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ok so i am seriously considering getting some 'makeup' so I can go out of the house post-fraxel this week.
tell me what you think of these options:
http://www.studio5ive.com/HTML/mens-foundation.htm
or perhaps the lycogel which is supposed to speed up healing anyway with live yeast:
http://www.lycogel.com/about.html
anyone out there think this is going too far? i am dreading the question: "are you wearing makeup!!?" but both of these products claim they are 'undetectable'
- Eric
Kooky --- how is the redness for you now???
Hey eric,
I've never heard of lycogel but it sounds interesting. I've never had much success with anything to reduce redness, including oxygen therapy. I've gone the concealer/makeup route for the redness. :redface: I ended up going out in public most of the weekend. The annoying thing was not so much the redness since it was concealed fairly well, it was the dry and flaky skin. I started to use vaseline in the evenings and that helped a little. I'm 6 days post now, and the redness has really faded, it's just mildly pink. And thankfully zero hyperpigmentation. I think by turkey day my skin color should look as it did before I had the fraxel. Keep us posted on your fraxels with Dr. Fitzpatrick.
kook
I wasn't for sure on the terminology but I heard her saying that low density for Asian Skin is good, does anyone know what she means by this? I had only 2 passes done one going horizontal and one going vertical on my face, does anyone know if increase passes actually help? I wanted to do more passes to my face next time I see her, I mean to get effective treatment that breaks up acne scar you need very aggressive treatment I assume. Just two passes at 20 mj at low density doesn't seem too aggressive to me. My redness and swelling is almost gone.
I wasn't for sure on the terminology but I heard her saying that low density for Asian Skin is good, does anyone know what she means by this? I had only 2 passes done one going horizontal and one going vertical on my face, does anyone know if increase passes actually help? I wanted to do more passes to my face next time I see her, I mean to get effective treatment that breaks up acne scar you need very aggressive treatment I assume. Just two passes at 20 mj at low density doesn't seem too aggressive to me. My redness and swelling is almost gone.
Low density is 125 MTZ/cm^2
High density is 250 MTZ/cm^2
It depends on what you mean by a pass, if by pass you mean one stroke of the laser, thats 125, but if by pass you mean when they go across 1 area of your face, it would be 500 because most doctors go up, down, and do 50% overlap for a total of 4x the density on each "pass" across an area.
Low density is 125 MTZ/cm^2High density is 250 MTZ/cm^2
It depends on what you mean by a pass, if by pass you mean one stroke of the laser, thats 125, but if by pass you mean when they go across 1 area of your face, it would be 500 because most doctors go up, down, and do 50% overlap for a total of 4x the density on each "pass" across an area.
Yea I mean Pass when they go across 1 area of your face but in my incase she did full face. I guess I misunderstood the terminology. Basically she went up and down on each side of my face, then she did an overlap of that going left to right or right to left. So basically pass means each stroke of laser. Ok I think I got it, don't remember my exact passes then. I did full face and also got and overlap done then. :think:
The video dino posted explains it pretty well: http://www.aspirebecome.com/common/multimedia.asp#
It sounds like you got 8 passes at 125 density for a total of 1000 MTZ/cm^2. Next time you go in you can ask the doctor for a sheet with the info on it. Dr. Castillio gave me a copy of his notes which had all the passes, energy levels, densities, and total energy output on it.
Hey all. I've found a doctor in my area who performs Fraxel, and I'm going to make an appointment in the near future. I have a bunch of shallow scars, a small amount of scarred pores and a few other scars that were boxcar but have improved and become shallower because of tca cross, so basically my scarring is not that severe. But I also have this area where ex-hypertrophic scars have turned into flat burn scars with that shiny/reddish texture.
I read that Fraxel helps with skin texture in general, and is sort of comparable to needling, so do you all think that it would have a good/bad effect on this burn texture? It's not a huge area, but it's not just the size of a pimple. I thought it might be a good idea because it is supposed to help with textural problems in general, and this is indeed a textural problem. :/ Anyone having this done because of a shiny/burn or orange peel texture?
Good luck, and I'll update if/when I find anything out.
Hey all. I've found a doctor in my area who performs Fraxel, and I'm going to make an appointment in the near future. I have a bunch of shallow scars, a small amount of scarred pores and a few other scars that were boxcar but have improved and become shallower because of tca cross, so basically my scarring is not that severe. But I also have this area where ex-hypertrophic scars have turned into flat burn scars with that shiny/reddish texture.
I read that Fraxel helps with skin texture in general, and is sort of comparable to needling, so do you all think that it would have a good/bad effect on this burn texture? It's not a huge area, but it's not just the size of a pimple. I thought it might be a good idea because it is supposed to help with textural problems in general, and this is indeed a textural problem. :/ Anyone having this done because of a shiny/burn or orange peel texture?
Good luck, and I'll update if/when I find anything out.
🙂
I had the orange peel texture thing, with lots of enlarged pores, and it has done well to smooth it out. I think it will help all types of scars.
http://www.shorelaser.com/FractionalAblativeLaser.html Has lots of information
If you read up on the settings a bit, you can customize your results/downtime.
Does Anyone know how much Dr. Fitzpatrick charges for each treatment....and what is the consultation charge..
Thanx.
Consultation is free. The cost depends on what you are having treated: full face, or just the cheecks? Fitzpatrick is the leading fraxel doctor so you will pay a premium for his expertise -- but he does perform the procedure NOT a RN or someone else. If you are looking for full face, 5 treatments, you should be prepared to spend around $8000
Today is Day 4 after my fraxel on monday. I am still noticeably red, and because of the treatment area [ cheecks and temples ] it is clear that I didn't get just a sunburn...
Yesterday I started peeling and I took a long shower and gentle tried to get the skin to fall off with small circles with my finger:: maybe I should have let it fall off on itself??
I have been using the Eucerin redness relief cream and Aloe Vera Gel from Trader Joes hoping to reduce the redness.
I am worried it might be more than a few days untill I am back to normal and able to go out in public....
Anyone have any good tips for the redness???
- Eric
Hi..
I asked this question before..i am sorry to ask it again...
but i was wondering if you guys think fraxel will help my type of scarring which is mostly scarred pores and some small ice picks.
the pictures of my scars can be found here:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...cmd=si&img=6765
I am really intreasted in this procedure but there is no doctor that does it in Toronto so I think ill have to fly to USA to get this done but first I want to know if it will help my type of scarring or no...
any comment would be much appreciated.
Hi..
I asked this question before..i am sorry to ask it again...
but i was wondering if you guys think fraxel will help my type of scarring which is mostly scarred pores and some small ice picks.
the pictures of my scars can be found here:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...cmd=si&img=6765
I am really intreasted in this procedure but there is no doctor that does it in Toronto so I think ill have to fly to USA to get this done but first I want to know if it will help my type of scarring or no...
any comment would be much appreciated.
Looks more like enlarged poors, mabye a few subtle scars. Fraxel would definitely help, but its probally not needed :: maybe something less agressive to begin with?
- Eric
anyone still out there? today is saturday and I had my fraxel done monday.
the redness is persistant! -- i am now using some lycogel but it still looks pretty obvious to me.
i also got some "green tea serum' which 90% polyphenol isolates derived from green tea and caffeine as well :: i am hoping this will help with the redness!
i had no idea it would be this red -- i have taken the whole week off and now maybe i cannot go out this week either -- i guess this is the cost of more aggressive treatments???
any ideas?
thanks.
- Eric
anyone still out there? today is saturday and I had my fraxel done monday.
the redness is persistant! -- i am now using some lycogel but it still looks pretty obvious to me.
i also got some "green tea serum' which 90% polyphenol isolates derived from green tea and caffeine as well :: i am hoping this will help with the redness!
i had no idea it would be this red -- i have taken the whole week off and now maybe i cannot go out this week either -- i guess this is the cost of more aggressive treatments???
any ideas?
thanks.
- Eric
Just relax! The redness or pinkness will go away within a week. My doc was using 15mj and 2 passes for my first treatment and the redness was gone in less than 2 days.
JL
Wow, it took a while to read this whole thread. I'm glad I did because there is a ton of great information. This sounds like a good laser to use to lessen acne scaring but of course not a cure all. I just can't believe it is soooooooo expensive. I did the Smoothbeam combined with the V Beam and Erbium over a year ago. It did hel my scars some.......people have told me they can tell but I still have the deep scars and some weird smaller scars that are still very noticable. I also have very uneven skin tone that upsets me almost more then the scaring. I have to wear a ton of makeup to cover the redness of old scars and roseaca.
I saw a picture of myself from a party I went to last Wed and now I realize I still have a LONG way to go. I was so depressed looking at that picture. It made me come back here and look to see what the latest treatment is. If we keep trying one of them is bound to work.
Does anyone know of a good doctor in Houston, Texas who does the Fraxel or any kind of non laser scar treatments.....punch grafts, ect.?
Thanks again to everyone who shared their stories.
JP
Hi everyone
I had my 1st Fraxel done on 29 Oct and its been 10 days. The doc only did 8 mjs 🙁 despite my telling him I'd want him to go higher. He did 4 passes for a total of 1000 mtz/cm and I think reduced it to 6mjs (the lowest u can go!!) for the last coupla passes. He insisted that he wanted to do some general re-surfacing before cranking it up next time. I'm going to have to sign up for 5 Fraxels.
They gave me 30% hydroquinone cream, a moisturising mist spray and some Noni gel for the healing. Had to spray and apply gel 4 times a day making it difficult to leave the house.
I don't know how Pete can take 30mjs...for me even with the anesthetic cream and the zimmer, I felt like my face was being burned! It was hot! I had goggles even tho' the doc said technically the machine won't target anything without the blue dye.
I had it done on a Sat afternoon but even on Sat night, my face was still kinda swollen and I still had the burning sensation. The doctor said swelling in the 1st 24-48 hrs is good.
I only started peeling on day 4 on my cheeks mostly. Didn't peel on my forehead at all. But compared to the peeling from chemical peels, the peeling here is pretty light and I noticed that only the skin over my acne scars seemed to peel. My cheeks are still a little pink but I can't see any visible improvements to my scars altho' my skin does look a little clearer (I have pigmentation too!).
And Andrew, I've noticed a coupla pimples since Fraxel but no real breakout. I'm gonna ask the doctor abt it the next time.
Keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of the Fraxels. At more than US$700/- per session, it better be worth something!
Hi, Pinky, may I know who your doctor is and where you did your first Frexal treatment in Singapore?
Cause I am going to have my first frexal treatment soon in SG.
how does your skin look like now?
wish you can see more improvement soon!
Hey Bora - I see Dr Kenneth Lee at the Sloane Clinic. PM me if you need their number. Far as I know, they're still the only doctors in SG with the Fraxel machine. They have the zimmer cooling machine too altho' I'd recommend that you take the painkiller they offer. Even at 8mj with the zimmer and anaesthetic cream on my face, it really hurt!
I haven't seen any improvement at all to my scars to be honest, not even the shallow ones. I had a coupla HUGE pimples post-Fraxel...one of which has left a mark on my cheek. What I do notice is that my eyes seem bigger because the skin over my eyebrows is a little more taut. Kinda like getting botox..
But I'm willing to give it a few more treatments becuz nothing else out there seems to work as well. I've done Smoothbeam and TCA/Phenol peels in the past.
My next Fraxel is next Friday 9 Dec...dreading the pain and redness! 🙁 ..but no pain, no gain!
Does anybody ever post any pictures of their pre/post fraxel treatments????
I figured this thing has been out long enough that there would be some more photos out there. Aside from a few scattered photos all I ever see are the ones from the Reliant promo. If somebody know of another site with some photos, please direct me to it.
I am having a treatment on the 15th and would love to see some actual non-reliant photos. Even the locals doctors here dont have any patient photos to show!
I am very curious... Has anyone who has had fraxel laser done on their face felt a tingling (pins and needles) feeling when they touch their face (up to 2-3 weeks post procedure)? Is this of concern? I wonder if the nerves are being effected in someway and whether it is ok to do another treatment while feeling this prickling sensation. Any thoughts form anyone who has had such a experience and still went for another fraxel treatment? Thanks.
I am very curious... Has anyone who has had fraxel laser done on their face felt a tingling (pins and needles) feeling when they touch their face (up to 2-3 weeks post procedure)? Is this of concern? I wonder if the nerves are being effected in someway and whether it is ok to do another treatment while feeling this prickling sensation. Any thoughts form anyone who has had such a experience and still went for another fraxel treatment? Thanks.
I have had 4 fraxel's as of Nov 30th....Have not experienced anything like that!
Kinda scary eh? Ya never know w/lasers.. Are you doing high energy levels? Wish
i had a better answer to your question... I hope everything is ok and wish ya luck
on finding out.. :pray: The sh@# we go through for these dang scares :wall:
I am not sure what energy levels I was treated with and the tingling does seem to be subsiding, but I would still love to hear from anyone who experienced this sensation and still went on to have more fraxel treatments. I do believe I have had some improvement in my scar appearance even after one treatment. I would like to continue with my other three.
Scarzsuc, now that you have done 4 treatments, what is your level of success and what type of scars did you start with? thanks.
I am not sure what energy levels I was treated with and the tingling does seem to be subsiding, but I would still love to hear from anyone who experienced this sensation and still went on to have more fraxel treatments. I do believe I have had some improvement in my scar appearance even after one treatment. I would like to continue with my other three.
Scarzsuc, now that you have done 4 treatments, what is your level of success and what type of scars did you start with? thanks.
Ya know who knows what i have as far as scars...So many doc's have told me different...I have the kind
that when you stretch your skin they all go away...Like indentions...rolling i guess..The kind that suc!!
Thats all i know : 🙁 not much improvment so far...I was all over the place as far as energy levels though.
12....15...17 were the levels for my first 3 and up and down to 10...8....Well this last one she did at 20mj
125 den like 8-9 passes...So im hopefull that this will produce some good results...I know Florida guy did'nt see anything till after his 3 0r 4 and i hope that's what will happen for me...I love the swelling and its hard when it goes away and it all comes back...You really get that fantasy feeling of what it would be like to not have scars just for a few days...Also makes it harder however..Im just hopeful my Doc knows what she is doing and this gives me some kind of difference...I will keep ya posted!! Thanks to everybody who writes on this site and tells what they are going through...Truley makes a difference to me...Iv learned alot and also cried over stories that are so so similar to my own...Someday my friends...there will be something :pray:
I am very curious... Has anyone who has had fraxel laser done on their face felt a tingling (pins and needles) feeling when they touch their face (up to 2-3 weeks post procedure)? Is this of concern? I wonder if the nerves are being effected in someway and whether it is ok to do another treatment while feeling this prickling sensation. Any thoughts form anyone who has had such a experience and still went for another fraxel treatment? Thanks.
Yes I have that feeling and it's been 3 weeks now but its starting to go away. I feel it when I wash my face.