Acne.org Products
This image is from here.
So far this is the best before after pics on fraxel i have seen. good high quality pics are very difficult to find! and the result, well it looks amazing to me. this site claims the after pics are 2 months after 5 fraxel treament. pores definitely seems smaller. wrinkles seems so much smoother. and the very shallow scars that can be seen in the before pics seems to me to have disappear! lighting? make up? doctored pics? possible eh. guess we will never know unless the source is from someone who has got nothing to gain from posting these pics in the first place! in other word, end-consumers like people on this board. not from a clinic's online website!!! some of these websites are a bloody fucking joke!!!
gd nite! 
Has anyone noticed whether the fraxel laser has helped with small raised scar tissue?
I think fraxel may not work as well for raised scars but can't be sure. Anyone can confirm this?
I attached a picture of my theory why fraxel helps my scars.
Perhaps this explain why the scars look softer after fraxel for most of us.
The laser actually helps to remodel the edge of the scars reduced to more of a gradient which includes the base of the scars, If the laser reaches inside. This is extremely important as the damage in the dermis layer will stimulate collagen to spring up from bottom up, You body will naturally boast its collagen growth in that area and pack up the dermis layer which pushes your scars upwards, which also makes it look more firm. Which usually after weeks when the skin heals you'll notice your scars become smaller in size and more shallow because of the gradient of the scar edge are smoother and makes it looks as if the scar is closing up. Also the smoother edge will enable the lightings to difuse better definitely improve your appearance. One point to note is the base of the scar also look to have a clearer texture which makes you scars less obvious.
But still I would think that I may or may not still require a CO2 or Erbriumn Yag after the fraxel to remove some of the scar. ( Think CO2 is still the most effective ways to remove this kinda shallow small dotted ice pick scars dispite the risk and lengthy downtime.) But by then it will be so much easier for CO2 to remove. I believe fraxel did extradinary job in improving the scars but may not be good enough for most of my scars to remove totally( or at least negligibly). That is my personal opinion and doesn't not constitute to any recommendation to anyone else doing fraxel.
Hope it helps. Forgive my bad drawing.
anyone know how long the bronzing effect is supposed to last after fraxel?
trident, for me I have treatments on Thursday afternoon and usually the bronzing skin has pretty much come off by Sunday. I use a combo of aloe/emu/triceram as my post op ointments. I think it really speeds up my healing. Friday I am pretty red, Saturday turns to bronze and still decently red, Sunday pretty well bronze with about 1/3 redness of Friday and then by Monday pretty much back to normal.
I don't know how sad this is, but I have read the entire thread here. I am wondering where lightgirl has gone. I am curious about her progress. Floridaguy seems a staple and pops up, so. Anywho, I am desperately wanting the fraxel treatment, just hope it works on orange peel type skin. It probably doesn't. Nothing does.... 😥 OK, but it's not as bad as being a burn victim. So God has blessed me.
Hi Sugargal,
I too have a problem like 40A case on Fraxel website. I have around quarter size patches on both of my cheeks. In addition to scarred pores, I have 3-4 very shallow scars. After trying microderm ( 18 sessions ) and IPL/Photofacial ( 10 session ), I have opted for Fraxel. With IPL and micro, I saw a great improvement in my skin tone and smoothness, but it didn't make much difference to scars and pores ( 10-15% after so many sessions and money )
I have 2 treatments for far and have definitely seen some progress ( around 12 % ). I plan to do 3 more treatments. Am doing it only on selected areas.
By the way, am asian Indian and have fair olive skin. So, Fraxel does work for non white skin.
I'm glad someon referred to the pics on Fraxel.com. Since we've all been looking at them anyway, let's all use this standard so we don't keep replying: "yes, but how bad where your scars before?"
My scars are like 40A too. Not really scars so much as "scarred pores." I look forward to posts from Cooolbreeze and anyone else who has had treatment for "40A scars."
P.s. I have a few scars similar to the after photo close-up of 38A. Does anyone think fraxel would help those?
If so, then I'd probably do subcision before fraxel. Is there any reason why repeated fraxels would not eventually almost completely remove the scar? (assuming of course you have plenty of dough.. there's the rub)
You're right one should do subcision first. But I had really bad subcision experience as a couple of new scar was formed, subcision scars are really really very deep. maybe I gonna try tca cross after the fraxel again. I'm definitely considering as most people find the improvement to be much better after the fourth fraxel. So I'm still holding on. Who knows as the derm had suggested it could turn out to be so good that I doesn't need a second. But I'm rather realistic now about the results probably half of what he suggested. Presently as I see the things is going I'm considering another treatment.. After fraxel probably another fraxel or CO2. CO2 has its advantage that is I believe more effective in my case and much cheaper. Considering a CO2 cost less than 2k and fraxel to be 5k++. One recover in 4-6months and the other completed in 6 months..
Can someone ask their doctor this question:
One concern I have is that the fraxel laser causes microthermal zones well into the dermis; inevitably some of these thermal zones (MTZs) must be passing through hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, erector pili muscles, etc.
MTZs are thinner than human hairs. Still, I don't think the body is able to repair damaged oil glands, follicles, etc. as quickly or as well as when laying down new epithelial (skin tissue).
Therefore, isn't it logical that the fraxel permanently damages these structures and/or alters their function ?
Is that the trade off for a better looking epidermis?
Yes I belive... my derm did suggest it will lessen the oil production. I was in fact hoping for it. I had a very very very oily skin type. Despite oral medication and plenty of BP occasionally still could see abit of acne.. REALLY FRUSTRATING
Hey guys, do you know if Fraxel is used to treat active acne as well as scars?
I know Smoothbeam is advertised as helping scars AND acne, but so far i've only read fraxel is for scars, not acne. But you'd think it would work to help acne. any info? thanks.
oh, also, what exactly is the difference between SB and Fraxel? thanks.
Fraxel is for scarred skin that does not have active acne. It can help with the lessening of oil production, but you must not have actual acne when receiving treatment. I'm not sure about smoothbeam, but Fraxel in non-ablative and done in a series of 3 to 6 treatments. hope that helps.
i went to see a dermatologic surgeon a week ago, and he said cooltouch, which is very similar to smoothbeam, was for both acne and scarring and i saw some dramatic acne reduction pics, but it does not do too much for the scarring. Soi think you would be better off with that, i have heard that smoothbeam is a waste of time and money. In reference to acne scarring, Fraxel is definately the way to go, i heard it is the best thing out there, with very minimal risk, and has some of the best results. I am actually scheduled for my first one on the 10th. I have heard that isolagen injections are some good stuff but theyre not approved in the US yet.
One more thing- I still have a little bit of active acne and theyre allowing me to do fraxel. I think that even people on accutane or right off of it are allowed to do it, its not like those ablative procedures, this is something very different.
i went to see a dermatologic surgeon a week ago, and he said cooltouch, which is very similar to smoothbeam, was for both acne and scarring and i saw some dramatic acne reduction pics, but it does not do too much for the scarring. Soi think you would be better off with that, i have heard that smoothbeam is a waste of time and money. In reference to acne scarring, Fraxel is definately the way to go, i heard it is the best thing out there, with very minimal risk, and has some of the best results. I am actually scheduled for my first one on the 10th. I have heard that isolagen injections are some good stuff but theyre not approved in the US yet.
One more thing- I still have a little bit of active acne and theyre allowing me to do fraxel. I think that even people on accutane or right off of it are allowed to do it, its not like those ablative procedures, this is something very different.
I was going to wait for six months off accutane (today is my last day on it) but I am going to talk with my derm and see if it would be a good idea to make an appointment to see a laser specialist in February. I keep seeing that it is a good thing to get the fraxels started shortly after tane and I would really like to get started asap. I will post what my doc says about getting them started so soon after accutane. My face is really dry so I will definately wait three weeks or so before anything.
fraxel should yield about 40% improvement on average. I will hopefully get some pics after i do my treatments. I have to get 5 also.
I'm looking into Fraxel as well. How much does each procedure cost where you are located? Here in Seattle it's $1,200 and I was told that it averages a 15% improvement each time. Of course I will have to get subcision first too.. so there's more $ !! :confused:
fraxel should yield about 40% improvement on average. I will hopefully get some pics after i do my treatments. I have to get 5 also.
I'm looking into Fraxel as well. How much does each procedure cost where you are located? Here in Seattle it's $1,200 and I was told that it averages a 15% improvement each time. Of course I will have to get subcision first too.. so there's more $ !! :confused:
If you can do it only on the selected areas than the entire face , it might be more economical.
In SF-bay area, std. and avg. rate is 1000$ full face....3800 $ for 4 and after that 600 $ per treatement.
Am doing it only on both cheeks ( not sides ), nose and small patch on forehead and got it for 500$ per treatment ( and deal of $1800 for 4 ).
That way, you can do more on where it is needed the most ( and maybe just last one to even out everything ) and won't spend lot of $$.
Also, you need to insist that this is what you want. At doctor's office they always recommend full face for obvious reasons. I told them, am very busy professional and want as much less swelling ( and downtime ) as possible.
fraxel should yield about 40% improvement on average. I will hopefully get some pics after i do my treatments. I have to get 5 also.
I'm looking into Fraxel as well. How much does each procedure cost where you are located? Here in Seattle it's $1,200 and I was told that it averages a 15% improvement each time. Of course I will have to get subcision first too.. so there's more $ !! :confused:
If you can do it only on the selected areas than the entire face , it might be more economical.
In SF-bay area, std. and avg. rate is 1000$ full face....3800 $ for 4 and after that 600 $ per treatement.
Am doing it only on both cheeks ( not sides ), nose and small patch on forehead and got it for 500$ per treatment ( and deal of $1800 for 4 ).
That way, you can do more on where it is needed the most ( and maybe just last one to even out everything ) and won't spend lot of $$.
Also, you need to insist that this is what you want. At doctor's office they always recommend full face for obvious reasons. I told them, am very busy professional and want as much less swelling ( and downtime ) as possible.
Wow that sounds like a really good deal. I am doing 5 full face fraxels, and its going to be 5000 for the package. Normally the price for one where i am getting it is 1500. It is in Aventura, FL. I would do what you are doing, but i have scarring all over, mostly on my chin and cheeks, but i have some on my forehead and a couple here and there.
Also, maybe there is 15% improvement every time... if there is then that is great, that would equal more than 40% overall after 5 treatments, which is what i have been told. The dr i went to see said there is a possibility of up to 80% improvement, but i think that would be a slim chance, if unrealistic.
Hi all.
I'm so glad to have found this board! I feel like I've been glued to my computer for the past week. (That's not the good part - my poor husband and kids! But I've learned SO much!)
I am SO ready to jump on the fraxel bandwagon. I'm considering making the excursion to NJ to see Dr. Rapaport for a consultation - see if maybe I need other revision done in conjunction. But seeing as I'm in Connecitcut, that's quite a hike. Anybody know of anybody in the Connecticut area that does all the stuff he does? (TCA CROSS, etc etc) I've tried a search but have been unsuccesful , and would feel more confident with word of mouth than the yellow pages! If I'm going to GO FOR IT I want to make sure it's someone that knows what they are doing!
Thank in advance. This is so huge. I have hope for the first time in forever. You people are amazing!
(And yes, he's expensive. $4500 for 3 treatments)
Hi all.
I'm so glad to have found this board! I feel like I've been glued to my computer for the past week. (That's not the good part - my poor husband and kids! But I've learned SO much!)
I am SO ready to jump on the fraxel bandwagon. I'm considering making the excursion to NJ to see Dr. Rapaport for a consultation - see if maybe I need other revision done in conjunction. But seeing as I'm in Connecitcut, that's quite a hike. Anybody know of anybody in the Connecticut area that does all the stuff he does? (TCA CROSS, etc etc) I've tried a search but have been unsuccesful , and would feel more confident with word of mouth than the yellow pages! If I'm going to GO FOR IT I want to make sure it's someone that knows what they are doing!
Thank in advance. This is so huge. I have hope for the first time in forever. You people are amazing!
(And yes, he's expensive. $4500 for 3 treatments)
i would go see dr. rapaport if you are considering doing any subcisions and/or tca cross as he is the most talked about and experienced in that field of dermatology. however, i would recommend dr. rohksar for a fraxel laser as he is the most experienced with the laser from all the research i have done. plus, he might be cheaper than what dr. rapaport is charging ($4500 for 3 treatments compared to $4800 for 4 treatments). however, before doing fraxel, you might want to do subcision and tca cross first to resurface those idented scars and then use the fraxel to smooth out the edges of the scars/ texture. consultation for rapaport is free by the way.
on another note, don't bother with the nlite laser. complete waste of money.
I did 5 sessions of fraxel (4 @ lvl. 14 & 1 @ lvl. 18) the past 4-5 months. I had each session spaced approximately 4 weeks apart. I would say I got 25% improvement in general from rolling type scars, however, no improvement in icepick scars or pore size and MAYBE an improvement in general skin tone, but nothing to get overly excited about. They only did my cheeks and chin b/c thats the only place I needed it. My scars are not severe and probably borderline between light-moderate. It cost me about $550 a session and I had it done in Houston, Tx. I don't know if I was really happy about the procedure, but I didn't regret it at the same time. Healing time from each procedure didn't vary between the different energy levels and took about 6 days for total normalcy. The first 3 days following the procedure I would be pretty red, and then last 3 days the redness would fade at a pretty dramatic rate each day. The blue dye sucks. If your thinking about this procedure, I would recommend it because in all likelihood you are going to get SOME improvement and the risk is minimal, but with the caution its NOT the god send we all want it to be. I hope this helps anyone thinking about the procedure. Good luck and ain't life a bitch?
Ryan