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yo mz43020,
hang in there baby girl, you look great. trust me, those scars are not deep at all, i'm not sure what obagi is but i wouldn't recomend you peeling off the top layer of your dead skin or scales i like to call them. but yea i think your next treatment, you should go more aggressive, try 20 mjs, who knows. but i think them scars are very minor, actually a little bit minor then mine, your so called deepest scar relates to my deepest scar. be optimistic and hang in there, God wouldn't put us through something that we can't get out of. you have 3 treatment left right? i say be more aggressive with them treatment and i'm not sure what obagi is but i dont think its good for you, just my opinion don't quote me on it. however i do think that is it vital that you do not peel off the top layer of skin or any flakes or scabs and just leave it on even though it looks scary, but it help protects the new baby skin underneath (mine's pink, i can see some of it) and it will come off naturally when its ready, maybe the obagi is forcing them to come off earlier.
oh yea, i'm almost 100 percent certain that after more session of fraxel, you should achieve near perfect skin, cause really that is nothing, i kno that we are our own's worst critic. good luck dear, and God speed.
I only have 2 more left. I'm getting 3 total. And that was recommended by my doctor. I hope she is right on the estimation. I don't mind getting more treatments but I'm NOT liking the downtime. The redness is bothering me right now, making everything 10xs worse. Obagi does help my skin. It evened out my skin tone to normal color before I went in for Fraxel. So I know it will help. But I've already stopped with the Obagi because I now have 16 days to heal (which is more than 2 weeks) and prepare for 2nd treatment.
Hey thanks. I just reread your post. I will not try to peel the dry skin off myself. I know if I did, it will leave PIH. I think Obagi is for the PIH (its has hydroqouine) and to thicken my skin. The redness is actually from Fraxel. I think it means that I'm still healing? I will bring up the energy level to my doctor and if my skin tone becomes normal by the 2nd appt. she will know that I can take up higher settings. I don't dare to wear makeup so I feel like crap looking at myself everyday. I do use tinted Sunscreen in the morning and afraid it will clog pores if I apply it at night. Whenever my pores are clogged, It forms blackheads.
yo mz43020,
hang in there baby girl, you look great. trust me, those scars are not deep at all, i'm not sure what obagi is but i wouldn't recomend you peeling off the top layer of your dead skin or scales i like to call them. but yea i think your next treatment, you should go more aggressive, try 20 mjs, who knows. but i think them scars are very minor, actually a little bit minor then mine, your so called deepest scar relates to my deepest scar. be optimistic and hang in there, God wouldn't put us through something that we can't get out of. you have 3 treatment left right? i say be more aggressive with them treatment and i'm not sure what obagi is but i dont think its good for you, just my opinion don't quote me on it. however i do think that is it vital that you do not peel off the top layer of skin or any flakes or scabs and just leave it on even though it looks scary, but it help protects the new baby skin underneath (mine's pink, i can see some of it) and it will come off naturally when its ready, maybe the obagi is forcing them to come off earlier.
oh yea, i'm almost 100 percent certain that after more session of fraxel, you should achieve near perfect skin, cause really that is nothing, i kno that we are our own's worst critic. good luck dear, and God speed.
I only have 2 more left. I'm getting 3 total. And that was recommended by my doctor. I hope she is right on the estimation. I don't mind getting more treatments but I'm NOT liking the downtime. The redness is bothering me right now, making everything 10xs worse. Obagi does help my skin. It evened out my skin tone to normal color before I went in for Fraxel. So I know it will help. But I've already stopped with the Obagi because I now have 16 days to heal (which is more than 2 weeks) and prepare for 2nd treatment.
MZ
You'll see results after three sessions and should be very happy. You can always have more treatments and see even more improvement if your budget can handle it. Try and have your doctor be aggressive if you feel that you can handle the extra pain. It looks like you have some problems around your cheeks only, I wish that was my problem :boohoo: The good thing is that your doctor can focus on those small areas and hopefully will be agressive enough so that you see the best possible results in 3 treatments.
Personally, I will need some "derma fillers" even after the Fraxel but I think that you will be just fine.
Thanks for posting your pix :angel: :angel: :angel:
mz43026: just wondering how long after the treatment you took the post-fraxel photos?
I'm on day 12
yo mz43020,
hang in there baby girl, you look great. trust me, those scars are not deep at all, i'm not sure what obagi is but i wouldn't recomend you peeling off the top layer of your dead skin or scales i like to call them. but yea i think your next treatment, you should go more aggressive, try 20 mjs, who knows. but i think them scars are very minor, actually a little bit minor then mine, your so called deepest scar relates to my deepest scar. be optimistic and hang in there, God wouldn't put us through something that we can't get out of. you have 3 treatment left right? i say be more aggressive with them treatment and i'm not sure what obagi is but i dont think its good for you, just my opinion don't quote me on it. however i do think that is it vital that you do not peel off the top layer of skin or any flakes or scabs and just leave it on even though it looks scary, but it help protects the new baby skin underneath (mine's pink, i can see some of it) and it will come off naturally when its ready, maybe the obagi is forcing them to come off earlier.
oh yea, i'm almost 100 percent certain that after more session of fraxel, you should achieve near perfect skin, cause really that is nothing, i kno that we are our own's worst critic. good luck dear, and God speed.
I only have 2 more left. I'm getting 3 total. And that was recommended by my doctor. I hope she is right on the estimation. I don't mind getting more treatments but I'm NOT liking the downtime. The redness is bothering me right now, making everything 10xs worse. Obagi does help my skin. It evened out my skin tone to normal color before I went in for Fraxel. So I know it will help. But I've already stopped with the Obagi because I now have 16 days to heal (which is more than 2 weeks) and prepare for 2nd treatment.
MZ
You'll see results after three sessions and should be very happy. You can always have more treatments and see even more improvement if your budget can handle it. Try and have your doctor be aggressive if you feel that you can handle the extra pain. It looks like you have some problems around your cheeks only, I wish that was my problem :boohoo: The good thing is that your doctor can focus on those small areas and hopefully will be agressive enough so that you see the best possible results in 3 treatments.
Personally, I will need some "derma fillers" even after the Fraxel but I think that you will be just fine.
Thanks for posting your pix :angel: :angel: :angel:
Thanks. What do you think of my largest scar? Do you think it will eventually level w/ the rest of the skin? I haven't tried fillers but that scar is my most concern and I thought bring up filler with my doctor on that scar.
Hi Sheryllyn,
I don't mind giving my doc's name at all, but please note I have not been able to gauge my results yet, so it would be premature for me to give a recommendation at this point. I can tell you that the staff is professional, etc. and that they have the new machine/software Fraxel SR1500 for certain. It seemed like a new machine not just software to me because the laser was different. She kept saying it was much lighter and faster than the old one.
Doctor Grant Stevens
Marina Plastic Surgery Associates
thestevensinstitute.com
I got my Fraxel done at The Institute a Medical Spa it is an offshoot of his practice. It was done by PA/RN Carla Crespo.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Does anyone know if the numbers of 20 or 40 etc. are the same for the new laser as the old laser? I saw a reply to one of my posts that the number 40 or 45 was probably mjs. I wonder if the measurements are the same on both machines. In other words, is a 30 on the old laser the same as a 30 on the new one? Thanks.
mz43026: just wondering how long after the treatment you took the post-fraxel photos?
I'm on day 12
ah good 🙂
i was just curious whether the pics still had a lot of the swelling effects or not.
my skin's pretty similar to yours actually. scarring concentrated on cheeks and i even have the one particularly annoying scar on my left hand cheek.
my doctor doesn't seem to think i'd need fillers for this after fraxel. i think that fraxel is supposed to be particularly good for shallow rolling scars so hopefully it'll work for our big ones 🙂
regarding going to a higher level, there's always that risk with asian skin of hyperpigmentation - regardless of how pale the skin is overall, the underlying melanocytes are still capable of proliferation/hypersecretion of melanocytes. HOWEVER, given that you are on the tretinoin, this will hopefully work at blocking the melanocytes. so i'd say, go for it (with more aggressive treatment).
i've personally decided that i'm willing to deal with the risk of hyperpigmentation. sure it won't be nice if it happens, but at least there's hydroquinone/tretinoin or other treatment options for that. getting rid of the scarring is far harder and more important to me
🙂
Hard to gauge how much improvement you got from those two fraxels since the before pic is also before 4 excisions.
I have't had two fraxels, but I can still see improvement in your pictures!
Looks hyperpigmented though. Didn't you say you did Obagi in between Fraxel 1 and 2? I'm not an expert put doesn't a peel interfere with the fractional remodelling?
I mean the science of fraxel is to treat only 15 percent of the face at once so it can heal without laying down new scar tissue. Doing a peel (even to a small area) would treat 100 percent of the skin in that area. Does your doctor know you are doing Obagi?
There is an Obagi Blue Peel (Obagi may have other peels too, I don't know), and then there are Obagi skin care products. If I am not mistaken, mz is using the skin care products, not the peel.
mz43026: just wondering how long after the treatment you took the post-fraxel photos?
I'm on day 12
ah good 🙂
i was just curious whether the pics still had a lot of the swelling effects or not.
my skin's pretty similar to yours actually. scarring concentrated on cheeks and i even have the one particularly annoying scar on my left hand cheek.
my doctor doesn't seem to think i'd need fillers for this after fraxel. i think that fraxel is supposed to be particularly good for shallow rolling scars so hopefully it'll work for our big ones 🙂
regarding going to a higher level, there's always that risk with asian skin of hyperpigmentation - regardless of how pale the skin is overall, the underlying melanocytes are still capable of proliferation/hypersecretion of melanocytes. HOWEVER, given that you are on the tretinoin, this will hopefully work at blocking the melanocytes. so i'd say, go for it (with more aggressive treatment).
i've personally decided that i'm willing to deal with the risk of hyperpigmentation. sure it won't be nice if it happens, but at least there's hydroquinone/tretinoin or other treatment options for that. getting rid of the scarring is far harder and more important to me
🙂
yeah i'm trying to get my mind off of my scars. Its just I worked so hard to eliminate PIH and now I'm starting over with that. I read your posts and thought we are similar as well. I am using Obagi to block melanocytes. I do care more about my scars though.
mz43026: just wondering how long after the treatment you took the post-fraxel photos?
I'm on day 12
yo mz43020,
hang in there baby girl, you look great. trust me, those scars are not deep at all, i'm not sure what obagi is but i wouldn't recomend you peeling off the top layer of your dead skin or scales i like to call them. but yea i think your next treatment, you should go more aggressive, try 20 mjs, who knows. but i think them scars are very minor, actually a little bit minor then mine, your so called deepest scar relates to my deepest scar. be optimistic and hang in there, God wouldn't put us through something that we can't get out of. you have 3 treatment left right? i say be more aggressive with them treatment and i'm not sure what obagi is but i dont think its good for you, just my opinion don't quote me on it. however i do think that is it vital that you do not peel off the top layer of skin or any flakes or scabs and just leave it on even though it looks scary, but it help protects the new baby skin underneath (mine's pink, i can see some of it) and it will come off naturally when its ready, maybe the obagi is forcing them to come off earlier.
oh yea, i'm almost 100 percent certain that after more session of fraxel, you should achieve near perfect skin, cause really that is nothing, i kno that we are our own's worst critic. good luck dear, and God speed.
I only have 2 more left. I'm getting 3 total. And that was recommended by my doctor. I hope she is right on the estimation. I don't mind getting more treatments but I'm NOT liking the downtime. The redness is bothering me right now, making everything 10xs worse. Obagi does help my skin. It evened out my skin tone to normal color before I went in for Fraxel. So I know it will help. But I've already stopped with the Obagi because I now have 16 days to heal (which is more than 2 weeks) and prepare for 2nd treatment.
MZ
You'll see results after three sessions and should be very happy. You can always have more treatments and see even more improvement if your budget can handle it. Try and have your doctor be aggressive if you feel that you can handle the extra pain. It looks like you have some problems around your cheeks only, I wish that was my problem :boohoo: The good thing is that your doctor can focus on those small areas and hopefully will be agressive enough so that you see the best possible results in 3 treatments.
Personally, I will need some "derma fillers" even after the Fraxel but I think that you will be just fine.
Thanks for posting your pix :angel: :angel: :angel:
Thanks. What do you think of my largest scar? Do you think it will eventually level w/ the rest of the skin? I haven't tried fillers but that scar is my most concern and I thought bring up filler with my doctor on that scar.
I have been getting "fillers " for 20 years. I'm to the point that I will start doing them myself thanks to this website. I don't want to encourage anyone to make a BIG MISTAKE but I have just spent enough money and am comfortable doing it myself and wish I had 10 years ago. If I had known that I could purchase them online (restylane) I would have done so ALMOST from the start. but in your situation and if you need them at all, get a "pro" to do it. You'll only need a small amount if any and should cost you less than $100.
Give your big scar time to improve from the Fraxel and then you may want to "fill" it. It really looks like an easy fill 🙂 I would let the fraxel do it's thing, give your own body time to recover from the treatment and then it should be an easy "fix" if you need any at all.
I held off getting MORE fillers because I knew I was getting fraxel. I still have "fillers" hanging around, I don't think anyone really knows, EVEN THE DOCTORS as to how the body is going to react to the healing process after Fraxel when there are allready "fillers" involved. I do notice some "bulging" after fraxel around the areas that have had Colagen injections. I'm scratching my head as to whether or not it is because of the scar tissue or the cologen implants around those ares??? I'll ask the Doctor when I see him next.
Hang in there ! ! !
mz43026: just wondering how long after the treatment you took the post-fraxel photos?
I'm on day 12
yo mz43020,
hang in there baby girl, you look great. trust me, those scars are not deep at all, i'm not sure what obagi is but i wouldn't recomend you peeling off the top layer of your dead skin or scales i like to call them. but yea i think your next treatment, you should go more aggressive, try 20 mjs, who knows. but i think them scars are very minor, actually a little bit minor then mine, your so called deepest scar relates to my deepest scar. be optimistic and hang in there, God wouldn't put us through something that we can't get out of. you have 3 treatment left right? i say be more aggressive with them treatment and i'm not sure what obagi is but i dont think its good for you, just my opinion don't quote me on it. however i do think that is it vital that you do not peel off the top layer of skin or any flakes or scabs and just leave it on even though it looks scary, but it help protects the new baby skin underneath (mine's pink, i can see some of it) and it will come off naturally when its ready, maybe the obagi is forcing them to come off earlier.
oh yea, i'm almost 100 percent certain that after more session of fraxel, you should achieve near perfect skin, cause really that is nothing, i kno that we are our own's worst critic. good luck dear, and God speed.
I only have 2 more left. I'm getting 3 total. And that was recommended by my doctor. I hope she is right on the estimation. I don't mind getting more treatments but I'm NOT liking the downtime. The redness is bothering me right now, making everything 10xs worse. Obagi does help my skin. It evened out my skin tone to normal color before I went in for Fraxel. So I know it will help. But I've already stopped with the Obagi because I now have 16 days to heal (which is more than 2 weeks) and prepare for 2nd treatment.
MZ
You'll see results after three sessions and should be very happy. You can always have more treatments and see even more improvement if your budget can handle it. Try and have your doctor be aggressive if you feel that you can handle the extra pain. It looks like you have some problems around your cheeks only, I wish that was my problem :boohoo: The good thing is that your doctor can focus on those small areas and hopefully will be agressive enough so that you see the best possible results in 3 treatments.
Personally, I will need some "derma fillers" even after the Fraxel but I think that you will be just fine.
Thanks for posting your pix :angel: :angel: :angel:
Thanks. What do you think of my largest scar? Do you think it will eventually level w/ the rest of the skin? I haven't tried fillers but that scar is my most concern and I thought bring up filler with my doctor on that scar.
I have been getting "fillers " for 20 years. I'm to the point that I will start doing them myself thanks to this website. I don't want to encourage anyone to make a BIG MISTAKE but I have just spent enough money and am comfortable doing it myself and wish I had 10 years ago. If I had known that I could purchase them online (restylane) I would have done so ALMOST from the start. but in your situation and if you need them at all, get a "pro" to do it. You'll only need a small amount if any and should cost you less than $100.
Give your big scar time to improve from the Fraxel and then you may want to "fill" it. It really looks like an easy fill 🙂 I would let the fraxel do it's thing, give your own body time to recover from the treatment and then it should be an easy "fix" if you need any at all.
I held off getting MORE fillers because I knew I was getting fraxel. I still have "fillers" hanging around, I don't think anyone really knows, EVEN THE DOCTORS as to how the body is going to react to the healing process after Fraxel when there are allready "fillers" involved. I do notice some "bulging" after fraxel around the areas that have had Colagen injections. I'm scratching my head as to whether or not it is because of the scar tissue or the cologen implants around those ares??? I'll ask the Doctor when I see him next.
Hang in there ! ! !
Yeah I will hang in. Thanks 🙂 When I talked about fillers I meant getting it don if I see it still after my fraxel treatments.
Does anyone know if the numbers of 20 or 40 etc. are the same for the new laser as the old laser? I saw a reply to one of my posts that the number 40 or 45 was probably mjs. I wonder if the measurements are the same on both machines. In other words, is a 30 on the old laser the same as a 30 on the new one? Thanks.
I don't think the measurements match up between the old and new fraxel.
Also, I was told that 40 is the max on the new fraxel.
well i just cancelled my 1st fraxel session, not sure why but iam hesitant right now for a number of reasons.
1. I started to use Retin-a 5 days ago and i have stopped cause it made my skin crappy, i hear its better to be off it for abit before fraxel.
2. I just had subcision done 7 days ago, i dont feel its enough time given for it to heal by itself before another invasive treatment.
3. My Dr and the only one in ontario who has fraxel doesnt go over 20 settings and wants to start me on like 14-15. i feel these are not aggressive enough for my purpose.
4. i dont think im emotionally ready for the downtime involved and from reading this entire thread seems like mixed results mostly.
5. I have been to cuba & dominican 2 times in the past 3 months so iam tanned, i think it would be better if i was not tanned for this process
I think ill hold off until the new year and in the meantime work on that deep scar to level it out more.. i hope i have made the right decsion.
well i just cancelled my 1st fraxel session, not sure why but iam hesitant right now for a number of reasons.
1. I started to use Retin-a 5 days ago and i have stopped cause it made my skin crappy, i hear its better to be off it for abit before fraxel.
2. I just had subcision done 7 days ago, i dont feel its enough time given for it to heal by itself before another invasive treatment.
3. My Dr and the only one in ontario who has fraxel doesnt go over 20 settings and wants to start me on like 14-15. i feel these are not aggressive enough for my purpose.
4. i dont think im emotionally ready for the downtime involved and from reading this entire thread seems like mixed results mostly.
5. I have been to cuba & dominican 2 times in the past 3 months so iam tanned, i think it would be better if i was not tanned for this process
I think ill hold off until the new year and in the meantime work on that deep scar to level it out more.. i hope i have made the right decsion.
i just came back from mexico and am very tanned. the dr said he wanted to wait 2 weeks to perform fraxel...i said no...i want it now (yesterday)! haha... he said he would have to start me off at 14...which is fine, i guess...my face isn't that bad but there's nothing wrong with improvement... that 14 felt very aggressive...i would say there is 1 day of downtime for myself but not so bad that i have to stay home...i still have a little speckles of blue and looks like i have a mild sunburn but i was tanned already. the swelling is not bad...they gave me benedryl and slept with an extra pillow. i
what a coinicidence that i'm on this board and i receive a phone call from the nurse who performed fraxel on me...she wanted to know how i was doing, to keep moisterized and SUNBLOCK!!! which she constantly repeated yesterday...she's great...i told her that i want only her to do my fraxels.
Hard to gauge how much improvement you got from those two fraxels since the before pic is also before 4 excisions.
I have't had two fraxels, but I can still see improvement in your pictures!
Looks hyperpigmented though. Didn't you say you did Obagi in between Fraxel 1 and 2? I'm not an expert put doesn't a peel interfere with the fractional remodelling?
I mean the science of fraxel is to treat only 15 percent of the face at once so it can heal without laying down new scar tissue. Doing a peel (even to a small area) would treat 100 percent of the skin in that area. Does your doctor know you are doing Obagi?
There is an Obagi Blue Peel (Obagi may have other peels too, I don't know), and then there are Obagi skin care products. If I am not mistaken, mz is using the skin care products, not the peel.
Yes I'm using the Skin care product. I don't have swelling anymore either
My doctor's nurse calls to check up on me before and after treatments as well. But I am taking my photos down now. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll will keep updating my progress on this forum.
well i just cancelled my 1st fraxel session, not sure why but iam hesitant right now for a number of reasons.
1. I started to use Retin-a 5 days ago and i have stopped cause it made my skin crappy, i hear its better to be off it for abit before fraxel.
2. I just had subcision done 7 days ago, i dont feel its enough time given for it to heal by itself before another invasive treatment.
3. My Dr and the only one in ontario who has fraxel doesnt go over 20 settings and wants to start me on like 14-15. i feel these are not aggressive enough for my purpose.
4. i dont think im emotionally ready for the downtime involved and from reading this entire thread seems like mixed results mostly.
5. I have been to cuba & dominican 2 times in the past 3 months so iam tanned, i think it would be better if i was not tanned for this process
I think ill hold off until the new year and in the meantime work on that deep scar to level it out more.. i hope i have made the right decsion.
I think you made the right decision. If you are not totally comfortable with doing the procedure then you should hold off until the timing is right, even if it is only a week or a month or whatever. Do what is right for you.
Well I had 1/6 fraxels done. At this time I only have minor scarring and it wont effect my life anymore. The first Fraxel doesnt look like it did much for anything but thats okay. Hopefully the other 5 spread out monthly will give me totally smooth skin again. That would be great.
Has anyone on here had serious improvments from the laser or is it mainly good for very minor wrinkles and scarring? I mean honstly speaking how have the results been? I have not seen too many impressive ones to tell u the truth but whatever I feel good again anyway.
I received a check today from Dr. Kovak for the full amount, which I thought was very nice. He also wrote me a short letter saying he was sorry he couldn't satisfy my needs with the 1540, and he believes the Palomar is significantly better than the new Fraxel laser. Not such a bad guy, huh? Now, to find someone with the new Fraxel!
well i just cancelled my 1st fraxel session, not sure why but iam hesitant right now for a number of reasons.
1. I started to use Retin-a 5 days ago and i have stopped cause it made my skin crappy, i hear its better to be off it for abit before fraxel.
2. I just had subcision done 7 days ago, i dont feel its enough time given for it to heal by itself before another invasive treatment.
3. My Dr and the only one in ontario who has fraxel doesnt go over 20 settings and wants to start me on like 14-15. i feel these are not aggressive enough for my purpose.
4. i dont think im emotionally ready for the downtime involved and from reading this entire thread seems like mixed results mostly.
5. I have been to cuba & dominican 2 times in the past 3 months so iam tanned, i think it would be better if i was not tanned for this process
I think ill hold off until the new year and in the meantime work on that deep scar to level it out more.. i hope i have made the right decsion.
Title: Plastic surgeon's technique with skin not so good on layers of Word document
Authors: Sturgeon, Jeff
Source: Roanoke Times, The (VA); 09/29/2005
Document Type: Article
Accession Number: 2W61563887320
Persistent link to this record: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir...site=ehost-live
Database Newspaper Source
Plastic surgeon's technique with skin not so good on layers of Word document
~~~~~~~~
Jeff Sturgeon
Sep. 29--Have you ever wondered how the world really works? If so, pay attention to this cautionary tale from the somewhat odd world of medical publicity.
Here's the story: A local plastic surgeon buys a cutting-edge piece of high-tech equipment designed to reduce wrinkles, age spots and blemishes.
What's not to like about that?
The doctor also gets a computerized, fill-in-the-blank press release from the manufacturer to help him persuade the local newspaper to print his story.
His office manager works through the press release using the software Microsoft Word, dropping in some pertinent facts to localize the story and, in a few places, toning down the manufacturer's hype about the Fraxel Laser Treatment system.
After some back and forth -- some changes and polishing -- it's ready to go, and the office manager sends it to his local newspaper, The Roanoke Times.
However, the smarter-than-you Microsoft program processor has saved every editing change along the way. The medical practice could have deleted the early drafts, but overlooked that step. So, when the reporter opens the document, bingo-presto, all the earlier versions show up.
And that's where the story starts to get interesting.
Remember, doctors are looking for better ways to serve their patients.
Publicists -- professional or stand-ins -- are working to help their clients get ink in local newspapers. And reporters, well, they are always on the hunt for a story that will interest their readers.
The manufacturer, Reliant Technologies of Palo Alto, Calif., ships its Fraxel system with a suggested press release as "a benefit that we give to our purchasers to help promote the use of our technology in their practices," said company spokesman Michael Hromadik.
Detailing the success of the marketing strategy, he said several television news organizations quoted liberally from the Reliant release, defining Fraxel with the exact phrases Reliant desires to see used.
Roanoke County plastic surgeon Enrique Silberblatt bought a system and turned to his practice administrator, Don Mundy, to notify media groups about the $750 treatment.
According to Mundy, the treatment has widespread appeal over conventional skin resurfacing for several reasons, including that patients can resume normal activities quickly. After spending $105,000 to acquire the technology, the practice wanted to get word out that the treatment is available.
"We're not trying to make a killing here," Mundy said. "We're not trying to make all our money back. We're trying to provide a service for our patients, so we priced it so people could afford it, [and] so over a period of several years we will see a return on our investment."
It made sense to issue a version of Reliant's suggested press release, because it came from the product's maker, said Mundy, adding, "We're not news people. We want to be doctors. We want to be medical people."
But the electronic release went out with saved earlier versions shuffled to the background, though not deleted. In this case, the drafts revealed how Silberblatt's practice relied on Reliant to help promote the new line.
For instance, Reliant's original press release template suggested the doctor call himself or herself as "one of the first" specialists to offer Fraxel treatment. The press release issued by Silberblatt's office goes further, describing him as "one of the first plastic surgeons in the country" to offer Fraxel treatment, a true statement. Silberblatt, a plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience, operates a skin-care practice known as Advanced Medical Skin Care and his surgical practice, Aesthetic Surgery of Virginia, from an office on Brambleton Avenue.
But rather than hype the new laser device, the practice generally toned down the manufacturer's recommended claims as Mundy performed the editing, with some help from Silberblatt.
"We really are trying to be truthful as much as possible," Mundy said.
In the press release template, the procedure "takes about 30 minutes"; in the Silberblatt press release, the procedure "takes about 1 to 2 hours."
Reliant Technologies wrote that Fraxel works "without the downtime and risks" of traditional methods; the Silberblatt press release said Fraxel works "with minimal downtime and risks."
Silberblatt's office deleted the phrase, "Virtually no risk of complications or adverse events" and inserted language about resuming normal activities on the day of treatment.
Mundy said he wishes the release had not gone out in the form it did. He said he would consider using a templated press release again in the future, but "I think I will be more careful."
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Source: Roanoke Times, The (VA), Sep 29, 2005
Item: 2W61563887320
==========================================================================================================================================================================
Fractional laser helps alleviate acne scarring
BY JOHN JESITUS
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Atlanta a A new laser appears efFective in treating
acne scars even in darker-skinned patients, says
Edgar F. Fincher, M.D., clinical in.structor of dermatology
at the University of California, Los
Angeles, David Geffen School of Medidne and
lead author ofthe unpublished study.
In the study, researchers treated 12 patients
with moderate to severe acne scarring and skin
phototypes II through V with the Fraxel SR
{Reliant "lechnologies).
"Patients noticed improvement in their scars
after two to three treatments. And all patients
reported impn)vement after the treatment course,
with an average of 2.2 points on a 5-point scale,"
Dr. Fincher says.
"Probably the most amazing finding was that
we were able to treat people of darker skin type,"
he adds. "That's a big advance over previous
lasers such as CO,and erbium lasers. For other
types of scars such as traumatic scars, we've even
treated Afncan-American patients with type six
skin" without any adverse effects.
Hyperpigmentation concern
In the past, he says, he and his colleagues (coauthors
Helen F. Fincher, M.D., and Ronald L
Moy, M.D.) would liave tumed away patients with
darker skin out of concern for creating hyperpigmentation
with CO. and erbium laser treatments.
"The study provides a good
initial iook into how
effective this laser is. Based
on patients we have treated,
the results have been
outstanding."
a Edgar F. Fincher, M.D.
University of Caiifornia, Los Angeles
David Geffen Schooi of Medicine
Skin type notwithstanding, he says, these
lasers, moreover, required at least two to three
weeks' downtime to achieve a s^nificant improvement
in acne scars. Conversely, Dr. Fincher says
nonablative lasers provided only minimal (10
percent to 15 percent) improvement.
However, he says that although no laser can
completely reverse scarring, "llie Fraxei offers
significant improvement and high patient satisfection
with minimal post-treatment recovery.
The ability to safely treat patients of all phototypes
makes this laser especially valuable and
unique."
Study protocoi
The study protocol involved performing a series
of five to six treatments spaced two to four weeks
apart. After each treatment. Dr. Fincher says,
patients experienced redness and erythema for
one to four days. However, no patients required
changing bandages or missing work, he says.
"Our initial result was that we got a faster
and better response with higher treatment energies,"
Dr. Fincher says. "Treatment settings were
considered aggressive, with patients treated at
18 to 21 mj/cm^ and receiving approximately
1,250 to 1,500 microthermal zones (MTZ, the
manufecturer's method of measuring density)."
He explains, "The way the Fraxel works is
that it has a scanner in the handpiece, so it basically
fires a grid of tiny laser beams into the skin.
There are two different density settings a 250
or 125 MTZ per square centimeter."
Although Reliant provided researchers with
no recommended energy levels for treating acne
scars, the company typically recommends a setting
of 10 mj and a density of 250 MTZ for
treating pigmentary changes. Dr. Fincher says.
To achieve the desired response, he says, he and
his coUeagues treated patients for an average of
10 to 12 passes at the 125 MTZ setting.
"It's a new technology and a new method of
treating the skin," he says. "Every other laser we've
used basically treats every square pixel, so to
speak, or skin cell. This one leaves normal sldn
in between" microscopic treated zones.
Study wealtnesses
Potential weaknesses of the study include its
small size and the fact that it relied on investigators
and patients for subjective evaluations of
patient progress. Dr. Fincher says.
However, he says, "The study provides a good
initial look into how effective this laser is. Based on
patients we have treated, the results have been outstanding.
'Ilie lasers ability to treat darker skin types
opens a new avenue to treat a large population of
patients that we previously weren't able to treat It's
a very safe laser, and 1 believe we'll be using it to
treat acne scars for many years." DT
Disclosure: Dr. Fincher reports no financial interests
reievantto this articie.
For more information:
www.dgsom.heaithsciences.iJCLA.edu
SI 6 DermatologyTimes
Wow. Where did you find this information?
Here is something else interesting I found. Not related to fraxel, but a couple of people on this thread said they had clogged pores:
Title: Find More Like This[sebaceous filaments (author's transl)]
Abstract: Sebaceous filaments are cylindrical tubes of whitish-yellowish color, which can be expressed from areas of the face rich in sebaceous follicles by pinching the skin or by the cyanoacrylat-technique. Sebaceous filaments are most commonly found in the centrofacial areas and the alae nasae in postpuberal individuals with large facial pores and seborrhea. Sebaceous filaments are composed of a skeleton of 10-30 horny cell layers which enclose a mixture of bacteria, sebaceous lipid, corneocyte fragments and one hair. Following the expression of the filament the follicle refills within 30 days. The various portions of sebaceous follicles (acro- and infrainfundibulum) and the follicular contents are presented at the light microscopial and ultrastructural level. Follicles containing sebaceous filaments have a conspicuous granular layer and no acanthosis. Sebaceous filaments should be differentiated from a microcomedo and trichostasis spinolosa. They are a common morphological variant of sebaceous follicles.
Persistent link to this record: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir...site=ehost-live
Database MEDLINE
================================================================================================================================================================
Title: Find More Like ThisExtraction of follicular horny impactions of the face by polymers. Efficacy and safety of a cosmetic pore-cleansing strip (BiorAA).
Abstract: "Clogged, prominent, dark pores" are a common complaint of older women. At least seven pore stripping tapes have been recently introduced by manufacturers of cosmetic products, for use in extracting horny material retained in sebaceous follicles of the face. We evaluated a popular pore-cleansing strip, BlorAAAA Pore PerfectAazA, for efficacy and irritancy. The ability of BiorAA to remove horny material was compared to the cyanoacrylate follicular biopsy, the "gold standard" for extraction. The removal of horny casts, bundles of vellus hairs (trichostasis), and long vellus hairs was assessed by photographic techniques, via epiluminescence, high-resolution videomicroscopy and fluorescence digital photography. Safety was evaluated by repeated applications of the strips to the same area. BiorAA strips were especially effective for removing horny impactions (microcomedones) and trichostatic bundles on the nose. No inflammatory reactions or increased tenderness were observed following repeated strippings, Patient satisfaction was high. Cyanoacrylate had an appreciably greater capacity to extract horny impactions and vellus hairs but was considerably more aggressive. Concomitant treatment with a tretinoin cream enhanced the capacity of BiorAA to extract horny casts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Persistent link to this record: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir...site=ehost-live
Database Academic Search Premier
**This last clinical paper has awesome photos of the pore strips under a microscope, as well as microscopic views of the pores before and after extraction.**
Hi Everyone,
I had my first Fraxel on Tuesday afternoon. It is now Thursday evening and I am already peeling. I am worried that it is too soon. I have been keeping moisturized as instructed. Is it normal to peel within two days? Thank you for any responses.
My whole face peels the day after fraxel. Then it peels again over the next few days. Last time, the doc went to 40mjs on a second set of passes over my bad areas and I had flaking off and on for about two weeks.
I'm older and I am already seeing positive results after 3 treatments, so I'd say fast peeling isn't a problem you should worry about.
Hi Everyone,
I had my first Fraxel on Tuesday afternoon. It is now Thursday evening and I am already peeling. I am worried that it is too soon. I have been keeping moisturized as instructed. Is it normal to peel within two days? Thank you for any responses.
What is your energy setting and how many passes?
Shyone
Congrats on results. Spot treating at 40 is really aggressive, but I think the right way to go. You must have a doc that knows how to treat scars.
Would you mind providing the density, passes and mjs on your last treatment, including spot. Also, pre and post photos are great to post (becasue we have so few), but I think meaningless at this stage of treatment because you will see much greater improvement over the next 6 months.
congrats again
Hey guys, I'm on day 14. Skin is less red. I'm still flaky. Not seeing much improvement. What type of moistuerizer do you guys use? I've tried aloe vera, it is pretty dry and makes my skin feel tight. It also makes it more red. Simply Me: Is it the same with you?
I also used Uttery Smooth, it is nice but feels little greesy for me. I cannot use MD Forte because it burns like Aloe Vera. I'm bummed out cause I paid over $50 for that and it's useless. Right now I'm using St. Ives body lotion and it feels the best. Is there a difference btw. body lotion and face lotion? Is it also normal that my scars are still red looking in over 2 years? Should my skin be normal by now? Feel little impatient about it. What do you guys do to calm yourself down?