http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...=131703&st=

This guy did dermaroller and fraxel I. He posted a detailed account, supposed to put pictures before/after when he's done.

He just started his treatment right? It will take time for him to notice results.

Hi guys. I just had my second fraxel done yesterday at 20/125 (my first was at the same). I was glued to the computer this summer reading everyone's experiences and finally decided to try it in January. Based on people's statements, I am hoping just for mild improvement. I guess half of me wants a miracle but I guess I just need to be doing somehing to help my scars....

Can somebody please just give me a quick update on the new fraxel 2 machine? I would really appreciate it. It would be helpful if someone just PM'd me so I won't have to read through everything. Thanks.

Girlfriend. Sorry to hear about your poor response. Hope things improve.

I would like to ask those who have had treatment to add dates and treatment settings to you sig. This will really help others assess whether it is too early to assess, whether treatments were aggressive, etc. Another relevant data point is depth of scarring as I personally think (but am not 100% sure yet) that repeated fraxels will help shallow scarring in most people, but not deeper scars. There again, this too may be a function of how many treatments and how many mjs. I am hoping to learn from others as well as from my prior experience.

Has anyone here gotten Fraxel treatment in the Dallas area? I am thinking about going with it, just want to know if there are any recommended doctors out there. Another question, how much was it and subsequent treatments?

Girlfriend. Sorry to hear about your poor response. Hope things improve.

I would like to ask those who have had treatment to add dates and treatment settings to you sig. This will really help others assess whether it is too early to assess, whether treatments were aggressive, etc. Another relevant data point is depth of scarring as I personally think (but am not 100% sure yet) that repeated fraxels will help shallow scarring in most people, but not deeper scars. There again, this too may be a function of how many treatments and how many mjs. I am hoping to learn from others as well as from my prior experience.

Good ideas Billy.

I think the problem with fraxel and deep scars has to do with the fractional + microscopic nature of the treatment. Try to follow my logic here and see if it makes sense.

No matter how aggressive, each treatment can only produce collagen in measures at the micrometer level (microns).

We have seen that for someone with shallow scarring (say < 1 mm deep) it takes 5 treatments to get a moderate result.

We have seen that for those with deep scarring (> 1mm deep) 5 treatments produces a marginal improvement (at best).

Therefore each fraxel treatment (given the small variences in MJ when comparing everyone's tx) is probably producing the same amount of collagen--regardless of scar depth.

Therefore those with deeper scars are simply going to need more treatments, in order to see their scars become leveled.

Of course there are intrinsic factors which increase or decrease the rate of collagen production: age, type of scar, type of skin, genetics. As well as extrinsic factors (those we can control): choosing a fraxel-doctor experienced in treating scars, compliance to recovery regimen, staying out of sun, diet, exercise, sleep.

I also think there are points where fraxel becomes cost prohibitive or time prohibitive, unless someones wants to make skin the top priority of their life. That's not a bad thing at all, if someone is prepated to do that. For example though I'd think some cases like Edward James Almos, would take years of fraxeling and maybe fillers given that he could have the money and time to do that.

I guess the 4-6 treatment series is something Reliant Tech should revise for people with scars. It's more like double that or in some cases getting one fraxel a month for a couple years . . .

Thats an interesting theory TCBC but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I'm sure Troubled can help us out with this. Funny thing but I have seen my deepest scars soften but my more shallow scars don't seem to be filling in. I'm not totally sure as I am trying not to focus to much on my face at the moment.

There was an interesting video in the AcitveFX/ ActiveMax thread with a video and a doctor selling the virtues of this new C02 machine. I would be interested to hear what other people think about this video.

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=130402

I haven't watched the last video dysfunction posted yet.

Thats an interesting theory TCBC but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I'm sure Troubled can help us out with this. Funny thing but I have seen my deepest scars soften but my more shallow scars don't seem to be filling in. I'm not totally sure as I am trying not to focus to much on my face at the moment.

There was an interesting video in the AcitveFX/ ActiveMax thread with a video and a doctor selling the virtues of this new C02 machine. I would be interested to hear what other people think about this video.

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=130402

I haven't watched the last video dysfunction posted yet.

I think your observation is related to microswelling rather than new collagen, I could be wrong. With microswelling you'd see the deep scars seem to miraculously have elevated, but tiny imperfections would seem to be unaffected. Of course if it was truly new collagen producing the effect then what you say kind of defies logic. How could all the deep scars fill in more than all shallow ones if the body is producing collagen?

I've had 4 fraxel treatments and the last was about 6 months ago. I've had about 10% improvement on my scars as a whole. That includes CO2 lazer and dermabrasion. The best results that I've had was from Radiesse injections. The filler of CaOH2 (calcium hydroxide) works great for shallow scars, which I have. I have 4 box-icepick scars that I plan on getting excised. That is the only way I've been told on how to get rid of deep jagged scars like ice-pick scars.

Technology is improving every year. I expect acne scars to be totally curable in the next 5-10 years. Facial transplants with doner skin in practiced in Europe with fantastic results. Its just a matter of time till the technology becomes available in the US. Plus stem-cell research....

Greenfish, SEAN

Has anyone here gotten Fraxel treatment in the Dallas area? I am thinking about going with it, just want to know if there are any recommended doctors out there. Another question, how much was it and subsequent treatments?

there is a link to baylor university on like page 80 +- of this thread. the doc there has a nice website on it and really great pics, probably the best i've seen (and they are his own patients, not rip-offs from fraxel.com).

I've had 4 fraxel treatments and the last was about 6 months ago. I've had about 10% improvement on my scars as a whole. That includes CO2 lazer and dermabrasion. The best results that I've had was from Radiesse injections. The filler of CaOH2 (calcium hydroxide) works great for shallow scars, which I have. I have 4 box-icepick scars that I plan on getting excised. That is the only way I've been told on how to get rid of deep jagged scars like ice-pick scars.

Technology is improving every year. I expect acne scars to be totally curable in the next 5-10 years. Facial transplants with doner skin in practiced in Europe with fantastic results. Its just a matter of time till the technology becomes available in the US. Plus stem-cell research....

Greenfish, SEAN

only ten percent after all that? is that combining shallow and deep scars into a sort of average? did your shallow scars improve more than ten percent?

Has anyone here gotten Fraxel treatment in the Dallas area? I am thinking about going with it, just want to know if there are any recommended doctors out there. Another question, how much was it and subsequent treatments?

there is a link to baylor university on like page 80 +- of this thread. the doc there has a nice website on it and really great pics, probably the best i've seen (and they are his own patients, not rip-offs from fraxel.com).

 

I looked around those pages and couldn't find the link.

I was planning on going to Dr. Cothern, who is located near downtown Fort Worth.

Day 22 since my 1st Fraxel treatment (Energy = 20, Density = 125, Passes = 9). Spot treatment for pitted scar on nose, and ice-pick scar on cheek.

My skin is still slightly pink and dry in the areas that have been treated. It is difficult to notice unless looking directly at the affected areas.

Unfortunately, all of my scars have returned to their pre-treatment condition. There is absolutely NO visible improvement. The edges of the pitted scar are now sharp and defined again. The depth of the scars are exactly how they were before my treatment.

Here is the timeline of progression and regression: Day 1 - 3 = scars totally invisible. Day 4 - 7 = scars visible but difficult to see. Day 8 - 11 = scars more visible, but edges are soft and smooth and blend in with surrounding skin. Day 12 - present = scars exactly the same as pre-treatment condition.

This stinks. I am very discouraged. All I can hope for is that those first few days are a hint of what may come when the collagen is generated...

anybody had the fraxel procedure done in the Greater Toronto Area?

Day 22 since my 1st Fraxel treatment (Energy = 20, Density = 125, Passes = 9). Spot treatment for pitted scar on nose, and ice-pick scar on cheek.

My skin is still slightly pink and dry in the areas that have been treated. It is difficult to notice unless looking directly at the affected areas.

Unfortunately, all of my scars have returned to their pre-treatment condition. There is absolutely NO visible improvement. The edges of the pitted scar are now sharp and defined again. The depth of the scars are exactly how they were before my treatment.

Here is the timeline of progression and regression: Day 1 - 3 = scars totally invisible. Day 4 - 7 = scars visible but difficult to see. Day 8 - 11 = scars more visible, but edges are soft and smooth and blend in with surrounding skin. Day 12 - present = scars exactly the same as pre-treatment condition.

This stinks. I am very discouraged. All I can hope for is that those first few days are a hint of what may come when the collagen is generated...

don't be discouraged after only 1 treatment.

Day 22 since my 1st Fraxel treatment (Energy = 20, Density = 125, Passes = 9). Spot treatment for pitted scar on nose, and ice-pick scar on cheek.

My skin is still slightly pink and dry in the areas that have been treated. It is difficult to notice unless looking directly at the affected areas.

Unfortunately, all of my scars have returned to their pre-treatment condition. There is absolutely NO visible improvement. The edges of the pitted scar are now sharp and defined again. The depth of the scars are exactly how they were before my treatment.

Here is the timeline of progression and regression: Day 1 - 3 = scars totally invisible. Day 4 - 7 = scars visible but difficult to see. Day 8 - 11 = scars more visible, but edges are soft and smooth and blend in with surrounding skin. Day 12 - present = scars exactly the same as pre-treatment condition.

This stinks. I am very discouraged. All I can hope for is that those first few days are a hint of what may come when the collagen is generated...

Ralphie, Please be patient! I didn't notice much improvement until after my 3rd treatment. I felt like you did, but it does get better.

Hello guys,

does anyone know anything about dr. Miguel Delgado, SF?

Or maybe you know of other doctors in SF Bay area that you are happy with (who would be willing to treat agresively with Fraxel)?

I spoke to Fraxel rep for Bay area and gave her names of SF area docs that popped up from their locate a doc website so she could let me know if they have the SR 1500 and also a flavor for price. What I learned is that SR 1500 prices are somwehat higher than SR 750 and of course much high in SF than East Bay (where I live), especially with those docs who have been using fraxel for sometime and have a name. Ultimately, I decided to continue with my doc in Stockton, even though he still has the SR 750, for cost and continuity reasons. I did go for a free consult to an East Bay doc that recently purcjased the SR 1500, but I was not convinced that there was enough advantages to overcome the cost delta.

I have been very happy with my doc, but don't like the travel. He is not a name doc for treating acne scars, but I like the staff very much. Also, my experience (based on my own age/genetics) is that it takes several fraxels and patience to see reuslts. And, those results will be moderae on shallow scars, but almost zero (so far) on deeper scars and scarred pores. Several docs who have seen me have classified my scrring as moderate as to quantity and mild as to depth, if that helps.

I remember the Del Guado name but don't recall whether he has SR1500, but do recall the thought that he would be more expensive because he is in SF.

Hope this helps

Day 22 since my 1st Fraxel treatment (Energy = 20, Density = 125, Passes = 9). Spot treatment for pitted scar on nose, and ice-pick scar on cheek.

My skin is still slightly pink and dry in the areas that have been treated. It is difficult to notice unless looking directly at the affected areas.

Unfortunately, all of my scars have returned to their pre-treatment condition. There is absolutely NO visible improvement. The edges of the pitted scar are now sharp and defined again. The depth of the scars are exactly how they were before my treatment.

Here is the timeline of progression and regression: Day 1 - 3 = scars totally invisible. Day 4 - 7 = scars visible but difficult to see. Day 8 - 11 = scars more visible, but edges are soft and smooth and blend in with surrounding skin. Day 12 - present = scars exactly the same as pre-treatment condition.

This stinks. I am very discouraged. All I can hope for is that those first few days are a hint of what may come when the collagen is generated...

i have had 5 sessions of fraxel treatment. my last treatment was 6 months ago. all i can say is, do not pin too much hope. what you will get is a far cry of what is promised or what you have been hoping. it is disappointing.

i have had 5 sessions of fraxel treatment. my last treatment was 6 months ago. all i can say is, do not pin too much hope. what you will get is a far cry of what is promised or what you have been hoping. it is disappointing.

ditto

Edit: Its been 20 days since my 3rd treatment

I realized now that ppl. with mod-severe scarring must get more than 1 series of treatment to see results.

My scars are considered mild and I am seeing some difference now but all of the scars are unfortunately still there. It looks more shallow. I'm really eager to find out what they will look like after my 4th & 5th treatment. Does anyone know if there will be a bigger change? I hope it gets better n better. I feel like I can relax now unlike my 1st treatment. Luckily I had you guys to keep me on track and stick w/ the treatment. I really hope that 5 treatments would be enough for me (fingers crossed). My largest surgical scars are looking better. The indents has filled in but that spot doesn't look normal or not 100% leveled yet. I'm still seeing lines on my other ones. I think it's cause I'm Asian and it takes longer for them to go away.

I've mentioned many times that my scars are red color but I've been seeing collagan filling in some and it's white or my skintone. But okay, I just thought I share my progress. All I can say now is that my skin isn't perfect, it's just back to what I use to look before I did the 100% TCA. So I'm back to where I originally started so I'm happy about that. I'm gonna keep quiet until I finish all of my treatments. TTYL.

ps: I'm looking forward to read others progress.

This may be an odd question ...

As soon as I accumulate enough time off I plan on having Fraxel though I have not had a consultation yet. My concern is a titanium plate that was placed in my upper jaw when I shattered it a few years back. Since the laser is essentially burning your skin underneath will it not heat up the metal? I dont want to be unintentionally branded by this laser but I do have scars on my lower cheeks in the same area as the plate.

Any thoughts?

If that is a non-issue, those that have had fraxel do you think I could have it done on Thursday morning and look decent enough to go to work on Monday?

Thanks.

i have had 5 sessions of fraxel treatment. my last treatment was 6 months ago. all i can say is, do not pin too much hope. what you will get is a far cry of what is promised or what you have been hoping. it is disappointing.

Can anyone tell me if the fraxel 2 is the same as the cool touch 2 laser?

fraxel according to dermatology magazines is a laser of its own kind...

ok so i been away from the boards lately, i been busy with work and over time, shoot i need money. now that i just came back earlier to just check up usually, i get pms from good friends and new friends you could say. aside from that, i sense/read a lot of negative impact/feedback in this thread regarding fraxel...so here is my 2 cent...

FRAXEL is the best method in the market at the moment for scarring is what i think, if it is not then why is it FDA approved. yes it is expensive, the most expensive of all treatment/lasers but you know what, it works! sure some might have good outcome on it, and some might have excellent outcome. i for one believe that diet plays a powerful role in healing post fraxel. like i stated before, vitamin c and protein is the answer. try to eat organic, and not vitamins wise, i dont even take any more vitamins for the body doesn't use it if it has a balanced diet.

ok as for my fraxel expereinces so far. sorry if i am having typos and grammar/spelling errors, its just im so tired from work and i want to go to bed already but i feel that i should input on my information. i have had 2 fraxel done so far, the first is 16mjs full face, 8 passes total, and 4 passes additional on scarred areas. the 2nd fraxel is 20mjs full face at 8 passes, and 4 additional passes on scarred areas and my nose cuz i wanted to treat the enlarged pores/black heads. so far so good, best money i've spent on scar treatment ever, eventhough its expensive as fukk. my results i would say *runs to mirror* well i cant give a percentage really but i can say that my shallow scars gotten more shallow with each fraxel, and my deepest scars are responding very well, note that my deepest scar is this thick || and it has filled in about 3/4 and a lil more so far, idon't really know what else to say but i can't wait til my next treatment on jan 4th, and after that 1 more, so thats 4 total, i can't wait to get it over with and move on from this horrible but powerful learnign experiences of my life, and i know that my scars can be cured, if there's a will, there's a way, always have hope and eat healthy!

simply me- have you had any problems going in the sun ? and do you still have to use retina a and hydroquinone even when youve had your session or its only needed to prepare your skin?