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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 😉 jkHope 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
Well the second part to your question is answered. JJP had Fraxel 2. I too am curious as to why not greater depth. I was hoping my 5th would yield noticeable improvement, but now am second guessing after this. That is why I have always thought, irregardless of the coverage, more depth is always more beneficial for visible results on scarring.
Maybe I ought to just do subcision after this treatment. God, I am running out of options. I guess I will always have those bad days 🙁
JJP how severe was/is your scarring when you started? If you say mild or shallow then I know it will be a waste of time for me.
Hi everyone. I have been reading these boards for many years now and have just recently started going for fraxel treatments. I have had IPL done before that and while on the whole it wasn't that effective, it did improve the texture of my skin and reduce the appearance of one surface scar with bad pigmentation.
I will be taking detailed pictures as they happen. Basically one a day until the treatements are completed. You can find them at [Removed]
The settings used for the first fraxel were -
Cheeks only
70mj
8 passes
224 MTZ per cm^3 (Level 7)
2.9J total energy
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 😉 jkHope 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
Well the second part to your question is answered. JJP had Fraxel 2. I too am curious as to why not greater depth. I was hoping my 5th would yield noticeable improvement, but now am second guessing after this. That is why I have always thought, irregardless of the coverage, more depth is always more beneficial for visible results on scarring.
Maybe I ought to just do subcision after this treatment. God, I am running out of options. I guess I will always have those bad days 🙁
JJP how severe was/is your scarring when you started? If you say mild or shallow then I know it will be a waste of time for me.
ylem you're making a leap that's not founded. everyone responds differently, has different reasons for wanting to correct scars, and has different levels of scarring (which may be okay to some and not to others, therefore why this is all subjective...). cheer up a little! you are doing something positive for yourself so look on the bright side...
RaVPup said:Hi everyone. I have been reading these boards for many years now and have just recently started going for fraxel treatments. I have had IPL done before that and while on the whole it wasn't that effective, it did improve the texture of my skin and reduce the appearance of one surface scar with bad pigmentation.I will be taking detailed pictures as they happen. Basically one a day until the treatements are completed. You can find them at [Removed]
The settings used for the first fraxel were -
Cheeks only
70mj
8 passes
224 MTZ per cm^3 (Level 7)
2.9J total energy
best of luck with your procedures, ravpup, and thanks for posting photos. looks like you are peeling quickly. it's nice to see your face a little swollen without any scars, isn't it? 
i bet you will have great improvement with this.
keep us posted!
bluemorpho said:RaVPup said:Hi everyone. I have been reading these boards for many years now and have just recently started going for fraxel treatments. I have had IPL done before that and while on the whole it wasn't that effective, it did improve the texture of my skin and reduce the appearance of one surface scar with bad pigmentation.I will be taking detailed pictures as they happen. Basically one a day until the treatements are completed. You can find them at [Removed]
The settings used for the first fraxel were -
Cheeks only
70mj
8 passes
224 MTZ per cm^3 (Level 7)
2.9J total energy
best of luck with your procedures, ravpup, and thanks for posting photos. looks like you are peeling quickly. it's nice to see your face a little swollen without any scars, isn't it?
keep us posted!
Yes it is good to see the microswelling and have no indentations for a while. I just hope that when they come back they're not as deep. It's hard to tell if the swelling has gone down or not. How many days do you think it will take for the swelling to go down? Some people say 5 days and others say 2 weeks. It's hard to judge.
RaVPup said:bluemorpho said:RaVPup said:Hi everyone. I have been reading these boards for many years now and have just recently started going for fraxel treatments. I have had IPL done before that and while on the whole it wasn't that effective, it did improve the texture of my skin and reduce the appearance of one surface scar with bad pigmentation.I will be taking detailed pictures as they happen. Basically one a day until the treatements are completed. You can find them at [Removed]
The settings used for the first fraxel were -
Cheeks only
70mj
8 passes
224 MTZ per cm^3 (Level 7)
2.9J total energy
best of luck with your procedures, ravpup, and thanks for posting photos. looks like you are peeling quickly. it's nice to see your face a little swollen without any scars, isn't it?
keep us posted!
Yes it is good to see the microswelling and have no indentations for a while. I just hope that when they come back they're not as deep. It's hard to tell if the swelling has gone down or not. How many days do you think it will take for the swelling to go down? Some people say 5 days and others say 2 weeks. It's hard to judge.
Macroswelling goes away in 3-7 days. Microswelling in 2-3 weeks.
To be honest I wish there were more pictures up in this forum from users with their settings and scars so I could have gauged what my response to fraxel would have been like beforehand. I hope I get better then average improvements with it but then that's what everyone hopes for.
To be honest I wish there were more pictures up in this forum from users with their settings and scars so I could have gauged what my response to fraxel would have been like beforehand. I hope I get better then average improvements with it but then that's what everyone hopes for.
WOW . . . Those are the most amazing pictures Rav. Seriously, I wish everyone took such high definition and well lit pictures. You are an inspiration. God bless you and I wish you the best outcome.
I think everyone should look at those pictures. You can really see the MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris). They are not microscopic though! They can clearly be seen.
Does everyone have this? Or is it only because you had 70 MJ?
I think it also shows how Fraxel is FRACTIONAL. Everyone complaining take heed! Rav's pics are so detailed you can see where each little prick of the laser hit because of the MENDs. Even after many many treatments you could never actually get 100 percent coverage (though you could theoretically get very close).
I really think people who weren't happy with their results just need more treatments for more coverage.
Did the Fraxel help your active acne? It looks like you had some major pustules and cysts.
To be honest I wish there were more pictures up in this forum from users with their settings and scars so I could have gauged what my response to fraxel would have been like beforehand. I hope I get better then average improvements with it but then that's what everyone hopes for.WOW . . . Those are the most amazing pictures Rav. Seriously, I wish everyone took such high definition and well lit pictures. You are an inspiration. God bless you and I wish you the best outcome.
I think everyone should look at those pictures. You can really see the MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris). They are not microscopic though! They can clearly be seen.
Does everyone have this? Or is it only because you had 70 MJ?
I think it also shows how Fraxel is FRACTIONAL. Everyone complaining take heed! Rav's pics are so detailed you can see where each little prick of the laser hit because of the MENDs. Even after many many treatments you could never actually get 100 percent coverage (though you could theoretically get very close).
I really think people who weren't happy with their results just need more treatments for more coverage.
Did the Fraxel help your active acne? It looks like you had some major pustules and cysts.
Yeah I had major pustules and cysts but the doctor has given me antibiotics for them. The reason I have those cysts is because I've been going to the gym and the fact that my acne has never fully resolved. They no longer leave scars though so thats a positive thing.
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
out of topic: but hey there me too i still in school taking my diploma. final year in school and either working or studying.
this fraxel thingy i heard cost a bomb. but i desperately need to clear up my scars or at least reduce this scarrings before starting work. problem is i have no $$$.
and don't think my mom will be sponsoring any cash since she forked out thousands before for all those useless treatments to get rid of acnes. My acnes cleared up pretty well with good regimen, that place just make my face worse.
Hi Fivetotenyear,
I am not being a wet blanket but those picture of
Rav are taken directly after he had his first fraxel for a few days.
Those are very misleading photo if you have not had fraxel done
before like me. His face is swollen from fraxel. When the swolleness
goes down, it will be back to usual.
So please don't bring your hope too high else you will be
disappointed like me.
To be honest I wish there were more pictures up in this forum from users with their settings and scars so I could have gauged what my response to fraxel would have been like beforehand. I hope I get better then average improvements with it but then that's what everyone hopes for.WOW . . . Those are the most amazing pictures Rav. Seriously, I wish everyone took such high definition and well lit pictures. You are an inspiration. God bless you and I wish you the best outcome.
I think everyone should look at those pictures. You can really see the MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris). They are not microscopic though! They can clearly be seen.
Does everyone have this? Or is it only because you had 70 MJ?
I think it also shows how Fraxel is FRACTIONAL. Everyone complaining take heed! Rav's pics are so detailed you can see where each little prick of the laser hit because of the MENDs. Even after many many treatments you could never actually get 100 percent coverage (though you could theoretically get very close).
I really think people who weren't happy with their results just need more treatments for more coverage.
Did the Fraxel help your active acne? It looks like you had some major pustules and cysts.
Yeah I had major pustules and cysts but the doctor has given me antibiotics for them. The reason I have those cysts is because I've been going to the gym and the fact that my acne has never fully resolved. They no longer leave scars though so thats a positive thing.
You might find that fraxel will help your acne a lot. I started fraxel w/ active acne, and it took about 4 months after my last treatment, but I've been fully clear for about a month.
It did actually make my acne worse at first, though.
Hi Fivetotenyear,I am not being a wet blanket but those picture of
Rav are taken directly after he had his first fraxel for a few days.
Those are very misleading photo if you have not had fraxel done
before like me. His face is swollen from fraxel. When the swolleness
goes down, it will be back to usual.
So please don't bring your hope too high else you will be
disappointed like me.
i think fivetotenyear was just commenting on the amazing photos for how detailed they are, not necessarily thinking that that was the improvement -- that was my take, at least.
those are definitely great photos because of the detail, and to fivetotenyear, i do think everyone gets those little brown scabs -- at least i have from the beginning at 35 mJ and got them each time regardless of the level or treatment setting. it definitely makes it clear what fraxel is, as you say -- very tiny wounding all over the place! 🙂 that's partially why i am glad i got this treatment and not others -- i can't imagine if my whole face was a scab...gives me the heeby-jeebies just thinking about it!
and ravpup, i saw slight changes in tone the first two times and then only after several months did i start seeing changes in the scars, so your skin will basically go back to what it was (unless you get your treatments super close together) a couple of times before the scars start changing.
but don't be discouraged by that -- it's actually pretty neat to see the process 🙂 AND not have anyone be aware you're doing anything -- i was always pretty embarrassed to talk about my scars and definitely would feel embarrassed to talk about cosmetic surgery. but this way no one knows 🙂 so a gradual improvement is good in my book 😉
http://reliant-tech.com/newsdetails.cfm?NEWSID=117
Date: 12.04.07
Reliant Technologies Receives Industryas Only FDA 510(K) Clearance for a Fractional Ablative Resurfacing Device
Mountain View, CA a December 4, 2007 a Reliant Technologies, Inc., the pioneer of fractional skin resurfacing and market leader in aesthetic medicine, today announced that its Fraxel re:pair laser system has received the industryas only FDA 510(K) clearance for a fractional ablative laser system for treatment of wrinkles, rhytides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions and vascular dyschromia. The Fraxel re:pair system, initially cleared for ablation, coagulation and skin resurfacing in May, 2007, becomes the only fractional ablative resurfacing system cleared by the FDA for specific indications of use.
The Fraxel re:pair laser is the industryas only minimally invasive, ablative fractional laser system that delivers a full spectrum of aesthetic treatment from Fractional MicroDermAblationa(FMDAa)treatment to Fractional Deep Dermal Ablationa (FDDAa) treatment. It is the only ablative resurfacing device capable of being operated by a single clinician, because of its built-in smoke evacuation system, and capable of treating at depths from 300 micrometers (Am) to 1.6 mm into the dermis, all in a single hand piece.
aoeIn my 20 years of using lasers, I have not seen an ablative technology safely capable of targeting all of the elements of severe photodamage on and off the face, including the delicate neck and chest regions. It is now possible with the Fraxel re:pair system,a said A. Jay Burns, MD,assistant professor of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and past president of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.
The Fraxel re:pair laser delivers FMDAtreatments for superficial photodamage, including pigmentation, fine lines, texture and vascular dyschromia. It also has the flexibility to deliver FDDA treatment for more severe rhytids and furrows by stimulating new collagen and elastin production deep into the dermis. Treatment is delivered with the safety and proven efficacy of a Fraxel brand treatment.
aoeThe results we are achieving with the Fraxel re:pair system are remarkable by any standard. Results approach that of a facelift, with very few complications and limited downtime,a said Christopher Zachary, FRCP, chair of the Department of Dermatology, University of California at Irvine. aoeThe Fraxel re:pair system produces significant tissue tightening, wrinkle reduction and textural improvement, both on and off the face.a
The Fraxel re:pair laser removes and eliminates aged and damaged skin without the prolonged downtime and adverse reactions associated with traditional bulk ablative resurfacing lasers (also known as bulk CO2 or bulk erbium YAG lasers). Its advanced optics can deliver thousands of microscopic treatment zones up to 2.5 times faster than any other ablative fractional device, generating greater revenue opportunities for practices. It is also the only system clinically demonstrated to create zones of treatment beyond 1.5 mm that are spaced evenly across the skinas surface. In one treatment session, the Fraxel re:pair treatment removes up to 6 grams of dermal tissue, resulting in thorough tissue tightening, a uniform appearance and effective resurfacing.
aoeThe Fraxel re:pair laser system is the most technologically advanced tool available for a physician today. Reliantas rigorous scientific development of the Fraxel re:pair laser is backed by data from more than 400 treatments conducted at 10 top clinical centers nationwide,a said Anja Krammer, vice president of marketing for Reliant Technologies. aoeUnlike other devices on the market, only the Fraxel re:pair system uses state-of-the-art technology that integrates the proprietary Fraxel Intelligent Optical TrackingA system with a CO2 laser source. With just one hand piece, physicians can now effectively treat a broad range of conditions.a
About the Fraxel Systems
The FraxelA family of products, which includes the Fraxel re:storea laser system, the Fraxel re:paira laser system and the Fraxel re:finea laser system, has quickly become the industry standard for fractional aesthetic skin treatment. Unlike traditional laser devices, Fraxel brand fractional laser systems treat only a fraction of skin at a time, leaving the surrounding area intact for fast healing. Fraxel lasers have received multiple FDA clearances and have been found safe and effective in treating many areas of the face and body. The versatility of the product line ensures that patients can choose the best treatment for various stages of their lives as their skin care needs evolve.
The Fraxel re:pair laser is the breakthrough device in ablative fractional resurfacing, with the most clinical testing of any product in the category. Fraxel re:pair treatment has been clinically proven to improve wrinkles, rhytides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions and vascular dyschromia in a multi-site, multi-phase study of more than 400 patients.
The Fraxel re:store laser, delivering Non-ablative Fractional Resurfacing (NFRTM) treatment, was introduced in 2004 and has been adopted by more than 1,500 dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aesthetic physicians worldwide. It is the accepted gold standard for treating acne scars and periorbital wrinkles, and for skin resurfacing procedures on the face, neck, chest and hands.
The Fraxel re:fine laser, offering superficial non-invasive skin rejuvenation, combines the unique method of fractional delivery with a lighter treatment. Performed in 20-25 minutes, Fraxel re:fine treatment is excellent for medical spas and family physicians seeking a safe and gentle option.
yeah i was refering to the detail and great lighting of ravs pics. cant wait to see more over the course of treatment.so people get those large MENDs even with lower treatments? its amazing they dont leave new scars . . .
nope, they don't leave scars at all -- that's just how your face peels...i have heard docs refer to this as 'bronzing' but it's not bronzing really...they slough off super super easily, it's not even like a scab. i am very very pink after those come off for about 2 days. i guess it's just the layers of skin coming off in those places and revealing the new skin underneath.
yeah i was refering to the detail and great lighting of ravs pics. cant wait to see more over the course of treatment.so people get those large MENDs even with lower treatments? its amazing they dont leave new scars . . .
nope, they don't leave scars at all -- that's just how your face peels...i have heard docs refer to this as 'bronzing' but it's not bronzing really...they slough off super super easily, it's not even like a scab. i am very very pink after those come off for about 2 days. i guess it's just the layers of skin coming off in those places and revealing the new skin underneath.
yeah as i understand it then, the "scabs" are just the first few layers of the epidermis which is already pretty much dead skin. they dont scar cos you have to injure the dermis to get a scar.
yeah i was refering to the detail and great lighting of ravs pics. cant wait to see more over the course of treatment.so people get those large MENDs even with lower treatments? its amazing they dont leave new scars . . .
nope, they don't leave scars at all -- that's just how your face peels...i have heard docs refer to this as 'bronzing' but it's not bronzing really...they slough off super super easily, it's not even like a scab. i am very very pink after those come off for about 2 days. i guess it's just the layers of skin coming off in those places and revealing the new skin underneath.
yeah as i understand it then, the "scabs" are just the first few layers of the epidermis which is already pretty much dead skin. they dont scar cos you have to injure the dermis to get a scar.
SO I'm planning to get Fraxel 2 done on a Friday afternoon. What is the REALISTIC chance that I can go back to work on Monday without people noticing my face is all red and swollen?I would say little to none. You probably won't be swollen, but you will be red.
How many days til the redness subsides? I'm Asian too. And same age as you. And my treatment will be on my cheek as well. 🙂
Anyone considering the ProFractional Laser?
http://www.sciton.com/public2/products/products.htm
Supposedly it can go 1.6 mm deep and up to 60 percent coverage in one treatment. So they usually only recommend two or three treatments.
It's more similar to the Fraxel re:pair than to the re:store/1500 cause it actually ablates the skin.
What type of scars would ravpup's be classified as? they look like rolling scars but they are not round some look longer.
SO I'm planning to get Fraxel 2 done on a Friday afternoon. What is the REALISTIC chance that I can go back to work on Monday without people noticing my face is all red and swollen?I would say little to none. You probably won't be swollen, but you will be red.
How many days til the redness subsides? I'm Asian too. And same age as you. And my treatment will be on my cheek as well. 🙂
if day one is day of treatment, i am swollen through day 4 and not mostly peeled until day 6. (if you wash your face a lot you peel more quickly, but i'm not advising this). then i'm red through day 8 depending on if i peeled too quickly. this time, for instance, i had my treatment on a monday at 12:30, by friday morning my cheeks were all that was still swollen (and literally the swelling moves down my face, so the cheeks got more and more swollen up until wednesday/early thursday because the fluid was moving down from my forehead/temples/bridge of nose). friday afternoon the swelling had gone down to the point where i looked reasonable, and since late thursday/early friday i started peeling, i was super super red but could put on sunscreen and makeup to cover it. since friday was day five and i peeled a little too quickly, the bridge of my nose where i peeled most stayed super red until sunday (day 7). yesterday, day 8, i still didn't go out without makeup, but today i'm looking better.
make sure to sleep sitting up all weekend; it's very hard to do but worth it because it will help your swelling. drink a ton of green tea also.
oh, i took that sin ecch arnica stuff this time to try and ease ease swelling, that annniefrommiami and some others tried, instead of the chinese herbs i was taking before, and it didn't make a difference in my swelling reaction. so at $30 plus shipping it wasn't worth it to me -- especially since drinking green tea seems to help my swelling the most and is much cheaper.
I finally got a test site done last Monday on a 3cm by 3cm area on my upper left cheek. The nurse put in the numbing cream for about an hour and then the doctor performed Fraxel at 70MJ treatment level 7. Not sure how many passes he did because it was over in couple of minutes.
My observation:
- I hardly felt anything from the laser - may be a little warm tingle, but nothing like the pain people have described in this discussion.
I was slightly swollen after the procedure, and it was definitely pigmented therefore I could tell a square on my face. I put on the ice pack the doctor gave me and after an hour or so the swelling subsided.
Next day - I got all these black dots but no swelling at all.
Third day - I still see the black dots but it seems like the dots are getting finer and hard to notice. The pigmentation is still there.
Ok now my question is - is the energy level used good enough? The doctor did mention to me that although he'd like to go higher for my type of acne scarring, he did a moderate setting to see how my skin would pigment. Pain wise or swelling wise, I think I could probably take more than double the energy that was used on me. However, increase in Fraxel energy may not correspond one-to-one with the pain level/swelling.
The attached pics are of my scars.
