Joanna,

Thanks for your question comparing Fraxel re:store and Fraxel re:pair.  Fraxel in general is a fractionated laser.  This means that instead of the laser removing the outer sun damaged skin in its entirety, it only removes a portion of the skin in a microscopic dottted type fashion.  This improves the skin considerably, but allows healing to take place from the undamaged skin islands as well as from below.  Therefore the healing is much faster and the procedure is safer than fully ablative lasers.

The Fraxel re:store is an erbium laser vs. the Fraxel re:pair which is a carbon dioxide laser, or CO2.  The difference for the patient is that the Fraxel re:store leaves not only some islands of skin intact, but also leaves the outer barrier intact so that you can leave the office with sunscreen on and makeup if you desire.  There is swelling for about 2 days and redness for about 5.  The Fraxel re:store is a series of 4-6 treatments at approximately 1 month intervals.  The Fraxel re:pair does not leave the outer barrier intact and so the patient has a little longer recovery and needs to wear ointment on the face for about 8 days and can not wear make-up.  The treatment is performed in a single session however.  Both lasers will improve skin pigmentation, texture and lines.

I would recommend coming in for a consultation to determine which procedure would work best for you.

Ed Buckingham