Fraxel™ - Related FAQ's
Q: Is Fraxel™ laser safe to use after I have been on Accutane for bad acne?A: Many of our patients who are being treated for acne scars, were on Accutane in the past because of their bad scarring acne history. After six months to one year, there is usually no restriction from having the laser therapy. There always is a risk of scarring with any resurfacing procedure. A test spot can be performed, which doesn't rule out the possibility of scarring but if the test shows poor healing then the full face treatment would not be scheduled.
Q: I have dark skin and noticed dots of color after I had Fraxel™ Repair in a different practice. Will these go away?
A: Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur with any laser in patients with skin of color and even those who have light skin. Sun protection is very important and lightening creams and chemical peels can help lighten the dark spots. Usually they go away over many weeks, even without treatment. A dermatologist can determine better by seeing you what the expected course is for you. It is best to see the doctor who treated you as they know what settings were used and how the procedure went for you. Light spots can occur too and this should be evaluated as well.
Q: I have acne scarring and am confused as to the type of laser I should have. The reports on the Internet are overwhelming. What is best for me?
A: You need to see an experienced laser surgeon who treats acne scars with multiple modalities, rather than just one, the one that they have in their office, in consultation to determine what treatment or treatments are best for your skin. Acne scars can be treated by CROSS technique and chemical peels, deep microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, punch grafts, Fraxel™ Restore non-ablative laser, Fraxel™ Repair ablative laser and the older fashioned CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser.
Q: My sister has dark skin and had a couple of dark spots she wanted treated. The doctor used the fraxel™ dual laser but now she has darker skin. Was she ruined for good?
A: There is always a chance of darkening the skin with any treatment if there is any treatment to lighten the darkening. No treatment is guaranteed to remove the darkening, and no treatment is immune from creating a darker skin reaction. It is wise to pretreat the skin with a lightening cream prior to treating the postinflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma.
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