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Well I haven't posted much here but I have used the site religiously to research and help guide my decision making process. I probably did about a years worth of research before proceeding with Fraxel as well as finding the right doctor. Flew all over the place for consultations before finding a local doctor with a good rep.
I have some pretty serious scarring consisting of icepick and boxcar type scars. I probably have a higher level of confidence in my day to day living then most people. I'm just really outgoing and haven't let the scarring affect my life much at all. But I just got to the point where I wanted to do something and was tired of looking in the mirror.
Had my first Fraxel yesterday. 4 more to go. I will keep everyone posted on the progress. I'm set to have subcision done sometime after the 2nd or 3rd session. Due to the severity of my scarring i'm not expecting miracle results. If I get 30-50% improvement I'd be very happy.
So far, it's exactly what I expected. The pain was moderate, and i'm just swelled up and look like I have a really bad sunburn. I know I wont see any results until a few more sessions but i'm excited too hopefully see some results after this is all over.
Fraxel just seemed like the right choice from a non-intrusive type of perspective. All other procedures involved either serious downtime, or the possibility of negative results. Fraxel just seems like the first step for me and as I said, i'll continue to post my progress. I'll get some pictures up too when I get them from the doc next week.
Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site with their results/progress. It gives hope for us all.
Well I haven't posted much here but I have used the site religiously to research and help guide my decision making process. I probably did about a years worth of research before proceeding with Fraxel as well as finding the right doctor. Flew all over the place for consultations before finding a local doctor with a good rep.I have some pretty serious scarring consisting of icepick and boxcar type scars. I probably have a higher level of confidence in my day to day living then most people. I'm just really outgoing and haven't let the scarring affect my life much at all. But I just got to the point where I wanted to do something and was tired of looking in the mirror.
Had my first Fraxel yesterday. 4 more to go. I will keep everyone posted on the progress. I'm set to have subcision done sometime after the 2nd or 3rd session. Due to the severity of my scarring i'm not expecting miracle results. If I get 30-50% improvement I'd be very happy.
So far, it's exactly what I expected. The pain was moderate, and i'm just swelled up and look like I have a really bad sunburn. I know I wont see any results until a few more sessions but i'm excited too hopefully see some results after this is all over.
Fraxel just seemed like the right choice from a non-intrusive type of perspective. All other procedures involved either serious downtime, or the possibility of negative results. Fraxel just seems like the first step for me and as I said, i'll continue to post my progress. I'll get some pictures up too when I get them from the doc next week.
Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site with their results/progress. It gives hope for us all.
good luck with your fraxels and I wish you great results. Could you add your settings into your
signature, it helps others to review your treatment. thanks
Links of interest:
http://www.puremedspa.com/fractional_skin_re-surfacing.php
http://www.berkeleyclinic.ie/treatments/jowl-tightening.html
http://www.greenwichmedicalspa.com/Service...esurfacing.aspx
(scroll down for list of fractional lasers) http://www.consultingroom.com/Treatment_FA...kin-Resurfacing
http://www.elanmedispa.com/nj-before-and-a...e-and-after.asp
http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/apr/28/...fountain_youth/
http://www.tuscanymedspa.com/index.php/Tuc...nts-Photos.html
http://tangentaesthetics.com/content/view/14/30/
http://www.allerganandinamed.com/products/...rm/photos.aspx#
good luck with your fraxels and I wish you great results. Could you add your settings into yoursignature, it helps others to review your treatment. thanks
I'm not 100% sure on the settings but I know they were aggressive. I know because it was pretty painful to go through. I believe it was like 40mjs but not sure of the energy level. I will get this info and post in my signature soon. Thanks for the good luck!
Hi everyone,
Its been approximatly 8 months since my last treatment. I just had treament #6 today w/ the newer system. I've went ahead and updated my signature. I'm hoping to see better results w/ the higher setting and all. Does anyone know if 45mj is conisdered high on the Fraxel re:pair system?
Had my third Fraxel SR1500 treatment yesterday all my treatment have been 8 passes at 40mJ... I went and had a look at myself in the mirror in a dim light, and I could STILL see ALL my red marks visibly. Very frustrating. Going to look at Meladerm Pigment Reducing Complex and use it carefully and slowly, as I think I'm done spending money on Fraxel until my derm gets a re:pair...
Actually i'm not even swollen today. Is there a difference in healing btw. SR1500 and Re:pair? Normally i'm swollen for at least 3 days and peel on the 6th day. It might be due to the fact that I only had spot treatment on specific scars this time around. I haven't been reading this post since my last treatment. Is there any difference btw. SR1500 and re:pair?
The re:pair is a CO2 laser. Its also called FDDA, Fractional Deep Dermal Ablation. Thats cause it actually vaporizes the column of tissue instead of heating/denaturing it like SR1500. This causes and open wound, however still small enough that the rest of the healthy skin cells invaginate it and it heals without scarring.
At the same time however the process does contract the skin which accounts for the much higher degree of skin tightening that you get with re:pair. For most people over 35 I guess the tightening would be welcome. I read that it can be as much as 30 percent with a series of treatment. But at the same time I always wonder if it has a side effect. Because the tightening is caused by the loss of tissue. So you lose the follicles, glands, etc. vaporized in each column, sort of like having a thousand small biopsies taken.
But I suppose if you only do it over scar tissue then that isn't a factor. All you lose is scar tissue.
If you google you can see the re:pair histology slides. They are quite different and interesting compared to the SR1500. Glad to see someone is getting it done. Please keep us posted.
Anyone know anything about the Micro Spot Fractional CO2 Laser (not from Reliant)?
http://www.google.com/search?q=Micro-Spot+...FC_enUS228US228
From the lookwise i didn't find the system to be any different except for the difference in tips. I didn't feel much pain at all and the treatment took only 10 mins (numbing took 1hr). My doctor mentioned using a better numbing cream and the blue dye was eliminated. Instead of using vaseline like before, the nurse used something else (forgot what it was called). I'm not even swollen & red lookin as compare to SR1500. She did mention that there would be a 30% of hyperpigmentation for Asians w/ higher settings. I was fine with it as long as it wasn't permanent. But my next treatment will be end of next month and I am planning to treat my entire cheeks again.
Hello everybody
i want to know something...new scars(already with red marks) its more easy to treat than old scars? i am 18 years old and i have my scars since 17 years old and i will start 4 sessions of fraxel with 70mj on january( 3 months after the accutane.)
i want to know if i have de probability to have a big improvement.
thanks everybody
ps: sorry for my bad english =/
i posted pictures from my face on page 242.
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?
Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
Are you treating you entire face for 1k? I spent $200 on spot treatment this time. Usually my doc. charge me by # of passes. I'm only treating my cheeks so I find the price to be pretty reasonable.
Okay its been 3 days since my fraxel(since Friday). My skin is feeling really tight still. Does anyone know when I might peel? Kindda bummed out b/c I've got to work tomorrow.
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
Do you have red marks or actual scars? Fraxel doesn't work for red marks, as has been discussed in this thread...
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
Do you have red marks or actual scars? Fraxel doesn't work for red marks, as has been discussed in this thread...
I have shallow dark red/brown marks. Seems odd I have 0 improvement.
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
Do you have red marks or actual scars? Fraxel doesn't work for red marks, as has been discussed in this thread...
I have shallow dark red/brown marks. Seems odd I have 0 improvement.
I'm not really understanding what you have, though. Red marks implies no actual scarring (rolling, ice pick, etc.). But shallow implies there is scarring.
Fraxel does not work to improve red marks because red marks are basically new blood vessels that have grown to help heal a previous wound. Fraxel won't get rid of those blood vessels...It probably would prolong the red marks, if anything.
On the other hand, if you have indented scarring, you have scar tissue and/or are missing collagen. Here, fraxel works to break up scar tissue and induce collagen growth, thereby improving scarring.
I had my Fraxel done over a week ago, and it is still extremely red. I was treated at 35mj, one or two passes I think (SR1500). Does anyone else know on average how long the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation lasted for you?Yeah, I'm usually red for like two weeks... that's at 40mJ. My derm said 40mJ is the highest *they* go. I believe the machine is capable of 70? Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they limit the settings so people require more treatments! IF and when I get any more SR1500's.. which I'm skeptical about doing due to COMPLETE UTTER AND TOTAL LACK OF RESULTS on my shallow dark red marks (the main thing I was treating) after 3 sessions.. I'm going to demand they take it to atleast 50... bah. "Can I have my $3000 back please?" 🙂 :redface:
I really feel for people here with actual severe scarring thinking Fraxel might be their savior, because if it's not working on something as shallow as some red marks, I don't think it bodes very well. My red marks are almost invisible in a bright light, on my pale skin it's a dim light where they're visible, oddly enough. Anyway, as you can see, I'm disappointed indeed.
Do you have red marks or actual scars? Fraxel doesn't work for red marks, as has been discussed in this thread...
I have shallow dark red/brown marks. Seems odd I have 0 improvement.
I'm not really understanding what you have, though. Red marks implies no actual scarring (rolling, ice pick, etc.). But shallow implies there is scarring.
Fraxel does not work to improve red marks because red marks are basically new blood vessels that have grown to help heal a previous wound. Fraxel won't get rid of those blood vessels...It probably would prolong the red marks, if anything.
On the other hand, if you have indented scarring, you have scar tissue and/or are missing collagen. Here, fraxel works to break up scar tissue and induce collagen growth, thereby improving scarring.
Well when I say shallow I mean they're at the surface, they are not indented. It's basically like pigmentation... Why would it prolong the red marks?!
Study says Fraxel does work for red marks.
Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of telangiectatic matting: a case report.
The article presents a case study about the improvement of postinflammatory erythema after the resolution of inflammatory acne vulgaris in two patients undergone with fractional photothermolysis. Three months after the last Fraxel laser treatment, clinical assessments of physician revealed the improvement in atrophic acne scarring of both patients. The authors suggested that fractional photothermolysis is safe and effective treatment modality for erythema resulting from acne vulgaris.
Study says Fraxel does work for red marks.Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of telangiectatic matting: a case report.
The article presents a case study about the improvement of postinflammatory erythema after the resolution of inflammatory acne vulgaris in two patients undergone with fractional photothermolysis. Three months after the last Fraxel laser treatment, clinical assessments of physician revealed the improvement in atrophic acne scarring of both patients. The authors suggested that fractional photothermolysis is safe and effective treatment modality for erythema resulting from acne vulgaris.
I'd be interested in seeing the actual article to see the effective settings.
