Fraxel™ - Related FAQ's

Q: I have had a scar on my forehead since I was a child, having gone through a glass storm door. Now it bothers me socially. It is so depressed and I want to know if Fraxel™ or Botox™ can help this.

A: Usually, depressed scars are evaluated for surgical excision and closure. Such revision may produce a good result, but sometimes, this surgery could make the scar look worse. If the scar is bound down, then a simple lifting, called subcision, is done followed by a filler to lift the scar and keep it lifted long term. Depending on the filler it may have to be redone every year, or more frequently. If the surface of the scar is not too bad, shiny, atrophic, that is all that may be needed to produce a good result. Fraxel however could be done to improve this texture, but Botox usually wouldn't be needed. The Fraxel™ could be Fraxel Repair, which would take two weeks to heal and might be redone once, but the Fraxel Restore can be done many times with only giving you slight redness and swelling with minimal flaking but you would not be staying indoors while awaiting for it to heal unlike the restriction you would have with Fraxel Repair. No matter what treatment(s) you have, though, some scar will always persist and no one can guarantee it will get better.

Q: If I have very sensitive skin, can I still undergo Fraxel™ Restore laser resurfacing for my facial rejuvenation?

A: Yes! I recommend for people that have very sensitive and allergic skin, that they try to use the post operative creams we recommend after Fraxel laser in our office, before they undergo the laser. This way we don't learn for the first time that their skin can't tolerate the creams after they have had the laser and the skin needs something fast. I often lower the density and the energy settings for such patients.

Q: I am only 30 years old but have wrinkles in my lower eyelids. Can Fraxel™ help?

A: Yes! Fraxel™ Restore or Fraxel Repair can help improve the texture of the eyelids. You will need an examination to determine which laser would be better. The Fraxel Restore takes multiple treatments but has little downtime and little risk, whereas the Fraxel Repair is one treatment, which can be repeated in six to twelve months, but has up to two weeks of recovery time and does create more risks. Botox sometimes helps but can weaken the pump action of the muscle and swelling may increase related to position (sleeping, exercise, etc.).

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