7 replies to this topic

[LZOMG]

I had the Active FX and i kinda regret not taking before pictures, I feel kinda bad for not taking befores so I will make sure I have before pictures this time. Even though I dont notice almost no improvement on my scars from the Active FX procedure. Does anyone have suggestions for my scars or should i just ask for the DEEP FX this time and not the active FX again.
Also how long am i going to have to wait until I can get another fractional CO2?
And will DEEP FX give me very good results after 1 treatment?


Right Cheek (Front View)

Right Cheek

Left Cheek

Left Cheek (Front View)

Edited by LZOMG, Yesterday, 08:49 PM.

[TokyoGirl]

When did you have Active FX done? I was told to wait 6 months after Deep FX but I am not sure if Active FX would require as much time, as it does not target deep enough to cause bleeding and stimulate collagen regrowth where the scar actually exists. Did a doctor recommend Active FX when also offering Deep FX?

I would find a doctor who is specialized in Total FX and get his/her opinion. You shouldn't have to suggest the type of laser to the right physician. I would find a doctor who genuinely cares about helping you reach your goal. When you find a doctor like this, you will know just by how you're treated in your initial consultation. You should probably interview a few of them. I wish I had explored more options in that area, but I like my dermatologist so I chose him when I should have looked for a doctor with extensive experience with Deep FX and scar treatment. In the right hands, I believe you could see a benefit from Total FX or Deep FX, but the right doctor is key to making that possible.

Have read through Realself's Q&A area? If you're in the USA, you can probably research a doctor right on their site. You can also get great feedback from doctors all over the USA by posting a question or picture over there. I've posted a few questions, and have also found the site to be a great resource for information.

[LZOMG]

I got the treatment done on the 15th of may 2012.
She believed that my scarring was very superficial so she didnt want to go with the DEEP Fx.
Hopefully i can convince her that active FX doesnt do anything for scars. How did you convince your doctor to get you DEEP Fx, or did he already know active FX was useless.



And what kind of torture is this, you finally get rid of your acne after years, only to have scars that will cost you thousands to get rid of. What a cruel joke.

[TokyoGirl]

LZOMG, on 26 May 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

I got the treatment done on the 15th of may 2012.
She believed that my scarring was very superficial so she didnt want to go with the DEEP Fx.

It's only been 11 days since you had Active FX. Your skin is still healing. I've never had Active, so I don't know how your skin is supposed to react but after Deep FX mine looked worse and then slowly improved. If Active is like Fraxel, then I believe your skin should still have some swelling at this point, so your scars should appear more filled in. You will lose some of that as your skin heals. With that said, some of your scars look deeper than superficial to me. While you appear to have superficial scars too. When scars are casting their own shadows, I think they're no longer superficial.

LZOMG, on 26 May 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

Hopefully i can convince her that active FX doesnt do anything for scars. How did you convince your doctor to get you DEEP Fx, or did he already know active FX was useless.

If you're going the laser route, you want someone who is confident in their ability to improve your scars with a particular laser. If you have to convince her to use Deep FX, then she may lack confidence. She would be using powerful beams of light to zap and smooth the deeper, damaged areas. What if she hits healthy tissue at too high of an intensity at that depth? Do you trust this person that much? It's just something you should consider because it may not be worth the risk.

My doctor suggested Deep FX. He also offers Fraxel Restore & other lasers, but knew Fraxel or Active FX alone would not penetrate deep enough. When he first suggested it, I refused to do it. I was opposed to laser treatement, so I continued using aesthetician services, as well as OTC products, scar creams, home remedies, vitamins, etc. Then, I tried TCA Cross. Frustrated, I finally agreed to laser.

I also consulted with two plastic surgeons this week, and both recommended one more aggressive treatment with Total FX.

LZOMG, on 26 May 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

And what kind of torture is this, you finally get rid of your acne after years, only to have scars that will cost you thousands to get rid of. What a cruel joke.

Getting rid of acne can be bittersweet, huh? I understand the frustration. At times, I think I've lost my mind with home much time, energy and money I've wasted on my scars.

Edited by TokyoGirl, Yesterday, 11:07 PM.

[LZOMG]

Lol you used natural remedies to get rid of acne scars? xD
The main thing I dislike about these forums is all the pseudo scientist that claim Emo Oil cures acne and what not. Which eventually lead me in a never ending trip to walmart to buy "natural way" to get rid of acne.
I was a broke high school kid with no financial aid from my parents. I blame them for being greedy and refusing to take me to the dermatologist after I asked them several times to then I just told them how much it would maby cost, they said no, then I ended up with all these scars. Until I somehow saved up enough money to go to the Dermatologist and got rid of acne for the most part.
How did your trial and error for getting rid of acne go

Edited by LZOMG, Today, 12:48 AM.

[DudleyDoRight]

LZOMG, on 27 May 2012 - 12:46 AM, said:

Lol you used natural remedies to get rid of acne scars? xD
The main thing I dislike about these forums is all the pseudo scientist that claim Emo Oil cures acne and what not. Which eventually lead me in a never ending trip to walmart to buy "natural way" to get rid of acne.
I was a broke high school kid with no financial aid from my parents. I blame them for being greedy and refusing to take me to the dermatologist after I asked them several times to then I just told them how much it would maby cost, they said no, then I ended up with all these scars. Until I somehow saved up enough money to go to the Dermatologist and got rid of acne for the most part.
How did your trial and error for getting rid of acne go

AMEN!!! The "Quack Industry" is almost totally unregulated and they carefully word their advertising to get around what few regulations exist. They promise the world and deliver nothing.

Health! The 'open sesame' to the sucker's purse!

I equate Active FX to Fraxel Re:store and Deep FX to Fraxel Re:pair. You will need multiple treatments of Deep FX for good results.

Edited by DudleyDoRight, Today, 08:10 AM.

[LZOMG]

Yea, Im starting to compare the Active to the Fraxel Restore, I thought because it was CO2 it would give me some results, and I would just do it like 2-3 times.
I noticed you have had 5 Repairs, what type of scarring do you have. How much improvment would you say you have today since the first treatment. And if your satisified or you will continue getting co2 lasers?

[TokyoGirl]

LZOMG, on 27 May 2012 - 12:46 AM, said:

Lol you used natural remedies to get rid of acne scars? xD

Unfortunately, when I started to treat my scars, I lived in Japan where they believe in home remedies. It's part of the Asian culture. After a period of time, I started to research treatments online and discovered this forum, as well as sites like realself. Laser treatment wasn't really an option for me in Japan. Despite what I've read on this forum about advanced treatments available in Japan & how they are one of the best in cosmetic treatments, I have found Japan to be completely the opposite. They make great makeup! I lived in Japan for 26 years. I was afraid to even see a Japanese doctor over my acne because medical treatment is simply not on the same level as the Western world. There is a reason there are so many people suffering from acne & severe acne scars in Asia. Anyway, I actually moved back to the USA after the earthquake last year, and began my "Western" approach to scar treatment shortly after I arrived.

LZOMG, on 27 May 2012 - 12:46 AM, said:

How did your trial and error for getting rid of acne go

My acne started in my late 20s when I returned to Japan. At first, I tried treating it at home. I eventually went to see a Japanese doctor who put me on antibiotics & a Japanese topical. For the most part, it did eventually clear up (never completely in Japan) but I was left with scars. I was actually in my 30s when the scars started. Up until that point, I hadn't really suffered from scarring. My skin is really clear now but I have been obsessing on a variety of treatments since I arrived back in the US, which pretty much cleared my remaining acne.

Edited by TokyoGirl, Today, 01:03 PM.