21 replies to this topic

[itwillhappen]

ok.... So I had Deep FX yesterday and I wanted to let you all know how the experience was for me.

A little history: I'm 23, fair skined female, with mostly boxcar and rolling scars on my cheeks. I've been dealing with acne for about 11 years but it was the more recent severe cystic acne which caused the scarring and those nasty buggers were cleared with Spironolactone mostly.

I got Deep FX fractional CO2 laser yesterday morning... I was told to get there 1 hour early for the numbing and I was expecting a cream (which is what most people have.) Instead they gave me a Valium and then they gave me about 40 numbing shots all over my cheeks OUCH!! it hurt like a mother but numbed me completely... it also puffed me up really big and make my skin white which was weird.
then I went into a a different room for the laser. The metal goggles were sorta uncomfortable but not bad, I could hear the laser but I honestly didn't feel a thing except one spot near the edge that wasnt numb and that one hurt alot. I could also smell my burning skin which was weird. the laser only took about 20 mins, she only did one pass and I asked what setting it was on and she told me 15 (which is about a medium setting.) I was given this thick gel stuff called plastibase and given directions to always have a thick layer on. for Day 1 I was to soak my face in a vinegar/water solution and then wash my face with cetaphil and reapply the ointment 3 times.

After the procedure my face was numb for about 3-4 hours, i didn't feel any pain but my face felt sort of hot and I could feel a pulsing sensation sometimes. I was covered with little pinpricks of blood and a clear yellowish fluid which I assume was plasma or puss or something. it oozed blood and the yelllow stuff until about 9 pm .

I tried to sleep somewhat propped up to prevent more swelling but it was hard.

this morning when I soaked (with vinegar) and washed my face I could tell a tiny layer of skin was coming off, I'm still swollen and red but there is no more blood.

Today I went back to the doctor for a follow up and she said it looks like its healing really well!
I'm also trying to drink a ton of water, take vitamin C, zinc, and MSM to promote faster healing.

I'll keep up with posting my progress and answering any questions..

[itwillhappen]

This is before with indoor light front face

right side before with natural light from window

left side of face with natural light from window
Try to just look at the indents, the red marks make it harder to tell where the actual scars are, I'm not really concerned with the red marks, I know they'll go away eventually

[mr. matt]

This is before with indoor light front face

right side before with natural light from window

left side of face with natural light from window
Try to just look at the indents, the red marks make it harder to tell where the actual scars are, I'm not really concerned with the red marks, I know they'll go away eventually

Thanks for posting your "before" photos.

I think that you're doing all the right things to help your skin to improve.

Keep us all posted.

Matt

[uofababy]

Good luck! I think you'll get a great result!

[DudleyDoRight]

ItWillHappen, I have not had FX, but it is very similar to Fraxel Repair. Today should be your biggest day for swelling. You took some good pictures so it will be easy to guage your results. I don't know if the doctor advised you, but it will require 2-4 treatments for optimum results. You can't get another FX for about 4 months, but your doctor should offer a big discount for subsequent lasers. Did the doctor mention TotalFX which includes DeepFX?

[itwillhappen]

Thanks all...
My doctor told me I'll either need one or two more treatments and that I'll do a total FX on the last one so I'm hoping for optimal results.
The swelling is pretty bad right now.. I do really hope that will calm down a little tomorrow. I'm taking pictures of each day of recovery too I'll try to post them

[mebe]

good luck and cant wait to see the results!

[imperial]

bump, hope she replies

[itwillhappen]

Sorry it took me so long to reply... I've been really busy latley.

it has been 2 1/2 weeks since the procedure. I was pretty swollen for 4 days and then on days 5,6,7 my skin looked really smooth because there was still microswelling.

The scars were noticable again on the 8th day when I went back to the derm for a followup, however I could totally tell that they were more smooth then they had been. Since then, (today is day 16. I can tell that they have improved slightly since day 8. Over all I would give a total of 20% improvement so far and I should continue to see improvement for the next couple months as the collagen continues to grow.

I tried to upload a few pictures but I don't think the thread will hold anymore... it says that "the file was larger than the available space" ...

Mr Matt, could you edit your reply and take off the extra pictures of me?

[imperial]

NICE very nice to hear that. my derm said it would take a series of treatments done and said to expect about 15% improvement everytime so im def plannin on it. congrats and hope to see the after pics. btw are you still red from the procedure or as it faded?

[itwillhappen]

The redness is pretty much gone now, it took about 2 weeks though. So far I am happy with the results, I'm expecting to have another one in about 4 months which wil be easier to stay out of the sun, it has been hard to avoid when the weather is so nice. I don't want any chance of hyperpigmentation though.

[itwillhappen]

I'm trying to add the pictures, but for some reason it's still saying there isn't enough space... does anyone know how to fix this?

[unfortunate1y]

hmm. you could throw the pictures into paint, or photoshop whatever application you have, and resize the images to 50%. personally i create a photobucket account, photobucket. com?, and then link the photos from there. photobucket is free and there isnt a image size restriction, that or its just insanely generous. good luck on your treatments and thanks for sharing!

[DudleyDoRight]

ItWillHappen, it will take about 3 months to realize final results. I am about 20 weeks post my last procedure, and I am waiting until the fall for the next procedure. This is a very slow process, but it sounds like you have your head on straight.

[mr. matt]

I'm trying to add the pictures, but for some reason it's still saying there isn't enough space... does anyone know how to fix this?

I had the same problem with space..You need to put your photos in your album on this site.

[Tenk]

Hi there,

First post, but just dropping in as I recently done Deep FX Fractional Strata laser.
Derm lightly applied numbing cream, and no numbing shots/valium.
It was one of the most painful experiences I've ever been through.. and I've been through alot of acne laser treatments..
My experience:

They first took blood out of my arm,
light application of numbing cream,
first round of laser, with about two hundred shocks to the face, ( I could feel each one burning and stinging, was horrible),
then, I was put in another room,
Another round of lasers, except I could smell my skin burning with each shock of laser, much stronger, much more painful. ( I have never cried during an operation before, a first). With another bout 200 "buzzes" in and around my face. I asked later what setting it was, and heard it was placed on High for most areas, and highest/strongest for the deepest scars.
Then, they took the blood they took from my arm, and injected it all around my face, which was for the regrowth of my skin without the recirculation of certain cells underneath, (complex terminology, still don't really understand).

Anyhow, the whole thing was an enduring experience and now I'm on day 5 of recovery. My ice pick acne scars have improved in line, and some of my box scars have disappeared. If it improves consistently like this, I will recommend it to ALL of you, no exceptions. Will post in about a week to update you guys.

Cost: US $1300 for one treatment.

I hear that my skin will continually improve over the course of the next 6 months. Hopefully, this remains true.

Pics will be up later..

Best of luck to you guys!

[unkn0wnmale]

Hey guys.. i just got the DEEPFX done also..
Well.. its been about 2 weeks.

i had to get there an hour early.. they put numbing cream on me and went to town... lol. it hurt like hell. No pills. no shots


Before pictures.. not the best.. sry



This is what i looked like with numbing cream on me.


A few after pictures.


the next day


3 days after OP



2 weeks later.. my skin looks normal.
It was pretty plumpy so the scars were hidden but now its back to being nasty again.
The doctor said it takes between 3-6 months for results... but i dont know if i beleive it.

The first treatment only costed me $800 and she said i MIGHT need another treatment.. but i have a follow up appointment in a few months. She also said that she might give me 2 treatments of Fraxel for free in september.


wtf is this shit... no images?
uploaded them below.. figure it out

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[DudleyDoRight]

I am a little suprised than you all just got numbing cream. I had Repair which is as intense or more intense than DeepFX. In addition to the numbing cream I was given Demoral Phenorgan and Versed in addition to a preop Xanax. I experienced no pain.

[itwillhappen]

I'm glad I got the numbing shots.. they hurt, but not as much as it would have without them

[Jrevor]

and what happened after this?