It is wise to stop a week before as it may make the skin more sensitive to the treatment and may prolong the healing slightly.
Should I protect my skin after Fraxel from direct sun exposure?
Yes, as there could be an increased risk of developing pigmentation from the ultraviolet irradiation. There is no perfect sunscreen so be careful to avoid direct sun’s rays.
I have had a series of Fraxel Restore laser resurfacing procedures on my face and really like the texture now. I have lost some weight and want to plump up my creases with filler. How soon after Fraxel can this be done?
I often do fillers one week after Fraxel Restore but wait several weeks after Fraxel Repair before injecting fillers. The skin normally tolerates this very well and the combination of Fraxel and Fillers is a great treatment for many people.
I have had darkening of my skin color since pregnancy and it’s very bothersome to me in appearance. I have tried chemical peels, lightening creams and Fraxel restore with only limited improvement. Is there anything else I can do? I have heard about a new laser from Fraxel for skin darkening.
Fraxel Dual is a new and improved Fraxel Restore laser that has a second wavelength, a 1927nm. that is geared to treat the facial pigment you’re discussing. It can be used to blend in the treatment when Fraxel restore is used or it can be used separately. The depth of penetration is deeper than chemical peels and in the superficial dermis where the pigment often lies in stubborn melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s not as deep as the Fraxel Restore 1550nm or the Fraxel Repair Carbon Dioxide laser wavelength. In this way, it’s energy absorption is where the pigment can be affected. Unfortunately, those patients who have melasma and other patients with a tendency to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation can be at risk of developing darker color after trauma such as a kitchen grease burn, curling iron, etc. and laser as well! Usually doctors want their patients to be using a lightening cream and sunscreen to decrease the chance of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after laser treatment if the patient is at risk of this occurring. Sometimes a test spot is helpful in seeing what response the skin will give. A bad response usually means the laser won’t be done, but if the test looks good, it unfortunately, doesn’t mean that the darkening won’t occur!
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