hi guys im going in this week for a consult for Fraxel2 finnally its avaiable in my area.

anyways just trying to figure some things out

based on this sig

2nd full face treatment 12/04/06 Fraxel SR1500

cheeks & perioral @ 40/cm2, level 10

forehead @ 25/cm2, level 10

9.89 KJ's

40cm2 is the energy level i think it, the higher the better for acne scarring correct?

level 10?? this i dont understand can someone explain please?

9.89KJ is this total energy used on that session?

i notice there is not density shown here like 125/250 is this only for the fraxel 1 or??

thanks for the input

hey folks, what do you guys think about putting 12% glycolic AHA lotion on after the treatment? good or bad idea?

Hey guys. I'm not really seeing much improvements on the scarrings. I'm disappointed again. My skin looks like crap still. I analyzed my scars today and I noticed that the reason I thought they looked better was because Fraxel took away most of the redness on my skin. I'm really loosing hope. My next apt. will be on Jan.4th. Does fraxel really help scars?

Mz. good question. I am ahead of you in treatment. Sometimes I feel the same the way, very nice improvemnt in color, etc, but not much in scars, especailly from excisions. Now, I am wondering whether the guys that do the dermaroller and subsicion at the same time have a better regimen, as perhaps the collagen can't fill in if it is bound down by scar tissue. I see some scarring improvement, but it is minimal. I am betting you will too with more time and treatment, but from where I am now, it is hard to forecast a 40% or 50% improvement even after 8 sessions. Time will tell, so I am trying to be patient, but I understand your frustration. Good luck

hi everyone its my first post i have been reading a few pages of post i don't see anything about wrinkles. would fraxel help wrinkles right under the eyes.

i do have acne scars on my cheeks but not that bad I'm more concern of the wrinkles i cause this past summer by just over doing it.

i did see a Dermatologists a week ago and said the fraxel can improve the wrinkles under my eyes, forehead and my acne scars. just wanted to know if fraxel is more for acne scar then wrinkles BTW i don't really have to much option i have a darker skin tone and fraxel is the only laser that can be done on all patients safely or maybe there is something else that i don't know about. thanks to anyone that reads my post or leave a reply.

p.s. how close do they pass under the eye.

Guys,

It will never be a 100% improvement. My plastic surgeon is really good in this field and it is his professional opinion. The technology we have today is not enough to treat the scars at 100%. Dr. Bell says the most can be achieved is about 50%. But there are also those lucky ones whose bodies react differently and goes beyong the average. If any doctor is offering a smooth skin with no scars, he/she is a liar.

Wild asked about Fraxel 2 (sr 1500) settings. I have only had Sr 750, but I will venture a guess. SR 1500 has 13 preprogrammed levels with increasing coverage with each level. In general, scars are to be treated aggresssively, with mj 40 being level 10 being considered very aggressive, evn for scarring. In fact, the treatment protocols don't contemplate using levels 11, 12, and 13.

This is the big difference between Fraxel 1 settings, as the preprogrammed levels automatically decrease density as the mjs increase to avoid bulk heating and reversion toward full ablation resulting form the wider columns of injury associated with collaterla heat injury. As I understand it, it is regarded as unsafe to treat about 30 mjs at 125 density with Fraxel 1 because the beem splays so that it causes wider columns of injury. Apparently, the SR 1500 does a better job of focusing the light beem so it gets deeper and can be safely used at 40 mjs.

Troubled, is this right?

those are clinical studies at best, they call them "clinical trials" but they are not the double blind, three tier, yada yada, kind of studies they have to do for PMA approval.

I'm not saying fraxel is bad at all. I think its great. I just think people should realize what an FDA 510k approval is, how it's applied for and approved, etc.

Please stop spreading misinformation. I already addressed this in your original thread. The 510k approval does not require the kind of studies a PMA does for good reasons. I'm too lazy to re-type, so please see a few posts up, where my original post was quoted.

kanmi, here is the link

http://www.bcm.edu/dermatology/?pmid=2331

simply me also questioned why would fraxel be FDA approved if it didnt work. fraxel has a "510k" which is not hard at all to get. basically the company just runs a few tests (NOT clinical trials) to show it is safe. they then notify the FDA of their intention to market the device and that's it.

there is another kind of FDA approval called PMA or pre market approval. this is much harder to get, so of course fraxel does not have a PMA approval in any area, not even for melasma.

hate to play the devil's advocate but if that "510k" is not hard at all to get, why isn't any other laser FDA approved for acne scarrings? please answer that, no pun intended of course

 

i think there are other lasers like cooltouch that have a 510k approval. i could be wrong . . .

im not knocking fraxel, but I cringe when i hear people say things like "its FDA approved so it must be good."

 

This is true, but not in the way you meant (i.e., not 510k vs. PMA).

FDA approval means a device is good in that it is both effective and safe. Efficacy, however, is usually a relative term -- it is measured against older treatment methods. For example, if the previous treatment gave 10% improvement, then that is the bar against which new treatments are measured. Similarly, if a previous treatment gave 90% benefit, then new treatments have a much higher bar. In addition, if a treatment is much safer than its predecessors, then there is a chance that the efficacy hurdle may be lowered.

So in order to determine if your definition of "effective" is aligned with the FDA's definition of "effective," you really need to look at the clinical trial data.

Hey guys. I'm not really seeing much improvements on the scarrings. I'm disappointed again. My skin looks like crap still. I analyzed my scars today and I noticed that the reason I thought they looked better was because Fraxel took away most of the redness on my skin. I'm really loosing hope. My next apt. will be on Jan.4th. Does fraxel really help scars?

Hey MZ, im going in for my first fraxel treatment on the 5th. You say your not happy with your results, is that because your scarring was severe or something else?

I read a few of your other posts. I been to Fremont, I think its a boring place but than again I live in Los Angeles.... the city with the best night life, so depends on what your into.

Anyone know if you try these cosmetic procedures earlier than later (younger than older), your skin reacts better to it??

Also I am confused by the whole energy level people are stating. When I went to the dermatologist they told me i think an 18 energy level is the highest and most aggressive. What does that mean? Some people are saying they are doing 40 +.... are we talking about the same machine?

please clarify.

Hey guys. I'm not really seeing much improvements on the scarrings. I'm disappointed again. My skin looks like crap still. I analyzed my scars today and I noticed that the reason I thought they looked better was because Fraxel took away most of the redness on my skin. I'm really loosing hope. My next apt. will be on Jan.4th. Does fraxel really help scars?

Hey MZ, im going in for my first fraxel treatment on the 5th. You say your not happy with your results, is that because your scarring was severe or something else?

I read a few of your other posts. I been to Fremont, I think its a boring place but than again I live in Los Angeles.... the city with the best night life, so depends on what your into.

Anyone know if you try these cosmetic procedures earlier than later (younger than older), your skin reacts better to it??

Also I am confused by the whole energy level people are stating. When I went to the dermatologist they told me i think an 18 energy level is the highest and most aggressive. What does that mean? Some people are saying they are doing 40 +.... are we talking about the same machine?

please clarify.

 

No, I have mild scarring. I don't have anything to say about Fraxel right now.

Everybody,

I have found many times that around ten to fourteen days later after every fraxel, some of my old, relatively deep scars will turn back. Around 3 weeks later, these scars will be plumped again. I don't know if it is normal or not but it indeed bothers me and make me think if my old scars would turn back.....Have you budies have experienced these condition I have encountered?

Any question is what degrees of SPF you are using? what brand?

Newpride

^^well, I dont know about 10-14 days exactly...but I definitely notice my scarring looking worse a little while after the treatments, and then better again.

In fact, since having these 3 treatements...some days it appears to be such a huge change, and others days I wonder if it has done a thing. It seriously changes with the days..very irritating.

^^well, I dont know about 10-14 days exactly...but I definitely notice my scarring looking worse a little while after the treatments, and then better again.

In fact, since having these 3 treatements...some days it appears to be such a huge change, and others days I wonder if it has done a thing. It seriously changes with the days..very irritating. 🙁

This is totally how I feel too!! Frustrating!! I'm having my 4th Fraxel2 on Wed.

Raging Bull: Settings of 18 would be the Fraxel 1 machine, the settings of 40 are Fraxel 2 settings.

Don't some of you guys think you're not giving your skin enough time to really heal? The couple weeks between treatments seems way too short to allow your skin to fully heal, when its exposed to Fraxel again. Seems like you'd need a couple months after your last treatment to give an accurate account.

Hello everybody,

I want to know what sunblock you are using. How much SPF is enough for Fraxel Treatment? Could you give me some advice, my face, after the last fraxel 2 treatment, is very red and dry, I want to find a moisturizer with SPF to apply, but all I could find out is the spf too low......

Any advice?

newpride,

i personally use during the day, NEUTROGENA MOISTURIZER SUN SHEER SPF 30 LIGHT TINT, thats what i use but i'm not in the sun a lot, just during the drive to work then that's it.. good luck

Hello Everyone, just wanted to keep u posted on my progress. Had fraxel done on thursday last week, finally today the swelling has significantly reduced (almost normal now). My skin is still red, and the flaking is almost done with! However my face is really itchy! I try my best not to scratch but it's hard sometimes, so i just lightly rub it. Been trying to keep it moisturized as much as possible when I'm in the house. I use pure Vitamin E oil on my face in the evening before I go to bed. This also helps me keep my hands off my face cause I don't like touching my face when it's all greesy. Other than that, tomorrow I should finally feel comfortable about going out in public.

^^well, I dont know about 10-14 days exactly...but I definitely notice my scarring looking worse a little while after the treatments, and then better again.

In fact, since having these 3 treatements...some days it appears to be such a huge change, and others days I wonder if it has done a thing. It seriously changes with the days..very irritating. 🙁

This is totally how I feel too!! Frustrating!! I'm having my 4th Fraxel2 on Wed.

Raging Bull: Settings of 18 would be the Fraxel 1 machine, the settings of 40 are Fraxel 2 settings.

 

I dont think it has to do with fraxel my face is like this too some days i think damn im almost scar free and other days i go shit i got alot of damn scars and these are from pretty much the same light and angle.

rember things like water content, creams used, etc,etccan make that difference.. the best way is to wash your face towel dry it and wait 10-15 mins then chk in the mirror i find this gives me the most real view of my skin and it doesnt change as much daily as when i have creams on, etc.etc..

Don't some of you guys think you're not giving your skin enough time to really heal? The couple weeks between treatments seems way too short to allow your skin to fully heal, when its exposed to Fraxel again. Seems like you'd need a couple months after your last treatment to give an accurate account.

I'm having them done once a month. Not to soon if you ask me. It's recommended to have them done every 3 to 4 weeks apart. I'm having my 4th tomorrow and will try to have the 5th one at 3 weeks along instead of 4.

I feel like i'm contradicting myself everytime I update. I agree with everyone about scars looking better couple weeks after each treatment and worse after that. I know my skin looks better with lotions or sunscreens. When you don't apply anything you see all your scars. I'm on the 4th month and my 4th treatment will be on this Thursday. My last one will be at the end of the month. I'm really eager to get these treatments over will. The downtime is a torture. I can't say if I saw any improvements right now.

Shyone: How is everything? Are you still happy with your results? Will you post photos soon?

Shyone: How is everything? Are you still happy with your results? Will you post photos soon?

I'm still happy with the results. I tried to post a photo to an album in the gallery, but the quality of what shows once it's posted is the WORST and you can't tell much at all from it.

Anyone know of a better way so you can actually SEE the detail in the photo?

Shyone: How is everything? Are you still happy with your results? Will you post photos soon?

I'm still happy with the results. I tried to post a photo to an album in the gallery, but the quality of what shows once it's posted is the WORST and you can't tell much at all from it.

Anyone know of a better way so you can actually SEE the detail in the photo?

 

Are you using digital camera? I say take it in the bathroom (w/ a mirror) in normal light.

Shyone: How is everything? Are you still happy with your results? Will you post photos soon?

I'm still happy with the results. I tried to post a photo to an album in the gallery, but the quality of what shows once it's posted is the WORST and you can't tell much at all from it.

Anyone know of a better way so you can actually SEE the detail in the photo?

 

Are you using digital camera? I say take it in the bathroom (w/ a mirror) in normal light.

personally i have a digital camera and with it came software to where i can share my photots online, i believe there are some sites that let u post photos of urself, i believe photobucket is one and there are many more, if u have a digital camera i dont think u should have a hard time posting a quality photo of yourself.