You Tell Me the Difference Between Fractora Skin Resurfacing and Fraxel Laser?

Answers (7)

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