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Dera Dr Seckel, I am an Indian with dark brown skin. Is Fraxel a safe procedure for my skin? I just want to remove some acne scars on my face and also lighten mouth and chin area that is slightly more darker than rest of the face. Thanks, Shal, Sydney, Au.

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

Dear Shal,
Fraxel laser skin rejuvination works well for acne scars. However Fraxel does cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in dark skinned patients. Palomar has releasd a new laser called the Lux1540 which also benefits acne scarring and the company claims there is less risk of post-inflaammatory hyperpigmentation.
Because of the risk of hyperpigmentation I do not recommend […]

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Dear Dr. Seckel, Please tell me how to successfully treat my skin. I have acne, blackheads, whiteheads, redness and puffiness around my nose and huge pores around my nose and on my forehead. I’ve tried all types of products and prescriptions that work for about a month and then my skin seems to start resisting the product. I’m desperate at this point. I’m only 29. Is microdermabrasion right for me? What home microdermabrasion kit would you recommend? Thank you, Milly, Harrisburg, PA.

Sunday, March 26th, 2006

Dear Milly,
For correction of enlarged pores, acne and acne breakouts I recommend you see a medical aesthetician in a Dermatologists or Plastic Surgeons office and have a professional microdermabrasion-at least 4 to start.
I would also recommend Brevoxyl washes to reduce skin oil and a topical Retinoid-Differin or RetinA which will require a prescription.
The skin creams […]

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Hi Dr. Seckel, My name is Suzan; my age is 34 years old. I have blackheads on my noise and I have blackheads and scares on my chin as a result from deep acne. I also have moderate acne scaring in my face. I am using Tretinoin Cream (0.05%) for about one year, but I did not get that much improvement. Therefore, I would like to treat the scars that I have and improve the overall complexion and appearance of my skin with the most safety ways. I was told to use Laser Genesis to my chin area and use a Fraxel laser to my face and then use one to two times Blue Peel. Do you think this is a good way to achieve a very good result or it is enough to use Genesis to my chin and Blue Peel to my face, since I am afraid from using laser to my face? Thank you very much for your cooperation. Susan, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Sunday, February 5th, 2006

The Fraxel® is a laser skin rejuvenation procedure, and an ablative laser skin peel, which means it does skin exfoliation or skin removal during treatment.
If you are concerned, and want the most gentle treatment for acne scars and enlarged pores I believe the LaserGenesis® is the most gentle, non-ablative laser treatment. Clearlight® by Lumenis® and […]

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Hi Dr Seckel, I have deep acne scars as well as acne on my neck.I have been doing micro dermabrasion but what can I do about the scars. I don’t need total perfection just need to feel good about my face again? Kyla Ball, Gloucester, Ontario.

Sunday, February 5th, 2006

Dear Kyla,
You are not alone. Millions of people have acne and acne scars and just want to have normal skin.
There is no one cure that can create perfect skin.
However there is a great deal we can do today to help especially with the new non-surgical facial rejuvenation and laser skin rejuvenation techniques.
On the face I […]

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Dear Dr. Seckel, Hello, I’m a 24 year old college student and I’m interested in Fraxel treatments. I was told I’d be the perfect candidate because I want to get rid of some mild acne scarring, red spots. They are mostly along my cheeks and sides of my face. I’m currently on Sinemet and occasionally use spot treatments of Differin. Should I be getting Fraxel treatments? What are the risks associated with Asian skin. Technically speaking, I’m 1/2 European heritage and 1/2 Asian heritage. I used to tan very easily when I was young, but as I’ve gotten older its harder to for my skin to tan. However, for the past year or two I’ve not tanned and grown out of the tanning phase, I don’t want to look like leather! So is Fraxel for me? Asian College Student, Melbourne, FL.

Sunday, February 5th, 2006

Dear Student,
Fraxel is a good treatment for acne scarring but I would not recommend Fraxel® or any other ablative(ablate means to surgically remove) laser treatment or laser skin peel for acne scarring if red spots, rosacea, or broken blood vessels are a major pr0blem, especially on Asian skin. The problem is that Fraxel and other […]

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Dear Dr. Seckel, I see that you are a big proponent of Laser Genesis for the reduction enlarged pores. However, I am an African American male with very dark skin, will this treatment work for me, if not do you suggest any form of pore reduction for black skin? Thank you, Dee, New York, NY

Friday, January 20th, 2006

Dear Dee,
Thank you for a very important question. I do feel LaserGenesis® is safe for black skin and is a good method to shrink enlarged pores.
Unlike other lasers there is no contact with the skin, thus the chance of injury to the skin, which could result in loss of pigment or hypo pigmentation and […]

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Dear Dr. Seckel, I have many enlarged pores with some pitted acne scars on the nose and inner checks of my face. My dermatologist said that microdermabrasion would be too superficial and that dermabrasion would work, but I would miss several weeks of work, due healing time. I’ve seen you mention newer technology such as Laser Genesis® that you said might work. I’ve also been told about a new treatment called Photodynamic Therapy with IPL that may work. What do you think is the best treatment that will actually work on reducing the pore size and pitted acne scars with very little or no down time? Please let me know. Thank you, David, Ontario, Canada

Friday, January 13th, 2006

Dear David,
Dermabrasion may well ENLARGE the size of your pores and I would not recommend it. IPL or photo facial combined with a photo sensitizing agent, a technique called photo dynamic therapy, can reduce the size of enlarged pores.
There are many new better methods to treat acne scarring, among them Fraxel, Lux1540 and lasergenesis. LaserGenesis® […]

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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

Friday, January 13th, 2006

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 […]

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Dear Dr. Seckel, I am a 36-year-old female. I have suffered from excessive oily skin and enlarged pores over my entire face. I know this is hereditary because my mother has this problem. I want to prevent this from becoming worse. At the age of 32 I had a full face CO2 laser. This did not seem to shrink the already existing pores. This problem is getting worse as I age. I have tried IPL (3 treatments) and LED (8weeks). Is there anything that can prevent these enlarged pores and shrink the existing ones? I can’t seem to find anything. Please help me. Thank you so much for your time. Jodi, Shawnee Kansas

Sunday, January 8th, 2006

Dear Jody,
Take heart, there is newer technology that can help enlarged pores. LaserGenesis® a new product by Cutera® has been shown to reduce pore size as well as improve skin texture and reduce redness and fine lines. What I like best about LaserGenesis® is that unlike other lasers and IPL, there is no contact with […]

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Hi Dr. Seckel, My name is Thomas and I am trying to decide either to have a Fraxel laser or Microlaser peel performed but I am not sure which one will have the better results and fewer side effects. I am treating mild to moderate acne scaring, but I am also trying to improve the overall complexion and appearance of my skin. I am 33 years old and have had Acne since I was 15 years old but I don’t have any more breakouts I am just trying to have a nicer and smoother skin. Thank you.

Sunday, October 16th, 2005

Dear Thomas,
Both Fraxel and the Sciton Microlaserpeel laser type skin peels are used by plastic surgeons and dermatologiosts for mild acne scarring. The key is finding a plastic surgeon who is experienced in their use. My preference is the MicrolaserPeel using the Sciton Erbium laser or the ActiveFX laser skin peel. These ablative laser […]

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