Dear Dr Seckel, I was wondering what you think of the new procedure with the Fraxil® laser? I went to a laser clinic and they said that I would be a good candidate for the procedure. I have some old acne scars on my cheeks so that is the only part I was planning on doing. My fear is that I took Accutane® about 2-3years ago and I noticed that my skin is very sensitive, for example when I went to get my eyebrows waxed some of my skin ripped off, of course not much but it never did that before. I have a fear that my skin will be a different pigmentation than the rest of my skin. Can this happen? Please let me know what you think. Thank you, Sue Colorado Springs, CO
Dear Sue,
Thank you for an excellent and very important question about Laser Skin Rejuvenation.
With your history of Accutane® use and that your skin is fragile I would not use the Fraxel® laser or any laser skin rejuvenation procedure on your face. The Fraxel® laser is an ablative laser which means it creates a laser peel by removing skin. The skin must be able to heal and re-grow following a laser peel. Accutane® thins the skin and causes loss of the cells in the oil glands. These oil gland cells are necessary to grow new skin after you have had an ablative laser procedure like the Fraxel® laser peel.
I am not worried about pigment change but would worry that your skin would not heal properly and that scarring could result.
If your concern is acne scarring on the cheeks then I would consider a non-ablative procedure like LaserGenesis®. This laser skin rejuvenation procedure does not ablate or remove skin, there is no contact with the skin, and it works by stimulating new collagen growth in the deeper skin layers.
Of course before any laser skin rejuvenation procedure a physician experienced in lasers must examine you. You can check the Cutera® website to find a physician who offers LaserGenesis® in your area.
I compliment you on your intuition about your skin and think you may have prevented a disappointing experience. For further information visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you.
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts