Hello everyone. I'm here to post a few pictures that show the results from Fraxel Restore.In observing the pictures, please keep in mind that:
- All pictures are taken under the daylight, with no camera flash, because camera flash tends to erase the appearance of my scars.
-My intention is to help others in making whatever the decision that's best for them, just like caesar2's pictures had helped me. I am in no way trying to make Fraxel look good or bad, by posting these pictures.
-My pictures are taken with and without makeup. Whether or not I have makeup on in each picture is stated with pictures.
- I try to post pictures that make my scars look as bad as possible. I've found that pictures taken under the daylight with a little bit of shadow make the scars look bad, so I've used a lot of those pictures (you'll see what's I am talking about later).
Before Fraxel (FEBRUARY 2008)
1st pictures- Left cheek, no makeup
Both are the exact same pictures, the left one under the natural daylight without editing & the right one under the natural daylight with editing to add more shadow to highlight the scars. In addition to the icepick scars you see in these pictures, I had about 6-7 large box scars on my left side but they were hard to photograph. Also, as you can see, I had A LOT of melasma.
2nd picture - Left cheek, with makeup
Bad picture, I know. Sorry. Since my icepick scars pre-Fraxel were pretty deep, makeup actually made the scars look worse though it did help hiding my melasma and uneven complexion. I wish I had better pictures with makeup, but I don't.
3rd picutres - Right cheek, with makeup
I had a fewer scars on this side of my face, but I had some of the deepest icepick & boxed scars on this side. No pictures without makeup because the scars were actually easier to photograph with makeup.
After 5 treatments of Fraxel & 6 month after the 5th treatment (DECEMBER 2008)
4th picture - Left cheek, with makeup
You can see that most of the icepick scars have disappeared or become shallower. I still have boxed scars but with softer edges. My husband thinks that this side of my face was originally much worse than the other (right) side, but this side has shown more improvements than the right side. I was not expecting icepick scars to show much improvements, so I was surprised.
5th picture - Left cheek, without makeup
This was taken in Dec 08 right after visiting my dermatologist to remove the last few milias that developed during/after Fraxel. You see a few red spots because of that. I had about 20 milias all over my face in June 08, but Retin-A and a few visits to my dermatologist have helped greatly. As of Jan 09, I only have 2~3 small milias.
6th picture- Right cheek, with makeup
This side showed the minimum results. But some of the very deep scars you see in picture #3 have become shallower. That I am happy about.
7th picture - Right cheek, without makeup
Again, this side has shown the minimum results.
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I just had my 6th Fraxel Restore treatment at 70MJ, and I'm SO very swollen like Mike Tyson after the match. Wow! I will keep you guys updated and post more pictures soon. Good luck to everyone!!!
hiiiii!!!im new to this forum n would llike 2 know wer r pic????i dunt c anything
Thanks guys.
I am looking into non ablative laser - fraxel.I don't come from a wealthy family. Much of my scarring is a result of no medical care. I saw a specialist this year. I have no medical so, I pay for everything.
Had a cystic breakout and used a prescription topical and antibiotics to clear my acne. Sadly I was left with red pigment or so I thought. Turns out is a shallow scar. I am so sad about it. Worst of all, it was over a year waiting for my doctor to get me a dermatologist. My GP ducked and dodged my calls. When they finally have me my date with a specialist, I had already been through a cystic breakout. The specialist told me they had no record of any appointment for me except 3months prior.
I am so mad cause my dermatologist could have seen a helped me. Instead, I am sad, depressed, and anti social. This isn't living. I need help.
Lightgirl - thanks for your questions to sirgreg. I will use them to speak to my dermatoligist. Did you ever post pics?
Sirgreg - how did it turn out for you? Is. Your gf supportive? I envy you. I had dated a lot last year. No girls in my life atm. I feel like friends forgot me or most have.
BX - is an inspiration . Thanks for your support.
I see my derm 2mw. I look at my childhood pic and I am close to tears. I was full of lifA, positivity, dreams, happy, and energetic. My best f now is my xbox atm. Girls and dating aren't in my life. I use to box like BX in my teens competively. I feel like such a pussy but, I am just so sad guys.
I lost my faith in god, in life, and everything. I just want my life back, to be happy, and free. To meet girls again, date, live, and love without the consciousness of feeling like the elephant man.
You guys give me faith and hope. Something to believe in. If it wasn't for my family, especially younger brother, I don't know what I would do. I just lost a lot of family and this scarring on top of everything, I feel like I am spinning out of control.
I guess I just want something to believe in.
Fraxel Small Area (2"x 2")
$550.00 - 1x
$440.00 - discount
$1072.50 - 3x
$2145.00 - 6x + 1 free
Fraxel Half Face
$850.00 - 1x
$680.00 - 1x discounted
$1657.50 - 3x
$3315.00 - 6x + 1 free
Fraxel Full Face
$1080.00 - 1x
$864.00 - 1x discounted
$2106.00 - 3x
$4212.00 - 6x + 1 free
I spoke to my dermatologist. I was feeling depressed last bit then better the other day after seeing my dermatologist. Healing but, I am quite conscious again today. I searched out some fraxel places online. Found the above prices. I emailed them with Lightgirl's questions. Curious if anyone of you guys find this legit or what? I know its expensive and my derm was pushing me away from it so it seemed. Not sure if he feels I don't need it as he feels in 6month to a year, he believes things will have improved. I am still thinking about this laser treatment. Even 30-50% better would be worth it.
I hope to hear from you guys and if not, maybe I will pm a few of you guys. Thanks.
I'm so incredibly frustrated with Fraxel research, because there are such discrepancies between what different people say. The Fraxel website (as well as other people) say healing is about two days and downtime is a week; others say they were looking terrible for one to two months. Some people say it's $2k per treatment; others say it was $700-800. Some people say it was amazing and worked wonders; other people say it's a complete waste of time and does nothing.
I have no idea who to believe or what to think or what to do. I understand results vary sometimes between people, but there seems to be zero consensus about anything involving Fraxel.
I'm so incredibly frustrated with Fraxel research, because there are such discrepancies between what different people say. The Fraxel website (as well as other people) say healing is about two days and downtime is a week; others say they were looking terrible for one to two months. Some people say it's $2k per treatment; others say it was $700-800. Some people say it was amazing and worked wonders; other people say it's a complete waste of time and does nothing.I have no idea who to believe or what to think or what to do. I understand results vary sometimes between people, but there seems to be zero consensus about anything involving Fraxel.
There's discrepancies because people are stupid.
The reviews are mixed because people don't know the difference between Fraxel re:fine, re:store and re:pair. All different lasers. HUGE difference in results. This is also why you see such discrepancies with prices. You'll get different prices from doctors because some have already made their money to pay back for the laser purchase. Some will charge more because they are more experienced. Some will charge less with bundle treatments. ETC. Don't go by online reviews of prices, go by your own consultations. If you are comparing prices, make sure you're at least comparing the right laser. I.e. fraxel repair vs fraxel repair, 1 full face treatment vs 1 full face treatment.
Healing downtime will be independent on your own healing capabilities. But again, read above. Mixed reviews on different lasers. Also, results, as you said, will heavily depend on the doctor + aggressiveness + severity of your scarring + your body healing capability.
Long story short-
Fraxel refine, weakest laser, need several treatments, very extremely shallow scarring. Almost no downtime.
Fraxel restore, medium laser, need several treatments, shallow scarring. Maybe two days downtime.
Fraxel repair, strongest laser, may or may not need several treatments. It's marketed as a one time deal thing and in some cases it is. But imo, all lasers need several treatments. Expect 1-2 week downtime with at least 1-2 month redness.
Those are just general outlines. Research thoroughly on the one your doctor is offering.
Thank you for the very excellent post.
One quick question in regards to your summary of the different lasers (I realize these are just general outlines):
For the Repair, you mention 1-2 months of redness afterwards (in addition to the downtime). When you say Restore has ~two days downtime, is there generally redness afterward, and if so, how long is typical?
Thank you for the very excellent post.One quick question in regards to your summary of the different lasers (I realize these are just general outlines):
For the Repair, you mention 1-2 months of redness afterwards (in addition to the downtime). When you say Restore has ~two days downtime, is there generally redness afterward, and if so, how long is typical?
FML Differin .1 & .3% are helping. I was 99% sure set on fraxel till I saw fraxel laser damage
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view...umb=gPXmQ/i0ubM
Now I am scared.
Thank you for the very excellent post.One quick question in regards to your summary of the different lasers (I realize these are just general outlines):
For the Repair, you mention 1-2 months of redness afterwards (in addition to the downtime). When you say Restore has ~two days downtime, is there generally redness afterward, and if so, how long is typical?
I cannot answer your question perfectly about downtime as I've never had Fraxel restore. But it's safe to say that you will have redness for a week or two. Depending on your skin type and how deep your doctor goes. Keep in mind though, everyone is different. Some people will be out of the house in 3 days, others might not feel comfortable going out for two weeks.
Thank you for the very excellent post.One quick question in regards to your summary of the different lasers (I realize these are just general outlines):
For the Repair, you mention 1-2 months of redness afterwards (in addition to the downtime). When you say Restore has ~two days downtime, is there generally redness afterward, and if so, how long is typical?
I cannot answer your question perfectly about downtime as I've never had Fraxel restore. But it's safe to say that you will have redness for a week or two. Depending on your skin type and how deep your doctor goes. Keep in mind though, everyone is different. Some people will be out of the house in 3 days, others might not feel comfortable going out for two weeks.
Its kind of scary. I saw that link and well, I don't know what to say other then, make sure its a doctor doing the laser and that he has experience.
Hello everyone. I'm here to post a few pictures that show the results from Fraxel Restore.In observing the pictures, please keep in mind that:
- All pictures are taken under the daylight, with no camera flash, because camera flash tends to erase the appearance of my scars.
-My intention is to help others in making whatever the decision that's best for them, just like caesar2's pictures had helped me. I am in no way trying to make Fraxel look good or bad, by posting these pictures.
-My pictures are taken with and without makeup. Whether or not I have makeup on in each picture is stated with pictures.
- I try to post pictures that make my scars look as bad as possible. I've found that pictures taken under the daylight with a little bit of shadow make the scars look bad, so I've used a lot of those pictures (you'll see what's I am talking about later).
Before Fraxel (FEBRUARY 2008)
1st pictures- Left cheek, no makeup
Both are the exact same pictures, the left one under the natural daylight without editing & the right one under the natural daylight with editing to add more shadow to highlight the scars. In addition to the icepick scars you see in these pictures, I had about 6-7 large box scars on my left side but they were hard to photograph. Also, as you can see, I had A LOT of melasma.
2nd picture - Left cheek, with makeup
Bad picture, I know. Sorry. Since my icepick scars pre-Fraxel were pretty deep, makeup actually made the scars look worse though it did help hiding my melasma and uneven complexion. I wish I had better pictures with makeup, but I don't.
3rd picutres - Right cheek, with makeup
I had a fewer scars on this side of my face, but I had some of the deepest icepick & boxed scars on this side. No pictures without makeup because the scars were actually easier to photograph with makeup.
After 5 treatments of Fraxel & 6 month after the 5th treatment (DECEMBER 2008)
4th picture - Left cheek, with makeup
You can see that most of the icepick scars have disappeared or become shallower. I still have boxed scars but with softer edges. My husband thinks that this side of my face was originally much worse than the other (right) side, but this side has shown more improvements than the right side. I was not expecting icepick scars to show much improvements, so I was surprised.
5th picture - Left cheek, without makeup
This was taken in Dec 08 right after visiting my dermatologist to remove the last few milias that developed during/after Fraxel. You see a few red spots because of that. I had about 20 milias all over my face in June 08, but Retin-A and a few visits to my dermatologist have helped greatly. As of Jan 09, I only have 2~3 small milias.
6th picture- Right cheek, with makeup
This side showed the minimum results. But some of the very deep scars you see in picture #3 have become shallower. That I am happy about.
7th picture - Right cheek, without makeup
Again, this side has shown the minimum results.
-------------------------
I just had my 6th Fraxel Restore treatment at 70MJ, and I'm SO very swollen like Mike Tyson after the match. Wow! I will keep you guys updated and post more pictures soon. Good luck to everyone!!!
Hey guys I'm new to the site and have been reading through this thread. Just wondering if anyone can tell me why I can't see bellydance's attachments?
QUOTE (imjayhawk @ Feb 9 2009, 12:15 AM)
bellydance_me - Thanks for posting the pics and being clear about your results. I'm glad that you got visible improvements. If money allows, I think you should go for a set of six more Fraxels and you should be good to go. If I had results as yours, I really wouldn't mind the cost.
Thanks for the encouragement, imjayhawk. I'm actually thinking about getting two more Fraxels (total of 8) and be done with it. It's 3 weeks post my 6th Fraxel now, and I am thinking that with two more Fraxels, I'll probably be happy enough about my skin.
I will have my 7th on 3/7/09. I will post more of my progress pictures soon.
Good luck everyone!
Hi thank you for this valuable info. i 've got acne scars since iwas a teenager now i'm 39,I've done my first fractional dual laser and my face is still red and swollen.I couldn't see your pics could you post again.thank you