Fraxel Laser For Acne Scars
Many of us struggle with acne throughout our lives. Acne commonly starts in adolescence, but can extend or even develop in adulthood. Acne can leave us feeling self-conscious, frustrated, and if not properly treated, result in permanent acne scars. There are many different types of acne scarring, and Dr. Green is a cosmetic specialist in the treatment of acne scars. With over 25 years of experience in treating acne patients and acne scars in her boutique, private NYC, dermatology office, Dr. Green will help remove the hyperpigmentation and depressions caused by acne breakouts.
With cutting edge technology, like the Fraxel laser, you can eliminate your acne scars with almost no downtime involved whatsoever. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is an expert in cosmetic and anti-aging dermatology, and has been healing patients with acne scars with Fraxel laser treatments for over 10 years. Fraxel laser skin resurfacing is a fractional laser that is FDA-approved to revitalize skin, even skin tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of acne scars on the face, neck, chest, back, arms and legs. It uses fractional laser technology to boost collagen in the skin, which in turn can reduce the appearance of acne scarring, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, among other skin conditions. Dr. Green is at the forefront of skin care and technology, and considers the Fraxel laser to be a “magic eraser” due to the incredible results that she has had with Fraxel laser skin resurfacing.
Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an internationally renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing the best non-invasive treatment options to her patients from around the globe. Dr. Green is consistently voted as one of New York’s best physicians by Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and Castle Connolly. When you consult with Dr. Green for your acne scar treatment at her private dermatology office in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, you will have the opportunity to discuss with her in-depth regarding your specific skin concerns and aesthetic goals. Dr. Green will work with you to create a customized treatment plan for facial rejuvenation that is best suited to your skin and delivers the ideal cosmetic results that you are after.
What is Fraxel Laser Treatment?
The Fraxel laser is the first fractionated laser of its kind. Fraxel laser treatment uses unique technology to treat thousands of microscopic treatment areas with absolute precision. Due to the Fraxel’s precise microscopic laser treatment, it is able to rapidly create new collagen, which then streamlines the natural healing process of the body and leads to expedited rejuvenation.
Fraxel Laser treatment relies on the microscopic beams that are able to both treat deep within the dermis and leave surrounding tissue completely unaffected. For this reason, the Fraxel laser was the first ever fractionated laser that was FDA-approved for non ablative laser skin resurfacing that is safe and effective for a variety of skin types. The Fraxel® Dual laser uses two different beams that are able to remove or reduce hyperpigmentation, brown spots, age spots, sun damage, and other skin discoloration, as well as improve skin texture and the appearance of fine lines and acne scars. Combined, the fraxel restores rejuvenated, healthy skin.
Fraxel combined with Juvederm
Fraxel Laser 1927 Wavelength
One of the two laser beams in the Fraxel Dual laser is known as the 1927 wavelength. It’s a Thulium laser that is able to remove issues relating to pigment, including brown spots, age spots, and sun spots. It is the gold standard in pigmentation removal and sun damage. The 1927 targets the skin’s surface, which is why it’s so useful in reducing the appearance of discolored pigment on the skin. Depending on the amount of pigmentation and age spots, it typically takes two to three sessions, spaced one month apart, to remove facial discoloration from sun damage.
Fraxel Laser 1550 for Acne Scars
The second beam in the Fraxel Dual laser, the 1550 wavelength, uses Erbium technology to reach deeper into the layers of the dermis. By focusing energy deeper into the dermal layers, the 1550 wavelength is able to jumpstart new collagen production. This in turn is able to tighten skin, improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, acne scars, and surgical scars. Typically acne scars require three to five treatments of the Fraxel laser, approximately one month apart. There is minimal downtime with some redness after treatment for 48 hours.
Which conditions does Fraxel Laser Treat?
The Fraxel Laser is able to treat a variety of skin conditions. It’s able to remove a variety of atrophic scars, which includes ice pick and boxcar acne scars, surgical scars, and scars from injury. It’s also excellent at creating a more youthful appearance through reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, shrinking enlarged pores, improving skin tone and texture, and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Lastly, it is able to reduce issues related to pigment, such as sun damage, age spots, brown spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation, and skin discoloration. It is not advised to treat melasma with the Fraxel laser, as this can make the existing hyperpigmentation worse and ultimately more difficult to remove.
When it comes to acne scars, Dr. Green will use the Erbium laser to remove the appearance of acne scarring on the face. This in turn will also improve the evenness of your skin texture, as well as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, if you also are dealing with the appearance of sun damage, dark spots, or discoloration, a hybrid treatment between the Erbium and Thulium lasers can be custom made. Dr. Green often uses a combined treatment between both beams for comprehensive results, and curates the specific laser concentrations to best serve your needs.
Fractional CO2 Laser for Acne Scars
The Fraxel laser for acne scares is a highly effective way to reduce the appearance of acne scars on a variety of treatment areas on the body. A standard CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) laser is an ablative laser that creates thermal injury in the skin, and thus requires a significant amount of recovery time. A Fractional CO2 laser is less invasive than a traditional CO2 laser, and is sometimes referred to as a “CO2 Fraxel laser”. The official term for the CO2 Fraxel is the Fraxel Repair, which is an ablative laser with significant downtime that uses CO2 and is reserved for more severe cases. However, the Fraxel Dual laser uses fractionated Thulium and Erbium laser technology to treat the skin, stimulate collagen production, and restore the skin without downtime.
Fraxel Laser for Back Acne Scars
The Fraxel laser is able to treat a variety of treatment areas, including the face, neck, décolletage, hands, back, arms and legs. For this reason, it’s one of the best treatments for reducing the appearance of back acne scars, often removing the scars entirely. The Fraxel laser is an effective treatment for atrophic acne scars, which includes boxcar, ice pick, and rolling scars.
How do I prepare for Fraxel laser acne scar treatment?
The Fraxel laser acne scar treatment is simple and effective. Before your treatment, the treatment area will be cleaned and prepared, typically with a topical numbing cream in order to minimize any potential discomfort. You’ll wear protective goggles, and Dr. Green will deliver the designated laser energy in passes. You will feel bursts of heat during your treatment, and may experience slight stinging. Most appointments last around 15 minutes, but this varies depending on the size of the treatment area and depth of the skin condition being treated.
What is the after care for Fraxel laser?
After your Fraxel laser treatment, you’ll be able resume normal activity shortly after. For those who are treated exclusively for acne scars under the 1550 setting, you will likely experience mild redness or swelling for two days post-treatment. The most important after care for Fraxel laser treatment is a strict skin care routine, which relies on daily moisturizer and a high SPF sunscreen to prevent any intense sun exposure on the skin.
If you are treated with both the 1550 and 1927 wavelength beams, you’ll experience about 5-7 days of sensitive skin. Within the first 48 hours post-treatment, your skin will appear as if there’s a sunburn, and then the top layer of skin will peel, revealing a healthy new layer of skin. During this time, daily moisturizer and sunscreen are vital to protect this new skin.
After your Fraxel laser treatment, it’s important to avoid certain skin care products that might aggravate the skin. These include exfoliants, hydroquinones, and retinoids. For those who experience an active acne after treatment, Dr. Green can prescribe an oral antibiotic to control the acne breakouts.
What are the potential side effects of Fraxel laser?
When it comes to fractional CO2 laser for acne scars side effects, thankfully the risks are quite low. Most patients experience redness or swelling after the treatment, but a daily regimen of moisturizer and sunscreen can prevent any further discomfort. MGSKINLABS, Dr. Green’s highly coveted skincare line, offers a Recovery Cream that can help to prevent any skin damage from occurring post-treatment.
Dr. Green does not recommend Fraxel laser skin resurfacing for those with melasma, as it can worsen the pigmentation from facial melasma. For melasma, Dr. Green recommends Cosmelan treatment. In rare cases, side effects of Fraxel laser include scarring, hyperpigmentation, and infection. Additionally, the Fraxel laser is only safe for those with skin types I, II and III; those with darker skin types should avoid using the Fraxel laser due to increased risk for hyperpigmentation and discoloration. For those with darker skin types, Dr. Green can recommend a variety of alternative treatment options that will better treat your acne scars such as the eMatrix laser.
Does Fraxel laser work for acne scars?
The Fraxel laser is an effective treatment to remove atrophic acne scars, improve discoloration and fine lines, and create overall skin rejuvenation. It’s a popular and competitive treatment option for those who suffer with acne scarring, as it’s proven to reduce atrophic acne scars and, in most cases, remove the scarring completely from the skin’s surface.
How much does acne scar Fraxel treatment cost?
The cost of Fraxel treatment for acne scars varies depending on the size of the treatment area, as well as the severity of the condition being treated. Additionally, the price will vary depending on whether you have an expert performing your laser treatment, or you have an unqualified technician at a clinic or a medspa oversee the procedure. On average, a Fraxel laser treatment session for facial rejuvenation is around $1500. It is vital that you ensure your treatment is completed by a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, as most medspa technicians are uncertified, meaning they are not trained by Solta (the makers of Fraxel), to perform this laser treatment.
Before and after 2 Voluma, 1 Restylane, and 1 Fraxel for acne scars
How does Fraxel laser treatment for acne scars compare to other acne scar laser treatments?
Fraxel Dual laser treatment is an Fraxel is an exciting, innovative cosmetic treatment option, suitable for patients with lighter Fitzpatrick skin types, that can successfully improve the appearance of a myriad of skin conditions, including acne scars. Fraxel is a cosmetic treatment approved by the FDA and proven to correct the appearance of atrophic acne scars, age spots, sun damage, stretch marks, fine lines, wrinkles, and various forms of hyperpigmentation, among other skin conditions. The majority of patients observe a total transformation in the texture and tone of their skin after a short series of treatment sessions.
There are a variety of other acne scar laser treatments that are considered highly effective in treating atrophic acne scars. The VBeam laser is a popular non-invasive treatment option for those patients that are dealing with any form of redness including post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or acne scars that are red. VBeam relies on a laser beam that operates on a wavelength of light that targets the red pigment in the skin while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. The laser is gentle enough that it can be used to treat patients with very sensitive skin types and incorporates a patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) that releases a burst of cold air before the laser beam is emitted to enhance patient comfort during treatment. In addition, it has been shown to reduce inflammatory acne by around 85%, and non-inflammatory acne by about 70%. The VBeam laser is a non-invasive treatment that is safe to use on all skin types and is commonly used to treat rosacea and redness, including that which is associated with acne scars. The VBeam laser treatment is gentle enough that it can be combined with a Fraxel treatment session on the same day to improve the appearance of acne scars that are depressed and red in color. Dr. Green will work with you to determine if the treatments in conjunction are appropriate for your skin.
The eMatrix sublative rejuvenation laser treatment is a competitive choice for acne scar treatment. The eMatrix laser uses radiofrequency technology to stimulate new collagen and elastin in the body. This boost in collagen is able to safely and easily reduce the appearance of scars, and is known for its effectiveness on every skin type. Dr. Green frequently relies on the eMatrix laser to reduce the appearance of acne scars for her patients with darker skin types.
Can Fraxel laser treatment be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures?
Yes! Fraxel is a laser skin resurfacing treatment that is successfully combined with other non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments for ideal cosmetic results. When you work with Dr. Michele Green in NYC, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss with her in-depth regarding your specific skin concerns and aesthetic goals. Together with Dr. Green you will create a personalized treatment plan that incorporates the cosmetic procedures that are catered to achieving your optimal facial rejuvenation results. Dr. Green will typically suggest staggering treatment sessions of Fraxel with other cosmetic procedures in order to optimize results. Dr. Green frequently combines laser skin resurfacing treatments with dermal filler injections or skin tightening treatments, such as Thermage FLX. Dermal fillers can be used to replenish lost facial volume and erase the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and depressions in the skin that form as a result of collagen breakdown in the skin. Botox injections are considered the gold standard treatment for eliminating or reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles on the face, which form in response to repeated facial expression.
When you work with Dr. Green, you can create a custom treatment plan that fulfills all of your goals, from reducing acne scarring to reversing the appearance of aging to maintaining a healthy glow. The types of cosmetic procedures that are integrated into your individualized treatment plan will be dependent upon the type and severity of your acne scars as well as your skin tone and skin type. It is essential to meet with a board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Michele Green in NYC, for your acne scar treatment in order to ensure that the treatments in your acne scar removal approach are best suited to your skin and provide you with the best overall results.
Does Fraxel help with acne?
Fraxel is not designed to treat active acne breakouts, and patients should not undergo Fraxel treatments if they are currently experiencing acne breakouts. Additionally, patients with any kind of active infection or open wound should not be treated with Fraxel until after their condition has resolved. Dr. Green will work with you to first treat your inflammatory condition before your Fraxel treatment sessions are performed.
Can Fraxel make scars worse?
When you have your acne scar treatment with a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, with the required expertise and experience to recommend the lasers that are safe, effective, and appropriate for you, Fraxel will not worsen the appearance of your scars. Fraxel is an FDA approved cosmetic procedure for rejuvenating the complexion, including eliminating acne scars. It is imperative that your laser skin resurfacing treatment is performed by a knowledgeable medical professional in order to ensure that you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure and that it will provide you with the cosmetic results that you’re after. Dr. Green is an internationally renowned cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing the best non-invasive cosmetic treatments available to her patients from around the globe. When you work with Dr. Michele Green in NYC for your acne scar treatments, you’ll be able to observe a gradual improvement with each subsequent treatment session until you achieve your optimal cosmetic results and a smooth, clear complexion that lasts.
How effective is Fraxel laser for acne scars?
Fraxel is an ideal treatment modality for treating acne scars for patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III. Fraxel Dual is a type of laser skin resurfacing device that operates on two wavelengths, 1550 nm and 1927 nm. The 1550 nm setting is ideal for the treatment of acne scars and other textural irregularities in the skin such as fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. Laser skin resurfacing is considered to be one of the most effective types of cosmetic treatment for acne scars, and Fraxel is often referred to as the ‘magic eraser’ for its unique ability to target a wide array of skin conditions, including acne scars. Patients with darker skin types, however, should not be treated with Fraxel as it can cause undesirable side effects such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and even scarring. There are other laser skin resurfacing devices available, such as the eMatrix sublative rejuvenation laser, that are safe and effective for patients with darker skin tones and produce ideal cosmetic results when it comes to resolving acne scars.
How many Fraxel treatments for acne scars?
When it comes to treating acne scars with laser skin resurfacing, it can be difficult to predict with certainty just how many treatment sessions will be needed for a given patient. This is because everyone responds somewhat uniquely to the laser treatment and will present with varying severity of acne scars. Patients with mild to moderate acne scars will require fewer treatment sessions than those with more severe scars. Typically, most patients being treated with Fraxel for acne scars will require a series of three to five treatment sessions of Fraxel, spaced about 4 weeks apart from each other, to achieve their ideal cosmetic results. When you consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan regarding your acne scar treatment protocol, she will work with you to determine the treatment modalities that will be incorporated and the approximate number of sessions required.
How long after Fraxel can I use Retinol?
For the week following your laser skin resurfacing treatment with Fraxel, exfoliating active ingredients, like retinol, should be avoided. Patients should also refrain from using active ingredients in skin care such as vitamin C, hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. Using a gentle cleanser and a non-comedogenic moisturizer after treatment with Fraxel will keep your skin nourished and protected while healing. In addition, patients should refrain from using exfoliative ingredients for at least two weeks prior to their Fraxel treatment session in order to avoid excess skin irritation following the treatment.
Does Fraxel cause acne? Why do I breakout after Fraxel?
Some patients experience acne breakouts after treatment with Fraxel or other laser resurfacing treatments. Such a breakout may occur as a result of an increase in the rate of skin cell turnover that is caused by having treatment with Fraxel laser. If you are interested in treating acne scars and yet are still struggling with active breakouts, Dr. Green will likely recommend that the acne is treated first in order to prevent the development of new acne scars. If you experience a breakout of acne after having treatment with Fraxel laser, an oral or topical antibiotic may be prescribed to help clear the breakout if needed. Whether acne, acne scars, or both are of concern to you, Dr. Michele Green in NYC can help.
How do I get started with Fraxel treatments for acne scars?
Acne scars can be a painful reminder of previous breakouts, and often times the scars left behind are even more challenging to resolve than the initial breakout of acne itself. There are many different types of acne scars, and luckily, a host of non-invasive cosmetic treatment options available to treat them. The best way to approach the treatment of acne scars is to schedule a consultation with board-certified, internationally renowned cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. Dr. Green is an expert in the field of cosmetic dermatology with a special interest in treating patients for their acne and acne scars.
Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a ‘less is more’ philosophy when it comes to facial rejuvenation treatment, and she is consistently recognized as one of New York’s best physicians by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors. For each individual patient, Dr. Green evaluates the types of acne scars present, collects a thorough medical history, and creates a customized treatment approach that integrates the non-invasive cosmetic treatments that will deliver their ideal results. If you are exhausted by feelings of self-consciousness about your acne or acne scars, Dr. Green can help. To learn more about eliminating the appearance of your acne scars for good through treatments of Fraxel, microneedling, chemical peels, dermal fillers, or other laser resurfacing treatments, among others, please call Dr. Michele Green’s New York office today at 212-535-3088 or contact us online.