hey zonk. how are your improvements looking so far?? hope all is going well! ive got 2 more fraxels to go!

hey zonk. how are your improvements looking so far?? hope all is going well! ive got 2 more fraxels to go!

It has helped a lot, but I don't want to comment on progress until I'm completely done with my series of treatments. I'm sure some of the negative people will try to turn this into how fraxel hasn't done enough for me, but it's more because I don't want to spend 10 min writing my story several times. I only want to do it once. Call me lazy.

Interesting/funny/annoying story about my 5th session.

I went in as usual and got numbed up. Two PAs came in to do my treatment. The usual one and a new one. The new one had some trouble getting the machine to work and actually noted that the screen was a different color. We all crack jokes that the laser is going to blow up and burn my face.

They finally get everything working and start treating my face. I noticed immediately that I felt no pain and mentioned it. My usual PA said that was strange because she definitely could see my face getting red. They finish and I distinctly notice that I still feel no pain or burning or anything, and my face doesn't feel swollen.

I trust my PA (she's awesome), so I go home without looking in the mirror at the office like I normally do. I figured that the lack of pain and swelling was just because my skin is getting used to the fraxel.

I get home and look in the mirror and my face doesn't look like it's been treated at all. I don't have any of the side effects of being treated, except my face is very slightly pink (which I later realize is due to the lidocaine).

So I'm getting worried at this point and call my PA. I wonder if maybe she accidentally put the settings too low. She says she'll discuss it with one of the docs, and we'll talk on Monday. She swears that she treated me and that she actually gave me more energy than usual this time, even though we went down to 30/8.

Now, it's Friday night, and I had made sure not to have any plans during my recovery period, so I'm just sitting around trying to figure out what's going on. Then it hits me. The machine has a simulation mode. So I call Reliant tech support and ask them if simulation mode has a different color screen than regular treatment mode. Lo and behold, it does -- the screen is greyed out when in simulation mode. So it sounds like they "treated" me in simulation mode.

So I will talk to my PA about this tomorrow and make her get me in this week for a treatment. Hopefully, I can turn this into a positive and get a few spot treatments for free out of this as well (I only have a 2in x 2in area left that I really want to improve). I'm going to try at the very least.

Wow Zonk, I would be a upset if that had happened to me. Very upset.

Now I remember why I had a doctor doing these treatments on me.

It's been a while since I have been around here but I wanted to log on and say that I have seen some softening of my scars after all this time (over 6 months since my last treament). I am not completely happy with the results and I still think I need another round of treatments but I can't afford it so I will have to settle with the little results I did get.

Good luck everyone. I don't have the time right now to go back and read some of the newer posts but I am curious if lots of people are using the higher settings and if it's getting better results.

Good luck everyone!

Interesting/funny/annoying story about my 5th session.

I went in as usual and got numbed up. Two PAs came in to do my treatment. The usual one and a new one. The new one had some trouble getting the machine to work and actually noted that the screen was a different color. We all crack jokes that the laser is going to blow up and burn my face.

They finally get everything working and start treating my face. I noticed immediately that I felt no pain and mentioned it. My usual PA said that was strange because she definitely could see my face getting red. They finish and I distinctly notice that I still feel no pain or burning or anything, and my face doesn't feel swollen.

I trust my PA (she's awesome), so I go home without looking in the mirror at the office like I normally do. I figured that the lack of pain and swelling was just because my skin is getting used to the fraxel.

I get home and look in the mirror and my face doesn't look like it's been treated at all. I don't have any of the side effects of being treated, except my face is very slightly pink (which I later realize is due to the lidocaine).

So I'm getting worried at this point and call my PA. I wonder if maybe she accidentally put the settings too low. She says she'll discuss it with one of the docs, and we'll talk on Monday. She swears that she treated me and that she actually gave me more energy than usual this time, even though we went down to 30/8.

Now, it's Friday night, and I had made sure not to have any plans during my recovery period, so I'm just sitting around trying to figure out what's going on. Then it hits me. The machine has a simulation mode. So I call Reliant tech support and ask them if simulation mode has a different color screen than regular treatment mode. Lo and behold, it does -- the screen is greyed out when in simulation mode. So it sounds like they "treated" me in simulation mode.

So I will talk to my PA about this tomorrow and make her get me in this week for a treatment. Hopefully, I can turn this into a positive and get a few spot treatments for free out of this as well (I only have a 2in x 2in area left that I really want to improve). I'm going to try at the very least.

Wow Zonk, I would be a upset if that had happened to me. Very upset.

Now I remember why I had a doctor doing these treatments on me.

It's been a while since I have been around here but I wanted to log on and say that I have seen some softening of my scars after all this time (over 6 months since my last treament). I am not completely happy with the results and I still think I need another round of treatments but I can't afford it so I will have to settle with the little results I did get.

Good luck everyone. I don't have the time right now to go back and read some of the newer posts but I am curious if lots of people are using the higher settings and if it's getting better results.

Good luck everyone!

 

Hi jjp!

I haven't been on here all summer either. I've also noticed some more softening of my scars over the summer, and am looking forward to having my last 3 treatments starting in Septemer. I'll have to read up on here to see about the higher numbers too. Take care!

i had my third treatment yesterday (mine have all been about 4 weeks apart). i definitely noticed a mild improvement prior to this treatment -- less depth to a few of my scars and also a small patch of skin on one of my cheeks that looks virtually poreless (yay!)

i did have the new tip and it was wonderful to not have to wash the blue dye off -- it just feels totally gross to wash your face when it's tough from the burn and also when you can't feel your face because it's numb still -- so only having to wash once versus 6 or so times after (to get blue dye off) is a definite plus!

Im not phased about the blue dye.. it takes 2 minutes to wash off.

The plus is for the clinic...

Benifits for the clinic:

1) less theartre time.. can turn over my clients .. frees nurses up

2) Reduction in their cost.. no blue dye, no blue dye wash lotion, no blue dye wash pads

Befinits for the client:

1) dont have to wash blue dye off our face that takes 2 minutes

Wammy:

1) reduction in cost of the clinic though no reduction in their revenue (our cost)

The math\logic should be: effort(cost) = revenue(how much they earn) ... hence less effort (no blue dye) should = less revenue.

On another topic I have had 4 fraxels with good results so far - next (and last) in 3 weeks

wow, this is the first time this topic has been on PAGE 2 of the scar treatent longs! losing popularity?!

Ok, well I finally got the courage to take some pics of my scars now that I'm off accutane. They're so ugly! Anyway, I tried to load them on here for you guys to look at and ask your opinion about whether or not you think fraxel will help with my scars but it said the file was too big. I'm not too technology savvy.

Can someone help me?

Agreed - was just thinking the same thing -- this used to be the hottest thread barnone.

JJP - I am amazed u haven't see better results - 6mo after the last treatment u should have seen a major improvement.

Blue Morpho - sounds like your doc is really going aggressive on you - are ur scars heavily pitted?

so for my third treatment, my "downtime" was a day shorter (4 and 1/2 days instead of 5 and 1/2). i am also not as dry after peeling. during the downtime and peeling stage i was much oilier than after my first two sessions -- i didn't use ANY moisturizer this time until day 4 when i started to peel.

i do remember someone on here (zonk maybe?) saying that healing time speeded up for them after subsequent treatments, too -- so i concur!

so for my third treatment, my "downtime" was a day shorter (4 and 1/2 days instead of 5 and 1/2). i am also not as dry after peeling. during the downtime and peeling stage i was much oilier than after my first two sessions -- i didn't use ANY moisturizer this time until day 4 when i started to peel.

i do remember someone on here (zonk maybe?) saying that healing time speeded up for them after subsequent treatments, too -- so i concur!

Bluemorpho- why havent you tried any deeper/higher enrgies like 55-70 mjs? My doc said he's done hundreds of Fraxels so far,. and in his experience the deeper settings are needed for depressed scarring, as the scarring itslef is so deep within the skin. Do you agree and does your doctor? It just seeems as if there are so many of you who stay in the 40's, and all of mine have been 55 mjs and above.

Agreed - was just thinking the same thing -- this used to be the hottest thread barnone.

JJP - I am amazed u haven't see better results - 6mo after the last treatment u should have seen a major improvement.

Blue Morpho - sounds like your doc is really going aggressive on you - are ur scars heavily pitted?

I don't think it's unusual for someone to have insignificant results with Fraxel. In fact, quite a few are out there. We all have to remember that any significant scarring will require lifelong maintenenance. What that PS said is true on acne.org, because as we age, skin thins out and the results of any previous treatments will appear to have been nullified. We're in this for life folks, unfortunately.

JJP007,

I'm of asian descent too, with the strong settings ur doc did for you, did you have hyperpigmentation after fraxel?

Because I seem to have the tanning effect and it stayed on until my next treatment 5 weeks later (not severe, just mild tanning effect). Did iy occur to you as well? Or did you apply anything to stop hyperpigmentation? Does applying vit C serum and arbutin help?

I know a stronger setting is suppose to help but I'm really afraid of hyperpigmentation. On my first treatment my doc with a setting on the high 20s and I had pin prick bleeding on my cheeks on the first day.

Blue Morpho - sounds like your doc is really going aggressive on you - are ur scars heavily pitted?

i was actually thinking it wasn't as aggressive as i'd like, though my scars are all rolling/shallow except for one or two.

i'm trying to figure out how the treatment levels make a difference if anyone wants to comment...i'm sure it is somewhere in this thread and i used to know the answer 😉

JJP007,

I'm of asian descent too, with the strong settings ur doc did for you, did you have hyperpigmentation after fraxel?

Because I seem to have the tanning effect and it stayed on until my next treatment 5 weeks later (not severe, just mild tanning effect). Did iy occur to you as well? Or did you apply anything to stop hyperpigmentation? Does applying vit C serum and arbutin help?

I know a stronger setting is suppose to help but I'm really afraid of hyperpigmentation. On my first treatment my doc with a setting on the high 20s and I had pin prick bleeding on my cheeks on the first day.

eyeboy, can you include whether you are doing fraxel one or two in your post so people know, or put it in your signature? i am assuming it's fraxel one with the setting you mentioned??

i'm not asian but have very very olive skin, and after my first two treatments did get some brown marks eventually if i was out in the sun a lot (on my nose and cheeks). they go away though when i have the treatment again -- right now (after my third) i can't even tell i had them. i am using the obaji 45 SPF sunscreen that has about 18% physical block in it. it's WAY expensive...

Supposedly, the higher mjs the deeper the penetration. I believe you need a high combination of both to get best results. The other being the level, or density, as in frequency of microwounds created within a given surface area.

I don't really know what is effective, as I have not really experienced any noticeable results yet after two treatments. And today I shocked myself into another depression looking in the mirror. God my scars are so awful for this to repeatedly happen Lately, it's been really hard for me to function normally. And I'm tearing up just typing this post. I can't stop fixating on it even though I know I shouldn't and I feel like I'm trapped. Everyday is such a struggle for me, especially because it's just a combination of things. I have really bad scars, awful redmarks/pigmentation because of my pale skin. Recently, I've been using Panoxyl 10 for any stubborn whiteheads I still tend to get and that's helped somewhat (and with the redmarks, too). I guess it's just a combination of things that make me this depressed about my skin, not just the scars. Somtimes I think the olive skinned folks in here have it better. They just wouldn't come off looking as ruddy as I always do. I've seen several olive skinned folks with acne scars who still look like they have nice skin becaus they have no pigmentation/ruddiness to deal with. I have to envy those people as well because I'm still not even in their category. Also I have a lot of issues with pigmentation and stubborn breakouts on my back, which I'm totally paranoid about. And that depresses me so much. I feel I really can't relate to many people. Of course if you saw my mom, you would see exactly where it all comes from, as her skin is the worst AND so is her brothers. My genetics are the bane of my existence. I just wish there was a way to surmount it, but I guess there never will be. I was never meant to have good skin.

Supposedly, the higher mjs the deeper the penetration. I believe you need a high combination of both to get best results. The other being the level, or density, as in frequency of microwounds created within a given surface area.

I don't really know what is effective, as I have not really experienced any noticeable results yet after two treatments. And today I shocked myself into another depression looking in the mirror. God my scars are so awful for this to repeatedly happen 🙁 Lately, it's been really hard for me to function normally. And I'm tearing up just typing this post. I can't stop fixating on it even though I know I shouldn't and I feel like I'm trapped. Everyday is such a struggle for me, especially because it's just a combination of things. I have really bad scars, awful redmarks/pigmentation because of my pale skin. Recently, I've been using Panoxyl 10 for any stubborn whiteheads I still tend to get and that's helped somewhat (and with the redmarks, too). I guess it's just a combination of things that make me this depressed about my skin, not just the scars. Somtimes I think the olive skinned folks in here have it better. They just wouldn't come off looking as ruddy as I always do. I've seen several olive skinned folks with acne scars who still look like they have nice skin becaus they have no pigmentation/ruddiness to deal with. I have to envy those people as well because I'm still not even in their category. Also I have a lot of issues with pigmentation and stubborn breakouts on my back, which I'm totally paranoid about. And that depresses me so much. I feel I really can't relate to many people. Of course if you saw my mom, you would see exactly where it all comes from, as her skin is the worst AND so is her brothers. My genetics are the bane of my existence. I just wish there was a way to surmount it, but I guess there never will be. I was never meant to have good skin.

Wow, I took a 3-4 month break from constantly being on these logs and now that I'm researching again, I can definitely commiserate with everyone who's emotionally destroyed from acne.

YLEM: I know EXACTLY how you feel. I try to ignore my acne scars (they are bad, especially on my forehead...it's just all depressed in and in pictures it just looks like a huge meteor hit it...seriously) but it's really hard when you have to look at it all the time. I really don't know what to say to help make you feel better...just know that you're not alone. =)

Update:

I am 2 weeks post my 4th fraxel 2 (last one was 45MJs) ... i am seeing very good improvments.. (no exageration) .. my next one is in 2 weeks .. my skin seems to be getting better every day so I am happy.

really hope the improvments keep continuing.

PS: aveeno cream worked great on my skin to minimise flaking and dryness - $14 for what seems will last me a yr.

does anybody see results on shallow boxcar or icepick scars?

bluemorpho,

Yes sorry it's fraxel 1 I'm having. I live in Perth Western Australia and we seem to be getting on with all these technology stuff really really slowly.

Is fraxel 2 really that much better in terms of getting results? Whats the highest setting possible on the old fraxel?

does anybody see results on shallow boxcar or icepick scars?

I have seen the best results on these types of scars... After 5 treatments, they have "filled in" a lot. Granted, they haven't gone away, but they look a LOT better. I have been surprised by this.

I just had my sixth and last one Friday, but I am still pretty red, a little swollen, and VERY flaky. We'll see how I feel about it all in a few months...

does anybody see results on shallow boxcar or icepick scars?

I have seen the best results on these types of scars... After 5 treatments, they have "filled in" a lot. Granted, they haven't gone away, but they look a LOT better. I have been surprised by this.

I just had my sixth and last one Friday, but I am still pretty red, a little swollen, and VERY flaky. We'll see how I feel about it all in a few months...

 

For me, the shallow boxcars have been improved. My icepicks have not really improved much.

Supposedly, the higher mjs the deeper the penetration. I believe you need a high combination of both to get best results. The other being the level, or density, as in frequency of microwounds created within a given surface area.

I don't really know what is effective, as I have not really experienced any noticeable results yet after two treatments. And today I shocked myself into another depression looking in the mirror. God my scars are so awful for this to repeatedly happen 🙁 Lately, it's been really hard for me to function normally. And I'm tearing up just typing this post. I can't stop fixating on it even though I know I shouldn't and I feel like I'm trapped. Everyday is such a struggle for me, especially because it's just a combination of things. I have really bad scars, awful redmarks/pigmentation because of my pale skin. Recently, I've been using Panoxyl 10 for any stubborn whiteheads I still tend to get and that's helped somewhat (and with the redmarks, too). I guess it's just a combination of things that make me this depressed about my skin, not just the scars. Somtimes I think the olive skinned folks in here have it better. They just wouldn't come off looking as ruddy as I always do. I've seen several olive skinned folks with acne scars who still look like they have nice skin becaus they have no pigmentation/ruddiness to deal with. I have to envy those people as well because I'm still not even in their category. Also I have a lot of issues with pigmentation and stubborn breakouts on my back, which I'm totally paranoid about. And that depresses me so much. I feel I really can't relate to many people. Of course if you saw my mom, you would see exactly where it all comes from, as her skin is the worst AND so is her brothers. My genetics are the bane of my existence. I just wish there was a way to surmount it, but I guess there never will be. I was never meant to have good skin.

Wow, I took a 3-4 month break from constantly being on these logs and now that I'm researching again, I can definitely commiserate with everyone who's emotionally destroyed from acne.

YLEM: I know EXACTLY how you feel. I try to ignore my acne scars (they are bad, especially on my forehead...it's just all depressed in and in pictures it just looks like a huge meteor hit it...seriously) but it's really hard when you have to look at it all the time. I really don't know what to say to help make you feel better...just know that you're not alone. =)

 

You're really not alone. Just look at how much traffic the boards get each day. Just have hope. Do whatever it takes to fix the problems. I hope everything goes well for you.

Update:

I am 2 weeks post my 4th fraxel 2 (last one was 45MJs) ... i am seeing very good improvments.. (no exageration) .. my next one is in 2 weeks .. my skin seems to be getting better every day so I am happy.

really hope the improvments keep continuing.

PS: aveeno cream worked great on my skin to minimise flaking and dryness - $14 for what seems will last me a yr.

yay! so glad to hear about your results. good for you! 🙂

i am doing mine about as far apart as you are and am about 10 days post my third one...my skin does look a lot better in general, and my swelling/microswelling has gone down much faster after that second and third, so i can tell that right now i am actually seeing what it looks like -- the quality of my skin texture/tone has definitely improved.

bluemorpho,

Yes sorry it's fraxel 1 I'm having. I live in Perth Western Australia and we seem to be getting on with all these technology stuff really really slowly.

Is fraxel 2 really that much better in terms of getting results? Whats the highest setting possible on the old fraxel?

i think 40 is the highest on fraxel 1 and 70 on fraxel 2?

they aren't exactly equivalent however, like 40 on fraxel one does not equal 40 on fraxel 2.

God, will soemone tell me if this works on severe and deep forehead scars? Like I mean deep lines from pitting, bad pitting and saucers on forehead. I hear results on forehead and temples are usually not good. I have had 2 treatments all over 55 mjs and I have my next one on 8/31. But, it still looks just as bad, maybe worse than it did before due to aging. Can forehead scarring really be treated?

God, will soemone tell me if this works on severe and deep forehead scars? Like I mean deep lines from pitting, bad pitting and saucers on forehead. I hear results on forehead and temples are usually not good. I have had 2 treatments all over 55 mjs and I have my next one on 8/31. But, it still looks just as bad, maybe worse than it did before due to aging. Can forehead scarring really be treated?

Well my thoughts is that the less tissue the less results.. the scars on my temple (minimal tissue) are being subborn.. were the ones on my cheeks are coming along well..