Hello all. I'd like to share my views to anyone considering having pixel laser treatment for acne scars (ice-pick and deep pits around chin and cheek). I am fair skinned and have had the scars for between 10 - 15 years. I had 4 treatments at the Private Clinic, London. The treatments were a month apart from Aug - Nov 08. I was treated with a Harmony laser and the intensity was increased over each session.

The first treatment felt like rubber bands snapping on my face, the last treatment felt as if someone was pricking my skin with hot needles. Regardless of what I was told I couldn't leave the house for about 3 days. This is because the treatment burns the top layer of your skin and subsequently sheds itself. During the shedding process I regularly applied Aqueous cream to keep the skin moisturized. I also drank loads of water, ate lots of protein, increased the Vit C - took it easy!! I should also mention that the first nights sleep after each treatment was quite difficult due to a hot, tight face.

Once the dead skin had peeled off my skin looked pretty amazing and smooth. This is due to inflammation caused by the treatment. Within a week my scars looked exactly the same as pre-treatment. For about 2 weeks after treatment I also had quite dry skin.

So, I had 4 treatments and now for the results. Overall my skin looks fresher, which pleases me. However, the scars haven't gone. The scarred area is slightly smoother but again I stress - the scars have not gone. I entered into the treatment with a hopeful, yet realistic attitude. I was hoping for about a 60% improvement to the scarrring. My opinion and 2 honest dear friends give the treatment to my skin a rating of 30%.

If you are considering this treatment I wish you luck. I did my research prior to treatment and understand that some people have had very good results. Just remember to always use sunblock!

Right there with you on that. I've had a total of 6 harmony treatments, and the scars aren't gone. I didn't think that they would 100%, and if I hadn't taken pics along the way I probably would be disappointed. Looking at the pics I am actually quite happy. I had a 6 month break between my 5th and 6th, and there were a lot of improvements over that period. Remember that improvements can be seen for up to a year after your last blast.

Good luck on your journey....

Hello!
Firstly, let me thank you for sharing your advice, I've found it really helpful. I was just wondering if you would mind describing what your scars appeared like before the treatment in terms of depth and size (as everybody's are so different!). I have some fairly shallow ice pick scars on the side of my neck that look deep in artificial light but i think they may improve quite dramtically because they are probably no more than a millimetre deep. However if yours are similar to this then I may avoid wasting my money.
Once again thank you for all the help you've given,

Best wishes,
Mark

P.S. Can you have a very small area done (i.e 2cm-2cm) and how much would a small area be?

Just had my first treatment yesterday at Private Clinic and I agree with Honest Fairy that the first treatment feels like you've been slapped by rubber band of your face, especially the sensitive area around the nose, cheeks and eyes! Well today my face feels like its been sunburned …skin is tight and with its covered with small brown dots where the laser has been used….but I will update the post soon to let you know how its going..

I’ve also been using Obagi Nu Derm System for 6-7 weeks on my face and my neck which has helped a great deal (about 40-50 % improvement in skin texture cleared some of the hyper pigmentation caused by steroid use when I had eczema )….

Hi

Im new to this site as from today, i have also booked 3 sessions at The Private Clinic in London, they are charging me 1,200 - the lady asked if i wanted my forehead done but to be fair it is pretty perfect bar 1 tiny scar.

As my cheeks and chin are effected they are lasering this area, i didnt ask about my nose which has some very small scars and large pores, will they automatically do this area as well? from pictures ive seen on the net it looks like people have had the full face done.

I have been charged 400 pounds per session, is this a common price?

Also im worried about going into work with a burnt/swollen/black dots on my face and everyone noticing, i have my 1st treatment on a monday and go back to work friday, does anyone think this is a ok time to go back? i really cant take more time off

I am also new to this site and after investigating a range of treatments including deep peels and dermabrasion, I have decided to go for laser treatment. After finding out about the pain and side effects associated with Fraxel, I have decided to go for the pixel laser and it is cheaper too.

I had an initial consultation earlier this week at the Private Clinic and was quoted the same price. I have decide to book in for another consultation with the doctor to find out exactly what kind of results I can expect. I would be happy if I could achieve 50% improvement.

I have a range of acne scars mostly on my cheeks and temples ranging from shallow to deep. I was told that I wouldn't notice any difference after the first session, only a liitle difference after the second session but should notice a significant difference after the third session. In all, I will require 4 treatments and am hopeful that I will have some improvement.

I too have some hesitation as to the recovery period required but am willing to give this a go and am interested in following this site to see how others go.

Hey, never new so many ppl form london on here! good news! i tought i was the only one. We should keep in contact or create a LONDON group!

I havent seen a professional, but im just gathering info on each treatment. Going to see my GP today and also email 10 downing street and healthcare comission lol, to ask them if i can get list of professional and well recommneded clinics to treat acne scars in London, because i read the other day that one clinic couple years ago had to be shut down because the guy wasnt quaified enough etc!!!...i dont want to end up like Kate Silverton....SCARY! (btw i even emailed her bout which treatment she had done and from where...but no reply from her yet)

My scars arent that deep, heres my pics: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Matte-Put...el-t228711.html


Im just confused which treatment to go for. Im thinkin of laser, but duno which one, Fraxel repair or is it Fraxel restore sounds amagzing, willing to spend up to £2000 for 4-5 treatments.

Ah well, just going to have to wait till i have some professional consulations! then decide fom there!

I had a 'test patch' done on Monday and it felt a bit weird, the smell was not to nice either lol

My Derm is Marco from the Private Clinic and i feel fairly confident i will ok results after speaking to him, fingers crossed.


I asked about the strength of the laser as some have put it on other threads, my 1st one is at 1000, which im pretty happy about as some said they started at 800, i think the next one is 1200, then 1400

My 1st laser is Monday and im pretty nervous

I have to travel 1hour 20 mins home from the private clinic on tubes and trains, which im dreading already, a hat and a hood should help, i pray its not a hot day

Hi

I have been bothered about my acne scarring for years and have tried many different treatments, none of which have really done much. When I first heard about Pixel, I shopped around to find a good clinic and doctor.



Can I point out that Marco IS NOT a Derm (doctor) but a nurse. This means that the settings he can use on the pixel are much lower than those which a doctor can use.

After visiting a few clinics, I decided to go with Same Day Doctor in north London. The doctor is a really nice man who I thought explained the treatment well, including the possible side effects and not just the benefits.

I have had two treatments so far and am very happy. The bonus is that they are much cheaper than most clinics.

I'm going to be seeing Dr Gupta at The Private Clinic and hope to dicuss settings and side effects with him. Are you able to advise of the number and costs of treatments you are having at the Same Day Doctor?

Thanks for your info Rosa, Your right Marco is a Nurse, a Senior Nurse, little more important lol.

I wish i didnt rush into this so quick now, but ive had my scars for 10-12 years and ive toyed with the idea for so many years to do something so ended up acting quickly.
I did look at the private clincs site and seemed pretty confident from that and the meeting with them.

I wish i found this site before hand as the one you mentioned in North London does seem good.

Can i ask how much you paid for your treatment?
Ive booked 3 sessions and paid, but the Prvate clinic said they could two more on the more severe areas for 250 each.
Do you think i should move on after and have some treatment at the one you mentioned?

Also, do you know how much stronger the Doctor goes instead of a Nurse? i thought the limit was 1400, i have read some people have started at 800, but im starting at 1000

Sorry for all the questions

For Sandman and SJW

I also went to sameday doctor for my pixel. Can recommend it highly. Bear in mind they have several branches but only the one in Golders Green offers the treatment.

I paid £900 for 3 treatments. Apparently the doctor there used to work at the Private Clinic. Some of my scarring was too deep for the pixel, so he did some erbium laser treatment for a few deep scars. Charged me £250 for that in addition to the above, but only needed one treatment.

I had already paid a deposit at Private Clinic, but asked for my money back which they did.

Can u guys post sum pics of before and after plz. Just wna see how ur scars compare to mine. if they look the same, i mite get the same treatment as u lot.

here are my pics:

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Matte-Put...el-t228711.html

I am so glad people are using this site just when I'm starting to look into this. All this talk about the Same Day Clinic in Golders Green made me ring up today and I have an appointment to see a Doctor tomorrow - he seemed really lovely on the phone and he said the consultation was complimentary. Am looking forward to meeting with him. If I decide to go with them, then I will cancel my appointment with the doctor at the Private Clinic. I might try and post up some photos but if you check out their website, they have some photos on that too. I think their cosmetic dermatology department operates under the name of Viva.

To Iwantthatone, I got a quote on Fraxel laser and it was going to cost over 3000 pounds!

isnt fraxel re:pair the best out there? hence the price as u sugessted.

Whats so different about pixel laser? are u lot thinking of doing this treatment because its cheaper?

I chose Pixel over Fraxel as there are higher risks and side effects with Fraxel particularly with my type of skin, plus I didn't think I could tolerate the pain of Fraxel.

Hi

I paid £900 as a package for 3 sessions to my entire face (have had 2 so far). I am really happy so far and would recommend the doctor and clinic. Maybe just go and have a consultation anyway? You have nothing to loose!

He used bewteen 1300-1400 both times - I saw it on the machine display! If you are gonna do a job, you may as well do it properley

Thanks for you reply!

I have been home 1 hour from my 1st treatment at the Private Clinic and my face is pretty tight, he covered me in make up to hide the redness, i feel like a women with loads of make up on lol

It did hurt a bit but was bearable, what i didnt like was the tightness straight after we had finished, i thought it was gona be like that for hours but as soon as he put some cream on it didnt feel so bad.

Getting on the tube when its quite a hot day didnt help, baseball cap and head in the newspaper all the way lol

My treatment was done at 1000 i believe, next time 1200, then 1400

Seems like they go in at a higher strength to start with at you place - Depending on results after 3 i may switch to ur clinic, especially if you have such good results.

how long before ur face was pretty much back to normal at the strenghts you used? 1400 sounds pretty harsh indeed, 1000 was bearable, i dread to think what 1400 is gona be like

Does anyone think its ok to drink Alcohol? im not talking getting drunk , 2-3 beers to relieve the boredom of sitting in for a few nights