Fast facts

Fraxel Laser

What it is: a fractionated laser treatment designed for resurfacing wrinkled, sun-damaged, scarred and aging skin

What it addresses:

There are three types of Fraxel laser treatments that address a  range of skin problems and skin types. Fraxel Re:fine is a mild, non-ablative aesthetic laser treatment performed in a series for discoloration, age spots, and general improvement to skin tone. Fraxel Re:store is deeper treatment which uses a fractionated erbium laser and provides non-ablative treatment with minimal downtime. Fraxel Re:pair is an ablative fractionated CO2 laser for the most intensive resurfacing and epidermal repair.

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Was it worth it?

Percent of consumer reviews saying "Yes":

86% Tummy tuck
83% Blepharoplasty
83% Invisalign
81% Smart Lipo
80% Silicone breast implants
79% Photofacial
78% Lasik
78% Facelift
78% VASER Liposelection
75% Laser resurfacing
74% Rhinoplasty
74% Botox
72% Permanent makeup
70% Liposuction
69% Pixel laser
67% Microdermabrasion
67% Active FX
66% Chemical peel
63% Juvederm
61% Restylane
58% Sculptra
53% IPL
52% Radiesse
51% Fraxel Laser
50% Mesotherapy
48% Accent XL
44% Zoom teeth whitening
41% Lifestyle lift
37% Lipodissolve
37% Thermage

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Question

Does Tazorac help with collagen rebuilding after Fraxel?

Will Tazorac help with collagen rebuilding after Fraxel procedure, just as they say Retin-A does? If so, how is it possible?

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Asked by: rber43
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Answers (2)

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1
November 16, 2008

Retinoids have extended benefit for aging skin

Mary Lupo, MD
Mary Lupo, MD
Board Certified
Dermatologist
Answer by Mary Lupo, MD

Before paying for an expensive and uncomfortable procedure, you should do the basics: sunscreen and antioxidant daytime and retinoid (tazorac my personal favorite) to stimulate the process of epithelialization at night and stimulate new collagen as well as clear pores to minimize them. These benefits are cumulative over time and have been found to speed healing after the procdure due to this stimulation. After the procedure, retinoids maintains the benefit. A board certified dermatologist can best explain the different types of retinoid, and how to use them for best resuts.

Good Luck.

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2
November 13, 2008

No, it does not.....

Virginia Stevens, MD
Virginia Stevens, MD

Fraxel and other modalities, such as Portrait, and Thermage, basically inflict precise, controlled thermal injuries to the skin.  This induces an inflammatory response which involves production of collagen, elastin, and other more complex processes. 

The action of Tazorac in conditions for which it is used is not completely understood.  It interferes with cell proliferation, or cell multiplication, and it supresses skin cells in other ways.  It is important to understand that Tazorac's action is mainly INHIBITORY.  This is not conducive to brisk collagen formation in response to thermal stimulus.  This is why most device manufacturers advise that retinoids be discontinued for a period of time before procedures, and not resumed for a while after.  Some physicians do not understand this dynamic. Your question is a very good one. Thank you for asking it.

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