Both Fraxel laser and Microneedling are popular skin rejuvenation treatments that can address fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging. However, which treatment is better for you will depend on your skin concerns and goals. Fractional laser treatments use heat energy to penetrate the skin’s surface and safely heat the tissues, which stimulates collagen production and promotes skin tightening. It can effectively improve the overall tone and texture of the skin and can be used on the face and other parts of the body. Immediately after the procedure, the skin is red, swollen, and may flake for approximately 3-5 days after the procedure. Dr. Rokhsar recommends applying Aquaphor healing ointment or a ceramide-rich cream three times a day until the skin completely heals. However, there is no downtime and patients may return to their normal day-to-day activities. Microneedling is another treatment that involves the use of tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, triggering a healing response that stimulates collagen and elastin production. It can help improve skin texture and tone and is generally associated with minimal downtime and side effects such as redness, swelling, and dryness that subside within 24 hours of the procedure. Microneedling can also be used on various parts of the body and is suitable for patients of all ages. However, Microneedling has a higher risk of bleeding during the procedure than the Fraxel Restore. Both procedures require multiple sessions for noticeable improvement of skin texture. The Fraxel Restore is the gold-standard for laser resurfacing and Dr. Rokhsar generally prefers the Fraxel over Microneedling as it has minimal bleeding during the procedure and is a more effective modality for improving scars, stretch marks, and sun damage.