ActiveFX + Deep FX Laser

Hi all,

So, for the people who havent read any of my topics over the years, I have ice pick & shallow boxscar (which are the most troubling for me) & I was very intent on going in for Fraxel this summer.

However, this ActiveFX & Fractional Laser discussion lately has really opted me to consider otherwise on the Fraxel choice.

My question is, do u think i can get this laser done during a college spring break? My spring break is 11 days (including weekends) long. When I come back to school will it be noticeable that I had something done to my face? Although it probably varies, how long does it usually take to get an appointment to have it done?

I'm really worried that I am falling into a bunch of "hooplah" over the excitement caused by the introduction of these new lasers & the recent posts promoting them. Do you guys think its worth it? I mean of course its better than trying nothing. And the price is WAY better than 5 Fraxels!

Also kinda weird to ask this at the end (but i'm just editing it in here), but what is the difference for what laser I want to get? Do I want to get just the Active FX laster, like it is offered at South Coast Med Spa (google to see site, which includes videos), or do I need the "TotalFX" which I cant seem to find out where it is offered or even know if it is different?

LASTLY, where can i go to get whatever i wanted [ie. ActiveFX/Deep/totalfx or whatever it is] done? I live in Los Angeles, but I will fly if necessary.

I'm so sorry for dragging on such a long post. I am sick of this battle & am realizing that doing something now is better than doing nothing forever.

Thanks for your help guys!

Fraxel in Southern California?

Hi all,

Short and simple post here. I am going to be hopefully undergoing fraxel & maybe some excision in combination with it in the summer. I live in Southern California and I was wondering if anyone has any advice and, more importantly, experience with doctors down in this area.

Specifically, if you do respond, can u tell me the name of the company, how u felt about their treatment of u (not only in terms of fraxel, but how customer friendly they are), and how much improvement (although this is the part where it varies) you have gotten?

Also, even if no one has experience with anybody in this area does anyone have any advice for me going into a consultation? I've never done one before. Do they cost money? Also, I want to make sure that the doctor I go to is not afraid to go to high levels of intensity w/ the machine as i feel this brings out the best results.

Lurking Around for Years,
Armon

Accutane & TCA Cross/Peels

Hi all,

I recently underwent a prescription of accutane and am wondering how long I have to wait before I attempt to do a round of TCA Cross and a TCA peel? Before you answer with your typical 6 months answer, I have to let you know that I actually stopped accutane probably sometime early in Month 2 of taking it (sometime in November).

I stopped taking Accutane because I am a decent sized guy weighing in at around 185 pounds & have a very low body fat %. My doctor, due to high liver enzymes (which I'm sure were caused due to strenuous lifting during my sport's offseason along w/ a high food intake to aid muscle building), only had me on 20mg once a day as well.

While I am not entirely aware of the reasons why people wait 6 months (hence another reason I am asking), but is it okay if I do this procedure around the later end of March, only 4 and a half months past the last time I took accutane? I wouldnt think, due to the low dosage and short amount of period of time, i took it that it would matter that much

Could I Be Helped By Subsicion and Fraxel?

I've done many posts and asked many questions about fraxel (not as many as subsicion) and I want to thank you all for all of your replies. On that note, though, I figured if I included pictures of my scars, first, more people would look, and, secondly, hopefully more will feel more inclined to give their input (pleeeease )

Most of my scars that I care about are on my left cheek and my left cheek only. They are mostly boxcar and I really dont think many are that deep as I have done multiple rounds of TCA Cross, which has definitely made some more shallow, but also has made 1 or 2 wider. The two scars I care about the most are on the left cheek near the nose, and easily the most noticeable as they look like craters in my skin!

ALSO, I really want to say that I definitely think the scars look A LOT more noticeable in person, NOT because i notice them more, which I already know I do, but I don't think the camera 's pictures (as it does in most people's pictures on the board) really show the full extent of the scarring.

So my question after all that reading which I'm sure most people don't care about as they go straight to the pics (like me haha), is am I a good candidate for subsicion? And if or if not, am I a good candidate for fraxel as well? As most people seem to be having results with rolling scars, or at least from the ones I have seen.

Lastly, what does everyone feel about yag or other lasers for the treatment of boxscar or icepick (but mainly wide boxcar scars are my problem)? I wish I just had damn rolling scars cuz at least fillers can be a easy resource to turn to along w/ the promising success of fraxel w/ them......... I hate scars.......

Fraxel For Icepicks and Box Scars

I am currently on Accutane and going to be doing Fraxel starting in July of next year, but I have a few questions that really dont get addressed everytime I post in the Fraxel thread as everyone seems to be having their own conversations in there (not mad, just trying to get answers)

1) Does Fraxel work on box scar and ice pick scars, as most people in the thread, that I've seen, have been talking more about rolling scars?
a) And what classifies a shallow scar? As I know shallower scars are obviously easier
treated. Is it that you can easily see the bottom of the scar?

2) Is it worth it to get subcision before hand? And if it is, how long must you wait when getting it done before you can start your fraxel treatment?

3) How long does it take to get your first fraxel treatment after your initial meeting w/ the derm?

4) How long should I space my treatments out? I am yong (gonna be turning 20 right before I start treatment) and I am trying to get most of the treatment done during the summer between school years.

Thanks for all your help and please try to answer as I know, most people are like me and just lurk around the board and rather read than post.