11 replies to this topic

[unkn0wnmale]

6 months ago I went to a highly recommended doctor in Grand Rapids, MI and they suggested that i get the DeepFX and ActiveFX Treatments. I was very red, crusty and scabby for 3-4 days and everything was looking GREAT until the swelling went down... then it was back to normal. I was told to wait 3 months to see some results but i seen nothing. The TotalFX costed me about $1200

Last month i went back for a checkup and they recommended that i try fraxel. They offered 2 treatments for FREE and if i wanted additional treatments it would only be $200 each time. Ive had 2 treatments already and the down time is VERY minimal. I just had my second treatment on friday (3 days ago) and my skin was a little rough like sand paper but now its slowly peeling when i wash or put lotion on. It never looked any worse than a sunburn. I was actually at work and running around town the next day.. i wasnt embarrassed to go out in public.. i thought it looked pretty nice compared to what some people have said about Fraxel.

The first treatment was 35mj and the second was 40 or 45mj.

I guess what im getting at is... i dont see ANY improvements in any of these treatments. The doctor just recommends that i use cetaphil and aquafor for cleaning and moisturizing. I mentioned vitamins or some copper peptides and she said none of that is really necessary.

Can someone please explain to me what i should do? What topicals/vitamins should i be using? Does that really help? How many fraxel treatments do you need to see good results? Do you know where i can find some nice before/after pictures? Alot of the ones on google dont look real or you dont know exactly how many treatments they have already had.

Im just looking for some help... im confused. Thanks

Edited by unkn0wnmale, 02 November 2009 - 09:32 PM.

[DudleyDoRight]

Unk, you took a step backward when you went from TotalFX to Fraxel Re:store. Lasers are very expensive, and when the doctor heard that you were dissatisfied just switched to his other flavor even though you went from ablatve to non-ablative. We are not doctors, but the laser game is a whole new ballgame, and we have to become informed consumers. I narrowed my search down to Fraxel Re:pair and TotalFX, and then sought the right doctor. I believe it takes 3-4 ablative, fractionalized CO2 treatments for optimum results. I have posted a lot of info on lasers on this site so you should scroll through the threads and do a lot of reading before you do anything else. Here is a very informative one you might enjoy.
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/READ-t247507.html

[Violetmoon]

I have had two total fx treatments and am going for my third, I did seem some results from the first one but it is not a once and done type of thing you do need a few treatments to see dramtic improvement.

Also dudley is right fraxel restore is a step back, if I were you I would just save my money for another total fx.

[unkn0wnmale]

I thought fraxel was the thing to get

so if i paid for 4 more fraxels at $200 each.. thats not a good idea?

Edited by unkn0wnmale, 03 November 2009 - 01:37 AM.

[DudleyDoRight]

Violet, Good for you! I think people are starting to realize how to play the Laser Game, in other words multiple ablative fractionalized CO2 treatments. People want instant results, but this process can easily take 2 years or more. I like the way TotalFX has worked with burn victims.

[unkn0wnmale]

could you explain why fraxel isnt a good idea for me? :

[DudleyDoRight]

Unk, sorry for missing your initial question. TotalFX and Fraxel Re:pair are ablative fractionalized Co2 lasers. Fraxel Re:store(which is what you have paid for) is non-ablative Erbium laser. Everything you need to know is answered in my thread titled Laser Link-O-Rama. You took the correct step by going with the Ablative Fractionalized Co2 the first time, and then when you didn't get the immediate results you wanted you switched to a milder laser expecting better resuls. As you can tell by my signature I have had 3 Re:pairs at the highest settings. Reliant, my doctor, and I agree, depth of penetration is vital to success. This is a slow process just ask Violet. I didn't achieve any great succes after my first Re:pair, but there was just enough improvement to spur me on. I had non-acne scars on my nose and forhead from minor accidents, and it was the improvement that I saw in these 2 scars that indicated that I had something with Re:pair. I had regular Co2 in 96 and it had no impact on these scars, but Fraxel did.

[unkn0wnmale]

whats the difference between repair and restore?
Is there alot of downtime?
Would i get good results from 6 sessions ($800) of restore?

[DudleyDoRight]

whats the difference between repair and restore?
Is there alot of downtime?
Would i get good results from 6 sessions ($800) of restore?

This is probably the easiest explanation that I have found.
http://www.zimbio.com/Boston+Medical+Spa/a...+Lumenis+Bridge

[unkn0wnmale]

Would i get good results from 6 sessions ($800) of restore?

[unkn0wnmale]

ok

[DudleyDoRight]

Unk, I only know about Restore from what I have read and I have not heard a lot of good things about acne scars no matter how many treatments you get. Be sure you check out the thread about the Berns Triplets. Burns scars are a heck of a lot worse than acne scars, and it was FX, probably a light version of the DeepFX that was used on them. This link shows the depth of penetration for the FX lasers. Active FX most closely parallels Restore and Deep FX is more like Repair. This is an excellent chart.
http://www.newhopelaser.com/Guidelines.pdf

Conversation on Fraxel Repair vs Restore
http://www.realself.com/question/fraxel-re...nt-fraxel-laser