Troubled and Annde

I say 25% improvement, but that is subjective. I notice about 50% on very sahllow rolling scars, but essentially no improvment in scarred pores, forehead wrinkles, surgical scars/failed excisions, and a couple deeper scars. I am happy I have done it, but the scarring efficacy was way less than expected. I think, but don't know, that I might be getting more benefit from the Sr 1500 than form the SR 750. So far, it has not helped with repigmentation of white surgical scars. Hope this helps.

Troubled and Annde

I say 25% improvement, but that is subjective. I notice about 50% on very sahllow rolling scars, but essentially no improvment in scarred pores, forehead wrinkles, surgical scars/failed excisions, and a couple deeper scars. I am happy I have done it, but the scarring efficacy was way less than expected. I think, but don't know, that I might be getting more benefit from the Sr 1500 than form the SR 750. So far, it has not helped with repigmentation of white surgical scars. Hope this helps.

Hi BillyBoy! Excuse me how can you see from outside if the machine is the SR750 or SR 1500 , did they any differnce between the 2 machines ? thanks

They have model #s, which I briefly noticed. But, Reliant rep brought in the SR 1500 from SF to demo it to my doc and nurse for possilbe upgrade purchase. The machines look very similar.

Hey Gang, I have my fraxel #2 update and a couple survey questions for the regulars. It hurt a lot more this time, and I was a lot more red and swollen after this treatment than the first. It will be interesting to see how that will impact the downtime and healing reaction. She said she used 7/20 and 7/30 (I thought she had used 8/20 the first time but she said it was 6) and 8 passes. She also goes back over scars etc. at higher strengths. The first time they used a "triple numbing" ointment and this time they used #30 lidocaine which is supposed to be more potent and numb you better. But I swear it didn't seem to work as well. When the ass't wiped off the ointment I could feel the scrapping of the gauze and I thought that was a bad sign; it actually was uncomfortable getting wiped off and I didn't notice that at all the first time. Also, I had smoothed the ointment out with my pinky finger and it didn't feel numb. I had also did this the first time and when I pressed my nail into it I didn't feel it. So, survey question #1 - do you know what kind of numbing cream they use on you, and have they ever tried different kinds and do you feel a difference? It might be to hard to figure out but it would be interesting to see if we could track the type of numbing cream with peoples reaction to how painful they felt it was.

Survey question #2 (and the nurse asked me to ask this to help her decide to recommend this) - has anyone tried using tns recovery after their treatment and felt it helped. The reliant rep was pushing it (don't know if they have any financial incentive) but it cost $140 and she doesn't want to push it unless folks feel its really a benefit. I mentioned I have not heard anyone mention it on here, and I guess if it was so great I would have seen it by now.

Thanks Billyboy and Cubsfan~

I found a doctor in my area that uses the reliant 1500. I am

tempted to go with them. They charge more, $620 instead of the $400 I am paying now, but

I am wondering if it would be worth it. I have done four treatments thus far and have one more to go according to protocol, but I have mixed emotions about moving on as they have my pre op pictures and it

would be nice to see what the final results yeild with this first series.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Annde

Thanks Billyboy and Cubsfan~

I found a doctor in my area that uses the reliant 1500. I am

tempted to go with them. They charge more, $620 instead of the $400 I am paying now, but

I am wondering if it would be worth it. I have done four treatments thus far and have one more to go according to protocol, but I have mixed emotions about moving on as they have my pre op pictures and it

would be nice to see what the final results yeild with this first series.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Annde

If you go with the other doc, why don't you ask for a copy of your file with the pics to take with you. Even though the other practice cameras will be a little different you could probably still get a good idea. The new machine will be able to use the new tip soon so you won't have to use the blue dye. If you are thinking about having more than one that may be another advantage with the new practice.

I have a TENS unit that I have used on my back over the last 10 years from time to time, but not now, as I am way better. It is only partially successful - it worked best on my back pain, but did not help the radiating pain in lower body. The basic principal is to create a distracting sensation or nerve stimuli (that can be slighly painful in the form of electric shocks) so that pain signals won't be sent to the brain. It is premised on the gateway theory of pain, which I suscribe to.

That said, I see no application for fraxel because fraxel is not that painful and is very temporary. An opiate would be a better choice for a short duration pain.

I hope I understood the question. sorry if I misunderstood.

hiya jewel 001

im starting fraxel treatment shortly and live in uk. The dr who is performing the procedures is called dr dutta and he is located at sunderland and newcastle in the north east of england i think its 650 per session for full face. I hope this helps

I have a TENS unit that I have used on my back over the last 10 years from time to time, but not now, as I am way better. It is only partially successful - it worked best on my back pain, but did not help the radiating pain in lower body. The basic principal is to create a distracting sensation or nerve stimuli (that can be slighly painful in the form of electric shocks) so that pain signals won't be sent to the brain. It is premised on the gateway theory of pain, which I suscribe to.

That said, I see no application for fraxel because fraxel is not that painful and is very temporary. An opiate would be a better choice for a short duration pain.

I hope I understood the question. sorry if I misunderstood.

Hey Billyboy,

I was referring to TNS Recovery Complex, a lotion/serum you apply directly to the face. The reliant rep says it speeds recovery, but is very expensive and the nurse doesn't want to recommend w/o some good experiences from someone/if any or not. (I've never tried it.)

The other thing I was referring to is which type of numbing cream they use to numb your face prior to treatment to help with pain during the procedure. There are a variety of responses on here on pain levels; my first one was quite bearable and my second one almost unbearable. You have been fortunate to not have a lot of treatment pain, so it would be interesting to know what type of numbing cream they are using on your face?

Hey Gang, I have my fraxel #2 update and a couple survey questions for the regulars. It hurt a lot more this time, and I was a lot more red and swollen after this treatment than the first. It will be interesting to see how that will impact the downtime and healing reaction. She said she used 7/20 and 7/30 (I thought she had used 8/20 the first time but she said it was 6) and 8 passes. She also goes back over scars etc. at higher strengths. The first time they used a "triple numbing" ointment and this time they used #30 lidocaine which is supposed to be more potent and numb you better. But I swear it didn't seem to work as well. When the ass't wiped off the ointment I could feel the scrapping of the gauze and I thought that was a bad sign; it actually was uncomfortable getting wiped off and I didn't notice that at all the first time. Also, I had smoothed the ointment out with my pinky finger and it didn't feel numb. I had also did this the first time and when I pressed my nail into it I didn't feel it. So, survey question #1 - do you know what kind of numbing cream they use on you, and have they ever tried different kinds and do you feel a difference? It might be to hard to figure out but it would be interesting to see if we could track the type of numbing cream with peoples reaction to how painful they felt it was.

Survey question #2 (and the nurse asked me to ask this to help her decide to recommend this) - has anyone tried using tns recovery after their treatment and felt it helped. The reliant rep was pushing it (don't know if they have any financial incentive) but it cost $140 and she doesn't want to push it unless folks feel its really a benefit. I mentioned I have not heard anyone mention it on here, and I guess if it was so great I would have seen it by now.

Hey Gang, I have my fraxel #2 update and a couple survey questions for the regulars. It hurt a lot more this time, and I was a lot more red and swollen after this treatment than the first. It will be interesting to see how that will impact the downtime and healing reaction. She said she used 7/20 and 7/30 (I thought she had used 8/20 the first time but she said it was 6) and 8 passes. She also goes back over scars etc. at higher strengths. The first time they used a "triple numbing" ointment and this time they used #30 lidocaine which is supposed to be more potent and numb you better. But I swear it didn't seem to work as well. When the ass't wiped off the ointment I could feel the scrapping of the gauze and I thought that was a bad sign; it actually was uncomfortable getting wiped off and I didn't notice that at all the first time. Also, I had smoothed the ointment out with my pinky finger and it didn't feel numb. I had also did this the first time and when I pressed my nail into it I didn't feel it. So, survey question #1 - do you know what kind of numbing cream they use on you, and have they ever tried different kinds and do you feel a difference? It might be to hard to figure out but it would be interesting to see if we could track the type of numbing cream with peoples reaction to how painful they felt it was.

Survey question #2 (and the nurse asked me to ask this to help her decide to recommend this) - has anyone tried using tns recovery after their treatment and felt it helped. The reliant rep was pushing it (don't know if they have any financial incentive) but it cost $140 and she doesn't want to push it unless folks feel its really a benefit. I mentioned I have not heard anyone mention it on here, and I guess if it was so great I would have seen it by now.

I bought TNS recovery before I underwent fraxel, and loved it. I used it after fraxel and felt like it made my skin look really weird (it has a slight tint to it) and so didn't continue using it...then i ran out and it is SO expensive, I didn't continue. It's basically a combo of epidermal growth factors...there are a lot of serums like it out there.

Hey Gang, I have my fraxel #2 update and a couple survey questions for the regulars. It hurt a lot more this time, and I was a lot more red and swollen after this treatment than the first. It will be interesting to see how that will impact the downtime and healing reaction. She said she used 7/20 and 7/30 (I thought she had used 8/20 the first time but she said it was 6) and 8 passes. She also goes back over scars etc. at higher strengths. The first time they used a "triple numbing" ointment and this time they used #30 lidocaine which is supposed to be more potent and numb you better. But I swear it didn't seem to work as well. When the ass't wiped off the ointment I could feel the scrapping of the gauze and I thought that was a bad sign; it actually was uncomfortable getting wiped off and I didn't notice that at all the first time. Also, I had smoothed the ointment out with my pinky finger and it didn't feel numb. I had also did this the first time and when I pressed my nail into it I didn't feel it. So, survey question #1 - do you know what kind of numbing cream they use on you, and have they ever tried different kinds and do you feel a difference? It might be to hard to figure out but it would be interesting to see if we could track the type of numbing cream with peoples reaction to how painful they felt it was.

Survey question #2 (and the nurse asked me to ask this to help her decide to recommend this) - has anyone tried using tns recovery after their treatment and felt it helped. The reliant rep was pushing it (don't know if they have any financial incentive) but it cost $140 and she doesn't want to push it unless folks feel its really a benefit. I mentioned I have not heard anyone mention it on here, and I guess if it was so great I would have seen it by now.

Hi - just wanted to put my two cents in re: the TNS recovery complex. I love it! I started using it religiously after my 5th Fraxel and I think it helped with both my recovery and improvement. I wasn't happy with my results after the Fraxels, but I think this has helped (or maybe it's just that more time has passed?). I found the TNS on line and it's cheaper (you can get it for around 85.00, if you buy two). Anyway, I personally love it and think it's helped. The only down side is that it has a funny smell, but once it's dry, that goes away.

Oops, I misunderstood as i THOUGHT YOUR POST WAS ABOUT PAIN - sorry. I can't help on tns. But, it is my understnading that acne scars are in the dermis, so if it promotes superficial healing of the epidermis, I doubt it willl help scarring. Also, my expereince is that the epidermis heals very fast from fraxel, so I personally would not invest that type of money in a cream. I would use it as down paymen on another fraxel.

Andee, I know your dilemma on fraxel 750 vs 1500 prices, but they are lower in MI than in CA by a lot. If the SR 750 doc isn't willing to be significantly more aggressive, than I would probably move on to the SR 1500 new doc. If he is, then the benefits of a lower price and continuity might argue for staying with SR 750. Just my thoughts based on my personal experience. Also, he might upgrade at some point and give you the same low price as an ongoing patient. You might ask whether he intends to upgrade.

Oops, I misunderstood as i THOUGHT YOUR POST WAS ABOUT PAIN - sorry. I can't help on tns. But, it is my understnading that acne scars are in the dermis, so if it promotes superficial healing of the epidermis, I doubt it willl help scarring. Also, my expereince is that the epidermis heals very fast from fraxel, so I personally would not invest that type of money in a cream. I would use it as down paymen on another fraxel.

Andee, I know your dilemma on fraxel 750 vs 1500 prices, but they are lower in MI than in CA by a lot. If the SR 750 doc isn't willing to be significantly more aggressive, than I would probably move on to the SR 1500 new doc. If he is, then the benefits of a lower price and continuity might argue for staying with SR 750. Just my thoughts based on my personal experience. Also, he might upgrade at some point and give you the same low price as an ongoing patient. You might ask whether he intends to upgrade.

Thanks Billyboy,

Good suggestion-I will look into it.

BTW, where do you live again and what do you pay for your treatments? just curiuos...thanks~

Annde 🙂

thanks loads cheyanne! that's not too far from me! jeez it's expensive though. I'll never own a car at this rate! Wish you lots of good luck and would love to hear how you get on with it.

Hello,

I am new to this message board..so I hope I am doing this correctly and my post shows up! I am starting fraxel on April 3 for acne scarring. Reading through these posts has been helpful. I am skeptical and hoping I am not wasting my money and getting my hopes up for no reason. I have moderate/light scars and the doc said I was a "prime candidate" for this treatment. My scarring is not deep, as the doc pointed out that when the skin is pulled back you cant see them. So I am hoping that I will have results, even if I improve 50 percent I will be happy. I am also nervous about the recovery time. I am a middle school teacher and the LAST thing I want is to go to work looking weird.. my students will be asking all kinds of questions that I dont want to answer (they could barely handle it when I showed up with a different haircut let alone with a red and swollen face!!) I will continue to post and let everyone know my experience with fraxel. If anyone can offer their experience on what it was like and their improvements after one treatment, I would really appreciate it! Also.. how do I look at peoples photos and how can I start a photo album of my own? Thankyou!!

One more thing.. do alot of people go into the chat rooms? I wanted to get in but they dont let you until you have 10 posts.

Jaimlyn,

I am 9 days post 4th Fraxel treatment. I only get a couple isolated scars treated (not full-face).

I get my treatments every 4 weeks. The downtime worsens with each treatment. This last treatment was horrible - as my skin is still red/pink, and just starting to lighten.

After the 1st treatment - I did not have much down-time. (maybe 2 - 3 days).

After the 2nd treatment, down-time was about 3 - 4 days.

After the 3rd treatment, down-time was about 5 - 6 days.

After the 4th treatment, down-time was about 5 - 6 days (but much darker red than last time).

I think I am am seeing some improvements. Right now it is difficult to say because I am still in the micro-swelling phase. The micro-swelling lasts about 12 days for me. When my skin has the micro-swelling, my scars are totally invisible...

-Ralphie

Hello,

I am new to this message board..so I hope I am doing this correctly and my post shows up! I am starting fraxel on April 3 for acne scarring. Reading through these posts has been helpful. I am skeptical and hoping I am not wasting my money and getting my hopes up for no reason. I have moderate/light scars and the doc said I was a "prime candidate" for this treatment. My scarring is not deep, as the doc pointed out that when the skin is pulled back you cant see them. So I am hoping that I will have results, even if I improve 50 percent I will be happy. I am also nervous about the recovery time. I am a middle school teacher and the LAST thing I want is to go to work looking weird.. my students will be asking all kinds of questions that I dont want to answer (they could barely handle it when I showed up with a different haircut let alone with a red and swollen face!!) I will continue to post and let everyone know my experience with fraxel. If anyone can offer their experience on what it was like and their improvements after one treatment, I would really appreciate it! Also.. how do I look at peoples photos and how can I start a photo album of my own? Thankyou!!

Hi Jaimelyn. Sounds like we have the same type of scarring. The most important thing to know is that you will not see any improvement after one treatment. I am 10 days post my third Fraxel and still have no signs of improvement but everyone tells me that I will not see results until after the 3rd or 4th treatment, so I'm trying not to get discouraged. Your downtime is going depend on how aggressive the doc is with your treatment. I get aggressive treatments and my downtime is always 3 days, although, the swelling was much less this last time, the redness was much worse and lasted longer (I'm still a tiny bit red 10 days later). Everyone is different though. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

My doctor uses the triple numbing cream. The last two times they applied it an hour before treatment and then about 15 mins before treatment the nurse would come in and reapply a light layer again to inforce the numbing in area's that are supers sensitive, that seemed to help a bit.

As for a TNS serum, I wouldn't waste my money on something that expensive. You can check out reviews on all kinds of beauty products on http://www.makeupalley.com/ to see others reviews on this. I used a serum that cost around $60 and I thought that was to expensive but it felt so good on my face after the treatments and it helps a little bit with my roseaca redness and doesn't seem to break me out like the cream moisturizer they gave me to use. I stopped using that after the 3rd treatment as it broke me out.

Can I ask what was the name of the serum you used jjp?

Replenix CF Serum it has green tea and caffeine along with other ingrediants. It is a bit expensive too so I use it sparingly and only on days I need a little extra help.

jewel oo1

i,m starting the first of my 4 fraxel treatments on june 1st so i will b posting results of each treatment on this thread.

I have my first treatment scheduled for this Friday. My scarring, however, is not the result of acne, but of Atrophia Maculosa Varioliformis Cutis or "AMVC." It's a rare condition that causes shallow spontaneous scarring. It's the most painful thing in my life. My question is: Has anyone ever heard of someone treating AMVC scars with Fraxel, and, if so, what results have they had? Thank you for any responses.

I just started actually posting here, but I've reading for several months. I have had 6 fraxels and am scheduled to have a 7th tommorow. I have seen a lot of improvement but I am so tired of looking at my face I get sick of everything. I am going to try and do 8 or 9 total. I have been using the fraxel 1 machine I think, but I'm not sure anywhere in my area has the fraxel 2, there is only one that I know of that does fraxel, but I have been seeing continual improvement, so I am not too concerned. Pretty much though, what I am seeing is that my scars are basically flattening out. My pores might be a litle tighter but they are pretty much the same I think. Ice pick scars look more like really large pores and really large pores look a little smaller maybe. Rolling scars have made the most difference in the way my skin actually looks and they seem to plumping up slowly, however, I don't know if I'll ever be able to get them to the surface without a filler, we'll see though.

I am curious, does anyone on here know the affects alcohol has on Fraxel? I had my first Fraxel 2 on 2/23 and am scheduled to have my second this coming Friday. Before I started my treatments my Dr. said to avoid alcohol consumption b/c it may hinder the results of Fraxel, but didn't really explain why. I have been keeping up to date on this Fraxel thread and have not heard this mentioned before. Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks!