9 replies to this topic

[collegeboy84]

About 4 hours ago I had Fraxel:Repair (the ablative CO2 fractionated laser) done on my temples, forehead and cheeks. Dr. McClaren also used the Ultrapulse CO2 done around the eyes because it was better for skin tightening. The total cost 3000 USD here in California. I decided to have the treatment done for icepick scarring on my cheeks and poor texture. I should also note that I have had 6 treatments of the non-ablative laser treatment, Cynosure Affirm Multiplex, with ok results but I decided it was time to take a more aggressive approach. Scroll down to next post for after pictures.

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Edited by collegeboy84, Today, 06:14 PM.

[Theoneandonly]

Wow it looks very good. Did you use affirm for enlarged pores? did it work?

[collegeboy84]

I went in 1 hour before the treatment was set to begin. They cleaned my face with alcohol, checked my medication that I was told to bring in and began applying numbing cream to my face. They then wrapped my face with seran wrap and gave me 3 anti-anxiety medications, hooked me up to a heart monitor and turned on some relaxing music. The nurse told me to hang tight for about 1 hour as the medication/numbing cream kicks in. When it was time go to work they gave me a Valium, reclined me back on the operational table and gave me a stress ball. The numbing cream was not put close enough to my bottom lid so the doctor warned that it would hurt.

I would like to note that I have an extremely high pain tolerance but the pain was the WORST I have ever experienced. The pain was horrific around the eyes with the CO2 Ultrapulse where there was no numbing cream. They made several passes with the Fraxel:Repair which wasn't quite as bad but still pretty excruciating. I was squeezing that stressball like no tomorrow and the nurse was rubbing my arms to calm me down but I made it through. She said I did really well as we took no breaks between passes but I am sure they say that to everybody.

When it was all done I was very shaky/trembling which the doctor states was a result of the valium. My face looked like I was dragged down a highway by a car. Now I am at home doing vinegar soaks and applying Aquaphor ( Beta Oat Glucan ) every hour or 2. The pain now is nothing compared to the procedure itself. They told me to eat alot of vitamin C and protein to heal faster.

I'd like to note that ALL my old skin around the eye where they zapped me with the Ultrapulse is gone, I can clearly see brand new pink skin underneath. As for the rest of my face hit with Fraxel:Repair, I can't really see anything as it is pretty bloody.
And here are a few photos.

Theoneandonly, on 25 May 2012 - 06:34 PM, said:

Wow it looks very good. Did you use affirm for enlarged pores? did it work?

Those are the before pictures buddy. LOL. Scroll down for the day 1 after pics. **Warning** they are ugly.

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[Theoneandonly]

Oh lawd, no thank you that looks painful as hell but congrats now you have pretty much perfect skin

[collegeboy84]

Theoneandonly, on 25 May 2012 - 06:34 PM, said:

Wow it looks very good. Did you use affirm for enlarged pores? did it work?

And yes the affirm worked well for the enlarged pores, but not so much for my deeper ice-pick scarring.

[collegeboy84]

Ill post more photos for the next 10 days.

[LZOMG]

good luck with the results.
I had the ACTIVE FX 2 weeks ago done for ice picks and it didnt do crap =/, next time i will try to get the deep fx depending on how impressed I am from your after pictures since Repair and DEEP FX are essnetially the same.

[TheGoodSon]

What can this do for people who have alot of trapped sebum under the skin?

[collegeboy84]

LZOMG, on 25 May 2012 - 07:18 PM, said:

good luck with the results.
I had the ACTIVE FX 2 weeks ago done for ice picks and it didnt do crap =/, next time i will try to get the deep fx depending on how impressed I am from your after pictures since Repair and DEEP FX are essnetially the same.

Thanks, I will definitely keep everyone posted considering I am not going any where for the next 10 days. As you can tell I am really bored right now.

[LZOMG]

I just played video games all week, and even after a while I got borred. But 1 week of downtime vs a lifetime results is definatlly worth it.