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For reals, a persons collagen diminshes after a certain age?
i read that it diminished after 25. 25 yrs old that is.
Yeah, somewhere around there...
I've read that there are also different "kinds" of collagen; at age 4, most of the collagen in your skin is 'collagen III' but by the time you're 50, most of the collagen in your skin is 'collagen I.' Collagen III is more flexible or something. Anyway, it's why little kids have such wonderful skin, and the transition to mostly collagen I is why older people have not so wonderful skin...
MZ, I'm 46 so my collagen is diminished already, and you know what? I see DEFINITE improvement in a couple of saucer shaped "chicken pox" looking scars. This became really noticeable after the third treatment.
You're a lot younger than me, so I think you'll have much better improvement than I can even hope for!
'The waiting is the hardest part'
Hang in there, and good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement. I felt real down and emotional today. I realize that I get this way when I keep feelings to myself. It's almost like a routine that I have to be sad at least once a week or in two weeks. Yeah I'm not very good with waiting. I'll try to stay patient and positive.
Shyone, still no word on your settings? LOL Yup, I am very curious on what settings the office is using on you.
How are you doing today? Has the swelling started to go down?
No Kj reading available. 😯
Treatment was full face, 20mjs at treatment level 10, 10 passes, additional passes 40mjs, treatment level 8, I think 8 passes. My chart wasn't in front of her when we talked, so this was from memory - she said she'd email me but I haven't rec'd it yet.
Today I'm flaking and still pretty red. Swelling has been going down. I figure one or two more days of complete hibernation and I'll be able to be out and about again.
Set my last appointment for 12/4 - I can't WAIT to be done!
MZ, I'm 46 so my collagen is diminished already, and you know what? I see DEFINITE improvement in a couple of saucer shaped "chicken pox" looking scars. This became really noticeable after the third treatment.
You're a lot younger than me, so I think you'll have much better improvement than I can even hope for!
'The waiting is the hardest part'
Hang in there, and good luck!
hey 🙂
i know how easy it is to get down about things.
but i hope you can get through it.. and realise that things are likely to get much better 🙂
i started seeing real improvements about 1.5 weeks after my second treatment and i think you will too..
good luck 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement. I felt real down and emotional today. I realize that I get this way when I keep feelings to myself. It's almost like a routine that I have to be sad at least once a week or in two weeks. Yeah I'm not very good with waiting. I'll try to stay patient and positive.
MZ, I'm 46 so my collagen is diminished already, and you know what? I see DEFINITE improvement in a couple of saucer shaped "chicken pox" looking scars. This became really noticeable after the third treatment.
You're a lot younger than me, so I think you'll have much better improvement than I can even hope for!
'The waiting is the hardest part'
Hang in there, and good luck!
hey 🙂
i know how easy it is to get down about things.
but i hope you can get through it.. and realise that things are likely to get much better 🙂
i started seeing real improvements about 1.5 weeks after my second treatment and i think you will too..
good luck 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement. I felt real down and emotional today. I realize that I get this way when I keep feelings to myself. It's almost like a routine that I have to be sad at least once a week or in two weeks. Yeah I'm not very good with waiting. I'll try to stay patient and positive.
melb666: OK. I keep that in mind. What was your settings? Are you satisfied with the treatment?
I looked over the all of the photos I took today. I don't think some of my previous photos were clear enough but I found 2 more photos that looks abit better. Here it is.
ps: I'll take it down probably tomorrow night. I will save them and post them again if I see major improvement for comparison.
pps: Thanks again guys for being supportive.
Shyone, still no word on your settings? LOL Yup, I am very curious on what settings the office is using on you.
How are you doing today? Has the swelling started to go down?
No Kj reading available. 😯
Treatment was full face, 20mjs at treatment level 10, 10 passes, additional passes 40mjs, treatment level 8, I think 8 passes. My chart wasn't in front of her when we talked, so this was from memory - she said she'd email me but I haven't rec'd it yet.
Today I'm flaking and still pretty red. Swelling has been going down. I figure one or two more days of complete hibernation and I'll be able to be out and about again.
Set my last appointment for 12/4 - I can't WAIT to be done!
I stayed in for around 3 days (Thurs-Sun) and I went out the 3rd night (Sun night) so not to bad but I was going nuts not being able to leave the house.
I have been trying to learn how to take close up pictures of my skin with my new camera. Most of the pics I take turn out blurry. I think most of my swelling is gone already from looking at the pics. I can see the lines around my mouth and the deeper scars again 🙁 The texture and my complextion looks a LOT better but I'm still a little red.
Everyone who's doing the Fraxel if you have a digital camera take pics of you before, during and after. It really helps you see what's going on. It depresses me at times but when I go back and try to objectivily look at the pics I don't think I look as bad as I do in my head.
How long after having a Fraxel can you start using your glycolic and retinols?
Is anyone doing any other treatments in between Fraxel treatments? Would having microderms 2 weeks after to keep the complexion fresh? I just want to optimize my treatments. Maybe I'm getting to excited.
MZ, I'm 46 so my collagen is diminished already, and you know what? I see DEFINITE improvement in a couple of saucer shaped "chicken pox" looking scars. This became really noticeable after the third treatment.
You're a lot younger than me, so I think you'll have much better improvement than I can even hope for!
'The waiting is the hardest part'
Hang in there, and good luck!
hey 🙂
i know how easy it is to get down about things.
but i hope you can get through it.. and realise that things are likely to get much better 🙂
i started seeing real improvements about 1.5 weeks after my second treatment and i think you will too..
good luck 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement. I felt real down and emotional today. I realize that I get this way when I keep feelings to myself. It's almost like a routine that I have to be sad at least once a week or in two weeks. Yeah I'm not very good with waiting. I'll try to stay patient and positive.
melb666: OK. I keep that in mind. What was your settings? Are you satisfied with the treatment?
my settings are a little confusing because of the way i split my treatments up and because i'm also treating a patch of skin for pigmentation (gravel tattoo)
but for my 2nd treatment:
Part 1 = 2/3 of left cheek (8 passes, 17j, 125 mtz) and a 1 inch strip above my upper lip (8 passes, 6j, 250 mtz). Total energy for part 1 was 1.23 kJ
Part 2 = 2/3 of right cheek and a 1 inch diameter circle on my forehead (8 passes each, 10j 125 mtz). Total energy for part 2 was 1.62 kJ
i actually had my 3rd treatment yesterday (part 1) and today (part 2)
so i'm currently very red and swollen
but am also really hoping 3 treatments will be enough as i'm going to the US until late feb so won't get any more treatments for ages 🙁
Everyone who's doing the Fraxel if you have a digital camera take pics of you before, during and after. It really helps you see what's going on. It depresses me at times but when I go back and try to objectivily look at the pics I don't think I look as bad as I do in my head.
I haven't taken any photos while I'm red and flakey. I took a few "before" pics, then I've been taking more right before I go in for the next treatment. That way, I figure I'm seeing exactly how much change there has been from one treatment to the next.
I am really not good at taking pictures. Just the tiniest bit of difference in position or lighting can change what the picture shows, and for the life of me, I can't get the photos to match up right.
How long after having a Fraxel can you start using your glycolic and retinols?
Is anyone doing any other treatments in between Fraxel treatments? Would having microderms 2 weeks after to keep the complexion fresh? I just want to optimize my treatments. Maybe I'm getting to excited.
I have used aha to clear a breakout about a week after (and two weeks before the next one). No retinols.
I'm not doing any other treatments.
Has anyone else had a MASSIVE breakout from Fraxel? I had at least 15 deep acne lesions several days after Fraxel, around my mouth and nose only. Don't know if the Fraxel gets to bacteria under the skin and sends it upward and outward or if it could have come from the slather of products I was on. I am not looking forward to this happening again. I am just now getting it under control. Switched to Cetaphil wash and moisturizer...the product I was on from the doc was full of copper peptides. I thought copper was good for the skin. Any info on this? Thanks.
BTW, I am waiting to post pics until all of the acne is gone because the inflammation from so many makes the scars worse as you all know.
Has anyone else had a MASSIVE breakout from Fraxel? I had at least 15 deep acne lesions several days after Fraxel, around my mouth and nose only. Don't know if the Fraxel gets to bacteria under the skin and sends it upward and outward or if it could have come from the slather of products I was on. I am not looking forward to this happening again. I am just now getting it under control. Switched to Cetaphil wash and moisturizer...the product I was on from the doc was full of copper peptides. I thought copper was good for the skin. Any info on this? Thanks.
BTW, I am waiting to post pics until all of the acne is gone because the inflammation from so many makes the scars worse as you all know.
i don't personally but i did speak to another lady at my clinic who had experienced a breakout
the only info i can find about this is in a study which attributes it to occlusive moisturisers.
also, there are some reports that fraxel increases the oil production of your skin.. so i guess that could contribute too
maybe switch products for the early days after treatment?
Sean had some good suggestions about taking pictures indoors in same room in same light. I had my youngest take outdoor, close up shots at angle to hgihlight scars, but they did not match up well due to changes in angle and lighting.
You need to have someone else to take photos to get a nonblurred close up.
Has anyone else had a MASSIVE breakout from Fraxel? I had at least 15 deep acne lesions several days after Fraxel, around my mouth and nose only. Don't know if the Fraxel gets to bacteria under the skin and sends it upward and outward or if it could have come from the slather of products I was on. I am not looking forward to this happening again. I am just now getting it under control. Switched to Cetaphil wash and moisturizer...the product I was on from the doc was full of copper peptides. I thought copper was good for the skin. Any info on this? Thanks.
BTW, I am waiting to post pics until all of the acne is gone because the inflammation from so many makes the scars worse as you all know.
i don't personally but i did speak to another lady at my clinic who had experienced a breakout
the only info i can find about this is in a study which attributes it to occlusive moisturisers.
also, there are some reports that fraxel increases the oil production of your skin.. so i guess that could contribute too
maybe switch products for the early days after treatment?
That sounds right. One of the products said it was "less occlusive" than the other one that was more occlusive. They gave me a new cream for next time (biafine). I was hoping it was not the Fraxel causing the breakout because it was terrible and I would not want to get more scarring. Thanks.
Has anyone else had a MASSIVE breakout from Fraxel? I had at least 15 deep acne lesions several days after Fraxel, around my mouth and nose only. Don't know if the Fraxel gets to bacteria under the skin and sends it upward and outward or if it could have come from the slather of products I was on. I am not looking forward to this happening again. I am just now getting it under control. Switched to Cetaphil wash and moisturizer...the product I was on from the doc was full of copper peptides. I thought copper was good for the skin. Any info on this? Thanks.
BTW, I am waiting to post pics until all of the acne is gone because the inflammation from so many makes the scars worse as you all know.
I break out for the first two days on my chin mainly but they are just small little pus filled pimples that break open fairly easily when I wash my face (and I wash it pretty gently) but I havn't had any serious breakouts.
I use Replenix Serum first (it has caffeine and green tea in it) then I put on MD Forte Replenish Hydrator for moisture for the first 3 or 4 days. If I go out of the house I use Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF 15. This combination doesn't seem to break me out and I break out very easily from heavy moisturizer usually.
Fraxel2 2nd Treatment
Hey guys, just got back from my 2nd treatment. My doc. had upgraded the SR1500 to the newest model SR1500 (New Tip and More Info. show up on the screen). I asked her about how many treatments I need, she wasn't specific but she said as many as I want and that I should at least have 5 treatments to get 100% coverage. It was painful today expecially on my way home (~1/2 hrs. drive). She treated me with energy level 25 mj, treatment level: 10, and 10 passes. I think 159 or 169 was what the nurse measured in the beginning when she checked the areas of my face getting treated. And I saw 2.45 KJ and next to it 2.64 KJ. I'm not exact sure but those are my estimates (Can't remember it exactly). Does anyone know what they mean? I can't imagine going up to level 40. Doesn't it hurt alot? Do you guys think 25 mj is high enough to treat for acne scars with this model?
edited: I'm getting pinpoint bleeding others talked about. Its only few spots. I'm also getting this liquid stuff coming out of my skin. Does anyone know what it is?? Is it blisters forming??? But skin is red and swollen as usual.
Fraxel2 2nd Treatment
Hey guys, just got back from my 2nd treatment. My doc. had upgraded the SR1500 to the newest model SR1500 (New Tip and More Info. show up on the screen). I asked her about how many treatments I need, she wasn't specific but she said as many as I want and that I should at least have 5 treatments to get 100% coverage. It was painful today expecially on my way home (~1/2 hrs. drive). She treated me with energy level 25 mj, treatment level: 10, and 10 passes. I think 159 or 169 was what the nurse measured in the beginning when she checked the areas of my face getting treated. And I saw 2.45 KJ and next to it 2.64 KJ. I'm not exact sure but those are my estimates (Can't remember it exactly). Does anyone know what they mean? I can't imagine going up to level 40. Doesn't it hurt alot? Do you guys think 25 mj is high enough to treat for acne scars on this model?
edited: I'm getting pinpoint bleeding others talked about. Its only few spots. I'm also getting this liquid stuff coming out of my skin. Does anyone know what it is?? Is it blisters forming??? But skin is red and swollen as usual.
I would call the doctor as ask about the liquid coming out of your skin. Not sure what that is. I had a few blister like places on my skin but it just turned into flaky skin.
I am doing level 40 and yes it is pretty uncomfortable. The doctor really presses the tip down on my face pretty hard to get a good flat surface.
My face swells up really badly. I showed a friend who lives out of my state a picture of my swollen face online and she didn't recongize me. 😆
2.64 KJ is the total energy. Mine was a little higher then yours I guess because of the 40 setting
Good luck. Try setting the AC in your car directly on your face on your drive home. That helps me a lot.
Do you have this mask? Natragel Enriched Gel Mask This mask is so cooling on your face for the first three days after treatment.. I LOVE it! I ordered one for each treatment and they are cheaper then my doc office sells them for.
Good luck and don't get discouraged.
Fraxel2 2nd Treatment
Hey guys, just got back from my 2nd treatment. My doc. had upgraded the SR1500 to the newest model SR1500 (New Tip and More Info. show up on the screen). I asked her about how many treatments I need, she wasn't specific but she said as many as I want and that I should at least have 5 treatments to get 100% coverage. It was painful today expecially on my way home (~1/2 hrs. drive). She treated me with energy level 25 mj, treatment level: 10, and 10 passes. I think 159 or 169 was what the nurse measured in the beginning when she checked the areas of my face getting treated. And I saw 2.45 KJ and next to it 2.64 KJ. I'm not exact sure but those are my estimates (Can't remember it exactly). Does anyone know what they mean? I can't imagine going up to level 40. Doesn't it hurt alot? Do you guys think 25 mj is high enough to treat for acne scars on this model?
edited: I'm getting pinpoint bleeding others talked about. Its only few spots. I'm also getting this liquid stuff coming out of my skin. Does anyone know what it is?? Is it blisters forming??? But skin is red and swollen as usual.
I would call the doctor as ask about the liquid coming out of your skin. Not sure what that is. I had a few blister like places on my skin but it just turned into flaky skin.
I am doing level 40 and yes it is pretty uncomfortable. The doctor really presses the tip down on my face pretty hard to get a good flat surface.
My face swells up really badly. I showed a friend who lives out of my state a picture of my swollen face online and she didn't recongize me. 😆
2.64 KJ is the total energy. Mine was a little higher then yours I guess because of the 40 setting
Good luck. Try setting the AC in your car directly on your face on your drive home. That helps me a lot.
Do you have this mask? Natragel Enriched Gel Mask This mask is so cooling on your face for the first three days after treatment.. I LOVE it! I ordered one for each treatment and they are cheaper then my doc office sells them for.
Good luck and don't get discouraged.
jjp007: U are so brave. I wasn't all excited today unlike the first treatment.
It's better now. I think the liquid is from the Aloe the nurse apply on my skin. It made it bubblely might be my skin was hot. I just woke up from a nap but I'm really swollen now. I don't know if my doc. pressed real hard but there was pressing and I was more aware on the pain. The pinpoint spots were on my cheek bone area near the eye (Like 3 dots). I actually did turn on the AC, I remembered it helped cool my face the 1st time. No I don't have the mask but I'll check out the link. Do you leave the mask on for 3 days?
edited: I'm rereading this forum and I realized that I didn't get the density. Can we calculate that ourselves?
Here is what I had:
Fraxel 2
CHEEKS ONLY
Treatment Level 10
10 Passes
KJ ~2.64
Energy Fluency (MJ) 25
Density ???
edited2: The machine at the doc. office says SR1500, I guess I had the Fraxel2 on my first treatment also but w/o the new tip or upgrade. If i'm wrong someone correct me.
edited3: I finished rereading the last 6 pages. Base on the discussions here I guess my KJ is low for treating scars.
Hi I'm thinking of having fraxel done on my mild acne scars (rolling scars) but because i'm asian (chinese) I'm afraid of hyperpigmentation and wanted to know if i have treatments at 8-10mj will it still stimulate collagen growth. Also I'm from New Zealand and there is only 2 places in my country with fraxel laser (most likely fraxel 1) Do you guys think I should get it done locally or overseas with more experienced docs
Hi I'm thinking of having fraxel done on my mild acne scars (rolling scars) but because i'm asian (chinese) I'm afraid of hyperpigmentation and wanted to know if i have treatments at 8-10mj will it still stimulate collagen growth. Also I'm from New Zealand and there is only 2 places in my country with fraxel laser (most likely fraxel 1) Do you guys think I should get it done locally or overseas with more experienced docs
Hey i'm Chinese too and so far I'm not having bad experience with the treatment. My setting were 15, 18, and 25 this time. At least go in for a consulation with the doctors in your area.
Hi I'm thinking of having fraxel done on my mild acne scars (rolling scars) but because i'm asian (chinese) I'm afraid of hyperpigmentation and wanted to know if i have treatments at 8-10mj will it still stimulate collagen growth. Also I'm from New Zealand and there is only 2 places in my country with fraxel laser (most likely fraxel 1) Do you guys think I should get it done locally or overseas with more experienced docs
Hey i'm Chinese too and so far I'm not having bad experience with the treatment. My setting were 15, 18, and 25 this time. At least go in for a consulation with the doctors in your area.
Did you hyperpigmentate? if so did it last or was it a tempoary thing? how are the results of you treatment
Hi I'm thinking of having fraxel done on my mild acne scars (rolling scars) but because i'm asian (chinese) I'm afraid of hyperpigmentation and wanted to know if i have treatments at 8-10mj will it still stimulate collagen growth. Also I'm from New Zealand and there is only 2 places in my country with fraxel laser (most likely fraxel 1) Do you guys think I should get it done locally or overseas with more experienced docs
Hey i'm Chinese too and so far I'm not having bad experience with the treatment. My setting were 15, 18, and 25 this time. At least go in for a consulation with the doctors in your area.
Did you hyperpigmentate? if so did it last or was it a tempoary thing? how are the results of you treatment
Temporary. I've just started treatment so I can't conclude anything yet.
Hi I'm thinking of having fraxel done on my mild acne scars (rolling scars) but because i'm asian (chinese) I'm afraid of hyperpigmentation and wanted to know if i have treatments at 8-10mj will it still stimulate collagen growth. Also I'm from New Zealand and there is only 2 places in my country with fraxel laser (most likely fraxel 1) Do you guys think I should get it done locally or overseas with more experienced docs
Hey i'm Chinese too and so far I'm not having bad experience with the treatment. My setting were 15, 18, and 25 this time. At least go in for a consulation with the doctors in your area.
Did you hyperpigmentate? if so did it last or was it a tempoary thing? how are the results of you treatment
Temporary. I've just started treatment so I can't conclude anything yet.
Ok thx alot hope you get gtreat results.