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hey Alex just wanted to let you know you look great! I cant really see any scars on your face at all!
The photos posted on this topic are of me, not Alex. Alex mentioned earlier that his doctor said he was stuck with his scars which may be a bit confusing seeing as how it was posted on this topic. Anyways, thank you. 
Just a quick update. Today marks the 4 week mark since the Ultrapulse / Fraxel:Repair. Under one eye where they performed the MaxFX is still pretty pinkish/red and I was wondering if putting the 4% Hydroquinone so early after the procedure could actually make my eye darker? I did a few tests spots and haven't noticed any negative impact thus far.
On 6/23/2012 at 8:35 AM, collegeboy84 said:On 6/22/2012 at 10:30 PM, tracy521 said:hey Alex just wanted to let you know you look great! I cant really see any scars on your face at all!
The photos posted on this topic are of me, not Alex. Alex mentioned earlier that his doctor said he was stuck with his scars which may be a bit confusing seeing as how it was posted on this topic. Anyways, thank you. [Edited image out]
Just a quick update. Today marks the 4 week mark since the Ultrapulse / Fraxel:Repair. Under one eye where they performed the MaxFX is still pretty pinkish/red and I was wondering if putting the 4% Hydroquinone so early after the procedure could actually make my eye darker? I did a few tests spots and haven't noticed any negative impact thus far.
Duh, that is why I seldom quote posts. Most people would kill to have your problem.
Just a quick update. Today marks the 4 week mark since the Ultrapulse / Fraxel:Repair. Under one eye where they performed the MaxFX is still pretty pinkish/red and I was wondering if putting the 4% Hydroquinone so early after the procedure could actually make my eye darker? I did a few tests spots and haven't noticed any negative impact thus far.
What did your doctor say?
Hydroquinone can cause temporary darkness at first if your skin gets pink and irritated by it. At least, it did for me in some areas but then again, my skin was already pink which always leads to brown skin for me. Try mixing it with a moisturizer to prevent irritation, and use a good sunblock. Keep in mind, the area under your eye is already pink, and may turn dark on its own. Hydroquinone will eventually help with this. It does take time to work.
Personally, I would have started using it prior to laser, and then 2 weeks following treatment. However, I have a problem with hyperpigmentation. My doctor advised me to start using it once my skin was healed.
On 6/24/2012 at 12:20 AM, DudleyDoRight said:On 6/23/2012 at 8:35 AM, collegeboy84 said:On 6/22/2012 at 10:30 PM, tracy521 said:hey Alex just wanted to let you know you look great! I cant really see any scars on your face at all!
The photos posted on this topic are of me, not Alex. Alex mentioned earlier that his doctor said he was stuck with his scars which may be a bit confusing seeing as how it was posted on this topic. Anyways, thank you. [Edited image out]
Just a quick update. Today marks the 4 week mark since the Ultrapulse / Fraxel:Repair. Under one eye where they performed the MaxFX is still pretty pinkish/red and I was wondering if putting the 4% Hydroquinone so early after the procedure could actually make my eye darker? I did a few tests spots and haven't noticed any negative impact thus far.
Duh, that is why I seldom quote posts. Most people would kill to have your problem.
Oh ya I totally agree, people with scars worse then mine would probably kill to have my skin issues. I think it is all about seeing improvement which gives us the illusion that we are in control of our own destiny (scars/skin).
A person with moderate scarring would say they would be happy with my minimal scarring. A person with severe scarring would say the same about a person with moderate scarring. A person permanently disfigured from a horrible car accident would say the same about the person with severe acne scarring, and I am sure a person who is blind would say "you should all stop complaining, at least you have the ability to see your scars".
I guess the moral of the story is, be grateful for what we do have, even if it isn't perfect skin. Things could always be worse. With that being said, I am still not happy with the scars that I do have and will actively work to improve their appearance. I think my mom said it best... " Son, you need to see a Psychiatrist."
CollegeBoy, I believe it is in our very nature to seek perfection. We go for what we really want, and I applaud all those who do not accept the ravages of acne, no matter what degree.
Just wanted to give a quick update. Took Tokyogirl's advice and started applying Hydroquinone 4% with a little moisturizer on the red area under my left eye where they performed the MaxFX (100% Ablation). The pink/reddish area has faded dramatically in about the time span of a week, you almost can't even tell they did the laser on the eye lid now. The doctor said I did not need any Hydroquinone on the 2-week post OP as I showed no signs of Hyper-pigmentation but if I did decide on it, wait til after 5 week due to "healing skin." Needless to say I went against my doctors judgement. I must say that the Hydroquinone burns slightly for a few seconds which is why I combined it with the moisturizer.
Good to hear you're seeing improvement and my advice helped.
BTW, I just read your comment about the cost of Hydroquinone. If you buy it at Costco's pharmacy, it costs significantly less than a normal pharmacy. Costco in LA only charges $15 plus tax for Hydroquinone. My dermatologist told me about this secret with Costco.
I dont get it.. So the first few pics was before the procedure? your face looked fine? There was ice pick scars but they werent even that noticeable, even with the close up pictures..
Yep! your very first post of before pictures is pretty much what my skin looked like before i had the stupid pixel laser. I would give ANYTHING to have my old skin back. I realize that there was nothing wrong with it. Now i look like a car ran over my face and about ten years older. worst mistake of my life. they should take lasers OFF the market and be held liable. now im depressed all the time.
oh yes and on another note. My face was no better after i did the stupid laser and actually a bit worse and then a year later it hit me REAL hard. all of a sudden i looked
HORRIBLE. My whole forehead has white spots all over it, i have mega textural issues and lateral scarring- it looks like someone cut my face with a knife in places. not only that but all sorts of other scars i NEVER had. \
This is the real proof of how horrible lasers are - i have had people actually ask me what happened to my skin who i haven't seen in years and i run into them. THATS when you know its effed up.
All cause of lasers. I feel sorry for anyone who spends there money and has high hopes and always beg people not to do it.
After doing research (after the fact) i found butt loads of info and people stating that lasers actually speed up the aging process. After a minimum of 1 year to about 3 years people are noticing that they look a lot older and there skin is horrid.
It's sad because I ignored all the horrible reviews on lasers and only paid attention to the miniscule few good reviews. There is a reason there are more bad reviews than good but we all hold on to the one or two REAL people out of thousands that had good results because we only want to have hope and faith. It's horrible and it sucks
oh yes and on another note. My face was no better after i did the stupid laser and actually a bit worse and then a year later it hit me REAL hard. all of a sudden i looked
HORRIBLE. My whole forehead has white spots all over it, i have mega textural issues and lateral scarring- it looks like someone cut my face with a knife in places. not only that but all sorts of other scars i NEVER had. \
This is the real proof of how horrible lasers are - i have had people actually ask me what happened to my skin who i haven't seen in years and i run into them. THATS when you know its effed up.
All cause of lasers. I feel sorry for anyone who spends there money and has high hopes and always beg people not to do it.
After doing research (after the fact) i found butt loads of info and people stating that lasers actually speed up the aging process. After a minimum of 1 year to about 3 years people are noticing that they look a lot older and there skin is horrid.
It's sad because I ignored all the horrible reviews on lasers and only paid attention to the miniscule few good reviews. There is a reason there are more bad reviews than good but we all hold on to the one or two REAL people out of thousands that had good results because we only want to have hope and faith. It's horrible and it sucks
I just read your post on your PIXEL treatment. You went to a medspa and allowed an "esthetician" to laser your face. You started applying makeup on day 2 (the medspa even sold it to you & said it was okay to use) and were seeking Omnilux treatment to help your skin heal by day 3. The same medspa actually encouraged you at that point to get more treatment for healing, but you didn't want to remove your makeup to get the treatment on day 3 of healing. You shouldn't have even been wearing makeup or seeking additional treatment at that point. Your skin hadn't even peeled yet. You also didn't understand why you needed to keep your skin moisturized, and don't appear to have followed any kind of aftercare regimen. Do you seriously believe the laser alone caused your damage?
Tokyo girl:
FIRST of all
It says VERY clearly that at the time I was using la roche posay toleriane line for my skin care regime.so for you to say i had no regime is false- learn to read
SECOND of all
it says very clearly that she said i COULD wear mineral makeup and so I did (and only powder)because she is the professional and should know what she is saying-learn to read
THIRD of all
she never said i need to get more treatment on the THIRD day- she said much farther down the road-nor did i say she said to get treatment on the third day- learn to read
FOURTH of all
It is a MEDICAL spa with doctors on site. It is the largest medical spa franchise in the country. Whether you are a doctor or not they all get the SAME training for laser- know your facts. She was also the manager of this medi spa with plenty of experience and training.
FIFTH of all
I never went to get the light therapy nor did anyone tell me to get it. i was considering it but did not because no one told me i should and I simply stuck to do what I was told so that I would have the results i was "supposed" to have.- Learn. To. Read.
I could go on and on but you obviously don't take the time to properly read and so I have no desire to take the time to continue because you probably won't even read this post properly.
I also really don't need to offer any links or evidence as to the thousands of people who had horrible results because
1. I have a life and don't have time to look for links
2. it is such a well known fact and widely recognized (by not only 98% of people who have had it done but doctors as well) that lasers don't work and can actually worsen the skin as their is just too much trauma caused.
I don't know why you are getting your undies in such a knot. It sounds like you invented the concept of lasers yourself, and are getting way too offended and overly emotional.
I am glad it worked for 1-5% of the population. They are lucky.
If I can save another person from having to go through what I went through I will.
Nothing and no one will stop me from stating my experience, my feelings, and facts as I know them through my research and my personal experiences. and no one will stop me from warning people about the dangers of lasers as well. That's all i have to say. I already spent more time than was deserved responding to your post. Have a good day.
When are you doing your 2nd treatment?
and how much less will it cost
Less then 5 months from now and no clue how much of a discount I will get if any. Second time around I will only have the "half cheeks" done compared to the 1st treatment which was forehead,temples, between eyes and lower eyelid. I rather the doctors and staff be properly paid so there is no cutting corners or giving any half-ass service. I actually paid for "half cheeks" the 1st time around too but they did the entire cheek to blend in color, however, they did use a lower setting for the blended areas. BTW, they charge $1200 for half cheeks.
Good to hear you're seeing improvement and my advice helped.
BTW, I just read your comment about the cost of Hydroquinone. If you buy it at Costco's pharmacy, it costs significantly less than a normal pharmacy. Costco in LA only charges $15 plus tax for Hydroquinone. My dermatologist told me about this secret with Costco.
Interesting... I never even thought of that. My mom works at Cosco too. 15 bucks sounds a lot better then the 75 USD they charge at CVS. Thanks for the heads up.
@Scarsbegonedamnit - Unlike you, I don't regret my laser treatment. Actually, I am having another treatment done in 5 months. If you had a bad experience with your laser treatment I would suggest creating your own topic for discussion.
On 7/6/2012 at 11:49 AM, collegeboy84 said:On 7/4/2012 at 2:40 PM, TokyoGirl said:Good to hear you're seeing improvement and my advice helped.
BTW, I just read your comment about the cost of Hydroquinone. If you buy it at Costco's pharmacy, it costs significantly less than a normal pharmacy. Costco in LA only charges $15 plus tax for Hydroquinone. My dermatologist told me about this secret with Costco.
Interesting... I never even thought of that. My mom works at Cosco too. 15 bucks sounds a lot better then the 75 USD they charge at CVS. Thanks for the heads up.
$75 sounds really expensive. I wonder if that's caused by a brand or size difference. I have the 1 oz tube (28.4 grams), as shown on Costco's site here:
[Edited link out]
I just looked at the box to confirm, and mine was $15. The online price is slightly more. I've been using this tube since January, so I don't think you need a larger size. I first priced it at Walgreens, and they wanted about $45 to fill the same prescription. It's a little late to tell you now, but for anyone looking to buy Hydroquinone in the USA, Costco's price is low.
On 6/23/2012 at 8:35 AM, collegeboy84 said:On 6/22/2012 at 10:30 PM, tracy521 said:hey Alex just wanted to let you know you look great! I cant really see any scars on your face at all!
The photos posted on this topic are of me, not Alex. Alex mentioned earlier that his doctor said he was stuck with his scars which may be a bit confusing seeing as how it was posted on this topic. Anyways, thank you. [Edited image out]
Just a quick update. Today marks the 4 week mark since the Ultrapulse / Fraxel:Repair. Under one eye where they performed the MaxFX is still pretty pinkish/red and I was wondering if putting the 4% Hydroquinone so early after the procedure could actually make my eye darker? I did a few tests spots and haven't noticed any negative impact thus far.
hey your skin is looking great and i hardly see any scaring !!
Tokyo girl:
FIRST of all
It says VERY clearly that at the time I was using la roche posay toleriane line for my skin care regime.so for you to say i had no regime is false- learn to read
SECOND of all
it says very clearly that she said i COULD wear mineral makeup and so I did (and only powder)because she is the professional and should know what she is saying-learn to read
THIRD of all
she never said i need to get more treatment on the THIRD day- she said much farther down the road-nor did i say she said to get treatment on the third day- learn to read
FOURTH of all
It is a MEDICAL spa with doctors on site. It is the largest medical spa franchise in the country. Whether you are a doctor or not they all get the SAME training for laser- know your facts. She was also the manager of this medi spa with plenty of experience and training.
FIFTH of all
I never went to get the light therapy nor did anyone tell me to get it. i was considering it but did not because no one told me i should and I simply stuck to do what I was told so that I would have the results i was "supposed" to have.- Learn. To. Read.
I could go on and on but you obviously don't take the time to properly read and so I have no desire to take the time to continue because you probably won't even read this post properly.
I also really don't need to offer any links or evidence as to the thousands of people who had horrible results because
1. I have a life and don't have time to look for links
2. it is such a well known fact and widely recognized (by not only 98% of people who have had it done but doctors as well) that lasers don't work and can actually worsen the skin as their is just too much trauma caused.
I don't know why you are getting your undies in such a knot. It sounds like you invented the concept of lasers yourself, and are getting way too offended and overly emotional.
I am glad it worked for 1-5% of the population. They are lucky.
If I can save another person from having to go through what I went through I will.
Nothing and no one will stop me from stating my experience, my feelings, and facts as I know them through my research and my personal experiences. and no one will stop me from warning people about the dangers of lasers as well. That's all i have to say. I already spent more time than was deserved responding to your post. Have a good day.
im srry for what hapened to you. just one example of MANY out there on the dangers of laser. any one thinking of going ahead with laser proceed with EXTREME caution.
Today marks 45 days since the treatment. The reddness/pinkness from the laser has almost completely faded by this point. I am pretty surprised I have had almost no hyper-pigmentation issues considering...
- I've had full ablation, 100% vaporizing of the skin under the eyes.
- I have worked outdoors in the sun 40+ hours a week since the treatment here in California where it has been hotter then hell. I have even been swimming 4-5 days a week.
- Being half asian, I am probably a skin type III, (even though I am naturally very light skinned)
- Had a mild tan on the cheeks pre-laser.
I will definitely ask the doctor to crank up the Joules to 70, which is the max for repair for my second treatment in December.
I have had several people sending me personal messages regarding their worries for hyperpigmentation in darker skin types have kept them from trying a more aggressive laser treatment. I hope my story gives those with Skin type III some hope as pigmentation isn't always an issue as you can see from my photo @ day 45.
I did have some reddness under 1 eye that had the full-ablation from the MaxFX Ultrapulse but faded fast with Differin followed by Hydroquinone 4%.
You can still see some slight pinkness on the cheeks where the Fraxel :Repair was done @ 50 Joules but is actually less noticeable in person as my face is always kind of pinkish naturally.
Today marks 45 days since the treatment. The reddness/pinkness from the laser has almost completely faded by this point. I am pretty surprised I have had almost no hyper-pigmentation issues considering...
- I've had full ablation, 100% vaporizing of the skin under the eyes.
- I have worked outdoors in the sun 40+ hours a week since the treatment here in California where it has been hotter then hell. I have even been swimming 4-5 days a week.
- Being half asian, I am probably a skin type III, (even though I am naturally very light skinned)
- Had a mild tan on the cheeks pre-laser.
I will definitely ask the doctor to crank up the Joules to 70, which is the max for repair for my second treatment in December.
I have had several people sending me personal messages regarding their worries for hyperpigmentation in darker skin types have kept them from trying a more aggressive laser treatment. I hope my story gives those with Skin type III some hope as pigmentation isn't always an issue as you can see from my photo @ day 45.
I did have some reddness under 1 eye that had the full-ablation from the MaxFX Ultrapulse but faded fast with Differin followed by Hydroquinone 4%.
You can still see some slight pinkness on the cheeks where the Fraxel :Repair was done @ 50 Joules but is actually less noticeable in person as my face is always kind of pinkish naturally.
Great to hear the good news. This is definitely making me feel hopeful. How's are the ice picks scars? Any improvement?
When's your next laser treatment?
Hope to hear more good news. 
On 7/10/2012 at 1:40 PM, AlexWong said:On 7/10/2012 at 11:15 AM, collegeboy84 said:Today marks 45 days since the treatment. The reddness/pinkness from the laser has almost completely faded by this point. I am pretty surprised I have had almost no hyper-pigmentation issues considering...
- I've had full ablation, 100% vaporizing of the skin under the eyes.
- I have worked outdoors in the sun 40+ hours a week since the treatment here in California where it has been hotter then hell. I have even been swimming 4-5 days a week.
- Being half asian, I am probably a skin type III, (even though I am naturally very light skinned)
- Had a mild tan on the cheeks pre-laser.
I will definitely ask the doctor to crank up the Joules to 70, which is the max for repair for my second treatment in December.
I have had several people sending me personal messages regarding their worries for hyperpigmentation in darker skin types have kept them from trying a more aggressive laser treatment. I hope my story gives those with Skin type III some hope as pigmentation isn't always an issue as you can see from my photo @ day 45.
I did have some reddness under 1 eye that had the full-ablation from the MaxFX Ultrapulse but faded fast with Differin followed by Hydroquinone 4%.
You can still see some slight pinkness on the cheeks where the Fraxel :Repair was done @ 50 Joules but is actually less noticeable in person as my face is always kind of pinkish naturally.
Great to hear the good news. This is definitely making me feel hopeful. How's are the ice picks scars? Any improvement?
When's your next laser treatment?
Hope to hear more good news. [Edited image out]
Hey Alex! I am happy to hear from you. I was a bit worried about you after you told us the results from your consultation. I really hope you get a second opinion from another practice.
It is funny that you ask about my ice-pick scarring. Thinking of my scarring , now, 45 days later, I actually imagine 2 boxcar scars as I almost forgot I even have any ice-pick scars as they seem much less noticeable to me now. For whatever reason the left cheek had 3 pretty big (big in relation to the rest of MY scars) boxcar scars... 1 of which had filled in real nicely. It is still there but much less noticeable, it actually changed shape from a perfect box shape, to just an irregular shaped, half-assed shallow boomerang shape type scar.
As for the other two boxcar scars, they did not seem to have changed dramatically. I don't know if this is because they are really deep and below the 50 Joules threshold, or if they are filling in but I am not noticing because they were so wide and deep to begin with. These 2 remaining boxcar scars were probably deeper then any ice-pick scar I had, which is out of character for a boxcar I suppose. It is these 2 boxcar scars that I am opting for a second fraxel:repair (at a higher setting of 70 joules) in December, the rest really don't bother me at this point.
Anyways, I hope you don't give up or lose hope. I personally feel that there is plenty of hope for you as your scarring looks to be minimal at worse.
oh yes and on another note. My face was no better after i did the stupid laser and actually a bit worse and then a year later it hit me REAL hard. all of a sudden i looked
HORRIBLE. My whole forehead has white spots all over it, i have mega textural issues and lateral scarring- it looks like someone cut my face with a knife in places. not only that but all sorts of other scars i NEVER had. \
This is the real proof of how horrible lasers are - i have had people actually ask me what happened to my skin who i haven't seen in years and i run into them. THATS when you know its effed up.
All cause of lasers. I feel sorry for anyone who spends there money and has high hopes and always beg people not to do it.
After doing research (after the fact) i found butt loads of info and people stating that lasers actually speed up the aging process. After a minimum of 1 year to about 3 years people are noticing that they look a lot older and there skin is horrid.
It's sad because I ignored all the horrible reviews on lasers and only paid attention to the miniscule few good reviews. There is a reason there are more bad reviews than good but we all hold on to the one or two REAL people out of thousands that had good results because we only want to have hope and faith. It's horrible and it sucks
I just read your post on your PIXEL treatment. You went to a medspa and allowed an "esthetician" to laser your face. You started applying makeup on day 2 (the medspa even sold it to you & said it was okay to use) and were seeking Omnilux treatment to help your skin heal by day 3. The same medspa actually encouraged you at that point to get more treatment for healing, but you didn't want to remove your makeup to get the treatment on day 3 of healing. You shouldn't have even been wearing makeup or seeking additional treatment at that point. Your skin hadn't even peeled yet. You also didn't understand why you needed to keep your skin moisturized, and don't appear to have followed any kind of aftercare regimen. Do you seriously believe the laser alone caused your damage?
Sorry to jump into this thread like this guys, but scarsbegone, doesn't your post also state that you started accutane while your skin was still healing? Since you arent meant to get it done while on accutane, that doesnt sound like it was too clever either.
I'm just wondering since I have read about risks with laser treatments and it's something I'm looking into for the future (the ver far away future right now!)
Cleardreaming- nope! I actually didn't go on accutane until september because my dermatologist told me to wait until summer was over because summer is not the best time to go on accutane. I had the laser treatment done in may.
To the OP-45 days is really not anywhere near enough time to see real results. Wait a year and then come back. I thought my ice pick scars (I had two) were *almost* gone. They are wider and deeper now. Turns out my skin was just swollen.
Tokyo girl- you started a thread for positive reviews of the laser. The responses didn't work out so great for a reason. I'm glad you had good results (apparently) but I stand by the thousands of other people and research that's its the worst for skin. People are finding that the long term results are not desirable.