Active FX and Fractinated CO2 Lasers

A question has been asked about the Active FX laser and the results compared to the Fraxel, now renamed, in the upgraded version, the Fraxel re:store. The Active FX is one of several newly introduced or about to be introduced lasers that apply the principle of fractionated resurfacing (treating multiple small areas of skin and leaving untreated areas between treated areas) to the CO2 laser. The questioner referred to an article claiming that more new collagen is created by the Active FX than by a series of Fraxel treatments.

Realistic Expectations

It is important that communication between patient and the cosmetic surgeon lead to a mutual appreciation of what results can reasonably be expected both from the procedure and for the individual patient. Sometimes a procedure, such as a MACS-Lift (short scar facelift) can achieve excellent results but there will be factors particular to the individual patient that will result in more modest improvement. Other times, as with liposuction surgery, equivalent amounts of fat removal may result in significantly different degrees of satisfaction in different patients.