Good or Excellent Response
44%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Moderate Response
82%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Side Effects
Medium-High
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find a dermatologist or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a plastic surgeon.
Used Ablative Fractional Lasers? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 25, 2017
Non CO2 laser resurfacing experience
It helps. I did my first course 4 months after acctune, on a mild setting, and did not experience any extra scarring.
I am after third course right now, im 20 and a female
As someone who did both mild and high settings, there is a huge difference. So for people considering lasers, to avoid scammers doctors who will do mild settings to make you pay more, after a high setting laser your skin is red for at least 4-7 days. You get scabs and peeling off for at least week or two. And on mild setting it didnt hurt as much as on high one!
Also, remember that aftercare is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!!! SUN EXPOSURE MONTHS AFTER PROCEDURE MAY RUIN YOUR SKIN, you need to wear spf 50 everyday. That is why usually laser procedures should not be done in summer...
By the way, breaking out after procedure is completely NORMAL! what is not normal is getting cystic acne
For me, it works. No miracles, but its helping to gain my confidence back. Did anyone else have done non co2 laser resurfacing too?? Im interested how did it go for u.
June 25, 2015
It works very well
I am very surprised with many of these negative comments. I work at a medical spa, where we have a CO2 laser, and we use it for many things, including acne scaring. We have had very little complaints, no matter what the doctor was using it for. The doctor I work for teaches other doctors how to perform these procedures, so maybe that is why he is so good. Anyway, best of luck!
December 22, 2012
Cons:
5 days down time. That is the only thing that is tough
I highly reccommend it.
December 22, 2011
Pros:
It works.
Cons:
It is painful, expensive, scary and you can't leave home for at least 3 days.
I am quite surprised to see that so many people have negative experiences with this. I have done this 3 times now. I have acne scars but no fresh acne. About 3 years ago, I did one round of FCO followed by a lighter round about 2 months later to further stimulate the collagen growth. I definitely saw improvements over the next few months/years. Smaller scars has disappeared while the larger/deeper ones looked shallower. I did not realise how much my skin had improved until I saw my "before" photos from 3 years ago. That was enough for me to go ahead and do it again a 3rd time. So far, it has been 1.5 weeks since I had my 3rd round. The effect it has had on my remaining scars was above my expectations. I am still a little pink from it but the healing seems to be complete. With a bit of light makeup, it is almost as though I have never had any scars. The first time around, I did my research based on the procedure itself (how it works, what to expect, how to take care, etc) but not so much on reviews and feedback. I have only just seen these reviews so it is a little surprising. If I had seen this earlier, I might never have dared to attempt the procedure. I guess the effect really depends on your skin type, the care taken by the dermatologist and also the after-care. All I can say is make sure you have a qualified and creditable dermatologist to carry out the procedure. If you happen to have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to reconsider going through with it as it may not be suitable for your skin. If you are still having active acne, you may want to ask for oral antibiotics to suppress it as the laser treatment stimulates the skin and may cause fresh breakouts. From days 1 - 5, it is quite normal to see "additional" scars, redness, peeling, crusting (you name it!). I will admit that it is really scary. I call it the "toast bread" look. But it is only temporary. It will get better when your skin heals. I think it is def
September 25, 2011
Pros:
Reduced my scars, made some of them go away completely. Definitely see a huge improvement!
Cons:
Downtime.
I just wish to share my experience on the Co2 Fractional Laser (SmartXide). Was initially very afraid because of all the negative reviews I saw here, but decided to go ahead anyway because if you never try, you never know. It's been a week and a half since my treatment and I am so happy I went for this. A little background - I am 23, Chinese, fair skin and have mild scarring (about 10 small ice-pick scars and a few boxcar scars). I asked my doctor before treatment what are the possible risks and he told me the main risk is hyperpigmentation. This doesn't happen to all people, just some. I shared with him about what some people say here about more scars, visible pin-pricks and grid marks from the laser even weeks after their treatment. He said this is because the settings of the laser were set too high by the doctor. If you are really concerned, just ask your doctor for possible risks, and ask him to give you a light setting for your first treatment. A 9-12mj will give you downtime for 3-5 days. I did a 17mj treatment which was enough for me. I think some doctors will agree to doing a test patch behind your ear, you can try it. Anyway I think I healed well because I really avoided the sun and makeup completely for 7 days. I just remained indoors and took a lot of water, vitamins, fruits, and rested a great deal. The pain is also bearable, as long as the doctor gives you numbing cream during the treatment. After that, just stay in a cold room and you will be pretty comfortable. On the night of treatment, it stung a bit when I washed my face before bed. Day 2 onwards, there was no pain, just a rough skin texture from the laser damage. I started peeling on the 4-5 day by little small dots. I think the key is to find a doctor you trust and who understands your concerns. I'm happy I did. Don't be afraid to try especially if scars have been affecting your life and confidence!!!
April 21, 2010
Pros:
I haven't seen the results yet. my fingers are crossed at the moment. They told me that I need to wait for six months to see a full result and it's been only a month and I've just received my second fraxel laser treatment yesterday. I'm in my early 20's therefore no fine wrinkles or brown spots. However I do have light pigmentations and somewhat severe scars from teenage acne. I have my third fraxel laser treatment on May 1st. So I guess time will only tell!
Cons:
Very painful. Many patients who had fraxel laser treatments have written on the review that the pain was tolerable. Nope not for me. Even though I was fully covered with the numbing cream for an hour and ten minutes, yes I still could feel the severe pain especially for the second time around. Plus, my face was so swolle from the first session. The next morning, I could barely open my eyes because my face was so swollen. It's expensive, painful, anti-social for three days.
NO PAIN, NO BEAUTY. If you are searching for major improvements on your skin, then you will go for at least three fraxel laser treatments. Not only it will requires you to be fiancially flexible but there is also downtime to recover from the treatment. Make sure to search for a clinic that gives you some pills to tolerate the pain.
December 11, 2009
Pros:
amazing , skin looks plump and fresh and really nice after just one treatment.
Cons:
I really can't say anything bad. It was stinging at first and the first two days were swollen but the third day was really not so bad. Today just 11 days later i look great!
I have had one treatment and will have two more and at $800 a session I say it was worth every penny! The scars I had on my face were rolling scars and they are about 60% improved already. I took some medicine to prevent breaking out a day before and the day after and used some sunblock from Image skin care and thanks God it really worked. I would say it was a good idea. I had really bad acne when I was younger and I had acutane which stopped the breaking out but the scars remained which I hated. Now I can feel good about myself again. No more hiding in certain types of light.
September 28, 2009
Pros:
clearer skin,more glow, even skin tone, less acne. scars lesser. i feel more beautiful now!
Cons:
downtime of more than 7 days
definitely worth it! but be sure to do more than 2 treatments for more visible results and have a friend standby while the doctor does the fraxel passes so your friend can point to the doctor more acne scars to get your money's worth. day 1-2: - redness
day 3 - redness turns brownish
day 4-9 - peeling
May 16, 2009
Pros:
You can go back to work, But....people will notice the swelling in the area you have done...
Cons:
I stay swollen for about a week. The procedure it self is painful even with pain meds and numbing cream .
I just had my 4th treatment, and so far myself as well as others have seen improvement! I feel so much better about myself, I now just wear a little bit of makeup...as now I really feel that I don't need it to much anymore..
I am 41 and have/had severe acne scars...I would recommend this to those who suffer from acne scars!
It is spendy...but to me well worth it!
May 3, 2009
Pros:
Recovery time was reasonable. Well worth the money. I will do it again soon. Only treatment was Jan 01. Results are awesome.
Cons:
Looked like I had been in a wreck at first.
I have taken 2 rounds of accutane. I believe the laser helped prevent the severity of future breakouts. It has been explained to me that darker skinned people may have different results. I am as pale as anyone comes, so that may play a role in the success in my resurfacing.
Pros:
Fraxel Repair..Worked very well on my skin. I'm 45 aging and had acne scars. I had two repair treatments 1 year apart. My skin look great: much younger and acne scars are not visable.