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How about deep icepick scars and deep boxcar scars? Do most of you guys who have done fraxel see any improvements for these types of scars? And how many % would you rate for them? Please answer.... I feel so down coz I got some of them on my nose and some on my forehead. Thanx a lot!!! 
Billy,
Attached are pictures provided by Dr. Rahman of a patients chest with moderate but widespread hypertrophic scarring and hypopigmentation. Note the white, raised areas that were flattened and re-pigmented. Any of the residual scarring would propably be corrected through another series of Fraxel treatments. I think this is a beautiful example of the potential of fraxel with proper technique/ settings!
Update: Sorry - I can't upload the pictures due to the file size limitation (The system keeps deleting the pictures). We'll just stick with my original plan of sending them to you via e-mail. I need your e-mail address though.
Troubled
I sent you a PM a few days ago with my email. Let me know if you need me to resend.
Thanks for all your help.
PS: I am going to start another round of 4 Fraxels. We were hoping to have a Fraxel rep there but she has a conflict for my first on Dec 13. Because I want to get this done during winter (and while I may still be generating collagen form my last in July), I decided to go ahead with Dec 13; and will have Fraxel rep there for #2 in Jan.
I plan to go with my last treatment plan which was 8 passes at 125 density at 25 mjs. Last time we did 2 extra passes at 30 over scarred areas. My nurse discussed this with fraxel rep and they said we could go up to 12 total passes in problem areas, so I guess we will go for an extra 4 passes this time, rather than the extra 2. Also, I will probably only have 2 or 4 total passes above lip as that tends to be painful.
I think I posted awhile back that my total energy in my last treatment was 13 KJs, but I can't find my notes and am now wondering if it was 11.5 and am confusing my memory with what Blaster reported his total enery to be. Anyway, I know it was double digits and that this is aggressive, but I can take the pain and my skin seemed to tolerate it ok. I will try to space it out in 4 week intervals so I am done before the sun starts to get too intense.
I would appreciate your expert counsel on this proposed treatment plan.
Thanks again
troubled
i have alot of hypopigmented scarring. I am really interested in seeing those pictures. i am debating right now on trying fraxel or just start with professinal needling to see how that goes. Anyway, if you could send me those photos i would appreciate it.
PM me your e-mail address and I will send them over to you.
Troubled
I sent you a PM a few days ago with my email. Let me know if you need me to resend.
Thanks for all your help.
PS: I am going to start another round of 4 Fraxels. We were hoping to have a Fraxel rep there but she has a conflict for my first on Dec 13. Because I want to get this done during winter (and while I may still be generating collagen form my last in July), I decided to go ahead with Dec 13; and will have Fraxel rep there for #2 in Jan.
I plan to go with my last treatment plan which was 8 passes at 125 density at 25 mjs. Last time we did 2 extra passes at 30 over scarred areas. My nurse discussed this with fraxel rep and they said we could go up to 12 total passes in problem areas, so I guess we will go for an extra 4 passes this time, rather than the extra 2. Also, I will probably only have 2 or 4 total passes above lip as that tends to be painful.
I think I posted awhile back that my total energy in my last treatment was 13 KJs, but I can't find my notes and am now wondering if it was 11.5 and am confusing my memory with what Blaster reported his total enery to be. Anyway, I know it was double digits and that this is aggressive, but I can take the pain and my skin seemed to tolerate it ok. I will try to space it out in 4 week intervals so I am done before the sun starts to get too intense.
I would appreciate your expert counsel on this proposed treatment plan.
Thanks again
Billy,
I don't recall receiving it but my inbox was full for a few days maybe that effected the delivery somehow? Please send it over again.
Hi All
I just want to express my gratitude to all you guys out there who share your invaluable experience on Fraxel treatment. After reading 140+ pages of this thread, I finally plucked up my courage to try out Fraxel and yesterday was my first treatment.
My doc set me up on 15 mj and 18mj on areas with deeper scars. I dunno how you guys could tolerate anything that is above 18mj!! The pain was hell for me. I was cursing and swearing inside my heart and hating myself for the ordeal. Now I look like a pig. I can't recognise myself in the mirror because of the swelling.
Thank God that I was mentally prepared for the downtime after reading all your sharing. I know I have to hang on there for at least another 2 more treatments. Going through the 15 min pain from fraxel is definitely better than a lifetime of pain from seeing my scarred face in the mirror. 
Day12 Treatment#2 Fraxel2
I can say that all of my scars are shallow now. Skin is still red. I used alittle bit of Obagi but I am stopping now before my next appointment. My overall skin texture is crappy though (uneven and plus linear scars). My skin looks older than my age. I really hope Fraxel could correct that. I have tiny lines on my face (slighty indented). Those were deeper before. I'm staying positive. I can say that my largest excision scars look improved (still bothering me though). It's more shallow compared to last treatment. So there is collagen growing in excision wound. I really can't wait until it levels up. I'll definately will ask my doc. to do spots treatments on all my scars especially the excision scars. I really can't wait till my next appointment.
ps: I love to hear updates from everyone else.
Hi Guys
I have had three fraxel treaments with the the settings ranging from 15 to 18 whatevers and I have quite tan skin and I have noticed some hyperpigmentation and ALSO some whiter spots which I can only fathom as hypopigmentation which I am devastated about ? Has ANYONE eles with tan skin experienced this and did it get better? So worried.....
I only had 1 small pigment issue after a treatment made while a scab was healing on my forhead from a small scrape. This area stayed darker than surrounding area for a couple weeks, but eventually becaome the same color.
Ask your Dr. advice and maybe Troubled can give you advice. My understanding is that the risk of hypo from fraxel is deemed to be extremely low because melanocytes will migrate from the untreated skin.
Hi Guys
I have had three fraxel treaments with the the settings ranging from 15 to 18 whatevers and I have quite tan skin and I have noticed some hyperpigmentation and ALSO some whiter spots which I can only fathom as hypopigmentation which I am devastated about ? Has ANYONE eles with tan skin experienced this and did it get better? So worried.....
I haven't had Hypopigmentation. Did you call your doctor? I hope someone could answer your question for you.
i was wondering, for those who had this done... what's a realistic downtime from this procedure?
i work fulltime where i have to face customers... how long will take for me to look "presentable"?
around 5 days if you're female imo..
the first day or 2 you're really quite red/swollen.. day 3 is not too bad.. but early on day 4 i usually start getting massive flaking and peeling which makes makeup application really difficult - i use lots of moisturiser and my mum's foundation around these days (which is for extra dry skin) and the texture is still nqr..
after that, once most of the dead skin's peeled off, covering with regular makeup is pretty achievable..
i was wondering, for those who had this done... what's a realistic downtime from this procedure?
i work fulltime where i have to face customers... how long will take for me to look "presentable"?
I had my last Fraxel 2 done on a Thursday and I went to work Sun evening with makeup on to cover the redness and used a lot of moisturizer before putting on my foundation to help with the dry skin.
I was really swollen for 2 and a half days but by the end of the 3rd day Sunday i was able to leave the house without felling like I was freakishly swollen.
Hey guys the small bits I had is gone now but it didn't turn into collagen either. My scars are still red and indented. None of my scars are filled, except they get more shallow. Why is that? Is it because they are deep? I personally think most of my scars are shallow, I thought they would just fill in each time.
Hi everyone: Tonight my mother went ahead and told a friends of hers my skin condition. I am so embarassed. My mothers friends daughter went through a period of skin problem but she went to Shanghai and fix it. A relative of hers also had a huge scar from cut across her face and she now has flawless skin. Her friend told my mother to take me to Shanghai China for skin treatments. I'm planning on going for 5 treatments of Fraxel. If I do not see any differences I'm going to Shanghai for treatment. They have hospital there specialized in scars.
Mz,
I wouldn't give up just yet. As you have probably heard, Fraxel treats aprox. 15-20% of the skin at one time. If you have only had two treatments that would mean only 30-40% coverage. The fact that you have already began to see subtle changes this early would indicate that you will likely get good results. I know it's difficult but please remember patience not desperation will lead you into making good choices and ultimately take you where you want to be. 🙂
On another topic. I wasn't aware of a specialized scar hospital in Shanghai and out of professional interest would like to know what the hospitals name is? Do they have a website?
Yeah my mom will ask her friend tonight. Hopefully she could get more info. for me. I did research myself last night and found quite a few of them. I'll try to search again and paste the link on here. I'm not given up on Fraxel yet. I will give it 5 treatments. I feel I have more hope now.
I'm very impatient. If I have a choice I would fly to Shanghai by myself to treat my skin. But that would be my next step if Fraxel didn't work. My mom will probably take this trip w/ me.
Is Coconut juice good for the body? I bought couple but I hope it isn't fattening. I will probably start drinking carrot juice n take Vitamine E.
Day 10 Treatment#2 Fraxel 2
I realized that my surgical scars has shrunk a bit and is less shallow. I'm seeing some improvement. So I might be healing alittle better than Billyboy. I will definately tell my doc. to spot treatment all of my surgical scars on my next appointment (Don't mind if it cost more). I still have red scars with tiny bits growing in them. Does anyone know what those tiny bits are? Will they eventually become new collagen and fill in to flatten the scars? How long does it take for them to fill in?
Here are my apt. dates: Dec. 7th, Jan. 4th, Jan. 26th
Here are the links (in chinese): In case anyone doesn't know how to browse the site. I will posts some of the photos on here.
Some pics. are painful to look at
Edited: Based on the photo of the girl w/ Acne Scars above. Here is a translated of what she had (4 different kinds of treatments):
Commonly used treatment face scar method 1st, the pure excision seam is legitimate Is suitable to the Class Three center small area face scar. After the skin scar excision, with the small needle fine lace careful closed injured area, after the technique only leaves behind a thinner scar . 2nd, the face scar excision adds the skin grafting law A, is suitable for the bigger area scar patient, according to the face natural form district, makes up entire skin in the district place, basis scar excision how many, definitely field planting several parts of skins. B, is suitable the patient which covers entirely the entire face to the face scar, namely time the entire face scar excision, in the transplant whole piece skin, can avoid like this when the district skin grafting the scar formation, after the technique the contour must be better than the district skin grafting, the face color cannot the depth, the cosmetology effect be better. 3rd, uses Pi Banfa to repair the scar Is suitable nearby face some organs the scar repair, like the wing of the nose damage, the eyelid abnormal, the argument is abnormal and so on. After the skin petal transplant the luster comparatively approaches the face skin, but also may carry on the filling repair to a part of faces organization hollow damage. 4th, non- surgery method treatment face scar
hi mz43026,
do you think they have that kind of treatment in Shenzhen or Guangzhou?
Hi everyone: Tonight my mother went ahead and told a friends of hers my skin condition. I am so embarassed. My mothers friends daughter went through a period of skin problem but she went to Shanghai and fix it. A relative of hers also had a huge scar from cut across her face and she now has flawless skin. Her friend told my mother to take me to Shanghai China for skin treatments. I'm planning on going for 5 treatments of Fraxel. If I do not see any differences I'm going to Shanghai for treatment. They have hospital there specialized in scars.
Mz,
I wouldn't give up just yet. As you have probably heard, Fraxel treats aprox. 15-20% of the skin at one time. If you have only had two treatments that would mean only 30-40% coverage. The fact that you have already began to see subtle changes this early would indicate that you will likely get good results. I know it's difficult but please remember patience not desperation will lead you into making good choices and ultimately take you where you want to be. 🙂
On another topic. I wasn't aware of a specialized scar hospital in Shanghai and out of professional interest would like to know what the hospitals name is? Do they have a website?
Yeah my mom will ask her friend tonight. Hopefully she could get more info. for me. I did research myself last night and found quite a few of them. I'll try to search again and paste the link on here. I'm not given up on Fraxel yet. I will give it 5 treatments. I feel I have more hope now.
I'm very impatient. If I have a choice I would fly to Shanghai by myself to treat my skin. But that would be my next step if Fraxel didn't work. My mom will probably take this trip w/ me.
Is Coconut juice good for the body? I bought couple but I hope it isn't fattening. I will probably start drinking carrot juice n take Vitamine E.
Day 10 Treatment#2 Fraxel 2
I realized that my surgical scars has shrunk a bit and is less shallow. I'm seeing some improvement. So I might be healing alittle better than Billyboy. I will definately tell my doc. to spot treatment all of my surgical scars on my next appointment (Don't mind if it cost more). I still have red scars with tiny bits growing in them. Does anyone know what those tiny bits are? Will they eventually become new collagen and fill in to flatten the scars? How long does it take for them to fill in?
Here are my apt. dates: Dec. 7th, Jan. 4th, Jan. 26th
Here are the links (in chinese): In case anyone doesn't know how to browse the site. I will posts some of the photos on here.
Some pics. are painful to look at
Edited: Based on the photo of the girl w/ Acne Scars above. Here is a translated of what she had (4 different kinds of treatments):
Commonly used treatment face scar method 1st, the pure excision seam is legitimate Is suitable to the Class Three center small area face scar. After the skin scar excision, with the small needle fine lace careful closed injured area, after the technique only leaves behind a thinner scar . 2nd, the face scar excision adds the skin grafting law A, is suitable for the bigger area scar patient, according to the face natural form district, makes up entire skin in the district place, basis scar excision how many, definitely field planting several parts of skins. B, is suitable the patient which covers entirely the entire face to the face scar, namely time the entire face scar excision, in the transplant whole piece skin, can avoid like this when the district skin grafting the scar formation, after the technique the contour must be better than the district skin grafting, the face color cannot the depth, the cosmetology effect be better. 3rd, uses Pi Banfa to repair the scar Is suitable nearby face some organs the scar repair, like the wing of the nose damage, the eyelid abnormal, the argument is abnormal and so on. After the skin petal transplant the luster comparatively approaches the face skin, but also may carry on the filling repair to a part of faces organization hollow damage. 4th, non- surgery method treatment face scar
hi mz43026,
do you think they have that kind of treatment in Shenzhen or Guangzhou?
They should. Guangzhou is a large city too. My cousin had her treatment in Fuzhou. I would really prefer Shanghai myself though. Are you planning on going to China? Have you tried any treatments in the US?
Is fraxel actually removing the scar tissue with each treatment or is the collagen filling in on top of the scar tissue?
BTW - I've had 1 session at 15 and 17 or 18 with the Fraxel 1. I've also had 2 sessions with Fraxel 2 (SR1500) both at 40 over my scars. She runs the other areas at all sorts of different levels. Anyway, I'm starting to notice some nice filling in going on. I definitely see what people mean when they say they still have the scars, but it has a softer look to it. I have my next appointment Dec. 7 and my final one on Dec. 21st. Both of those will be done with Fraxel 2 (SR1500). Will decide after the new year if I want to have two more done to equal six total with the SR1500 @ level 40.
I just got back from my first Fraxel session (Fraxel 2):
Treatment Level 16
5 SL (I forget what this means?)
8 Passes with additional on cheeks
They used numbing cream and 2 Motrin/2 Tylenol and I hardly felt anything. Just some pinpricks near the edges. I'm hardly even red- I assume that will get worse as the day progresses.
Hey guys. I wore makeup today and saw myself in bright light. Skin looks aweful. The scars were so visible. Skin looks rough and uneven. I saw my surgical scar (still indented and looks aweful sideway) and small shallow scars. I was grossed out. I just came home and washed the makeup off. I think I look much better without any makeup. So far I'm not satisfied w/ Fraxel. I'm not positive today. Feel like 3rd treatment won't help much either.
Edited: I just took some pictures at different angle. Can anyone tell if there are any change to my skin so far? I'm posting pic. of post treatment 1 and post treatment 2. Are there any changes to the largest surgical scars (left cheek)?
Here are the orders:
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: RSide
TX2: RSide
TX1: LSide
Hey guys. I wore makeup today and saw myself in bright light. Skin looks aweful. The scars were so visible. Skin looks rough and uneven. I saw my surgical scar (still indented and looks aweful sideway) and small shallow scars. I was grossed out. I just came home and washed the makeup off. I think I look much better without any makeup. So far I'm not satisfied w/ Fraxel. I'm not positive today. Feel like 3rd treatment won't help much either.
Edited: I just took some pictures at different angle. Can anyone tell if there are any change to my skin so far? I'm posting pic. of post treatment 1 and post treatment 2. Are there any changes to the largest surgical scars (left cheek)?
Here are the orders:
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: RSide
TX2: RSide
TX1: LSide
Mz,
Your skin is looking pretty red and irritated for 14 days post Fraxel. Did you prep with hydroquinone? This is escpecially important for asian skin. If yes, what % and how long?
Billy, Mz,
Revisiting the topic of fillers, keep an eye out for Sub-Q. It's showing a lot of promise as a semi permanent filler and would be an excellent filler in conjuction with Fraxel. I will have to check where it stands with FDA approval in the US. It's creating such a stir patients are traveling to other countries to receive treatment. Read the article for more info:
The big fill
SubQ makes its grand debut as a filler
for areas big and small.
In the past, fat transplants and silicone and chin implants were used to define cheekbones, chin or hollows of the face, which diminish with age. In January, SubQ, will launch as an alternative to silicone and fat transplants for the face and body.
Better than silicone
For cheek and chin implants, SubQ is less expensive, causes less downtime and risk, and has more predictability in terms of placement, says Dr. Michael Weinberg, who was one of the first doctors to test SubQ in Canada.
Better than fat
For filling out cheeks or post-liposuction defects in the stomach, hips and legs, SubQ is less expensive, 100 per cent predictable and is a quicker and easier procedure than a fat transplant. And it requires no donor site, which means thereas no risk of donor-site deformity, which can occur during a fat transfer.
Details
A tiny incision is made, and SubQ is injected through a very fine cannula (as used in liposuction) into the deep layers of the subcutis (above the muscle). Only one injection is needed per area, under local anesthetic, and results last at least six to nine months. Side effects may include clumping of the product, but it can easily be treated with aspiration (suctioning out), says Dr. Weinberg. a Chantel Simmons
WHO TO CALL & WHERE TO GO:
Dr. Michael Weinberg, 905-273-3045,
ontarioplasticsurgeon.com
Photo # 1: RF
Hey guys. I wore makeup today and saw myself in bright light. Skin looks aweful. The scars were so visible. Skin looks rough and uneven. I saw my surgical scar (still indented and looks aweful sideway) and small shallow scars. I was grossed out. I just came home and washed the makeup off. I think I look much better without any makeup. So far I'm not satisfied w/ Fraxel. I'm not positive today. Feel like 3rd treatment won't help much either.
Edited: I just took some pictures at different angle. Can anyone tell if there are any change to my skin so far? I'm posting pic. of post treatment 1 and post treatment 2. Are there any changes to the largest surgical scars (left cheek)?
Here are the orders:
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: LSide
TX2: LSide
TX1: RSide
TX2: RSide
TX1: LSide
Mz,
Your skin is looking pretty red and irritated for 14 days post Fraxel. Did you prep with hydroquinone? This is escpecially important for asian skin. If yes, what % and how long?
Yes I use Obagi. It has 4% of hydroquinone. My skin gets red everytime I use it. I'm applying copper peptide now to keep the redness down. I really don't know about my skin anymore. Sometime I see a difference and another time I see it being worse. I need 2nd opinion.