Acne.org Products
Hi. I was on this thread nonstop this summer and got my first treatment with Dr. Rohksar in July. I am Asian and was treated at level 20. I haven't been back on to check the messages since then, but since I'm planning to get a second on in December I wanted to see if there was any new news. I read the latest 10 pages and have a couple of questions:
1) What's the deal between Fraxel 1 and 2?
2) I didn't have any hyperpigmentation problems when I had my treatment, but there are a lot of comments about using hydroquonine (or something) cream 2 weeks before treatment. Advice?
3) Level 20 was considered a pretty agressive treatment when I did it...is this still pretty aggressive?
MZ,
I know this is the Fraxel thread, and I am down with it, so I hope I don't upset anyone with this. I just had my fraxel and am enjoying the redness and dry skin and swelling as much as anybody else. So please bear with me here...
With regards to Sculptra, it's about 900.00-1000.00 dollars a vial (with my doc, anyway). Here is a link to how it works:
Like Fraxel, it doesn't work immediately, and it may not help icepick scars as much, except for the fact that it adds volume to the face and causes collagen growth, which is what Fraxel is after. I'm going to use 4-5 fraxels and 3 Sculptra sessions over the next 6 months. Then you have to wait another 3 months to see what will happen. I think the common thread between all of us is we want some hope that all of this stuff will have an effect, but there are too many variables to get a definitive answer (different people react differently and heal differently, it takes time, etc.)
It's true Scuptra is not permanent, and that's why I am pushing with Fraxel as hard as I can, with that as a supplement. However, general consensus is it could last 3-5 years, because it is based on creating collagen, and not just a "filler" like the others mentioned in this thread. The study only lasted 2 years, and at the end of two years, average increase in dermal thickness went from something like 7.2 down to only 7.0. At that rate, it's projected to last at least 3 years, and probably 5. As with other treatments, some results are permanent, so if you did maintenance injections eventually you would need less and less.
I think it's worth considering, because it does the same type of thing as Fraxel, theoretically, but you don't have to worry about the redness, peeling, swelling, all that stuff.
Just throwing it out there. I still have a lot of hope for Fraxel. My face looks "good" today, but I know it's because of the swelling. It would be nice to stay swollen all the time. 
-DreamersRage
Troubled and JJ
I looked at the surgical scar on website. I presume left side was treated with Fraxel and right was untreated. The white scar line was more evident on the right side. Candidly, however, unless I am missing something, I am not sure which side looked better, as the left side was red and irritated, even though this hid the white scar line..
I'd be interested in your comments because I may be missing something and I have a surgical line to fix.
DREAMERSRAGE- you have alot of goog points regarding Fraxel and sculptura. I too am going for my first fraxel next friday, however I just want to give you some back round on my experience with sculptura.
I got one vial of sculptura in august. I have loss of colagen in my chin. I takes about a month to see a difference and then it does build from there. I then had my next vial in March. I have to say that while it does plump the skin some, it does nothing for texture, where fraxel should come in. I did get some results from sculptura, however, i'm already seeing a loss of plumpness already. As you said everyone is different, however I don't believe that this filler will last me a total of 3-5 years.
I'm looking into the silicon microdroplet meathod. It's permanent, and it's injected into the skin over several months. I wish you luck with what your doing, but if i were to do it over again, i'm not sure i would waste the 2k on sculptura. just my two cents. 
MZ,
I know this is the Fraxel thread, and I am down with it, so I hope I don't upset anyone with this. I just had my fraxel and am enjoying the redness and dry skin and swelling as much as anybody else. So please bear with me here...
With regards to Sculptra, it's about 900.00-1000.00 dollars a vial (with my doc, anyway). Here is a link to how it works:
Like Fraxel, it doesn't work immediately, and it may not help icepick scars as much, except for the fact that it adds volume to the face and causes collagen growth, which is what Fraxel is after. I'm going to use 4-5 fraxels and 3 Sculptra sessions over the next 6 months. Then you have to wait another 3 months to see what will happen. I think the common thread between all of us is we want some hope that all of this stuff will have an effect, but there are too many variables to get a definitive answer (different people react differently and heal differently, it takes time, etc.)
It's true Scuptra is not permanent, and that's why I am pushing with Fraxel as hard as I can, with that as a supplement. However, general consensus is it could last 3-5 years, because it is based on creating collagen, and not just a "filler" like the others mentioned in this thread. The study only lasted 2 years, and at the end of two years, average increase in dermal thickness went from something like 7.2 down to only 7.0. At that rate, it's projected to last at least 3 years, and probably 5. As with other treatments, some results are permanent, so if you did maintenance injections eventually you would need less and less.
I think it's worth considering, because it does the same type of thing as Fraxel, theoretically, but you don't have to worry about the redness, peeling, swelling, all that stuff.
Just throwing it out there. I still have a lot of hope for Fraxel. My face looks "good" today, but I know it's because of the swelling. It would be nice to stay swollen all the time. 😀
-DreamersRage
Thanks for the link and description. Sculptra is really expensive. Is that the price for 1 treatment? I'm kindda sad right now. My skin looks bad today, the escision scars looks wider now than before. I'm hoping that it level eventually. I'm hearing that there will be a tissue loss from excision and that it will not produce collagen.
My surgical scar is similar to Billyboys.
MZ,
I know this is the Fraxel thread, and I am down with it, so I hope I don't upset anyone with this. I just had my fraxel and am enjoying the redness and dry skin and swelling as much as anybody else. So please bear with me here...
With regards to Sculptra, it's about 900.00-1000.00 dollars a vial (with my doc, anyway). Here is a link to how it works:
Like Fraxel, it doesn't work immediately, and it may not help icepick scars as much, except for the fact that it adds volume to the face and causes collagen growth, which is what Fraxel is after. I'm going to use 4-5 fraxels and 3 Sculptra sessions over the next 6 months. Then you have to wait another 3 months to see what will happen. I think the common thread between all of us is we want some hope that all of this stuff will have an effect, but there are too many variables to get a definitive answer (different people react differently and heal differently, it takes time, etc.)
It's true Scuptra is not permanent, and that's why I am pushing with Fraxel as hard as I can, with that as a supplement. However, general consensus is it could last 3-5 years, because it is based on creating collagen, and not just a "filler" like the others mentioned in this thread. The study only lasted 2 years, and at the end of two years, average increase in dermal thickness went from something like 7.2 down to only 7.0. At that rate, it's projected to last at least 3 years, and probably 5. As with other treatments, some results are permanent, so if you did maintenance injections eventually you would need less and less.
I think it's worth considering, because it does the same type of thing as Fraxel, theoretically, but you don't have to worry about the redness, peeling, swelling, all that stuff.
Just throwing it out there. I still have a lot of hope for Fraxel. My face looks "good" today, but I know it's because of the swelling. It would be nice to stay swollen all the time. 😀
-DreamersRage
Thanks for the link and description. Sculptra is really expensive. Is that the price for 1 treatment? I'm kindda sad right now. My skin looks bad today, the escision scars looks wider now than before. I'm hoping that it level eventually. I'm hearing that there will be a tissue loss from excision and that it will not produce collagen.
My surgical scar is similar to Billyboys.
The 1000.00 is for a whole vial. Plus, my doc is in an affluent suburb of Atlanta, and I am sure it is overpriced. My fraxel was also 1000.00 (I did catch a one time special of 600.00 for the first one, but from here on out, it's a grand). I don't know that you would need a whole vial of Sculptra, but it's hard to tell. I haven't gotten there myself yet. I'll let you know when I ask my doc. The excision scar should level eventually, and the fraxel should really help with that. Don't be sad. I've been there. You can only do so much, everything else is up to the Universe and Time.
MZ,
I know this is the Fraxel thread, and I am down with it, so I hope I don't upset anyone with this. I just had my fraxel and am enjoying the redness and dry skin and swelling as much as anybody else. So please bear with me here...
With regards to Sculptra, it's about 900.00-1000.00 dollars a vial (with my doc, anyway). Here is a link to how it works:
Like Fraxel, it doesn't work immediately, and it may not help icepick scars as much, except for the fact that it adds volume to the face and causes collagen growth, which is what Fraxel is after. I'm going to use 4-5 fraxels and 3 Sculptra sessions over the next 6 months. Then you have to wait another 3 months to see what will happen. I think the common thread between all of us is we want some hope that all of this stuff will have an effect, but there are too many variables to get a definitive answer (different people react differently and heal differently, it takes time, etc.)
It's true Scuptra is not permanent, and that's why I am pushing with Fraxel as hard as I can, with that as a supplement. However, general consensus is it could last 3-5 years, because it is based on creating collagen, and not just a "filler" like the others mentioned in this thread. The study only lasted 2 years, and at the end of two years, average increase in dermal thickness went from something like 7.2 down to only 7.0. At that rate, it's projected to last at least 3 years, and probably 5. As with other treatments, some results are permanent, so if you did maintenance injections eventually you would need less and less.
I think it's worth considering, because it does the same type of thing as Fraxel, theoretically, but you don't have to worry about the redness, peeling, swelling, all that stuff.
Just throwing it out there. I still have a lot of hope for Fraxel. My face looks "good" today, but I know it's because of the swelling. It would be nice to stay swollen all the time. 😀
-DreamersRage
Thanks for the link and description. Sculptra is really expensive. Is that the price for 1 treatment? I'm kindda sad right now. My skin looks bad today, the escision scars looks wider now than before. I'm hoping that it level eventually. I'm hearing that there will be a tissue loss from excision and that it will not produce collagen.
My surgical scar is similar to Billyboys.
The 1000.00 is for a whole vial. Plus, my doc is in an affluent suburb of Atlanta, and I am sure it is overpriced. My fraxel was also 1000.00 (I did catch a one time special of 600.00 for the first one, but from here on out, it's a grand). I don't know that you would need a whole vial of Sculptra, but it's hard to tell. I haven't gotten there myself yet. I'll let you know when I ask my doc. The excision scar should level eventually, and the fraxel should really help with that. Don't be sad. I've been there. You can only do so much, everything else is up to the Universe and Time.
Hey thanks so much. I just don't like hearing bad news. I thought excision was a good idea to have done before resurfacing. That is why I decided to go for it. I thought I did enough research and that I made a good decision. It was hard to stay positive today, as I went to apply moistuerizer, I felt numb and was shaked up a bit after seeing my scars and the rough texture. I feel like my face is a disaster now. I will have to contact another doc. possibly a P/S because my derm. doesn't seem to carry Sculptra. I will still ask her about it on my next appt. Would it be a good idea to try a temporary filler first? I don't want to make any wrong moves.
MZ,
I know this is the Fraxel thread, and I am down with it, so I hope I don't upset anyone with this. I just had my fraxel and am enjoying the redness and dry skin and swelling as much as anybody else. So please bear with me here...
With regards to Sculptra, it's about 900.00-1000.00 dollars a vial (with my doc, anyway). Here is a link to how it works:
Like Fraxel, it doesn't work immediately, and it may not help icepick scars as much, except for the fact that it adds volume to the face and causes collagen growth, which is what Fraxel is after. I'm going to use 4-5 fraxels and 3 Sculptra sessions over the next 6 months. Then you have to wait another 3 months to see what will happen. I think the common thread between all of us is we want some hope that all of this stuff will have an effect, but there are too many variables to get a definitive answer (different people react differently and heal differently, it takes time, etc.)
It's true Scuptra is not permanent, and that's why I am pushing with Fraxel as hard as I can, with that as a supplement. However, general consensus is it could last 3-5 years, because it is based on creating collagen, and not just a "filler" like the others mentioned in this thread. The study only lasted 2 years, and at the end of two years, average increase in dermal thickness went from something like 7.2 down to only 7.0. At that rate, it's projected to last at least 3 years, and probably 5. As with other treatments, some results are permanent, so if you did maintenance injections eventually you would need less and less.
I think it's worth considering, because it does the same type of thing as Fraxel, theoretically, but you don't have to worry about the redness, peeling, swelling, all that stuff.
Just throwing it out there. I still have a lot of hope for Fraxel. My face looks "good" today, but I know it's because of the swelling. It would be nice to stay swollen all the time. 😀
-DreamersRage
Thanks for the link and description. Sculptra is really expensive. Is that the price for 1 treatment? I'm kindda sad right now. My skin looks bad today, the escision scars looks wider now than before. I'm hoping that it level eventually. I'm hearing that there will be a tissue loss from excision and that it will not produce collagen.
My surgical scar is similar to Billyboys.
The 1000.00 is for a whole vial. Plus, my doc is in an affluent suburb of Atlanta, and I am sure it is overpriced. My fraxel was also 1000.00 (I did catch a one time special of 600.00 for the first one, but from here on out, it's a grand). I don't know that you would need a whole vial of Sculptra, but it's hard to tell. I haven't gotten there myself yet. I'll let you know when I ask my doc. The excision scar should level eventually, and the fraxel should really help with that. Don't be sad. I've been there. You can only do so much, everything else is up to the Universe and Time.
Hey thanks so much. I just don't like hearing bad news. I thought excision was a good idea to have done before resurfacing. That is why I decided to go for it. I thought I did enough research and that I made a good decision. It was hard to stay positive today, as I went to apply moistuerizer, I felt numb and was shaked up a bit after seeing my scars and the rough texture. I feel like my face is a disaster now. I will have to contact another doc. possibly a P/S because my derm. doesn't seem to carry Sculptra. I will still ask her about it on my next appt. Would it be a good idea to try a temporary filler first? I don't want to make any wrong moves.
Yes, a temp filler is great. You could try just one small area and monitor it and see how it does. You may want a P/S because they are skilled in techniques that go beyond what a Derm will want to try. I think Derms are getting in the business of cosmetic procedures more in recent years, but I don't know if they can do all the things a P/S can.
I would like to say, though, that even though you are unhappy at this moment, maybe if you just let it all settle and rest a bit it might improve? Just a thought. Maybe give it a month where you do nothing at all to your face but wait. It's only a thought. I keep reading about having to wait 3 months or longer for results. It's maddening, I know. So my approach is to just discuss it here, see what others are going through and try to ignore the mirror (and my face) as long as I can. Which isn't long, really... :wall:
Hang in there.
Troubled and JJ
I looked at the surgical scar on website. I presume left side was treated with Fraxel and right was untreated. The white scar line was more evident on the right side. Candidly, however, unless I am missing something, I am not sure which side looked better, as the left side was red and irritated, even though this hid the white scar line..
I'd be interested in your comments because I may be missing something and I have a surgical line to fix.
The sides are labeled can't you see it?? But yes the left (picture's left not patient's left) is the treated side.
I see what you mean. It is hard to tell how good the improvement really is. There is hyperpigmentation and granulation tissue. I'd suspect when it was fully healed no one except the patient would ever notice there was a scar there.
BTW, the "granulation tissue" can be seen very well in the asian woman's pic on the same page. Her scars are amerliorated quite nicely but the texture of here treated skin has a fine grainy texture. Almost looks like sand. I'd guess she had pretty aggressive levels. Grainy skin = lots of granulation tissue = high density and energy.
This doesn't seem to be a problem at more conservative levels. For instance, the last woman on that page had 9-10 MJ (the doctor could not remember specifically) and 3 treatments. Her skin has no grainy texture.
You can also see from that woman how the fraxel treatment improved the texture, tone, and pores however it made the largest scars more visible. They have sharper edges and look more defined.
I wonder whether the skin normalizes after months. Or does that grainy look stay for good? (Similar to the "crepe-paper" or "orange peel" skin that stays forever on some people after dermabrasion or full face CO2.)
Just a thought for those pondering fraxel and the length of this thread:
Fraxel was invented (2003) for women with melasma (pregnancy induced hyperpigmentation) and old people with sun damage and age spots (dischromia).
They suspected and noticed it was also good for eye wrinkles (crow's feet). To a lesser extent it was good for acne scarring.
In 2006 (july?) they got FDA approval for acne scars. At the same time reliant-tech released a second generation fraxel (SR 1500) supposedly it goes deeper and has better scanning technology.
Treatment with fraxel is treatment with a technology that was intended to treat pigmentary conditions. It was co-opted to treat acne scars. It's still not as good as CO2 laser but has FAR less downtime and risks.
There really arent many clinical studies (if you could call them that). I think the member experiences here are just as valuable. It really is worth it to read all the back pages. They offer great technology insights, pictures, post treatment care tips, do's and dont's, etc.
One clinical study (for surgical scar repair) had only one patient who was treated one time for a scar on her chin! Another done for acne scars in Japan had only 10 patients--barely clinically significant. I can count on one hand the other studies that were done. --so if you're looking for information on fraxel, it is right here in front of you. there really isn't any better source. posts here will link you to every other fraxel webpage that is out there.
For instance since I posted that link to baylor univ on here it has moved to the second image on page one in google image search results. It used to be buried on page ten! I know its discouraging to see a long thread with hot debate on these last pages. But this thread has most of the answers i've seen asked.
I do believe the second generation fraxel was specifcally improved to offer a safer and more effective treatment for scarring. Suppoersely it goes deeper and has better scanning technolog.y
If you have moderate to severe scarring I think the Fraxel SR 1500 is worth waiting for if your doctor is still using the old one. I'd even wait for him to practice on someone else since it is supposed to be twice a powerful.
But if you feel like being a guinea pig or don't have the money they are always running clinical trials at different laser centers. For instance there is another clinical study underway at the skin and laser surgery center of new york. www.laserskinsurgery.com. Treatment is free but you have to get to new york for treatments and follow ups.
One or two people on here were in their last trial. I dont remember complaints other than marginal improvement. Oh yeah u cant do it if ur on any kind of topical or oral retinoid or antibiotic in the last year. Not sure if that's for safety or to isolate clinical improvement.
Troubled and JJ
I looked at the surgical scar on website. I presume left side was treated with Fraxel and right was untreated. The white scar line was more evident on the right side. Candidly, however, unless I am missing something, I am not sure which side looked better, as the left side was red and irritated, even though this hid the white scar line..
I'd be interested in your comments because I may be missing something and I have a surgical line to fix.
Billy, James,
The picture appears to have been taken recently post Fraxel. Probably at the 1 month follow up as the tissue still appears to be angiogenic. (After tissue injury redness usually indicates micro blood vessels are still forming underneath the skin to aid in healing). Not to be confused with hyperpigmentation.
James - Granulation is part of the normal wound healing response and is a marker that reepithelialization is occurring. It is more noticible when a patient is treated with Fraxel at high density because of the extent of cell migration that takes place when MTZ's become more dense. This is especially true with thermal (heat injury) caused by lasers. As far as your body is concerned its healing a burn. These changes are temporary. Hope this helps clarify your questions.
Does a surgical scar/linear scar eventually go away? If so, does anyone know approximately how long? I can say that have excision scars is worse than acne scars. The line is really long and ugly if you have too many of them.
my excision scar from from 3 years ago is still here. it got lighter in color and contracted a little in that time. some hair grew at the edges. i can still see it whenever i look. even the white dots from the stitches are apparent.
it's not that noticeable but i can feel there is no collagen under it. feels like a stretch mark when i run my hand over it. im hoping fraxel might help its color, texture, and build some collagen under it.
i think a key to good excision healing is keeping the wound approximated while it's healing. some docs inject the area with botox to prevent dehissence of the wound.
Troubled and JJ
I looked at the surgical scar on website. I presume left side was treated with Fraxel and right was untreated. The white scar line was more evident on the right side. Candidly, however, unless I am missing something, I am not sure which side looked better, as the left side was red and irritated, even though this hid the white scar line..
I'd be interested in your comments because I may be missing something and I have a surgical line to fix.
Billy, James,
The picture appears to have been taken recently post Fraxel. Probably at the 1 month follow up as the tissue still appears to be angiogenic. (After tissue injury redness usually indicates micro blood vessels are still forming underneath the skin to aid in healing). Not to be confused with hyperpigmentation.
James - Granulation is part of the normal wound healing response and is a marker that reepithelialization is occurring. It is more noticible when a patient is treated with Fraxel at high density because of the extent of cell migration that takes place when MTZ's become more dense. This is especially true with thermal (heat injury) caused by lasers. As far as your body is concerned its healing a burn. These changes are temporary. Hope this helps clarify your questions.
Thanks troubled. I wonder if the skin retains that grainy look though, because with CO2/dermabrasion that is a big problem. Patient's trade deep pock marks for an all over orange-peel texture. I've read that it's permanent with those treatments. I don't see how fraxel would be different.?
Does a surgical scar/linear scar eventually go away? If so, does anyone know approximately how long? I can say that having excision scars is worse than acne scars. The line is really long and ugly if you have too many of them.
wow- who else thinks this?
Did you have the excisions for deep ice picks? You'd rather have that scar than the excision scar?
It's been suggested that I may need like 10 of them. In my mind I'd rather have a surgical scar than the hole in my face but then again....do I want 10 surgical scars or 10 holes? I'm so confused. :confused:
http://www.bcm.edu/dermatology/?pmid=2331 <-- are these typical results? I think the 2nd woman's scars look much better, and it says it is after 3 treatments.
Does a surgical scar/linear scar eventually go away? If so, does anyone know approximately how long? I can say that having excision scars is worse than acne scars. The line is really long and ugly if you have too many of them.
wow- who else thinks this?
Did you have the excisions for deep ice picks? You'd rather have that scar than the excision scar?
It's been suggested that I may need like 10 of them. In my mind I'd rather have a surgical scar than the hole in my face but then again....do I want 10 surgical scars or 10 holes? I'm so confused. :confused:
http://www.bcm.edu/dermatology/?pmid=2331 <-- are these typical results? I think the 2nd woman's scars look much better, and it says it is after 3 treatments.
NO I would not want 10 lines on your face. I had couple failures from excision. You end up w/ having both linear scar and your existing scar. If I knew how difficult it is to remove the linear scars I would not have done excision. That is why I want to know if anyone else gone through this before? Sometime I wished that I never read people's posts on here. I wouldn't of brought it up w/ my doctor.
Hey guys here is a photo of Mmite's before and after. I found it in her gallery after rereading the fraxel's forum. She had improvements 1 month after her 2nd treatment. I was hoping it would be the same case w/ me. Does anyone know what her energy settings and passes were? Also does anyone know if my scars are similar or more severe than hers? I really want to see that type of improvement.
Hey guys here is a photo of Mmite's before and after. I found it in her gallery after rereading the fraxel's forum. She had improvements 1 month after her 2nd treatment. I was hoping it would be the same case w/ me. Does anyone know what her energy settings and passes were? Also does anyone know if my scars are similar or more severe than hers? I really want to see that type of improvement.
MZ,
Your scarring and hers look similar to me from what I remember of your pictures. Every person heals differently, but there's good reason to think you will respond similarly. The only issue I have with these pictures is her after is red and looks swollen to me, and I wonder what it looked like later on. Does she have a newer picture? That would be interesting to see as well.
-DreamersRage
you should check the hiv facial wasting sites on sculptra.i had sculptra done about 1.5 years ago and its gone.sculptra has been used in europe for years under the name new fill.
Thanks for the info. I did not realize that. Given that it is not permanent, that's one reason I am pushing on with Fraxel and using Sculptra as a supplemental or backup plan. I am hoping for something a little more permanent.
Hey guys here is a photo of Mmite's before and after. I found it in her gallery after rereading the fraxel's forum. She had improvements 1 month after her 2nd treatment. I was hoping it would be the same case w/ me. Does anyone know what her energy settings and passes were? Also does anyone know if my scars are similar or more severe than hers? I really want to see that type of improvement.
MZ,
Your scarring and hers look similar to me from what I remember of your pictures. Every person heals differently, but there's good reason to think you will respond similarly. The only issue I have with these pictures is her after is red and looks swollen to me, and I wonder what it looked like later on. Does she have a newer picture? That would be interesting to see as well.
-DreamersRage
NO, she stopped posting since August of this year. I've PM'd her but I haven't heard from her yet. Yeah I see microswelling too.
Day 9 Fraxel2 Treatment2
Just now my skin texture looks alot better than yesterday. I'm surprised what a big difference a day can make. I believe this is called the sandpaper phase. I'm so glad to be over it. Skin is red still. I started applying Aloe but its gotten redder. Nothing is applied now, letting the skin breathe. I think there is a change to my surgical scar (the largest one). It isn't as deep as before although it is a bit wider looking. I'm hoping with more treatment it will level up. I think there was microswelling present on my recent photos. It made the scar areas more visible. Today the scar sized seems to shrink abit. I'm not sure why Billyboy isn't seeing any improvement with his surgical scar. I'm wondering when he had his last treatment. I'm continuing to eat healthy (fruits and veges). I believe my other scars are more shallow. I really hope they could be eradicated because they are very shallow to begin with. One of the spot (I wrote "I hate that spot" on the photo) I couldn't stand is filliing in. I definately want to see more changes over time. Overall these are only small amount of improvements. I'm expecting more from Fraxel.
SO I take it that my skin is still producing collagen? Is it alright to massage our skin? I heard padding the face in the morning is very good for the skin (enhance elasticity). Running your index finger upward on your jaw will help tighten you skin if done often. I've watched too many beauty shows. This time t hey invited old celebrities in there 50's and 2 of them look in their 30's. Here are some other things I'd heard: drinking carrot juice is an antioxidant and is great for the skin ( I want to buy some right away) Does anyone know if they sold them @ grocery stores?. Sleep before 12pm for female is a must or you get old faster. Don't do extraction to your skin at a young age (~20-21), your pores will get larger. I stopped doing extractions now. Exercise whenever you have the chance, ie. move your arms n feet around, ie when you're watching tv; kick your leg back when you brush your teeth basially move your body around. Thats all I can remember so far.
As a reminder to myself: I should stop freaking out and post my results after day 10 and that the sandpaper phase is temporary and normal.
ps: I hope Mmite don't mind me pasting her photos oh here if she does happen to see it.