Dr. Seckel, I have been told by my dermatologist that Fraxel® laser would help my skin. My skin has been oily for years and I have minimal acne scarring, some red scarring of minimal nature, and large pores. The large pores are my main concern. I questioned a plastic surgeon about the procedure (he does not offer it) and he did not recommend it. How effective is it in minimizing pore size? While I’d like to reduce any of the red spots I have on skin, eliminate the very tiny lines around lips; I actually have pretty good skin for a 48-year-old woman. It’s just the pores I’m really wishing to reduce. Thank You! Diana, Irvine CA
Dear Diana,
I would not recommend Fraxel® for reducing enlarge pores. Fraxel is an ablative laser-ablative means that it removes some skin. When you remove skin, pore size can enlarge. Laser resurfacing can improve scars and wrinkles but pore size can be enlarged.
The skin pore is an opening to an oil gland deep in the skin, and the neck of the gland can be larger than the pore-thus if you remove the surface skin you can reveal the larger neck deep down. Fraxel® treatments can stimulate the growth of new collagen in the skin, and that can compress pores, but until I see published results demonstrating pore size reduction by Fraxel® I would not recommend it.
In addition, the red spots you mention could be made worse by an ablative laser.
Fraxel can be very helpful for acne scarring.
A laser made by Cutera® called LaserGenesis® is the one I recommend for reduction in pore size and improvement in acne scarring and it is very effective for removing red flush or red vessels. It also can help the fine line and wrinkles, stimulate new collagen production, and is a good non-surgical facial rejuvenation technique.
Of course you need to get the opinion of a doctor who can examine you-I cannot recommend therapy over the net. You can check the Cutera® website for doctors offering Laser Genesis® in your area.
For more information visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Dr Seckel
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts