5599 replies to this topic

[toonicey]

hey, i was just wondering what "Treatment Level #" meant. Is that the depth of the laser? If so, what is the highest level? Also, can someone explain what "mj" means.

[Drakula]

Hey guys,

Im new and actually just got my first Fraxel treatment today. I just want to say it was the most pain ive ever felt in my life. I am not exaggerating, i seriously felt like quiting. My treatments are 1300 per session for a full face. After looking at all of your posts I have noticed that is extremely high. I feel bad because I cant really find another place around here and I already started at this place.

So far my face feels like its burning a little and from what I hear and read tomorrow morning I will be swollen. My face looks smoother after the treatment but I wont be sure for a few days.

Also how many days does it usually take to look normal?

I have 4 days off work so I managed to have enough time to heal.

Thanks guys,

[MrObi]

Hey guys,

Im new and actually just got my first Fraxel treatment today. I just want to say it was the most pain ive ever felt in my life. I am not exaggerating, i seriously felt like quiting. My treatments are 1300 per session for a full face. After looking at all of your posts I have noticed that is extremely high. I feel bad because I cant really find another place around here and I already started at this place.

So far my face feels like its burning a little and from what I hear and read tomorrow morning I will be swollen. My face looks smoother after the treatment but I wont be sure for a few days.

Also how many days does it usually take to look normal?

I have 4 days off work so I managed to have enough time to heal.

Thanks guys,

Depending on where you live...you can get a much better deal than that. I drive about 2 1/2 hours away to get to my current derm's office. You have to do that only every six weeks...PLUS if you find the right derm, he/she will treat you beyond just a $$ sign. I gladly drive that far to be treated with respect. If you pay more than $900 for full face, (assuming the derm is very good, but not top notch in the country..) I think you're paying too much.

I've had my treatments (you can see in my signature). I was red about two days (almost like this guy----> ) by day three I turned to more medium pink...by day 4 I am out in public and becuase it's summer people assume you went to the beach the whole weekend. If you wear tinted moisturizer/sun block you'll look quite normal. Make sure you flake off the skin first otherwise the sunblock will stick to your skin and it'll be more noticable.

Four days should be enough...that's my standard 'vacation'....Session on Thursday..back to work on Monday.

[JM0524]

I had 2 Fraxel treatments on my chest for some acne depressed scars but didn't see any results. Anyone who's had any success with another laser??????? Thanks!

[ROTY01]

I had 2 Fraxel treatments on my chest for some acne depressed scars but didn't see any results. Anyone who's had any success with another laser??????? Thanks!

2 treatments aren't enough to get results. I just had my second treatment today and they told me not to expect any difference until the 3rd treatment at the earliest. Although I noticed that one small scar has pretty much disappeared after the first treatment. Even during my consultation, the Dr. told me that it is a waste if you only do 1 or 2 treatments. He said if you are only going to do 1 or 2 then he would recommend not doing it at all because you are just throwing your money away. You need to do 4-5 treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart for scarring (he stressed the time in between was also important, too much time and the treatment wouldn't be effective).

[zxcv]

(he stressed the time in between was also important, too much time and the treatment wouldn't be effective).

that is wrong from what i've been told. there is no reason to do treatments close together other than the dr wants his/her money faster. i was even told that you want a substantial amount of time between treatments so your collagen builds between the treatment periods. if you keep doing them one on top of the other within weeks it is actually detrimental in terms of the best cumulative results possible because the skin hasnt had time to produce collagen within those 3 weeks.

i could be wrong, but that is what a doctor told me whose before and after pictures appear in the palomar starlux laser brochure.

[ROTY01]

(he stressed the time in between was also important, too much time and the treatment wouldn't be effective).

that is wrong from what i've been told. there is no reason to do treatments close together other than the dr wants his/her money faster. i was even told that you want a substantial amount of time between treatments so your collagen builds between the treatment periods. if you keep doing them one on top of the other within weeks it is actually detrimental in terms of the best cumulative results possible because the skin hasnt had time to produce collagen within those 3 weeks.

i could be wrong, but that is what a doctor told me whose before and after pictures appear in the palomar starlux laser brochure.

Nope, I think you have the wrong info. Even on the Fraxel website it says they should be typically spaced 2-4 weeks apart, 2 weeks are probably for the lowest settings. The hospital I went to is where Fraxel was developed, so I definitely trust them.

Edited by ROTY01, 29 September 2009 - 09:56 PM.

[waitingforacure]

interesting article...
http://www.syneron.com/sites/syneron.com/f...x_ABG_09_10.pdf

[phoebe0127]

Dear all,

I was wondering if you can recommend a good doctor that does Fraxel restore or repair in Los Angeles or Southern California?

thank you,
Phoebe

[MCHLLE]

Bump!

Anyone having fraxel done as we speak? I'm planning on getting some treatments done but I told myself to read this entire thread first

[adella]

People KEEP asking if anyone has seen a definate improvement???? And no one answers.

I dont believe fraxel works for what its worth $$$. Ive had derms tell me conflicting things about the fraxel lasers.

I have YET TO HEAR OF ANYONE WHOS BEEN ABLE TO SAY THEY HAVE GOT RID OF ACNE SCARS.

Some people have had MULTIPLE treatments. Even the doctors dont have any great before/after shots.

Id jump in, IF it worked.

Even those who have had 2 treatments, should be seeing a result of some kind by now???

btw, ive also had a derm who owns a specialised fraxel clinic tell me not to bother.

I have some rolling scars and some pitting. My scars are bad, but I have seen worse.

SO ANYONE, HAS fraxel MADE A DIFFERENCE AT ALL???? The strong one...repair i think it is.

[nashvegas]

i can't see any pictures that people post in their posts... any advice?

[pinkclover]

My Dr basically told me that Fraxel Restore (the non-ablative laser which requires several treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart) will give you minimal results compared to the Fraxel Repair (ablative laser, which means you have some bleeding/oozing to deal with and longer downtime).

I had Fraxel Repair about 4 months ago and am pretty impressed with the results so far. Personally I wouldn't bother with Fraxel Restore unless you were unable to be treated with Repair (i.e. certain skin types have more risk w/ ablative lasers than others).

[adella]

So you DO see a differnce? I would have fraxel IF I could find just 1 person who can show me definate results, worth me getting excited about.
Doctors have assured me this or that treatment will help over the years...I am yet to see signifigant results from anything.
I had full face co2 and got badly burned.

So I wait to hear of a real success story, after say 3 treatments. Any more that that costs WAY too much.

Thanks Pinki! I hope it works well for you please let us all know-even if its fabulous, just come back and do a post!!

I fear people who find success, forget about the site...

[MCHLLE]

Did you read the thread? Im halfway but there's alot of people with positive results here no?

[MrObi]

I think for me personally it has helped a lot in my chicken pox scar recovery (I had the pox back in June-July). Tough for me to have pictures because the before picture that they took, was before the chicken pox (which unfortunately happened after I had my first treatment).

I am now at treatment number four, which brings back my face almost to the pre-chicken pox condition, with the exception of few stubborn scars. Discoloration definitely improved at least 50-75%, but I think I'll have to go for a couple more for finishing touches.

My Dr basically told me that Fraxel Restore (the non-ablative laser which requires several treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart) will give you minimal results compared to the Fraxel Repair (ablative laser, which means you have some bleeding/oozing to deal with and longer downtime).

I had Fraxel Repair about 4 months ago and am pretty impressed with the results so far. Personally I wouldn't bother with Fraxel Restore unless you were unable to be treated with Repair (i.e. certain skin types have more risk w/ ablative lasers than others).

But i also hear the downtime, and complication of repair is something to think about when you compare it to Restore.

[jjp007]

I did Fraxel restore a few years ago, see my sig and yes I did see improvement but you have to have a min of 5 treatments and even then you will probably need more unless you have mild scarring.
Adella- I'm sorry but I don't think any treatment will totally rid you of scars, most doctors surgeons will tell you once a scar always a scar. What you should expect is to soften the scars and improve them. you have to be realistic and it's a constant battle.
I've had many treatments of different kinds to lessen my scarring over the past 10 plus years and it is something that has def improved but I will continue to treat my issues to get the best possible outcome which is softening of my scars.

I am now looking into having the Repair done.

Most people have unrealistic expectations and then are disappointed with the outcome. Fraxel Restore is something that requires a lot of patience, time and yes, money. you can't just do two or three treatments and expect to see almost any results.
It's to bad it is so expensive so we can't have more access to doing these treatments more often.

[bellydance_me]

Did you read the thread? Im halfway but there's alot of people with positive results here no?

That's what I am thinking. I am one of the posters who's happy with the results from Fraxel Restore. I've mentioned over and over how happy I was and posted detailed progress pictures.

[acneisawful]

Hi everyone,
I am currently undergoing fraxel treatments for my acne scarring and have read this entire thread like a million times, if you can believe that. No one has posted on here in a while, so I thought I'd give it a go since reading others posts has been so helpful to me. Also, it'd be nice to chat with anyone who may be undergoing fraxel now as I am.
So a brief background on me...I am 30 yrs old and have been dealing with acne scarring for the last 3 years. I had persistant acne until finally going on accutane about 3 yrs ago. Sadly, it wasn't the type that would've necessarily left scars, but I was stupid and young and attacked it mercilessly, not realizing what the consequences would be.
My scarring is mild and mainly concentrated on my forehead and right cheek, close to my mouth. I had my first fraxel treatment on Sep10, 2009. My second was on Nov19, 2009, and I just had my third on Jan22, 2010. I started noticing subtle improvement after my second, especially on the really shallow ones, which made me decide to get the third. This was no easy decision, however, because I am a BIG worrier, and each treatment scares the crap out of me. It is so painful during the procedure that I think, "how can this not be doing MORE damage??" And every time I get one done, I scrutinize my face endlessly trying to make sure I don't see any new scars or marks as a result of the procedure. That has always been my biggest hangup.. I can deal with the expense of the treatments and I can also deal with obtaining NO results, but I would an emotional disaster if I created MORE scars from getting these treatments. I worry about it every time and never get fully comfortable with the procedure. If I could give one piece of advice to those considering this procedure, it would be to take A LOT of BEFORE pictures prior to getting your first procedure. I did this to be safe, and I'm so glad I did. As I said, after getting the procedures, I have been scanning my face daily in all the different harsh lighting scenarios that we all hate. And I almost had a heart attack because there were a few scars that I found that I didn't think I had before. So i referred back to the before photos that I took, and sure enough, they were there. I guess I just never noticed them because I have certain scars that are the most bothersome to me, and those are the ones I focused on. As upsetting as it was to discover scars I never realized were there, it was MUCH MUCH better than thinking that the fraxel caused new scars, which is exactly what I would've thought had I not taken those before photos. But be warned, it is VERY depressing analyzing your photos. I spend so much time avoiding mirrors and windows and photos of myself, so it was indeed very difficult to actually force myself to look at those photos.
So anyway, that's my 2 cents. Sorry for such a long post, I just wanted to fill everyone in on where I'm at. if anyone else out there is currently undergoing treatments, I'd love to hear from you!

[mickey99]

Hi

I too have found this thread to be very useful and read it all a few months ago when I was thinking of having Fraxel. Thanks to everyone who's posted on here.

I had CO2 laser 5 years ago to try and get rid of some patches of scarring I had. They weren't too severe but they bothered me. The treatment only partly helped with the scarring but left areas of hypopigmentation on my face where I'd had the laser. The dermatologist told me he thought these areas would darken eventually but after 5 years they hadn't.

I decided to see a different cosmetic surgeon this time. Dr Khan in London was mentioned alot on the stem cell thread so I decided to see him. He told me that I could try either Fraxel Repair or stem cells and either of them should remove the remaining scarring and I also chose to have the Recell as well to try to repigment my face.

I chose to have Fraxel Repair as it was cheaper than the stem cells and I had it done on 2nd January. I also followed it up with the Recell on 19th January.

For those of you that don't know about Recell it involved taking a skin graft about the size of a postage stamp from just below my ear. This skin is then treated in the enzyme, trypsin, for about 15 minutes. After this Dr Khan needled the areas of my face where I have hypopigmentation. Then he injected the solution containing my skin cells into these areas. Finally he sprayed more of the cells over the surface of these areas and then bandaged me up. The idea behind this is that the melanocyte cells from the skin sample will reproduce and repigment my face so that hopefully within a few months my face will all be a similar colour.

So far I'm happy with the way my face is looking but it's early days. I think my face is looking smoother from the Fraxel and it will hopefully continue to improve over the next few months. It's very early to tell much about the colouration but I think it may be improved.

I was planning on posting on this thread after a few months when I could tell the full effects of my treatment but after I read your post I thought I may as well write now.