Dear Dr. Seckel, I am considering having Fraxel laser treatments on my face to remove wrinkles. I have also heard of a treatment called Laser Genesis. Are they similar treatments and both good for wrinkles? Thanks, Mary, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Mary,
Both Fraxel and LaserGenesis are popular new non-ablative skin laser rejuvenation treatments for wrinkle removal and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Laserresurfacing is the gold standard.
Although both Fraxel and LaserGenesis are laser skin rejuvenation techniques used to remove wrinkles by stimulating new collagen growth in the deeper layers of the skin, they work in very different ways.
The Fraxel laser skin rejuvenation is a “microablative” technique which means that small areas of the skin are ablated or injured to stimulate the skin to grow new collagen so some skin exfoliation occurs. A topical anesthetic is required and you will be red for several days and your skin may peel. Multiple treatments are required for a result.
Lasergenesis is a non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation technique which means the surface of the skin is not ablated or injured, thus peeling and redness do not usually occur, thus no skin exfoliation is produced. Rather lasergenesis gently heats the deeper skin layer the dermis to stimulate new collagen production. Topical anesthesia is not required. Again multiple treatments are required for a good result. Published studies of the lasergenesis technique have shown new collagen production and impressive results in correcting pink flush, shrinking enlarged pores, improving skin texture, and fine wrinkle removal after multiple treatments.
Most plastic surgeons experienced in non-surgical facial rejuvenation and laser skin rejuvenation agree that there are other more aggressive laser techniques which are more effective for wrinkle removal. The activefx laser skin peel and the microlaserpeel an erbium laser peel are ablative lasers, which means that the skin surface is ablated for deep skin exfoliation, an important first step in wrinkle removal. While these ablative laser skin rejuvenation and wrinkle removal treatments require 4-6 days of downtime for redness, they are generally more effective for wrinkle removal in my opinion.
If it is important to you that you have no redness or down time then the laserGenesis may be the better option or if you chose the Fraxel tell your doctor your concern and opt for a more superficial Fraxel treatment.
As always consult a board certified physician who is experienced in the use of lasers.
For more infromation on non-surgical facial rejuvenation and wrinkle removal visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you .
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts