Fraxel Laser Acne Treatment Reviews

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Scar treatment summary (147 votes)

How well it works

:):):)
3.0/5
Agreeability

:):):)
3.1/5
Affordability

:):)
2.5/5
Fraxel Laser Acne Treatment Reviews

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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Felicia, Florida
Oct 13th, 2007
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:)
Pros:skin appears to be more even
Cons:price and swelling
Bottom Line:I just had the Fraxel done yesterday and my face is very swollen. I may have the extreme case of swelling. I'm hoping by a few more days before I begin work, the swelling will subside. Overall, I see a heathly and more even glow. I cannot tell how the scars have disapated just yet until the swelling goes down. I would like to see what it will look like after the 2nd session.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Felicia has used this item for a day or two.
Price Paid:1,100.00
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Anon, Canada
Oct 6th, 2007
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Probably overall most effective laser treatment.
Safer than Co2. Minimal downtime.
Can target specific areas of face (just cheeks for example)
Cons:Multiple procedures needed.
Somewhat painful.
Bottom Line:Expect: Smoothing/leveling, evening of skin tone, reduction in hyperpigmentation (brown spots)

Don't expect: Miracles. Severe scars will likely require surgical procedures before fraxel treatments.

Best for: Light/moderate scars, ice-picks, wrinkles, pigment/tone problems.

(My) use: 4, spread out 3-4 weeks.
I also alternate with VitaPeel (best chem peel!) in between treatments to manage breakouts, and v-beam for redness. After your 4th, wait a few months to evaluate results as further improvement will be seen.

I'm in my 2nd series of 4 (number 7) and will stop at 8 and take a break again. All scars show improvement with best results on light and moderate scars. Deeper scars, though still noticeable, are far less prominent due both to leveling/smoothing of the skin and removal of pigmentation. Note: Initially after a treatment you'll see fantastic results - unfortunately this is temporary and is due to the swelling. So don't be mad once your scars
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Anon has used this item for about a year.
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Stacy, Atlanta
Oct 1st, 2007
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:)
Pros:Reduces scarring
Cons:expensive and painful
Bottom Line:I have had 3 sessions so far and have been very pleased with the results. I had depressed scars on my chin from hormonal, cystic breakouts. I have to add again even through reviewer (also from atlanta, maybe same dr) make sure your doctor is using the latest, second version of the Fraxel and leave numbing cream on for the full hour - major difference in comfort level. Will need more than one treatment. My dr charges $3900 for 4 sessions and does not have an option for fewer treatments.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Stacy has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:3,900.00
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Anonymous, milwaukee, WI
Sep 26th, 2007
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:)
Pros:minor improvement of some scarring
Cons:expensive, very painful, left me with some discoloration followed by a major breakout of a small blister-like rash across cheeks and chin
Bottom Line:I have a great dermatologist who was very excited about my trying the Fraxel. After three treatments and $3100 later, I was left with one side of my face darker than the other, skin that is breaking out unless I am on an antibiotic and using a topical cream every night. The first two treatments were tolerable, the the third one was the killer. I am 55 years old and haven't had any breakouts in years. As a result, my doctor gave me two photo - rejuvenation treatments at no cost. I'm very sorry I tried Fraxel. I am pretty much back to where I was before I had the treatments, but out a lot of money. The swelling you experience after each treatment is almost psychologically cruel - your face looks great, (red, but scarring is gone) only to have it all come back when the swelling goes down. Don't get your hopes up.
Recommended:No
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:3,000.00
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3 of 3 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Kristen, Atlanta
Sep 24th, 2007
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):)
Pros:No downtime, slight "glow" that looked nice. Skin looks plump (for now).
Cons:Price, some pain during treatment - leave the cream on a FULL HOUR
Bottom Line:Have been following blogs here during my research, so thought I'd return the favor.

First treatment was 3 days ago...skin is in peeling mode, but tone looks very good, swelling is gone, peeling is managable with lots of moisturizer. Still waiting for peeling to stop so I can see if any improvement took place. I am scheduled for a total of (4) treatments, so not expecting huge improvement from the first one. But so far, I am pleased. Will provide update after 2nd treatment.

Make sure your Dr. has the NEWEST Fraxel model laser (it doesn't require blue dye on face).
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Kristen has used this item for about a week.
Price Paid:750.00
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2 of 2 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Jessica, San Diego, CA
Sep 15th, 2007
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:)
Pros:4-5 days followinf procedure, noticed that my skin was smoother and softer
Cons:minimal improvement after three treatments. The price-- Jesus!for 2800, I expected a significant improvement.
Bottom Line:I would recommend doing this in the winter, as your skin needs to be as pale as possible to optimize laser effects as well as minimize the difference in face-body coloring you will have following treatment. I have superficial pink-red scars and medium tan Caucasian coloring; I did not find this to be very effective, esp. not for the price. Six months later, I have undergone two MD chemical peels and am much more satisfied with the results, at about 1/4 of the price. I would suggest exploring other options, considering the ridiculous price tag.
Recommended:No
Price Paid:2,800.00
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Anonymous, Dallas, TX
Sep 5th, 2007
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Just had my 4th treatment two weeks ago! Skin looks better, pigment looks better, overall my skin looks maybe-I'd say 60% better than before.
Cons:Red & puffy the first day, bronze the 2nd day, but tolerable after that...although it feels dry and kind of itchy, but the office gave me products that would help reduce downtime. Drinking plenty of water helps reduce puffiness I've found.
Bottom Line:in my case to remove pigment:
Number of treatments: 5 to my face -They explained that each time about 20% the skin is treated, leaving 80% to help rebuild that 20% and so that you don't 'look' like you've been put through a serious treatment.
Cost: $1,000 each (but I bought a package for $3,800)
Pain Level: numbed at office for 1 hour before and it wasn't that bad, felt like a sunburn that night though & dry itchy the following few days.

Since I have brown spots I've been using a prescription bleaching cream everyday, up to the day of treatment, and then I wait 5 days and start using it again. They explained that this would help fade the dark spots and it's been working nicely. Microderms and chemical peels only treat the surface, as I've tried those for years. Photofacial is not recommended for my olive complexion, but Fraxel is safe for Hispanic and Asian skin types from what I read. Use a super light face lotion to help dryness, but you want it to flake off.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:4,750.00
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3 of 3 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Wally, Sherman Oaks, Ca
Aug 30th, 2007
How well it works
:)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):)
Pros:Have had 2 treatments with Fraxel II. So far, just skin tone improved. The pain is minor with numbing gel.
Cons:Ridiculously overpriced at 1000 to 1250 per session. Should be 1/2 or less to provide value equal to results.
Bottom Line:The treatments have been at 50mj / level 7 and 65mj / level 9 respectively. 14 passes, with extra passes over deeply scarred areas. This is fairly aggressive treatment. After the peeling, skin is red, then pink for 2 weeks. The skin is delicate and scratching or rubbing with towel can leave abrasions / marks. Skin bronzes and looks like a fake tan, doesn't match rest of body. Have to use skin bleaching to counteract bronzing, but the bleach turns skins irritated red in areas. In the morning, the results are similar to a freshly washed face after a nice shower. skin appears tighter and glowing at times and then later in the day, it turns darker again and looks unnatural and scars seem to stand out more than usual.
I don't tell anyone that I had fraxel done. I want to see if anyone can see a difference without any prompting from me. So far, not a word from anyone. I have 3 more to go. and the results are supposes to be noticeable after the 3rd. As of now, fraxel does not impress me.
Recommended:No
Usage:Wally has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:5,000.00
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Anonymous, Calabasas
Aug 15th, 2007
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Smoother skin, less brown spots, healthy glow that everyone seems to notice!
Cons:Red for two days. HURTs a little! Doesn't get rid of every acne scar, just makes them better.
Bottom Line:Definitely worth doing in order to rejuvenate the skin and make it look smoother. Low down-time with excellent results that the world can see!
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:2,500.00
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CaliGirl, Bako California
Aug 2nd, 2007
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Seeing my scars on my cheek slowly dissapearing.I love it! 2 more 2 go!
Cons:Still having minor breakouts after treatment on my chin area that has created slight scarring.
Bottom Line:So far had a total of 3 treatments and from what the doc has said u start to see real results after about the 3rd treatment, but I disagree because iv see them since the beginning, and again results are going to vary each time but ur results will be dependent on how high of a frequency ur doc willing to go. I always tell my doc to go as high as she can because i know and she knows thats how we will achieve the best results. Though u might be a little extra swollen the next day, the pain is worth the results!
Recommended:Yes
Usage:CaliGirl has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:200.00
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