Zonk I noticed you waited 8 weeks between your 1st fraxel and 2nd, I have to wait 7 weeks before my 4th b/c of timing issues. Did you doctor indicate whether it was good or bad to wait that long. I was told in the beginning to have them 4-6 weeks apart and I 've had my last 3 5 weeks apart.

Has anyone had them longer then 6 weeks and was told that there results will only improve. Thanks.

I waited because I got excisions, but I think it's not that great to wait longer than 6 weeks. In one of the fraxel webinars, Dr. Rahman talks about spacing 2 months apart and how the overall efficacy is diminished. But that is 2 month spacing for every treatment. One time shouldn't be a huge deal...

A question for all of those who've had several fraxels already. Did your swelling/micro-swelling last longer as the treatments went on?

The reason I ask is that I'm 1 week post-my third fraxel, and usually by now, my swelling/micro-swelling has subsided to the point where most of my scars are clearly visible (~70% pre-fraxel).

After this one, either my skin has made a huge leap in improvement or the swelling is lasting much longer, because my scars have only reverted back about 10-20%.

I guess we'll see...

Zonk, I've had 3 and am 17 days past the 3rd one. I am reddest with this one, but the swelling has been pretty much the same. Majority resolved 2 weeks, still some microswelling between week 2 and 3 (which is my favorite week - healed enough to look normal but with enough microswelling to help) 😉

Zonk I noticed you waited 8 weeks between your 1st fraxel and 2nd, I have to wait 7 weeks before my 4th b/c of timing issues. Did you doctor indicate whether it was good or bad to wait that long. I was told in the beginning to have them 4-6 weeks apart and I 've had my last 3 5 weeks apart.

Has anyone had them longer then 6 weeks and was told that there results will only improve. Thanks.

I waited because I got excisions, but I think it's not that great to wait longer than 6 weeks. In one of the fraxel webinars, Dr. Rahman talks about spacing 2 months apart and how the overall efficacy is diminished. But that is 2 month spacing for every treatment. One time shouldn't be a huge deal...

 

Zonk, I've had 3 and am 17 days past the 3rd one. I am reddest with this one, but the swelling has been pretty much the same. Majority resolved 2 weeks, still some microswelling between week 2 and 3 (which is my favorite week - healed enough to look normal but with enough microswelling to help)

I had my 3rd fraxel 5 days ago(see info below). I'm more red for longer this time. I had a much deeper procedure this time at 65mjs. It did hurt a little more, but all the fraxels have hurt a lot to me. I did break out this time for the first time. I think because I put a cream on the same day of the fraxel. It is called Bionect and is recommended for laser procedures. Its precription and has hyaluronic acid in it. But I woke up the next day with little white pimples all over. They healed fast and were not deep.

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

Yes, I don't really swell until the next morning. I am swollen for at least 4 days. The first day I don't look too bad, just like I have a sun burn. And the deeper the treatment, the longer I stay red. I start peeling the 4th day. I was told for swelling to have a large bad of frozen peas and that seems to work well, the peas form to your face. good luck

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

Yes, I don't really swell until the next morning. I am swollen for at least 4 days. The first day I don't look too bad, just like I have a sun burn. And the deeper the treatment, the longer I stay red. I start peeling the 4th day. I was told for swelling to have a large bad of frozen peas and that seems to work well, the peas form to your face. good luck

 

thanks for replying, sheryllyn 🙂 that is a big jump from 40 to 65 in your treatments...did you have any pinprick bleeding at level 65? do you wear makeup or anything to mask the redness or peeling you have?

Can someone explain whether 14 passes on the entire face means 7 passes each side (therefore 14 total) or 14 passes each side. I always understood the latter was always the case - I had my first session recently, but although I was told I'd be treated with 14 passes, it sure didn't feel like I had more than 8 or so passes each side of my face

I had treatment at 25 mjs x 125 x 14 (Fraxel SR750). I was hardly swollen afterwards, and into my third day, I'm not noticeably red or peeling much, as I always expected after reading these boards. I don't know whether to worry, or if i'm just simply one of those people who respond to treatment well and confirm to what Reliants mentions in their brochures etc (being able to return to work the following day, and no downtime, for instance).

I wonder?

Can someone explain whether 14 passes on the entire face means 7 passes each side (therefore 14 total) or 14 passes each side. I always understood the latter was always the case - I had my first session recently, but although I was told I'd be treated with 14 passes, it sure didn't feel like I had more than 8 or so passes each side of my face :think:

I had treatment at 25 mjs x 125 x 14 (Fraxel SR750). I was hardly swollen afterwards, and into my third day, I'm not noticeably red or peeling much, as I always expected after reading these boards. I don't know whether to worry, or if i'm just simply one of those people who respond to treatment well and confirm to what Reliants mentions in their brochures etc (being able to return to work the following day, and no downtime, for instance).

I wonder?

The technician will overlap strokes, so you only need 7 passes to get 14 passes.

I wouldn't worry about your reaction to these treatments.

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

Yes, I don't really swell until the next morning. I am swollen for at least 4 days. The first day I don't look too bad, just like I have a sun burn. And the deeper the treatment, the longer I stay red. I start peeling the 4th day. I was told for swelling to have a large bad of frozen peas and that seems to work well, the peas form to your face. good luck

 

thanks for replying, sheryllyn 🙂 that is a big jump from 40 to 65 in your treatments...did you have any pinprick bleeding at level 65? do you wear makeup or anything to mask the redness or peeling you have?

 

I was having pinprick bleeding at 70mjs. so the nurse went down to 65. As far as redness and peelings, I did try to wear mineral powder on the 4th day, which looked really bad close up, but I looked semi-normal at a distance. I just had to get out of the house a little bit, I was going crazy being at home so much. That's the hardest part for me is staying inside for so long.

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

Yes, I don't really swell until the next morning. I am swollen for at least 4 days. The first day I don't look too bad, just like I have a sun burn. And the deeper the treatment, the longer I stay red. I start peeling the 4th day. I was told for swelling to have a large bad of frozen peas and that seems to work well, the peas form to your face. good luck

 

thanks for replying, sheryllyn 🙂 that is a big jump from 40 to 65 in your treatments...did you have any pinprick bleeding at level 65? do you wear makeup or anything to mask the redness or peeling you have?

 

I was having pinprick bleeding at 70mjs. so the nurse went down to 65. As far as redness and peelings, I did try to wear mineral powder on the 4th day, which looked really bad close up, but I looked semi-normal at a distance. I just had to get out of the house a little bit, I was going crazy being at home so much. That's the hardest part for me is staying inside for so long.

 

Fraxel is a VERY invasive procedure. In fact I am so surprised at how invasive it is. So much so that it has no longer become an option for me with work 🙁

I just can't undertsnad it but today, 3.5 weeks since the procedure, people are still asking me, "What happened there?!" Just got one today STILL. And that was just a test spot on my temple. I wanted to do most of my face with this. But I would need at least two weeks of downtime.

what side effects (redness and swelling) have you guys had the day of getting the fraxel done, especially for those of you getting fraxel 2? i am about to have my first treatment this wednesday and am trying to figure out what to expect, so if you could describe what you looked like that day afterwards, that would be great!

also, what did you notice the next morning when you woke up? is that when swelling occurred, etc.?

thanks!

Yes, I don't really swell until the next morning. I am swollen for at least 4 days. The first day I don't look too bad, just like I have a sun burn. And the deeper the treatment, the longer I stay red. I start peeling the 4th day. I was told for swelling to have a large bad of frozen peas and that seems to work well, the peas form to your face. good luck

 

thanks for replying, sheryllyn 🙂 that is a big jump from 40 to 65 in your treatments...did you have any pinprick bleeding at level 65? do you wear makeup or anything to mask the redness or peeling you have?

 

I was having pinprick bleeding at 70mjs. so the nurse went down to 65. As far as redness and peelings, I did try to wear mineral powder on the 4th day, which looked really bad close up, but I looked semi-normal at a distance. I just had to get out of the house a little bit, I was going crazy being at home so much. That's the hardest part for me is staying inside for so long.

 

Fraxel is a VERY invasive procedure. In fact I am so surprised at how invasive it is. So much so that it has no longer become an option for me with work 🙁

I just can't undertsnad it but today, 3.5 weeks since the procedure, people are still asking me, "What happened there?!" Just got one today STILL. And that was just a test spot on my temple. I wanted to do most of my face with this. But I would need at least two weeks of downtime.

 

Maybe your doc went to agressive... can you advise what Mj's + passes ..

Thanks,

Fraxel is a VERY invasive procedure. In fact I am so surprised at how invasive it is. So much so that it has no longer become an option for me with work 🙁

I just can't undertsnad it but today, 3.5 weeks since the procedure, people are still asking me, "What happened there?!" Just got one today STILL. And that was just a test spot on my temple. I wanted to do most of my face with this. But I would need at least two weeks of downtime.

Ylem - what does your doc say? I recall you were at 70mJ - Do you think there might be some reaction with the silicone?

Fraxel is a VERY invasive procedure. In fact I am so surprised at how invasive it is. So much so that it has no longer become an option for me with work 🙁

I just can't undertsnad it but today, 3.5 weeks since the procedure, people are still asking me, "What happened there?!" Just got one today STILL. And that was just a test spot on my temple. I wanted to do most of my face with this. But I would need at least two weeks of downtime.

Ylem - what does your doc say? I recall you were at 70mJ - Do you think there might be some reaction with the silicone?

 

No I don't think it is the silicone. Otherwise Id have lumps. It is just bright red like a burn still.

Though my scarring is quite severe I have been lucky enough to not have any real complications with anythings (at least not yet).

My doc did say he went too aggressive at 70 mjs with 8 passes, but I strongly feel that if I go any lower I won't see enough improvement. Even at 70 mjs my temple scars have returned and I don't see the imrpovment I saw a few days ago due to the microswelling. I feel I need to feel the pain and bleed to make it effective. I have tried so many things that have failed I am trying to make this worthwhile.

I want to try it but I can see that most people are only getting subtle changes in the appearance of the scars at best with 40 mjs settings.

My question: How long on average does the 'noticeable to others' redness stay at 40 mjs?

Hi Ylem, at 40mjs I was red for about 7 days. Now with my last treatment at 65mjs I'm still red at day 8 and I think I will be red for maybe 3 more days. Me being a girl it's not as bad since I can wear makeup.

Hi Ylem, at 40mjs I was red for about 7 days. Now with my last treatment at 65mjs I'm still red at day 8 and I think I will be red for maybe 3 more days. Me being a girl it's not as bad since I can wear makeup.

sheryllynn (and anyone else this questions applies to)-- what's your skin tone? i'm wondering if that has anything to do with the amount of time you stay red, i.e. will you be red longer if you're lighter-skinned? or if you tend to redden/burn?

i have my first treatment tomorrow and am so nervous!

🙂

I was told by the nurse today that the higher the settings, the more efficacy on deep scarring. I am going to need to stay at the 70 mjs settings for the areas I need treated.

ylem i hope you take protein and vitamin c. getting deep settings is good, but you also need to make sure your body can make new collagen as best as possible.

My question: How long on average does the 'noticeable to others' redness stay at 40 mjs?

Hi Ylem, at 40mjs I was red for about 7 days. Now with my last treatment at 65mjs I'm still red at day 8 and I think I will be red for maybe 3 more days. Me being a girl it's not as bad since I can wear makeup.

sheryllynn (and anyone else this questions applies to)-- what's your skin tone? i'm wondering if that has anything to do with the amount of time you stay red, i.e. will you be red longer if you're lighter-skinned? or if you tend to redden/burn?

i have my first treatment tomorrow and am so nervous!

🙂

 

I'm light to medium skinned colored. I would think that the reddness is more noticable the lighter skinned you are.

Reliant is working on a fraxel co2 laser called re:pair, thats the word on the street

http://www.medicalspamd.com/display/ShowPo...p;postId=167012

Reliant is working on a fraxel co2 laser called re:pair, thats the word on the street

http://www.medicalspamd.com/display/ShowPo...p;postId=167012

i spoke with a fraxel rep about the re:pair and he said to do the SR 1500 (fraxel 2) before the repair -- repair is still an ablative laser (as it's C02) and there would be more risks with that and more downtime.

in other news...i had my first treatment today!

this is what my settings were:

35 mJ

10 treatment level

8 passes to whole face with 4 extra passes on scarred areas on cheeks and temples

the kJs were 7.9

i am definitely swollen, because i had injections as well as a numbing cream. the injections hurt the worst, actually! (right along/above my eyebrows hurt most -- she also injected in my gums, which made my upper lip and nose and inner cheeks pretty numb). it definitely hurts more where the skin is thinner over bone -- top of nose area in particular, but i handled it pretty well (though i was only at 35 -- can't imagine what 55 or 70 would be like, sheryllynn and ylem!)

i'm not sure if the swelling from the injections will go down and then i'll get swelling tomorrow from the treatment, or what will happen. my whole face is just puffy, like there's fluid all under the skin, like a balloon, and it feels like that to the touch. (this is fyi for all you who haven't done this yet). i have these huge ice compresses that i got at rite aid ("ACE large reusable cold compress") that basically cover my whole face...also my face feels hot like with a sunburn, which i didn't realize would happen, but they said it's normal. i definitely have redness like with a sunburn too, but it's not so bad. one thing i did notice when washing the blue dye off is that the texture of my face just feels weird...kind of like very very very fine sandpaper, and it looked like i had tiny tiny peeling. the blue dye came off pretty easily, by the way, with this foamy stuff they give you. it took several washings and was harder to get out of the pores, but it all came off.

yikes, i am SO glad that is over and i survived! 🙂

ylem i hope you take protein and vitamin c. getting deep settings is good, but you also need to make sure your body can make new collagen as best as possible.

My derm told me injesting supplements won't migrate to the skin for any physical effect.

has anyone gotten the treatment in new york city area that could reccomend a doctor?

would love to get the treatment, but exactly how long has the down time been for everyone? i have school which is difficult to miss. thanks!

ylem i hope you take protein and vitamin c. getting deep settings is good, but you also need to make sure your body can make new collagen as best as possible.

My derm told me injesting supplements won't migrate to the skin for any physical effect.

 

Hmmm. Do you believe that?