Just have my second fraxel with dr. fitzpatrick -- same settings -- 15mJ -- 250 density -- 7.3 total energy -- i am pretty red [ again ] --

I put on some Aloe Vera Gel from trader joes and it really, really started burning -- i am wondering what could have caused this?

The ingredients are:

Water, Aloe Barbadenis Lead Juice, Butylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Folower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Tocophersolan, TEA-Carbomer, Methylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Trisodium, EDTA.

anyone know why this would cause this reaction?? -- it burned really bad and i had to wash it off quickly.

- Eric

My guess would be the Butylene Glycol.

BTW, is Dr. Fitzpatrick the one in Carlsbad? If so, what does he charge for the fraxel treatment? I noticed he is on the fraxel website and would think he would be a good doctor to do the procedure.

I went in for my second fraxel treatment today with Dr. Parker, her assistance did the treatment as usual. She finally got the zimmer cooling machine and it definitely help a lot with the pain. She doesn't do pain block injections no more. Settings were 20 mj - 125 density. I have to say that I've seen a 6% improvement with my first treatment but its only been a month so far space apart. Hopefully a couple months down the road I see a much more improvement with each treatment. I plan on doing a total of five treatments.

Troubleface....Are you referring to Dr parker in Colorado? If you are then my question to you is.....Is she not the one who performs this procedure?

My guess would be the Butylene Glycol.

BTW, is Dr. Fitzpatrick the one in Carlsbad? If so, what does he charge for the fraxel treatment? I noticed he is on the fraxel website and would think he would be a good doctor to do the procedure.

 

He is in La Jolla -- for full face you are looking at $2000 per tx -- about half for cheeks / temples

I paid 500 pet tx last year and got 6 fraxels with not so amazing results -- now things are different with Fitzpatrick -- he is not undertreating -- before i was getting like 10 to 15% per tx -- now i am getting 30% coverage per tx -- which is acctually going to produce some collagen not just get rid of epidermal imperfections. Also, stay away from Dr. Tse in Encinitas-- she was really rude / unconcerned about my scarring -- so i went with Fitzpatrick who acctually performs the procedure himself and cares about the patient's success.

- Eric

I went in for my second fraxel treatment today with Dr. Parker, her assistance did the treatment as usual. She finally got the zimmer cooling machine and it definitely help a lot with the pain. She doesn't do pain block injections no more. Settings were 20 mj - 125 density. I have to say that I've seen a 6% improvement with my first treatment but its only been a month so far space apart. Hopefully a couple months down the road I see a much more improvement with each treatment. I plan on doing a total of five treatments.

 

Do you have really deep scars?? Why not go to a lower energy setting and go higher density -- more coverage and better results -- what was your total energy output and for what surface area? this is what is key for acne scars ---- 20mJ is not needed for most people's scars.

- Eric

Do you mean Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick of Dermatology Associates? I have his address as:

5909 Sea Lion Pl in Carlsbad. Just want to be certain since I plan on seeing him for my fraxel treatments.

$2000 seems like a lot considering the average is half that price. I found a doctor doing it for $750 but I want to go with the best doctor for this laser treatment.

btw, next time you need aloe, you should just buy a plant at any home improvement store or nursery. Cut off a piece and rub it on your face. Cheaper and no irritating ingredients.

My guess would be the Butylene Glycol.

 

BTW, is Dr. Fitzpatrick the one in Carlsbad? If so, what does he charge for the fraxel treatment? I noticed he is on the fraxel website and would think he would be a good doctor to do the procedure.

 

He is in La Jolla -- for full face you are looking at $2000 per tx -- about half for cheeks / temples

I paid 500 pet tx last year and got 6 fraxels with not so amazing results -- now things are different with Fitzpatrick -- he is not undertreating -- before i was getting like 10 to 15% per tx -- now i am getting 30% coverage per tx -- which is acctually going to produce some collagen not just get rid of epidermal imperfections. Also, stay away from Dr. Tse in Encinitas-- she was really rude / unconcerned about my scarring -- so i went with Fitzpatrick who acctually performs the procedure himself and cares about the patient's success.

- Eric

 

My guess would be the Butylene Glycol.

BTW, is Dr. Fitzpatrick the one in Carlsbad? If so, what does he charge for the fraxel treatment? I noticed he is on the fraxel website and would think he would be a good doctor to do the procedure.

 

He is in La Jolla -- for full face you are looking at $2000 per tx -- about half for cheeks / temples

I paid 500 pet tx last year and got 6 fraxels with not so amazing results -- now things are different with Fitzpatrick -- he is not undertreating -- before i was getting like 10 to 15% per tx -- now i am getting 30% coverage per tx -- which is acctually going to produce some collagen not just get rid of epidermal imperfections. Also, stay away from Dr. Tse in Encinitas-- she was really rude / unconcerned about my scarring -- so i went with Fitzpatrick who acctually performs the procedure himself and cares about the patient's success.

- Eric

 

I went in for my second fraxel treatment today with Dr. Parker, her assistance did the treatment as usual. She finally got the zimmer cooling machine and it definitely help a lot with the pain. She doesn't do pain block injections no more. Settings were 20 mj - 125 density. I have to say that I've seen a 6% improvement with my first treatment but its only been a month so far space apart. Hopefully a couple months down the road I see a much more improvement with each treatment. I plan on doing a total of five treatments.

 

Do you have really deep scars?? Why not go to a lower energy setting and go higher density -- more coverage and better results -- what was your total energy output and for what surface area? this is what is key for acne scars ---- 20mJ is not needed for most people's scars.

- Eric

 

Why are so many people saying 20mj is the way to go then?Rappaport and Rokhsar? Whats the difference between using 125 or 250 w/high mj's?

Troubleface....Are you referring to Dr parker in Colorado? If you are then my question to you is.....Is she not the one who performs this procedure?

Her assistance does it and shes pretty good. She treated the doctor herself and does more fraxel treatment then her...

Do you have really deep scars?? Why not go to a lower energy setting and go higher density -- more coverage and better results -- what was your total energy output and for what surface area? this is what is key for acne scars ---- 20mJ is not needed for most people's scars.

Yes I do have deep scars. Tons of icepick pores and jagged depressions on my face. The doctor told me that the secret to treating asian skin is low density. I forgot to ask about total energy output and surface area. I'll definitely ask when I go in next month. Yea im going to ask her about treating me at 15 MJ and get more coverage.

Had my first treatment yesterday. Doctor did 14MJs, I saw him hitting the screen a few times so I am not sure what all he did. I also saw it said 125 to the right, but before I could get a look at the rest the pushed the machine back, turned it off and the doctor was out the door.

As for the pain I would go so far as to say it was nonexistent for me, they topical stuff and cooling fan really helped. I have had several rounds of laser removal in the past and I would say that hurt much worst and my face was much more swollen after that.

Just did cheeks area (400) full face was 900.00, if it has been cheaper I would have went full face, but all I am really concerned with is the cheeks area since that is what needs the most work.

Posted some pictures I took this morning so you can see what you make look like 1 day post op since I know many others like myself wondered what you look like post op, I had planned for the worst and was going to stay inside all day and this weekend, but decided to go to work anyways. I am very fair skin and sunburn easy and would equate this to a mild sunburn like they say. I have had lots of sunburns much worst than this.

If you did the full face you could easily pull off the sunburn excuse if you wanted to since it would be uniform.

Face is a little puffy, but so far so good. My next appointment isnt until 1/19 which seems a little far apart compared to many others.

Had my first treatment yesterday. Face is a little puffy, but so far so good. My next appointment isnt until 1/19 which seems a little far apart compared to many others.

 

Hi nsxlr8,

Thanks for posting your BEFORE and AFTER pics. Now I see what I might look like after I do it since I'm a bit fair too. Did you sign up for just the one treatment? You look like you're going to have great results. So you didn't feel that much pain? Is your face still that red a day later?

I myself have decided to do 5 full face treatments, the first is in 3 weeks. Part of their pre-fraxel workup involves cleaning up the dead skin with a Vibraderm machine which is similar to a MicroDermabrasion but with vibration instead of scraping/blasting. I was also given a bottle of SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex to use in preparation of the Fraxel. She told me there were other products I would be given but I don't know what they are yet.

Even though Fraxel can't create miracles, I'll take the 40% - 50% plus I've been reading about :pray:

I'm so looking forward to this. :dance:

 

Had my first treatment yesterday. Face is a little puffy, but so far so good. My next appointment isnt until 1/19 which seems a little far apart compared to many others.

 

Hi nsxlr8,

Thanks for posting your BEFORE and AFTER pics. Now I see what I might look like after I do it since I'm a bit fair too. Did you sign up for just the one treatment? You look like you're going to have great results. So you didn't feel that much pain? Is your face still that red a day later?

I myself have decided to do 5 full face treatments, the first is in 3 weeks. Part of their pre-fraxel workup involves cleaning up the dead skin with a Vibraderm machine which is similar to a MicroDermabrasion but with vibration instead of scraping/blasting. I was also given a bottle of SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex to use in preparation of the Fraxel. She told me there were other products I would be given but I don't know what they are yet.

Even though Fraxel can't create miracles, I'll take the 40% - 50% plus I've been reading about :pray:

I'm so looking forward to this. :dance:

 

I didnt have to sign up for anything official, but I plan on doing 4-5 treatments though. Redness continues to fade, haven't had any odd looks, I think the mild sunburn on the cheeks was pretty accurate description. I am using a combo of emu/aloe/osmotics triceram combined with some other moisturizers. I can tell that I am fixing to get into the flaking skin phase, but all of the potions of lotions seem to be masking that. I have to say my area on my right cheek was the one I was most concerned with and with the minimal swelling has given me a taste of what it will look like once the scarring has improved. I would say I am atleast half as red as yesterday

For me the pain was a zero, I guess they put enough of the topical stuff that helped to curb any pain. But then again, maybe he didnt have it cranked up high enough!

My doctor didnt give me any post or pre op things other than some trial tubes of cetaphil moisturizer, sounds like you doc has a good plan of attack for you.

Best of luck.

Do you mean Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick of Dermatology Associates? I have his address as:

5909 Sea Lion Pl in Carlsbad. Just want to be certain since I plan on seeing him for my fraxel treatments.

$2000 seems like a lot considering the average is half that price. I found a doctor doing it for $750 but I want to go with the best doctor for this laser treatment.

btw, next time you need aloe, you should just buy a plant at any home improvement store or nursery. Cut off a piece and rub it on your face. Cheaper and no irritating ingredients.

 

 

My guess would be the Butylene Glycol.

BTW, is Dr. Fitzpatrick the one in Carlsbad? If so, what does he charge for the fraxel treatment? I noticed he is on the fraxel website and would think he would be a good doctor to do the procedure.

 

He is in La Jolla -- for full face you are looking at $2000 per tx -- about half for cheeks / temples

I paid 500 pet tx last year and got 6 fraxels with not so amazing results -- now things are different with Fitzpatrick -- he is not undertreating -- before i was getting like 10 to 15% per tx -- now i am getting 30% coverage per tx -- which is acctually going to produce some collagen not just get rid of epidermal imperfections. Also, stay away from Dr. Tse in Encinitas-- she was really rude / unconcerned about my scarring -- so i went with Fitzpatrick who acctually performs the procedure himself and cares about the patient's success.

- Eric

 

 

Dermatology Associates no longer exists --- Dr. Fitzpatrick now works with the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre -- he is the director of the Cosmetic Dermatology Division --- you can find his info at

http://www.ljcsc.com/cosmetic_dermatology.html

-- yes $2000 per tx is about twice what you will pay with some other doctors -- i am only getting 3tx and not full face -- so i paid about $3500 for three cheecks / temples. Dr. Fitzptrick is the best -- that is not dispuatable -- so it costs more for his expertise and time. I think he's done about 2000 fraxels now.

 

 

Had my first treatment yesterday. Face is a little puffy, but so far so good. My next appointment isnt until 1/19 which seems a little far apart compared to many others.

 

Hi nsxlr8,

Thanks for posting your BEFORE and AFTER pics. Now I see what I might look like after I do it since I'm a bit fair too. Did you sign up for just the one treatment? You look like you're going to have great results. So you didn't feel that much pain? Is your face still that red a day later?

I myself have decided to do 5 full face treatments, the first is in 3 weeks. Part of their pre-fraxel workup involves cleaning up the dead skin with a Vibraderm machine which is similar to a MicroDermabrasion but with vibration instead of scraping/blasting. I was also given a bottle of SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex to use in preparation of the Fraxel. She told me there were other products I would be given but I don't know what they are yet.

Even though Fraxel can't create miracles, I'll take the 40% - 50% plus I've been reading about :pray:

I'm so looking forward to this. :dance:

 

I didnt have to sign up for anything official, but I plan on doing 4-5 treatments though. Redness continues to fade, haven't had any odd looks, I think the mild sunburn on the cheeks was pretty accurate description. I am using a combo of emu/aloe/osmotics triceram combined with some other moisturizers. I can tell that I am fixing to get into the flaking skin phase, but all of the potions of lotions seem to be masking that. I have to say my area on my right cheek was the one I was most concerned with and with the minimal swelling has given me a taste of what it will look like once the scarring has improved. I would say I am atleast half as red as yesterday

For me the pain was a zero, I guess they put enough of the topical stuff that helped to curb any pain. But then again, maybe he didnt have it cranked up high enough!

My doctor didnt give me any post or pre op things other than some trial tubes of cetaphil moisturizer, sounds like you doc has a good plan of attack for you.

Best of luck.

 

Pain was zero? Maybe because your density was at 125 -- how many passes did he do? the second pass always hurts more than the first -- I was actually writhing in pain for mine at 15mJ ---- it literally feels like he is slicing your face with a hot scalpel. This is with the zimmer machine, ibuprofen, and the strong topical anesthetics. Afterwards i was bleeding a little bit this time -- tiny dots where it looked like i had been pricked with a needle. But you know what they say -- no pain no gain -- i think I am seeing amazing results so far at these settings.

- Eric

I was just curious as to how many people have tried non-ablative lasers (cool touch, smoothbeam, etc.) and didn't receive satisfactory results and then decided to give fraxel laser a try. How many are out there?

The place I go to in NC uses concious sedation (IV drugs) and man it makes you feel wasted like youve had 10 beers - 0 pain the entire time even at 20mJ. And when they are done, they inject another drug which counteracts it so you feel completely normal after. Definately worth the slightly higher price ($1150)

Eric,

I am not sure how many passes he made, I think he did each side a few times each different directions, like top to bottom and then side to side.

By the way you described yours, you would almost think we had 2 different procedures. Even if we are using different setting you wouldnt think it would be that much of a difference unless you were maximum setting and I was minimum. No blood at all. Only a little oozing where I had some old scabs healing up.

The topical stuff is 25% lidocaine, or something like that. Because I asked her if it was like the emla cream I had when I had laser hair removal before and I think she told me elma was like 5% and this was like 25%.

I would rather they go as aggressive as possible, since I want to get the most bang for the buck. At my consoltation they said they do work up the level, but the doctor didnt really say much about his plan of attack. I am going to try to see if they will crank it up more next time.

newguy1, this is the first scar treatment I have tried.

I had my first fraxel recently. I tried alot of things before like example CO2 smooth touch etc. Well I'll say this is the best I ever done. I notice an immediate reduced in scar size among my small scars. Although at first I thought it was the swelling which tighten the skin. But 3 days later after the scaling, I keep track of the scars and realised it is indeed so much better. Well fraxel really did have noticeable improvement. From what I see having about 70-80% improvement after 5 treatments should not be a illusion. I'm signing up for more.

 

Hey holelyface,

I was wondering what types of scars you had? what you define as improvement, where you got the procedure done? If you've had anything else done?

nsxlr8: Awesome you posted the pics. How many treatments were you suggested to get? My scars are a lot worse and deeper than yours. I wonder if fraxel will help me. How much improvement have you seen?

 

I had my first fraxel recently. I tried alot of things before like example CO2 smooth touch etc. Well I'll say this is the best I ever done. I notice an immediate reduced in scar size among my small scars. Although at first I thought it was the swelling which tighten the skin. But 3 days later after the scaling, I keep track of the scars and realised it is indeed so much better. Well fraxel really did have noticeable improvement. From what I see having about 70-80% improvement after 5 treatments should not be a illusion. I'm signing up for more.

 

Hey holelyface,

I was wondering what types of scars you had? what you define as improvement, where you got the procedure done? If you've had anything else done?

 

For the people who have had FRAXEL laser treatment, what types of scars did you have? what kind of results did you expect and then receive?

If you're in the area, you can schedule a consultation with dr.fitzpatrick free of charge with no obligation. I went ahead and did it, and he was very helpful and seemed like a really nice guy. I would have gone to him, but I unfortunately could not come close to affording treatments with him. I got a really stellar deal in Laguna Niguel (1600 for four treatments on pretty much my whole cheek area; and even around my mouth and jawline a little as well) so I'm happy I could get his expertise and keep the cost low at the same time.

As far as improvements go, I just had my third on thursday and have noticed very subtle improvements right before having the third. I have all kinds of scars, ranging from ice pick to rolling and even a couple of pock marks, but I grow out a beard to hide most of them so it's hard to tell what the improvement is. I think I've noticed my skin tone being more even but that's about it. With the swelling from this third treatment, however, my skin looks pretty good scar wise but pretty lousy in just about every other respect (I'm not breaking out, but my skin is red and flaky and scabby). I think it won't do as much for ice pick type scarring, because after every treatment the only scars that seem to dissapear with the swelling are the rolling scars and the smaller ice pick scars and pore type scars. They come back in full force in about two or three days time, but it seems after this treatment that they've been slow to come back so maybe I am finally seeing improvement. Usually by today I can start to make them out again, but there are some that I still can't see so let's hope they stay that way (she did use high energy settings though-12Mj with a total of 2500 MTZ's-and that's just for partial face). I'm not really worried about it though as most people take much longer to see maximum improvement from this procedure, and I think I'm finally coming to terms with the acne scarring anyway, so I won't be devestated if this doesn't work, though I will be dissapointed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask I'd love to help out anyone looking into fraxel.

nsxlr8: Awesome you posted the pics. How many treatments were you suggested to get? My scars are a lot worse and deeper than yours. I wonder if fraxel will help me. How much improvement have you seen?

 

Giraffe, they said they have never gone over 4-5 treatments for anybody. So for now that is my plan, I will go until the point of diminishing returns is reached.

Cant say how much improvement because I am only 3 days post op. I could see a benefit from the swelling on my right cheek area helped to fade the scars when it was swollen, but now that it is going back down, they are coming back out. But hopefully that is a good sign that eventually those area will improve.

Today most of the skin has started to flake off, and the redness is about reduced by half again, I would say by tomorrow most of the skin will have sluffed off and I will just have some slightly rosey cheeks.

Bruin, I am not sure how you would classify my scars, I have some that look like chicken pox scars, some that seem indented, some that look like ice pick or scarred pores.

 

nsxlr8: Awesome you posted the pics. How many treatments were you suggested to get? My scars are a lot worse and deeper than yours. I wonder if fraxel will help me. How much improvement have you seen?

 

Giraffe, they said they have never gone over 4-5 treatments for anybody. So for now that is my plan, I will go until the point of diminishing returns is reached.

Cant say how much improvement because I am only 3 days post op. I could see a benefit from the swelling on my right cheek area helped to fade the scars when it was swollen, but now that it is going back down, they are coming back out. But hopefully that is a good sign that eventually those area will improve.

Today most of the skin has started to flake off, and the redness is about reduced by half again, I would say by tomorrow most of the skin will have sluffed off and I will just have some slightly rosey cheeks.

Bruin, I am not sure how you would classify my scars, I have some that look like chicken pox scars, some that seem indented, some that look like ice pick or scarred pores.

 

Eric,Whats the difference between using 125 or 250 den with 15mj? Does it really matter? Especially if you are getting 8 passes....

If you're in the area, you can schedule a consultation with dr.fitzpatrick free of charge with no obligation. I went ahead and did it, and he was very helpful and seemed like a really nice guy. I would have gone to him, but I unfortunately could not come close to affording treatments with him. I got a really stellar deal in Laguna Niguel (1600 for four treatments on pretty much my whole cheek area; and even around my mouth and jawline a little as well) so I'm happy I could get his expertise and keep the cost low at the same time.

Who are you seeing in Laguna Niguel for that price? I hae a consult with Dr. Fitzpatrick this Tuesday and I would really like to go with him but he is so expensive and I would like to wait and see what results others get in a few months since I have already blown alot of money on the exoderm already. What do you mean you could get his expertise and still keep the costs low? Did he advise you on the settings that should be used on your acne scars? Has your dernnatologist in Laguna Niguel been doing Fraxel for a long time?

Eric,

I am not sure how many passes he made, I think he did each side a few times each different directions, like top to bottom and then side to side.

By the way you described yours, you would almost think we had 2 different procedures. Even if we are using different setting you wouldnt think it would be that much of a difference unless you were maximum setting and I was minimum. No blood at all. Only a little oozing where I had some old scabs healing up.

The topical stuff is 25% lidocaine, or something like that. Because I asked her if it was like the emla cream I had when I had laser hair removal before and I think she told me elma was like 5% and this was like 25%.

I would rather they go as aggressive as possible, since I want to get the most bang for the buck. At my consoltation they said they do work up the level, but the doctor didnt really say much about his plan of attack. I am going to try to see if they will crank it up more next time.

newguy1, this is the first scar treatment I have tried.

 

I am very red for 10 days with Fitzpatrick's settings -- before when I had fraxel I was red for 2 maybe 3 days. Now I have had to become used to wearing some foundation to hide the redness -- which is oftly strange for me -- but 10 days at home is too long!

He said that he is aiming for 30% of the surface area being 'injured' for each treatment... so after 3 treatments I will be close to what I got before at 10-15% and 6 fraxels -- except now its acctually working to repair the scars.

- Eric

 

 

nsxlr8: Awesome you posted the pics. How many treatments were you suggested to get? My scars are a lot worse and deeper than yours. I wonder if fraxel will help me. How much improvement have you seen?

 

Giraffe, they said they have never gone over 4-5 treatments for anybody. So for now that is my plan, I will go until the point of diminishing returns is reached.

Cant say how much improvement because I am only 3 days post op. I could see a benefit from the swelling on my right cheek area helped to fade the scars when it was swollen, but now that it is going back down, they are coming back out. But hopefully that is a good sign that eventually those area will improve.

Today most of the skin has started to flake off, and the redness is about reduced by half again, I would say by tomorrow most of the skin will have sluffed off and I will just have some slightly rosey cheeks.

Bruin, I am not sure how you would classify my scars, I have some that look like chicken pox scars, some that seem indented, some that look like ice pick or scarred pores.

 

Eric,Whats the difference between using 125 or 250 den with 15mj? Does it really matter? Especially if you are getting 8 passes....

 

I honestly don't really understand how it works -- even after hearing it explained several times. I guess it is twice the MTZs ??? I supposed if you did 125 and twice the passes it would be similar -- but for some reason mabye not as effective or even? Also I know the operator skill makes a huge difference -- like what kind of overlapping, how they use the zimmer, even post treatment stuff like using the SkinMedica TNS Complex --- I have also been taking the appropiate amino acids to help collagen grow -- like lysine, proline, glycine, and methionine -- along with vitamin c.

I will ask next time about the exact difference between densities -- i definitely wasn't a physics major in college though.

- Eric

Hello fraxeling kooks,

I wanted add a few notes/comments from my fraxel treatments for my rolling/boxcar scars.

- My scars actually looked worse 3 weeks after my 1st treatment and my doctor concurred. But she said that was a good thing(?) something about scar tissue blah blah blah, I wasn't really listening. I am about 2 weeks out from my 2nd treatment and my scars look so MUCH IMPROVED. Tempered enthusiasm on my part though, as I've had Cooltouch laser before and my scars looked to be about 30-40% improved after my 3rd treatment only to observe 3 months after my 5th treatment that the improvement level had dwindled to -5 to 5%! Some of the improvement I have from Fraxel so far is most likely residual micro-swelling which can last for couple months or longer (which I experienced with dermabrasion, TCA peel, CO2 laser, needling, Cooltouch, etc..). I'm still optimistic as Cooltouch and Fraxel are completely different laser technologies. I also took on Fraxel because I was inspired by Gumby's story. He had self needled his scars once every week or two weeks for about 9 months and saw massive improvement. I am trying a similar approach with Fraxel as it's really a high-tech, controlled form of needling IMO. His theory that if you punish you scars enough, they will eventually level out, made some sense to me. My plan for now is to do 5 full face treatments, evaluate how my skin is doing at that point, and then do 3-4 spot treatments if needed.

- We took a slightly different approach this time for the my worst scarring on my temples. We did a staged treatment where on the first pass she went 25 MJ/1250 MTZ/cm2, second pass at 18 MJ/1250 MTZ/cm2, and a third pass at 10 MJ/2500 MTZ/cm2 for a "polished resurfacing". I had some pinpoint bleeding but I believe this will ultimately be benefical for the scarring I have.

- As far as post-treatment, I've abandoned her protocol completely and am now using a combination of Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy, Cetaphil moisteurizing cream, and 302 protein drops. Also drinking plenty of water and taking vitamin Z, zinc, and pycogenol. As a result, I haven't broken out anywhere nearly as badly as I did after my last treatment when I applied her petrolatum cream.

- Has anyone had the Fraxel tip die on them during treatment? The tip she started me with had 13% "Tip Life" left so in the middle of the treatment, I feel pain, pain, pain, and then no pain at all. Now I'm thinking the vicodin has finally kicked into my system, but eventually I ask my doctor umm..is the laser working okay cause I don't feel anything in which she merely replied "Oh my, the tip died" Lol. I wasn't upset or anything I just thought it was funny and had never heard anyone here mention it. So if you don't feel any pain at all during your treatments as some here have stated, I would ask if your fraxel tip is still "alive"!

That's about all I have to report for now. My next treatment is Jan.4.

Peace,

kooky

kook, funny you mention that 13% tip life. When I was waiting for the doctor to come in I noticed the machine said that.

Does that mean I just basically received a treatment with nothing or less effect? I have to guess it did something since today all of my skin finally sluffed away.

Does anybody know what effect the tip life has on things?

Thanks.