I found out today a way to get the best digital pictures of your scars is with a camera's macro mode. It really took the best pics of my scars and depressed me in the process It's hard work taking close up pictures without moving and getting a blurry shot. Uggggg.

I am sooo tired of fraxel. I have heard so many wases of times.

and I dont know what else to suggest, but I do know this.

Things are getting better with time, and there is something coming, but better than fraxel.

What I do know, is pepole are working on more important things like Cancer...........

And they are of course working on scarring.......

I am one of the lucky guys that did a major erbium......and all was well,

But I will go out of country to do another if required......

There is not a big recall, for acne patients in the U.S. or Canada, so their resorces are limited......

Thats all folks, and I wish there was more........!!!!!

not sure if this was seen but another clinic results of fraxel

http://www.iacd2006.com/abstract/58.htm

Wow, that's really positive stuff!

I just had my 2nd fraxel done this morning. My face feels quite tight and it doesnt feel hot anymore. I put lots of aloe and the pro derma moisterizing cream that my doctor gave to me after the procedure. I told them to work on my cheeks the most because thats where most of my scarring has occured. The first time i had fraxel done i was never swallon at all, and i dont think i will be swallon this time either. I am SO lucky, I have heard how swallon people get. But i am pretty red all over. From my first fraxel I think about 10 % of my scars are gone. I really used that retional A cream a lot before the procdure just like they told me too. I think that was the main thing to use! But other then that it was still VERY painful, So hopefully this is the last treatment that i do.

I really wish to get something done for my scars in the future. But I have a couple main questions:

1. I've heard the treatments have gone down in price, but will most insurances pay for most of the cost or will I be paying a lot of money out of pocket?

2. I've only got a couple of areas I'd like to be treated for, which include a few shallow rolling scars on near my cheekbones and a few icepicks inbetween my eyes. Does it cost less for spot treatments? Also how does it affect icepicks and rolling scars differently?

if anyone could answer they'd be a big help.

I have not noticed any reduction in price.. in fact the same doc I went to 1 year prior to is charging more $$ now than he was a year ago.. They are still at around 1K per treatment. If you can find better in Los Angeles you are very lucky.

Ralazir:

1) This is an out of pocket treatment b/c it's purely cosmetic. Prices will probably not go down in the near future. This laser's only been out for no more than 3 years I think. Priciest in the city. I live in Colorado and my doc does it for $500 for my forehead only. That's a fairly good price. I've had 1 full face treatment and one forehead only.

2) It depends whether your doctor will do spot treatments. I think most docs prefer to do full face just b/c you will still take up office space and time for spot treatments.

Take some time to read this thread. I did for about a year before finally getting the treatment. Mixed responses and reactions just like the accutane logs, but very helpful. You will have to wait 6 months after your accutane treatment. I am acutally going to get on accutane before continuuing any more treatments to clear up my lingering acne. Are you satisfied with your results?

would a 30% tca peel three week post 5th fraxel make any difference to the redness and the overall "un-nantural" skin tone and color (bronze racoon like look)?

I tried this with a 20% glycolic and it got MUCH WORSE. Hope you didn't do it.

Hello!

I am planning to take a fraxel. But I still have massive breakouts on my face (the damn thing never stops!). Can I take fraxel treatment while there are still a lot of breakouts?

I had my 4th one done this afternoon. I believe it was at the same level as the last one as it's the highest level but my docor said he has a prototype Fraxel2 and it goes up to 45 which covers 38%, I am doing 40 which covers 28% (I think that's what he said, I'm a bit tired now). I told him to just stay where we are now as I have very sensitive skin and he also said you would get more swelling with the higher settings (naturally). I am about to go to bed and I am more swollen then usual this time. My face looks like it does when I get up in the morning after a Fraxel so I am a little worried how much more swollen I am going to be when I get up. I'm taking a benadryl and 2 ibuprofen before bed and sleeping on a wedge so I am a bit more elevated then usual.

I had around 6 or 7 small red bumps/pimples when I got up today which put me in a foul mood. I have been getting these little bumps since I started the Fraxel so the doctor gave me a sample of some sulfar stuff to try.

The nurse and doctor also asked me if I would let them send my before and after pictures to Reliant to use since I have done the Fraxel 2 exclusivly (I guess they don't have a lot of before and after's since it's such a new laser) Shyone maybe they would want to use yours as well or did you have the Fraxel 1 first?

I guess they see some improvment or they woudn't be asking to use my pics. The nurse said she can see my boxcars spreading out and flattening (which are the ones I can see improvment too) but right now I am hoping to see a lot more improvment from these last two treatments around 3 or 4 months after my 5th Fraxel in 3 weeks.

I will probably end up getting at least 2 more done (my doctors lucky number is 7 after all lol I have pretty deep and quite a few scars so I will probably need a few more treatments.

Oh and to give a few of you a hint. The nurse who put on the numbing cream added a bit more 10 to 15 mins before the procedure to really numb me completly and it seemed to help with the a bit with the pain. Also put the blue cream after they wipe off the numbing cream so it won't stain as much.

jjp

i dont know if you addressed this before, but are you going to post pictures? It would be helpful if you could, but of course, no pressure if you dont feel comfortable doing so.

I had my 4th one done this afternoon. I believe it was at the same level as the last one as it's the highest level but my docor said he has a prototype Fraxel2 and it goes up to 45 which covers 38%, I am doing 40 which covers 28% (I think that's what he said, I'm a bit tired now). I told him to just stay where we are now as I have very sensitive skin and he also said you would get more swelling with the higher settings (naturally). I am about to go to bed and I am more swollen then usual this time. My face looks like it does when I get up in the morning after a Fraxel so I am a little worried how much more swollen I am going to be when I get up. I'm taking a benadryl and 2 ibuprofen before bed and sleeping on a wedge so I am a bit more elevated then usual.

I had around 6 or 7 small red bumps/pimples when I got up today which put me in a foul mood. I have been getting these little bumps since I started the Fraxel so the doctor gave me a sample of some sulfar stuff to try.

The nurse and doctor also asked me if I would let them send my before and after pictures to Reliant to use since I have done the Fraxel 2 exclusivly (I guess they don't have a lot of before and after's since it's such a new laser) Shyone maybe they would want to use yours as well or did you have the Fraxel 1 first?

I guess they see some improvment or they woudn't be asking to use my pics. The nurse said she can see my boxcars spreading out and flattening (which are the ones I can see improvment too) but right now I am hoping to see a lot more improvment from these last two treatments around 3 or 4 months after my 5th Fraxel in 3 weeks.

I will probably end up getting at least 2 more done (my doctors lucky number is 7 after all lol 😉 I have pretty deep and quite a few scars so I will probably need a few more treatments.

Oh and to give a few of you a hint. The nurse who put on the numbing cream added a bit more 10 to 15 mins before the procedure to really numb me completly and it seemed to help with the a bit with the pain. Also put the blue cream after they wipe off the numbing cream so it won't stain as much.

Hi jjp, Congratulations on you improvement! I'm starting Fraxel 2 tomorrow, and I copied down all your settings. I'm going to ask my doctor if he'll follow your settings. How was your face today? I swell easily too, and I'm not looking forward to that again. I enjoy reading your posts.

Have any of you people done Fraxel in DC area? Could any of you recommend a good doctor for Fraxel treatment and general acne treatment?

Thanks!

Ralazir:

1) This is an out of pocket treatment b/c it's purely cosmetic. Prices will probably not go down in the near future. This laser's only been out for no more than 3 years I think. Priciest in the city. I live in Colorado and my doc does it for $500 for my forehead only. That's a fairly good price. I've had 1 full face treatment and one forehead only.

2) It depends whether your doctor will do spot treatments. I think most docs prefer to do full face just b/c you will still take up office space and time for spot treatments.

Take some time to read this thread. I did for about a year before finally getting the treatment. Mixed responses and reactions just like the accutane logs, but very helpful. You will have to wait 6 months after your accutane treatment. I am acutally going to get on accutane before continuuing any more treatments to clear up my lingering acne. Are you satisfied with your results?

Alright thanks (not sure I will get it anymore 🙁 )

Yes I'm satisfied with Tane so far (I no longer get cysts/nods however I do still breakout in mild spots every now and then, but I'm not done and my derm says it can get better after you stop). However I have one regret that I did scar from it. I had a monstrous cyst in the little section of my right eye/nose, which I had to get injected a few times, and now there's nothing under the skin plus 3 icepicks in a row coming up near the skin between the eyebrows. It would look so bad If I didn't have long enough hair to cover it.

I was wondering if I could get something done to pluff that part back up to normal, and I'm not shy about putting makeup over that one spot, it really infuriates me. Can my derm do anything about it? I'm seeing him tomorrow.

I had my 4th fraxel today (just got home). My doctor increased the energy level to 30 (Check my signature). It actually didn't feel more painful during the procedure but I really feel the pain now. I am also more red and swollen this time. My doc. said she saw improvements w/ my skin. But I'm still not satisfied. I'm hoping I will notice more change after this treatment. My last treatment will be in 3 weeks. She told me to stop for 6 months incase I want more treatments. I will look over the photos they've taken for comparsion next time. I noticed my MJ is lower than previous treatment. And I should ask her about the passes because I feel like she does 8 passes on each spots vertically and then she does 8 passes on each spots horzontally. I feel like I had so many passes and lost count afterward. She also treat individual scars w/ smaller tips on me.

Edited: O yeah, if you guys like using Aloe Vera after treatments. Try CVS brand b/c it doesn't sting like FOTE. I asked for some samples to take home this time. Fote really irritates my skin so I finally remembered to ask the brand they use at the office.

JJP: I guess we had our treatment on the same day. Today is Jan. 4th by the way. It says 3rd on your signature.

I'm afraid to fall asleep (so tired). I know my face will swell up real bad if I do.

Hey guys. I didn't sleep but I just saw myself in the mirror. I'm sooo swollen. And I take back the CVS aloe vera. I reapplied some and it burns so bad. It was the numbing cream that helped earlier. This treatment is by far the most aggressive for me. I'm still in pain. Ouch! I just applied Obagi sunscreen on. My face feels so tight right now and I'm wondering if there is anything I could do about that.

JJP; You are so brave. I don't think I can handle 40.

Edited: My doc. also covered both of my temples this time. More coverage on cheeks as well. So its full cheeks from below my eyes to bottom of my jaw line. Usually she just stops above the jaw bone. I also didn't ask her to be aggressive this time. I think she does better w/o me speaking up.

I had my 4th one done this afternoon. I believe it was at the same level as the last one as it's the highest level but my docor said he has a prototype Fraxel2 and it goes up to 45 which covers 38%, I am doing 40 which covers 28% (I think that's what he said, I'm a bit tired now). I told him to just stay where we are now as I have very sensitive skin and he also said you would get more swelling with the higher settings (naturally). I am about to go to bed and I am more swollen then usual this time. My face looks like it does when I get up in the morning after a Fraxel so I am a little worried how much more swollen I am going to be when I get up. I'm taking a benadryl and 2 ibuprofen before bed and sleeping on a wedge so I am a bit more elevated then usual.

I had around 6 or 7 small red bumps/pimples when I got up today which put me in a foul mood. I have been getting these little bumps since I started the Fraxel so the doctor gave me a sample of some sulfar stuff to try.

The nurse and doctor also asked me if I would let them send my before and after pictures to Reliant to use since I have done the Fraxel 2 exclusivly (I guess they don't have a lot of before and after's since it's such a new laser) Shyone maybe they would want to use yours as well or did you have the Fraxel 1 first?

I guess they see some improvment or they woudn't be asking to use my pics. The nurse said she can see my boxcars spreading out and flattening (which are the ones I can see improvment too) but right now I am hoping to see a lot more improvment from these last two treatments around 3 or 4 months after my 5th Fraxel in 3 weeks.

I will probably end up getting at least 2 more done (my doctors lucky number is 7 after all lol 😉 I have pretty deep and quite a few scars so I will probably need a few more treatments.

Oh and to give a few of you a hint. The nurse who put on the numbing cream added a bit more 10 to 15 mins before the procedure to really numb me completly and it seemed to help with the a bit with the pain. Also put the blue cream after they wipe off the numbing cream so it won't stain as much.

Hi jjp, Congratulations on you improvement! I'm starting Fraxel 2 tomorrow, and I copied down all your settings. I'm going to ask my doctor if he'll follow your settings. How was your face today? I swell easily too, and I'm not looking forward to that again. I enjoy reading your posts.

 

My face is still very swollen and very red as usual. I'm totally used to it now though. The first time I did it I spent a long time looking in the mirror freaked out about how swollen my face was........so don't freak out it's normal. Keep it moisturized and if you can get one of these masks! It feels so good on your face! http://marketplace.spaelegance.com/browse.cfm/4,1912.htm

If the doctors office gives me the pictures I might post them when I am done. Or I might set up an online thing where I give a few people the password so they can check them out. Don't think I am going to post them here. I'm a very private person 😉

Good luck cubs fan!! Let me know how it goes!!!

No I had mine on Wed the 3rd late afternoon not the 4th.

I had my 4th one done this afternoon. I believe it was at the same level as the last one as it's the highest level but my docor said he has a prototype Fraxel2 and it goes up to 45 which covers 38%, I am doing 40 which covers 28% (I think that's what he said, I'm a bit tired now). I told him to just stay where we are now as I have very sensitive skin and he also said you would get more swelling with the higher settings (naturally). I am about to go to bed and I am more swollen then usual this time. My face looks like it does when I get up in the morning after a Fraxel so I am a little worried how much more swollen I am going to be when I get up. I'm taking a benadryl and 2 ibuprofen before bed and sleeping on a wedge so I am a bit more elevated then usual.

I had around 6 or 7 small red bumps/pimples when I got up today which put me in a foul mood. I have been getting these little bumps since I started the Fraxel so the doctor gave me a sample of some sulfar stuff to try.

The nurse and doctor also asked me if I would let them send my before and after pictures to Reliant to use since I have done the Fraxel 2 exclusivly (I guess they don't have a lot of before and after's since it's such a new laser) Shyone maybe they would want to use yours as well or did you have the Fraxel 1 first?

I guess they see some improvment or they woudn't be asking to use my pics. The nurse said she can see my boxcars spreading out and flattening (which are the ones I can see improvment too) but right now I am hoping to see a lot more improvment from these last two treatments around 3 or 4 months after my 5th Fraxel in 3 weeks.

I will probably end up getting at least 2 more done (my doctors lucky number is 7 after all lol 😉 I have pretty deep and quite a few scars so I will probably need a few more treatments.

Oh and to give a few of you a hint. The nurse who put on the numbing cream added a bit more 10 to 15 mins before the procedure to really numb me completly and it seemed to help with the a bit with the pain. Also put the blue cream after they wipe off the numbing cream so it won't stain as much.

Hi jjp, Congratulations on you improvement! I'm starting Fraxel 2 tomorrow, and I copied down all your settings. I'm going to ask my doctor if he'll follow your settings. How was your face today? I swell easily too, and I'm not looking forward to that again. I enjoy reading your posts.

 

My face is still very swollen and very red as usual. I'm totally used to it now though. The first time I did it I spent a long time looking in the mirror freaked out about how swollen my face was........so don't freak out it's normal. Keep it moisturized and if you can get one of these masks! It feels so good on your face! http://marketplace.spaelegance.com/browse.cfm/4,1912.htm

If the doctors office gives me the pictures I might post them when I am done. Or I might set up an online thing where I give a few people the password so they can check them out. Don't think I am going to post them here. I'm a very private person 😉

Good luck cubs fan!! Let me know how it goes!!!

No I had mine on Wed the 3rd late afternoon not the 4th.

 

Thanks jjp. I have one of those natragel masks, and I was wondering how many times a day do you put the mask on? Thanks.

lol, hrms ... seems like today is the official fraxel day on this thread of the new year!

lol happy 2007 everyone, may you all get what you deserve in happiness, health, and wealth.

i also did my 3rd fraxel today earlier, settings were 24mjs, full face was only 20mjs, but scarred areas is 24 mjs, i think i did 1 additional passes on both cheek. report back more later.

Is there a main difference in results if you go with fraxel 1 as opposed to fraxel 2? because my dermatologist was telling me the max setting on the machine is 18? and can someone quickly summarize the main difference between the two procedures? and is there a huge difference in results?

thanks

Is there a main difference in results if you go with fraxel 1 as opposed to fraxel 2? because my dermatologist was telling me the max setting on the machine is 18? and can someone quickly summarize the main difference between the two procedures? and is there a huge difference in results?

thanks

Hi,

The original Fraxel has settings up to 40, the problem is that the openings in the lens are only large enough for a setting of 20mj. The results with this setting are very good if treated agressively; meaning enough passes to treat at least 25% of the face each treatment. This yields somewhere between a 60 to 80% improvement of scarring depending on the severity. The new machine has a lens that adjusts to the actual width of each power setting to give a very accurate and clean distribution of the laser beams into the tissue. So the new machine is better providing the user has good experience with Fraxel in general. I hope this helps.

just venting...

fraxel is really frustrating to me!

what attracted me to it was the limited downtime.

but, fine if you have to be swollen and red, then okay i'll deal with it.

the kicker is the number of treatments.

if you need 4 treatments... that's 4 periods of downtime and recovery.

i honestly think of how i could pull that off... and it frustrates the hell out of me.

lol, FRAXEL is the best thing i have done for myself regarding skin tones, orangey skin texture fixed, enlarged pores, blackheads, and of course scars, so far i estimated a major improvement, check my posts in this thread to be more specific. i am very keen about this and think that i will be scar free after the 4th treatment or perhaps 6 months after the 4th one then if i don't like the results, then i'm back fraxeling again, but spot treatment but i am not hoping for that but its just a back up plan. also fraxel is perhaps the most expensive scar revision treatment out there and the reason be is that it works, as for down time, its nothing compared to other lasers (i.e. erbium, co2), you get swolen like 3 days max, even less if you ice pack ur face, then the redness sticks around for about 5 days or so, then it gets pinkish tone, but the results are permanent, i would elaborate more but i'm a little tire from my 3rd fraxeled treatment earlier today. so that's it for now, hope that helps, i don't like people loosing hope.

I use the gel mask around 2 to 3 times on the day of the Fraxel, that's when it feels the best!!!..... the day after, once or twice. I actually haven't even used it at all today. Tomorrow, 2nd full day after I will start to get dry and peel so I will probably use it 2 times to help with that. Today I was just swollen and red. My skin wasn't hotj, dry or flakey today because I kept it well moisturized. Took an alavert and two ibuprofens for the swelling. I take benedryl at night to help with the swelling and to help me sleep too. My eyes are so swollen today but it doesn't even bother me anymore.

I would say three days of downtime where I won't leave the house. Usually by the 4th day I can take a nice warm shower and get off most of the flaking and then put on a little makeup to cover the redness and go out and run errands and eat lunch out.

At this time in my life I can deal with the downtime from each treatment. I couldnt' deal with the downtime from a CO2 ablative laser. Yes, it is expensive but from all of my options this was the best for me.