you get more improvement as time goes on

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had widening of the pores or weird skin texture due to the fraxel laser. I am considering fraxel for 3 shallow rolling scars and would really hate it if my pores enlarged or got orange peel skin as other lasers might induce.

On a side not what would one use to get rid of icepick/enlarged pores? I only have to 2 of these that resulted from picking so I feel a strong laser might be to harsh for these.

Fraxel , the cosmetic doctor talked abt that yesterday, he said it is a very effective laser treatment for scar. But it cost 1000 for 1 session, man..... I dont think I can afford it now, so, I am just going for smoothbeam, when I have the cash, then I will go for Fraxel~

Fraxel , the cosmetic doctor talked abt that yesterday, he said it is a very effective laser treatment for scar. But it cost 1000 for 1 session, man..... I dont think I can afford it now, so, I am just going for smoothbeam, when I have the cash, then I will go for Fraxel~

I would suggest that you do not waste your money, as most ppl have indicated very minimal improvement for scars by smoothbeam. Even my DM advise me not to have any high expectation for smoothbeam, which is why I went for Fraxel. If I will in your position with limited budget, I would have opt for derma roller. Its about one fifth the price of Fraxel, abt $150 per session, and seems to have abt the same results as Fraxel for scar reduction.

Fraxel , the cosmetic doctor talked abt that yesterday, he said it is a very effective laser treatment for scar. But it cost 1000 for 1 session, man..... I dont think I can afford it now, so, I am just going for smoothbeam, when I have the cash, then I will go for Fraxel~

I would suggest that you do not waste your money, as most ppl have indicated very minimal improvement for scars by smoothbeam. Even my DM advise me not to have any high expectation for smoothbeam, which is why I went for Fraxel. If I will in your position with limited budget, I would have opt for derma roller. Its about one fifth the price of Fraxel, abt $150 per session, and seems to have abt the same results as Fraxel for scar reduction.

 

opt for derma roller = ??

smoothbeam seems to work for some that have minimal scarring and wrinkles

opt for derma roller = ??

you can find more about it in the forum and online. it's basically a roller for the skin that has many tiny needles to induce collagen production and aid in absorbtion of topicals. there are different grades though, and some of them aren't long enough to aid with scarring. you can purchase some online and there are also places that offer the service. the place i went to for a consultation also sold one brand of the device but it wasn't scar-grade.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had widening of the pores or weird skin texture due to the fraxel laser. I am considering fraxel for 3 shallow rolling scars/better complexion and would really hate it if my pores enlarged or got orange peel skin as other lasers might induce.

On a side not what would one use to get rid of icepick/enlarged pores? I only have to 2 of these that resulted from picking so I feel a strong laser might be to harsh for these.

anyone? I could really use some help

do a search in this thread nate. one guy was complaining of pore widening but he had pretty bad skin to begin with. he showed pics and there really wasnt a diffference from before and after.

there are some photos on the baylor college of medicine website on the fraxel page. shows a guy who had tremendous improvement of scarred pores with fraxel. the photos are posted in this thread if you learn how to do a search.

http://www.bcm.edu/dermatology/?PMID=2331

most people report an improvement in pore size and skin texture.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had widening of the pores or weird skin texture due to the fraxel laser. I am considering fraxel for 3 shallow rolling scars and would really hate it if my pores enlarged or got orange peel skin as other lasers might induce.

On a side not what would one use to get rid of icepick/enlarged pores? I only have to 2 of these that resulted from picking so I feel a strong laser might be to harsh for these.

three scars is not worth it for fraxel. you need to do either your whole face or both of your entire cheeks, whole face preferred so that you don't have demarcation lines. and that's a lot of time and money invested.

how old are the scars?

I don't think the results on that website are the norm. I have had three fraxel treatments and almost no visible improvements on my scars. Just had dermaroller and hoping this will do something.

After 3 sessions, I didn't notice a marked difference either. After 6 sessions, I've had very significant improvement.

 

this is a pointless post but i'm glad you commented on this. i've been told yet again to try fraxel by a derm and am only now beginning to sliiightly consider it- but i was told flat out by the dr's assistant that there is really no notable improvement until the fourth+ session.

 

Yes, this is absolutely true. I've done 4 and can see slight imrpovement, but nothing to jump up and down about yet.

 

i have improvement after my 4th also...my fifth is this coming monday (i had to take 10 wks off in between for a family matter). i think i may opt for a sixth one in january depending on how the fifth turns out and what setting we do.

glad to hear you are seeing something ylem. as time has gone on after my 4th, i've seen more improvement than i did at first, even on my forehead scars. just remember not to look for perfection, but to pay attention to the subtle differences in how you <i>feel</i>. i definitely just feel more confident and like i don't <i>care</i> so much that i have scars. if you feel happy and radiant, you will be!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had widening of the pores or weird skin texture due to the fraxel laser. I am considering fraxel for 3 shallow rolling scars and would really hate it if my pores enlarged or got orange peel skin as other lasers might induce.

On a side not what would one use to get rid of icepick/enlarged pores? I only have to 2 of these that resulted from picking so I feel a strong laser might be to harsh for these.

three scars is not worth it for fraxel. you need to do either your whole face or both of your entire cheeks, whole face preferred so that you don't have demarcation lines. and that's a lot of time and money invested.

how old are the scars?

 

I have 3 rolling scars I about 3 small scarred pores. I am not thinking about doing spot fraxel if I go through with it it will be the whole face to rid me of all scars and for better complexion.

im young and still schooling. i'm working really hard now and taking diploma and maybe further my studies so that i could get a stable job with decent salary. and with that money i think of getting fraxel done. does fraxel minimize pores to? i have relatively big pores. and what other benefits does fraxel have thanks

Does anyone know why does scars become more apparent and redder after fraxel? When will they improve?

Does anybody know if Fraxel for acne scars will be considered as "qualified medical expense" under Health Savings Account? Has anybody done it?

Thanks!

After fraxel the hyperpigmentation in your scars may become redder, but that should subside in a few days with the rest of your skin and actually any indents you have will look better afterwards because fraxel causes a bit of swelling. Fraxel will not be covered by health insurance.

Does anybody know if Fraxel for acne scars will be considered as "qualified medical expense" under Health Savings Account? Has anybody done it?

Thanks!

i am not sure how a health savings account differs from a flex spending plan -- with flex spending, i think if you get your doctor to write a letter/recommendation for a cosmetic procedure, noting that your scarring is disfigurement from a disease, the IRS accepts this as a qualified medical expense, so it's tax-deductible.

so...i finally had my fifth fraxel and have completed my 'package deal'

for anyone who has had 6 fraxel #2 sessions, what are the differences you noted after 6 treatments that weren't apparent after 5? (and what were the treatment levels?)

thank you!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had widening of the pores or weird skin texture due to the fraxel laser. I am considering fraxel for 3 shallow rolling scars and would really hate it if my pores enlarged or got orange peel skin as other lasers might induce.

On a side not what would one use to get rid of icepick/enlarged pores? I only have to 2 of these that resulted from picking so I feel a strong laser might be to harsh for these.

three scars is not worth it for fraxel. you need to do either your whole face or both of your entire cheeks, whole face preferred so that you don't have demarcation lines. and that's a lot of time and money invested.

how old are the scars?

 

I have 3 rolling scars I about 3 small scarred pores. I am not thinking about doing spot fraxel if I go through with it it will be the whole face to rid me of all scars and for better complexion.

 

you may want to look into subscision for the scars if it's that precise of an improvement you're looking for on them, and then perhaps use products to improve your whole complexion (BHAs or green cream or something...). or maybe home needling on the particular scars? (the rolling ones, not the scarred pores).

alternately, i have hundreds of rolling scars and fraxel was the obvious choice for me. you can't really guarantee with fraxel which scars are going to improve and that specific ones will improve, because it's only a percentage of coverage you get each time. basically the laser makes tiny tiny wounds in your face (approx 1 million for full face each time i think), and therefore does not get the 'entire' scar, but allows for collagen to hopefully do its magic at each of the wound sites.

also, if you get fraxel you basically should NEVER allow sun exposure on your face again. your face may be red for a time period, you may get demarcation lines that you then may wait to correct with products until after your treatments are over, you will need wear titanium sunblock and hats all summer long, etc. etc.

i have crazy intense swelling afterwards and can't go out in public for 5 days each treatment. and the procedure REALLY hurts and is a TON of money. i wouldn't go through all of that for the amount of scars and overall complexion issues you're concerned with, but you know best what you're willing to do.

have you posted pictures in the gallery so people can recommend something for you?

so...i finally had my fifth fraxel and have completed my 'package deal' 🙂

for anyone who has had 6 fraxel #2 sessions, what are the differences you noted after 6 treatments that weren't apparent after 5? (and what were the treatment levels?)

thank you! 🙂

Difficult to say, because I've had huge improvements in the months after my last treatement...Dunno if that's because of the 6th or not.

Hey all. It's been a while since I've been around here. I am thinking of going in for another round of treatments or perhaps just a couple more. I still have good and bad days with my skin, of course but it does seem to have softened up but I still have scars that bother me. I went to a derm about getting Juvaderm but she wasn't very encouraging, she seemed to push more for doing the Fraxel again so I'm considering it. I'm going to talk to my original doctor and hopefully he will work with me on price as I have seen him for so long and have done so many laser treatments. I've recommended a few people as well so he owes me jk

Hope everyone is doing well and happy holidays.

I'm getting my fourth fraxel this friday in Houston. Anyone, who is post Fraxel one year or so, had any success stories?

Also, anyone else experience any long term tanning? It appears as though my skin is a tad bit darker and there is a bit of a line along my eye sockets.

I'm getting my fourth fraxel this friday in Houston. Anyone, who is post Fraxel one year or so, had any success stories?

Also, anyone else experience any long term tanning? It appears as though my skin is a tad bit darker and there is a bit of a line along my eye sockets.

i have a demarcation line under my eyes as well -- ask the person doing yours to get closer to your eyes this time (not follow the same line) -- also, you CANNOT go in the sun -- wear a physical sunblock at all times. i think i just had too much sun exposure even though i wore a hat and a block all summer.

i do think using products like BHAs or something afterwords will soften the line, but i'll let you know when i start doing that what my results are.

Hey all. It's been a while since I've been around here. I am thinking of going in for another round of treatments or perhaps just a couple more. I still have good and bad days with my skin, of course but it does seem to have softened up but I still have scars that bother me. I went to a derm about getting Juvaderm but she wasn't very encouraging, she seemed to push more for doing the Fraxel again so I'm considering it. I'm going to talk to my original doctor and hopefully he will work with me on price as I have seen him for so long and have done so many laser treatments. I've recommended a few people as well so he owes me 😉 jk

Hope everyone is doing well and happy holidays.

hi jjp,

why did your doc/tech stick to 40 mJ each time and not increase the depth? are you getting fraxel 1 and not 2? did they not have the software to go to 70?

happy holidays to you as well--

bluemorpho

I've just started new series of treaments w/ the new system. I'm still very much bothered by my surgical scar.