Acne.org Products
I am also wondering, I noticed many on here who have not noticed drmamatic, or only subtle improvement, only had settings at 20 to 40 mjs. My doc said with the pitting, they are finding they need to go at it invasively with high high settings, like mine was 70 mjs with 7 passes. Has anyone tried this 6 or 7 sessions on depressed scars with these consistently maxed out settings and what was the outcome?wow. good luck dear! please let us know how you do. 70 mj is the max!
Is it just me or does fraxel sound like a waste of time when dealing with acctual acne scarring?!?!?! It doesn't seem to be doing jack shit for anyones pitted scarring.Yeah. I think if you went only on people's results here you'd have to say it's a failure. In the beginning many of those were on the old Fraxel at lower settings. Does this make a significant difference? I dunno. While not spectacular Floridaguy and AnniefromMiami definitely showed improvement - I would say 25-30%. More recently there have been a reasonable number of positive verbal comments but some could be speaking too soon (microswelling) and no photos to back them up. True results aren't seen for 6 months. My derm says he has seen 40-50% improvement by his colleagues using Fraxel (he doesn't do Fraxel himself and has no reason to lie). Then are the photos published by Reliant. Some show excellent improvement, but can we believe these are real or consistent?
I agree there seems a big discrepancy between claims of 50% improvement and what people report here.
Like I mentioned in another thread, most people are not going to post pics. by definition, people getting fraxel are embarassed by their face, so it seems unlikely that people will post pictures. I know not being able to see pictures is frustrating, but I don't think it's a problem you're going to be able to overcome. At best, ask your derm to show you pictures of their patients.
The other thing to remember is that Fraxel 2 is relatively new. I don't think I've heard too many results yet from people who've had 4-6 treatments w/ Fraxel 2.
I have posted before and afters from my excisions, but I have found that my improvement from these treatments has not been sufficient enough to show up in a before and after. Ive tried it myself and don't see any difference, and have had others agree with me here. In other words, I am not aware of anything that truly works well enough to come out in a before and after. As far as we all know, that's an impossibility in this day and age. Can't be done and I don't think anyone can prove me wrong here. Stem cell is the only thing that will ever work to make us all happy.
i think the whole 50-60% improvement (reported by reliant) vs. the 10-30% (reported on acne.org) is really the same amount of improvement. we are just harsher critics. if you look at the fraxel slideshow with a less critical eye, it's easy to see how a doctor would rate those improvements as 75% but most of us would say 30%. it's a matter of being emotionally involved . . .
Actually, this just in. Spoke with Reliant on Fri and they just had FDA clearance to go even higher than 70 mjs.
What I don't understand is why no one has gone higher than 40 mjs on pitting!!?? It seems like the ones who had mediocre to no results with Fraxel 2 only had 40 mjs/8 passes. May seem far-fetched, but what if it actually worked better, especially on areas of thin skin. You know, there may be a "skill" the doc using the Fraxel might need to have when treating pitting.
at least part of the problem is delivering the pulse into the scar. if the pit is deep then when the tip passes over it there will be a gap between skin and tip so the laser doesn't fire. even if they press firmly there will still be a gap, especially if its a nasty ice pick or boxcar.
this explains why rolling scars are easier and more predictably improved than tiny pores and ice picks.
OMG...If you are right then you have just made me the happiest person alive!!! I have tried dermabrasion, excisions, fillers on my rolling scars and NOTHING!! If fraxel is the magic bullet that gives me improvement then I will be elated, but I have yet to experience that.
Well I really dont think I am going to have a problem staying at 70 mjs. I am haveing my deepest scars spot treated at 70 mjs, which seems wise. I will try to to worry too much about the fat loss, even though that still lingers in the back of my mind. Maybe with the spot treating a complication like that wont be as dramatic, but my scarring is so awful that I don't care anymore. I read that the best way to use fraxel to get improvement on acne scarring is to concentrate, or focus on small areas at a time at very high settings. To me the more inflammation and swelling you get the more of a chance you will have in improvement with the deep scars. It just seems logical to me to take this approach. I am willing to trust my doc's judgment since he has already treated thousands of people with the Fraxel (so he says) since he got it in 10/06. I haven't spoken to anyone on here who's tried it, and that pushes me to do it even more. This is especially true because of the fact that I have read several cases of 40mjs/8 passes where they were disappointed in the improvement with the pitting. To all of you you in this category, THANK you for posting so that I know what NOT to waste my time doing. I really don't mind being the sacrificial lamb anymore.
BTW, I had 70 mjs on my right temple last Thurs as a test spot since I had silicone before this. The area looks exaclty like when I had a dermabrasion. It is REALLY invasive. I don't care though because I am done dillydallying and want them improved.
I'll admit I am flirting with disaster going to such high levels with silicone underneath. But after seeing so many photos of people worrying about there skin yet having skin that looks 10000 times better than mine, it has been emotionally devasatating and I know I am going to need so much extra work. There aren't many people on here who can beat me on an acne scar severity contest. I may have only seen two since I joined.
......I had 70 mjs on my right temple last Thurs as a test spot since I had silicone before this. The area looks exaclty like when I had a dermabrasion. It is REALLY invasive. I don't care though because I am done dillydallying and want them improved.I'll admit I am flirting with disaster going to such high levels with silicone underneath. But after seeing so many photos of people worrying about there skin yet having skin that looks 10000 times better than mine, it has been emotionally devasatating and I know I am going to need so much extra work. There aren't many people on here who can beat me on an acne scar severity contest. I may have only seen two since I joined.
Well I really hope it brings improvement for you Ylem. I would suggest monitoring those test areas over a few months. So what 'level' is your doc using at 70mJ? And at that level is Fraxel creating surface wounding? If so, did your doc recommend any ointment for moist wound healing? I'm also wondering if anyone's doctor has recommended massage, later when collagen is reorganising.
And remember there are other fillers besides silicone that you could move to after Fraxel has done it's thing. I wouldn't expect Fraxel to fill the deep stuff. Seems it works on smoothing and texture best.
Just thought I'd chime in to let you know that I was feeling bad about my scars and wondering/doubting any improvments after all the procedures I've been through. So I checked out some of my old photos from 04 and compared them to my newer ones from 07 and I can definitely comment that the 4 Fraxels I had a year ago improved my skin dramatically. I no longer have freckles which leaves my skin looking more "clear" looking. My scars are no longer discolored which means in flat light they are totally invisable. My scars are also shallower. It's so hard to judge their deepth visually because of the dramatic effects of lighing differences. But I can genuinely say that I can not find a lighting situation or angle that can make them look as bad as I used to be able to make them look. (sad that I do that, huh?) I can also feel the difference when I run my finger along them.
I THINK THE REALLY HARD PART of the battle with acne scars is that they stand out so dramaticly in harsh light even though they are not deep at all. It's like skin is this delicate fabric and the slightest snag in it is so noticable. I know that my scars are smoother after Fraxel and not THAT bad but for some reason I am more obsessed with them and more determined than ever to get rid of them. I think if mine weren't clustered so close together I wouldn't care at all about them.
I'm jonesing for more Fraxel. Waiting for the new tip. Where oh where is the new tip?
Does anyone else just feel better about their skin when they are acvtively going through procedures? The time between downtimes for me seems harder than downtimes after procedures because I don't get that high where hopes and anticipation of the results make me feel better about myself. Is that sick? I feel better about my scars when I look worse. But only if it's downtime from a procedure. Plus, who's thinking about scars when their whole face is bright red?
two most important things are vitamin C (collagen production catalyst) and protein (preferably from red meat).hey jj. why red meat? arginine?
red meat is the easiest way to get a pure protein full compliment of amino acids, as well as increase your red blood cells and platelet count. also good source for b complex vitamins
I am also wondering, I noticed many on here who have not noticed drmamatic, or only subtle improvement, only had settings at 20 to 40 mjs. My doc said with the pitting, they are finding they need to go at it invasively with high high settings, like mine was 70 mjs with 7 passes. Has anyone tried this 6 or 7 sessions on depressed scars with these consistently maxed out settings and what was the outcome?wow. good luck dear! please let us know how you do. 70 mj is the max!
Is it just me or does fraxel sound like a waste of time when dealing with acctual acne scarring?!?!?! It doesn't seem to be doing jack shit for anyones pitted scarring.Yeah. I think if you went only on people's results here you'd have to say it's a failure. In the beginning many of those were on the old Fraxel at lower settings. Does this make a significant difference? I dunno. While not spectacular Floridaguy and AnniefromMiami definitely showed improvement - I would say 25-30%. More recently there have been a reasonable number of positive verbal comments but some could be speaking too soon (microswelling) and no photos to back them up. True results aren't seen for 6 months. My derm says he has seen 40-50% improvement by his colleagues using Fraxel (he doesn't do Fraxel himself and has no reason to lie). Then are the photos published by Reliant. Some show excellent improvement, but can we believe these are real or consistent?
I agree there seems a big discrepancy between claims of 50% improvement and what people report here.
Like I mentioned in another thread, most people are not going to post pics. by definition, people getting fraxel are embarassed by their face, so it seems unlikely that people will post pictures. I know not being able to see pictures is frustrating, but I don't think it's a problem you're going to be able to overcome. At best, ask your derm to show you pictures of their patients.
The other thing to remember is that Fraxel 2 is relatively new. I don't think I've heard too many results yet from people who've had 4-6 treatments w/ Fraxel 2.
I have posted before and afters from my excisions, but I have found that my improvement from these treatments has not been sufficient enough to show up in a before and after. Ive tried it myself and don't see any difference, and have had others agree with me here. In other words, I am not aware of anything that truly works well enough to come out in a before and after. As far as we all know, that's an impossibility in this day and age. Can't be done and I don't think anyone can prove me wrong here. Stem cell is the only thing that will ever work to make us all happy.
i think the whole 50-60% improvement (reported by reliant) vs. the 10-30% (reported on acne.org) is really the same amount of improvement. we are just harsher critics. if you look at the fraxel slideshow with a less critical eye, it's easy to see how a doctor would rate those improvements as 75% but most of us would say 30%. it's a matter of being emotionally involved . . .
Actually, this just in. Spoke with Reliant on Fri and they just had FDA clearance to go even higher than 70 mjs.
What I don't understand is why no one has gone higher than 40 mjs on pitting!!?? It seems like the ones who had mediocre to no results with Fraxel 2 only had 40 mjs/8 passes. May seem far-fetched, but what if it actually worked better, especially on areas of thin skin. You know, there may be a "skill" the doc using the Fraxel might need to have when treating pitting.
at least part of the problem is delivering the pulse into the scar. if the pit is deep then when the tip passes over it there will be a gap between skin and tip so the laser doesn't fire. even if they press firmly there will still be a gap, especially if its a nasty ice pick or boxcar.
this explains why rolling scars are easier and more predictably improved than tiny pores and ice picks.
OMG...If you are right then you have just made me the happiest person alive!!! I have tried dermabrasion, excisions, fillers on my rolling scars and NOTHING!! If fraxel is the magic bullet that gives me improvement then I will be elated, but I have yet to experience that.
i was saying this hundreds of pages ago in the thread, but i think if reliant wants to specifically gear fraxel to treating acne scars then they need to create a modified tip that can be used for spot treating scars.
the acne scar tip would look like a pen with a ballpoint pen tip. this could be put directly into a pitted scar and fired to deliver the pulse into the very bottom of the scar. it could also be used to trace around,up and down, etc. the "rugged areas" of the scar (where otherwise the 7mm tip wouldn't be flush).
So can Fraxel also be used for African-Americans with slight discolorations and hypertrophic scarring?
My derm recommended it for me yesterday,but their office doesn't do it so I'm going to another office that does do it next week for a consultation.
I also would like the opinion on people on here,though. 
Wildbb99 just wanted to know how long are you swollen when you have your treatments. I just had my 3rd and i am swollenn for at least 3-4 days, and your levels are higher then mine. my derm has the new settings but not the new tip yet. she said she has to do lower levels if she increases the MJ's.
also wildbb99 did you pay for 6 treatments upfront, my derm said we would do 4 and if i needed one more she would do it. so far i see great improvement on my nose with blackheads, and discoloration /brown marks from older acne on my face.
Asian- Indian
Use hydroquinone 2x daily
1st Fraxel SR1500 - 3/20/2007
40 MJ, Level 6 whole face
2nd Fraxel SR1500 - 4/23/2007
40 MJ, Level 7 whole face
20 MJ, Level 5 upper lip
3rd Fraxel SR1500 - 5/21/2007
55 MJ, Level 6 cheeks only
20 MJ, Level 5 upper lip, chin
Hi all, i want to do the fraxel laster treatment to remove my acne scars, i asked the doctors around NYC area and their price around $900~1500 for each treatment. Is there any different between the doctors? or some doctor will do better? and anything i need to know before i go to the doctor?
Also is there any fraxel laser treatment in New York Albany area? i can't find one and i have to back to NYC for it. Please let me know if there have one.
Wildbb99 just wanted to know how long are you swollen when you have your treatments. I just had my 3rd and i am swollenn for at least 3-4 days, and your levels are higher then mine. my derm has the new settings but not the new tip yet. she said she has to do lower levels if she increases the MJ's.also wildbb99 did you pay for 6 treatments upfront, my derm said we would do 4 and if i needed one more she would do it. so far i see great improvement on my nose with blackheads, and discoloration /brown marks from older acne on my face.
Asian- Indian
Use hydroquinone 2x daily
1st Fraxel SR1500 - 3/20/2007
40 MJ, Level 6 whole face
2nd Fraxel SR1500 - 4/23/2007
40 MJ, Level 7 whole face
20 MJ, Level 5 upper lip
3rd Fraxel SR1500 - 5/21/2007
55 MJ, Level 6 cheeks only
20 MJ, Level 5 upper lip, chin
Hi i usually do the treatment on Tuesday's and im ok to go out friday night or saturday, all thats left over is some redness which usually takes few more days..
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip?
i paid for 5 full face treatments up front, and the 6th treatment they will just do on my cheeks where pretty much all my scarring is.
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip? Yes it the old tip, but she said new settings. they get the new tip in 2 weeks.
thx.. ya my last 2 treatments are going to be with the new tip, so hopefully gonna go over 40mj and also ditch the blue dye thank god i hate it.
Hi all, i want to do the fraxel laster treatment to remove my acne scars, i asked the doctors around NYC area and their price around $900~1500 for each treatment. Is there any different between the doctors? or some doctor will do better? and anything i need to know before i go to the doctor?Also is there any fraxel laser treatment in New York Albany area? i can't find one and i have to back to NYC for it. Please let me know if there have one.
One thing you should know is that it's not going to remove your scars. It will very likely make them less noticeable, but it's not going to remove anything but scars you probably didn't notice in the first place.
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip? Yes it the old tip, but she said new settings. they get the new tip in 2 weeks.thx.. ya my last 2 treatments are going to be with the new tip, so hopefully gonna go over 40mj and also ditch the blue dye thank god i hate it.
this is the Fraxel 1500? are you saying settings above 40mJ can only be done with the roller tip and can't be done with the blue dye tip? i thought the blue dye and roller tip were simply different tracking technologies.
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip? Yes it the old tip, but she said new settings. they get the new tip in 2 weeks.thx.. ya my last 2 treatments are going to be with the new tip, so hopefully gonna go over 40mj and also ditch the blue dye thank god i hate it.
this is the Fraxel 1500? are you saying 40mJ can not be exceeded when using the blue dye tip? i thought the blue dye and roller tips were just different tracking technologies.
ok, admittedly i am only about 50% sure about this, but i think there is a software upgrade and a new tip. my derm had the software upgrade but not the tip when i got my last treatment, so the settings had changed (needed less passes and lower treatment levels for the same coverage). My guess is that you can go above 40 w/ the new software, but need the new tip for no blue dye.
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip? Yes it the old tip, but she said new settings. they get the new tip in 2 weeks.thx.. ya my last 2 treatments are going to be with the new tip, so hopefully gonna go over 40mj and also ditch the blue dye thank god i hate it.
this is the Fraxel 1500? are you saying 40mJ can not be exceeded when using the blue dye tip? i thought the blue dye and roller tips were just different tracking technologies.
ok, admittedly i am only about 50% sure about this, but i think there is a software upgrade and a new tip. my derm had the software upgrade but not the tip when i got my last treatment, so the settings had changed (needed less passes and lower treatment levels for the same coverage). My guess is that you can go above 40 w/ the new software, but need the new tip for no blue dye.
Zonk you are right, my derm had the software upgrade for them to do 55mj on me but i still needed the blue dye. my derm has the fraxel 1500
im not sure why my derm cant go more then 40mj it seems like its locked i see you have done 55mj? is this with the old tip? Yes it the old tip, but she said new settings. they get the new tip in 2 weeks.thx.. ya my last 2 treatments are going to be with the new tip, so hopefully gonna go over 40mj and also ditch the blue dye thank god i hate it.
this is the Fraxel 1500? are you saying 40mJ can not be exceeded when using the blue dye tip? i thought the blue dye and roller tips were just different tracking technologies.
ok, admittedly i am only about 50% sure about this, but i think there is a software upgrade and a new tip. my derm had the software upgrade but not the tip when i got my last treatment, so the settings had changed (needed less passes and lower treatment levels for the same coverage). My guess is that you can go above 40 w/ the new software, but need the new tip for no blue dye.
Thats the case with my nurse also, they had the software upgrade but not the new tip. She did up to 12/50 on me on spot areas. She hasn't done 70 and is nervous about that high. She said it was designed for treating precancerous areas, although the reliant promo doesn't say that. She did the higer setting on some areas I had moles removed. Other areas she did 8/40 and 10/40.
i had a consult with a doc today who has the fraxel 2 (SR 1500)...he was super informative and i really liked him. i am also going to a seminar by a doc on june 2nd or 3rd (baltimore area) who is doing a super great promo -- 3 fraxels for $1500 and 5 for $2500. for those of you who have had fraxel 2 (or even the older version), did you see any improvement after 3 sessions? would you definitely pay for 5 sessions over 3? at this price i think i am definitely going to do it!!! 
just trying to purge some blackheads and minor acne breakouts first...so i'll probably wait about 2 months before i think about doing the first treatment...
i had a consult with a doc today who has the fraxel 2 (SR 1500)...he was super informative and i really liked him. i am also going to a seminar by a doc on june 2nd or 3rd (baltimore area) who is doing a super great promo -- 3 fraxels for $1500 and 5 for $2500. for those of you who have had fraxel 2 (or even the older version), did you see any improvement after 3 sessions? would you definitely pay for 5 sessions over 3? at this price i think i am definitely going to do it!!! 🙂just trying to purge some blackheads and minor acne breakouts first...so i'll probably wait about 2 months before i think about doing the first treatment...
do 5, 3 is the absolute minimum.