A: I would suspect that you had Fraxel Dual, which is a combination of 1550nm laser (to stimulate collagen repair) as well as 1927nm for epidermal exfoliation. If you have a lot of sun damage, the 1927 results in a sloughing of the discolored surface skin, much like a chemical peel. You should look great 5 days after the procedure. Be sure you keep the treated area moist and avoid the sun to maintain the improvement.
Q: Is Fraxel Dual 1550 More Painful (Hence Longer Healing Time) Than 1927?
A: I am assuming you are referring to the 1927nm laser that is now part of the updated (and markedly improved) Fraxel Dual system that includes the 1550nm laser that has been the Fraxel Restore energy wavelength since Fraxel was released several years ago. The answer is that the 1550 causes more swelling and redness and the 1927 causes more flaking and peeling. The 1550 helps the texture and scars, the 1927 pre cancers and brown spots. The amount of pain and downtime also depends on the settings used.
Q: Is it true that after taking Accutane for 6 months I must wait 24 months to have any facial treatment such as Fraxel to improve my acne scars?
A: The usual wait time for ablative treatments that remove the skin is one year. Fraxel Restore is non-ablative and likely could be done as early as 6 months. SilkPeel, Cooltouch and other minimal, no-downtime procedures are clearly safe at six months and perhaps even 3 months. Fractional CO2 resurfacing, however and deep chemical peels require twelve months. None require the 24 months you were told.
Q: I want my skin to be smooth and very fair. I also want to get rid of irregular and blotchy skin. What should I try?
A: There are many options to improve irregular pigmentation and brown spots, but the new Fraxel Dual is outstanding for getting results in fewer treatments and reducing other signs of sun damage like early actinic keratosis. The color of your skin is inherited and cannot be safely, permanently changed, but having the color be uniform and free of irregular spots will make any skin color look better.
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