Clinical experience with the Fraxel SR laser: 202 treatments in 59 consecutive patients.

Background: The authors investigated postprocedure patient satisfaction after fractional photothermolysis with the Fraxel SR laser.

Methods: All patients were surveyed with respect to their satisfaction with the results using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 = extremely satisfied and 1 = extremely dissatisfied. Fraxel SR laser treatment was performed for categories of skin abnormalities that included dyschromia, scarring, and texture abnormalities. Most patients had more than one concern. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of a satisfaction score of 4 or 5.

Results: Fifty-nine patients (median age, 52 years; range, 30 to 71 years) underwent Fraxel SR laser resurfacing and completed the survey. A total of 202 treatments (median, four; range, one to six) were performed. Seventy-five percent of all patients were very satisfied (4 or 5 rating) with treatment. Seventy-five percent with dyschromia, 74 percent with texture abnormalities, and 100 percent with scarring had a satisfaction score of 4 or 5. Multivariate analysis found scarring, four or more treatments, and age older than 56 years to be associated with a score of 4 or 5. The odds of giving a satisfaction score of 4 or 5 increased approximately two-fold for each additional treatment a patient received.

Conclusions: This study reports the largest experience to date with the clinical use of the Fraxel SR laser and is the first report of patient satisfaction after fractional photothermolysis. Patients reported high satisfaction rates for improvements in texture, dyschromia, and scarring.