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Thanks to everyone for your posts . . . I am reading daily!
Please be sure to include how fraxel is for pores, enlarged pores, and scarred pores.
I heard from Marcel that fraxel does nothing for these and even made pores worse! I'd like to hear more experiences with this--both good and bad.
Not too sure but it does open up some of my pores sadly to say, I guess those of which are scar beneath but can't confirm... It made the overall shallow scars more refined and it clearer... The scars are not so dark and obvious now. Overall I say there is improvement and trust me I guess it's one of the best treatment... But frankly I couldn't be sure if the improvement is due to the scars becoming more shallow or because the texture of the scars which makes it look so much better or that the scars is actually be closing up. But improvement is definite.
An advise that you must really take. You must really do subcision before you fraxel, at least 2-5 times. Unless your scars are shallow. One of the subcised scars disappeared. From what I see the key to subcision is the right spot the scar is subcised. Some of my scars are subcised towards the side which caused a lump with a smaller scar.
Alittle extra about subcsion: Try oral medication before or during subcsion(Don't think acctane is good as some said it will disrupt healing, maybe ask for something else). This could kill off the acne bacteria on your face first, preventing inflamation and zit to form in the subcised vaccum. Try to press ur subcised marks Post-procedure for the next few days, 3 times a day to enable it to heal accordingly also to prevent zit from forming beneath. And then its all depends on the doctor. A good subcision could level the scars in as little as 1 - 2 treatment before your fraxel (one that hit right at the base for collagen to form). A lousy would could caused the scars to remain with a strange lump at the side. Guess its trial and error.
I just had 2 fraxels done and I think that it has really made my scars worse.
This is a very harsh laser and it has potential to make things worse.
The thing is, my skin type and the type of scarring I have is mostly a ton of icepick scars / scarred pores. Like every single pore on my face is scarred and stretched, leaving a tiny red indentation.
What fraxel does is burn the crap out of your skin, leaving you swollen and red as a tomato. It scars your skin even further but underneath, forcing it to heal itself and hopefully rehealing the scarring that's undernearth. BUT, at the same time it makes the outer layer of skin peel... so if you have oily skin and scarred pores it only reveals them further because pores are wider beneath the opening.. so now I'm not sure what to do.
I do think that Fraxel is helpful for shallow rolling scars.. but please reconsider if you have scarred pores. I have read some doctors saying that it can only worsen this condition and I should have listened. Now i"m not sure how to go from here.
I just had 2 fraxels done and I think that it has really made my scars worse.This is a very harsh laser and it has potential to make things worse.
The thing is, my skin type and the type of scarring I have is mostly a ton of icepick scars / scarred pores. Like every single pore on my face is scarred and stretched, leaving a tiny red indentation.
What fraxel does is burn the crap out of your skin, leaving you swollen and red as a tomato. It scars your skin even further but underneath, forcing it to heal itself and hopefully rehealing the scarring that's undernearth. BUT, at the same time it makes the outer layer of skin peel... so if you have oily skin and scarred pores it only reveals them further because pores are wider beneath the opening.. so now I'm not sure what to do.
I do think that Fraxel is helpful for shallow rolling scars.. but please reconsider if you have scarred pores. I have read some doctors saying that it can only worsen this condition and I should have listened. Now i"m not sure how to go from here.
Maybe look into Levulan with either V-Beam (preferrably) or IPL. I've had this done a few times, and in addtion to helping with breakouts and redness, it really does seem to help with the appearance of pores. This is like every other treatment in that, it isn't a miracle cure, but I really felt it helped with the appearance of my pores. The treatment helps with the oiliness of the face which can help the appearance of pores, and also the treatment can give you a real nice peel, which also helps with the texture of the skin. I really like this treatment b/c it does so much, but not many doctors do this procedure. Although I don't know your specific situation, but if you have any redness in your face, this is also a great procedure to even your skin tone out in terms of a more natural skin tone. Good luck.
Ryan
Thanks to everyone for your posts . . . I am reading daily!
Please be sure to include how fraxel is for pores, enlarged pores, and scarred pores.
I heard from Marcel that fraxel does nothing for these and even made pores worse! I'd like to hear more experiences with this--both good and bad.
I had my 3rd Fraxel last Tuesday, and can honestly say I see some improvement on my pores/scars on my nose. It's still flaking a little, but a couple of good size scars are half the size they were! I'm supposed to have 6 treatments total, but I think I'm gonna ask to do the last 2 later in the year. I'm really getting burned out on this, because it's always been 6 or 7 days before I can go out because of the swelling and flaking.
Ive read that a guy by the name of MeetPete had 0% improvment with fraxel, yet he never had luck with any treatment. Then I also see many people having sucess with fraxel. Im kind of lost in the middle.
I suffer from a few rolling scars, wrinkles on my forehead and what seem to be a few scarred pores. I know fraxel can help my wrinkles, but would it be safe to even try having the fraxel pass over my scarred pores? I dont want it to damage them anymore?
Any1 have any sucess with fraxel and scarred pores??
I just wanted to comment that I had a couple of questions about Fraxel and decided to e-mail them about the acne scarring procedure. They e-mailed me back and said "Acne scarring is not one of our current FDA cleared treatment indications, therefor we can not comment about that."
Kind of strange since they have before and after pictures of acne scarring on their website. 
I just wanted to comment that I had a couple of questions about Fraxel and decided to e-mail them about the acne scarring procedure. They e-mailed me back and said "Acne scarring is not one of our current FDA cleared treatment indications, therefor we can not comment about that."
Kind of strange since they have before and after pictures of acne scarring on their website. :think:
I also saw that on their website. My doctor, in the Chicago area, says he is having much better results with acne scars than with wrinkles.
Unfortunately I had my girlfriend call in an appointment to see the doctor in Carmel Indiana. She said that the receptionist told her that she would want me to talk to the doctor before taking a 2 hour drive for the appointment. She said that the Fraxel at least at their clinic is used and effective for shallow wrinking and not a good choice for scars mainly because of the cost. Thats a let down. Well I dont know what my GF said to the lady so I will call tues and see what they say.
This is my experience after 3rd treatment. It's almost 12 days after the treatment. My skin is back to normal ( all swelling / micro-swelling and red / brownness gone ).
I am seeing more tangible results this time as compared to the last 2 treatments. I would say, now my improvement stands around 30%.
I have small pore like scars and 8-10 very shallow indentations. Out of them, 60% pored scars ( or vice-a-versa ) look smaller and much better, 4 shallow scars are almost on verge of disappearing ( look like very small pores and thin lines ), 2 of them "appear" more shallow. There are 3 which show almost no improvement ( but I still have 2-3 more treatments to target them. ). My face definitely looks brighter and softer.
I am doing treatments on somewhat lower settings than what I read on this forum ( 8,10,13 )
So, overall, nothing dramatic but am seeing a very steady improvement. If I get around 50 % improvement ( as my doctor initially thought ), I would be happy to take it.
What I am liking about Fraxel so far is, with this much less downtime, side effects and short time span, am actually seeing some improvement, which I didn't see with so many things I did in the last 5 years.
Thanks Coolbreeze!
Can you find out how many passes the doctor is doing over the same area? You're getting spot treatments on cheeks correct?
I'd like to point out that you used LOW SETTINGS over MULTIPLE TREATMENTS with GRADUAL results.
I've read through every post on this forum. I've determined from the information available that the majority of negative Fraxel posts were due to:
1) scars were severe
2) expectations unrealistic
3) settings too high/not enough treatments/too many passes
4) failure to establish a specific, patient-oriented treatment approach and follow-up
I am not promoting Fraxel (in fact I think that mentality is disasterous). I just wanted to share my opinion.
My doctor did 4 passes in the last 2 treatments. I guess, the reason I saw more improvement at this time is, if on an average 15 % area is convered per treatment, after 3 treatments, converage became 45 %.
Frankly speaking, even though I understand the basic science behind it and have read thoroughly all the info that is available ( and talked to a few doctors ), I don't consider myself qualified to conclude or comment on relationship between settings and results ( or problems ) that are seen. Am just a user of it ( and of course, am free to conclude from my experiences ) but don't claim to understand deeper subtleties of it.
I mostly rely on my doctor's expertise and knowledge to make those decisions ( though, I won't hesistate to ask the reasoning behind them and that's why I feel, it's important to choose a good doctor you can trust. )
I think, the reason my doctor chose low settings is because of my skin type and mild scarring ( which might not need very high settings ). But we have discussed that she might go higher than this for the last 3 treatements ( 14,15,18 ) depending on what results we see after each time.
Hi all. Quickie update... I've suspended my fraxel treatments after my 4th a couple of weeks ago. I had some mild lightening of my skin after my dermabrasion and I think the fraxel has made it worse. so i'm givin my skin a break and hoping that some of the color returns. still see moderate improvement, especially on my shallower scars after my fourth. not much improvement on the deeper ones...will need subcision/fillers for those probably. again, it's only been a couple weeks. i'll come back to report in a couple of months. good luck to all.
Hi all. Quickie update... I've suspended my fraxel treatments after my 4th a couple of weeks ago. I had some mild lightening of my skin after my dermabrasion and I think the fraxel has made it worse. so i'm givin my skin a break and hoping that some of the color returns. still see moderate improvement, especially on my shallower scars after my fourth. not much improvement on the deeper ones...will need subcision/fillers for those probably. again, it's only been a couple weeks. i'll come back to report in a couple of months. good luck to all.
kooky, are you overall impressed with your results? Or just so-so
Hi I like to share my latest update. I check out the small and shallow scars it's now getting much better on the verge of disappearing.. but I doubt it will. I expected it to become very small scarred like pores in 3 more treatments, which is not noticeable.
I would credit this improvement to the fact that the fraxel makes the edge of the scars more gradient. Which I think in fact makes the scar wider.... but because the shadow cast onto the base is also shrinking , I see the pore size is reduced. It is definitely opening up the scars.... That explain why some of my pores which are scared beneath are opening up too. I check a big scar which is quite deep is been opened up too, revealing more light into it. Looks more shallow but couldn't confirm. Not too sure about the depth... but fraxel is definitely making my icepick into kinda like a rolling scar with gradient edges.
I am also undergoing FRAXEL treatment.
I have had two sessions so far, and honestly i thought the improvement was quite dramatic. I don't remember how it was when i started, but i can still see the scars so i'm not happy, but yes, there has been improvement. I'm not going to gauge how much because to me, the only option i'll ever be satisfied with is complete eradication.
I AM CURRENTLY ON ACCUTANE!
My doctors have said that it is fine with Fraxel. - Any thoughts?
I scarred after my first round of accutane (i never scarred before that). I've been on my second round for a month now. Just today - an hour or so ago, i saw some NEW indented tiny scars on an area of my face that was perfect (non-scar affected). This has made my heart break. I'm pissing my pants so to speak. I'm not taking my accutane pill tonight and am strongly considering not continuing to take them. But my problem remains - if i get more acne in the future - it will leave dents. So what to do??
Then again - maybe it's the fraxel laser treatments that are causing the scarring because i'm on accutane i'm more susceptible to it?
FUCK i dont know what to do.
God help me, I just want to die.
On the same note, I've found positive Fraxel results to include:
1) superficial, mild, to moderate scars
2) realistic expectations
3) low settings/low passes
4) extended healing time between treatments (1+ weeks)
5) independent research into Fraxel and doctor(s) performing it
6) specific patient-oriented treatment approach
7) good pre-care/after-care
Please note: the mode improvement reported is 30 percent. Outliers are 10 percent and 50 percent.
I am considering doing it in the hopes that it just makes my skin slightly smoother. I don't have deep scarring to begin with so even a little bit of help on light scarring should go a long ways. I am kind of viewing fraxel as a microdermabrasion with better results (how is that for low expectations?) But how many treatments do you think it will take to see results. I don't want to have to do it 5 times, I am wondering what happens after 1 or 2 times. Also, no one knows if fraxel's results last more than a couple of years. It is stimulating collagen growth. It hasn't been out long enough to know if the results hold up long term. That could be the most disappointing factor if it doesn't.
On the same note, I've found positive Fraxel results to include:
1) superficial, mild, to moderate scars
2) realistic expectations
3) low settings/low passes
4) extended healing time between treatments (1+ weeks)
5) independent research into Fraxel and doctor(s) performing it
6) specific patient-oriented treatment approach
7) good pre-care/after-care
Please note: the mode improvement reported is 30 percent. Outliers are 10 percent and 50 percent.
I am considering doing it in the hopes that it just makes my skin slightly smoother. I don't have deep scarring to begin with so even a little bit of help on light scarring should go a long ways. I am kind of viewing fraxel as a microdermabrasion with better results (how is that for low expectations?) But how many treatments do you think it will take to see results. I don't want to have to do it 5 times, I am wondering what happens after 1 or 2 times. Also, no one knows if fraxel's results last more than a couple of years. It is stimulating collagen growth. It hasn't been out long enough to know if the results hold up long term. That could be the most disappointing factor if it doesn't.
This my take on it. The results seen are function of energy setting as well as coverage. Fraxel covers only 12-17 % of the area at a time. Even if you do sport treatments or limited areas, it's only that much skin is affected. Doing multiple passes might slightly increase the coverage but I don't know what the relationship is ( no. of passes and increase in coverage ) The reason why Fraxel has such less downtime and speedy healing is beacuse not all the skin is targeted at a time.
So, with this logic, probably, 1 or 2 would not be enough ( even at higher settings ) to have sufficient coverage to produce significant / visible improvement.
My doctor said, I might not see results till 3-4 treatments. But I would suggest, talk to the doctor and confirm this.
#1 Cubs fan -
What is the name of the doctor you are using in the Chicago area?
His name is Dr. Stanley Kovak. He's in Elmhurst. I noticed he has a website now for Fraxel. He's been honest with me, and hasn't given me unrealistic expectations. Other dermatologists I've seen have promised me the world, you know what I mean?
I just had my second Fraxel-treatment done this morning. This time they did level 15, 2 passes. The first treatment they did level 12, 2 passes. I'm reading about alor of different levels...can anyone give me a bit more information. I'm a bit worried that the Dr. is giving me a treatment that is 'very soft'?
I just had my second Fraxel-treatment done this morning. This time they did level 15, 2 passes. The first treatment they did level 12, 2 passes. I'm reading about alor of different levels...can anyone give me a bit more information. I'm a bit worried that the Dr. is giving me a treatment that is 'very soft'?
I just had my first fraxel, and she did 8 passes on a setting of 8 all over my face, and 2 passes of 12 on my more scarred areas.
She said next time we go more rigorous, that its better to go higher and do less passes.
For me, it hurt like crazy, but i think that is because my skin is really sensitive from previous years of accutane, and i was also using Retin-A up until a couple days before fraxel.
I just had my second Fraxel-treatment done this morning. This time they did level 15, 2 passes. The first treatment they did level 12, 2 passes. I'm reading about alor of different levels...can anyone give me a bit more information. I'm a bit worried that the Dr. is giving me a treatment that is 'very soft'?
I just had my first fraxel, and she did 8 passes on a setting of 8 all over my face, and 2 passes of 12 on my more scarred areas.
She said next time we go more rigorous, that its better to go higher and do less passes.
For me, it hurt like crazy, but i think that is because my skin is really sensitive from previous years of accutane, and i was also using Retin-A up until a couple days before fraxel.
I did level 20 w/ 7 or 8 passes and concentration on my most scarred area. I am looking pretty good today. Went to the mall and a friend said I looked great she didn't know about the procedure.
I just had my second Fraxel-treatment done this morning. This time they did level 15, 2 passes. The first treatment they did level 12, 2 passes. I'm reading about alor of different levels...can anyone give me a bit more information. I'm a bit worried that the Dr. is giving me a treatment that is 'very soft'?
I just had my first fraxel, and she did 8 passes on a setting of 8 all over my face, and 2 passes of 12 on my more scarred areas.
She said next time we go more rigorous, that its better to go higher and do less passes.
For me, it hurt like crazy, but i think that is because my skin is really sensitive from previous years of accutane, and i was also using Retin-A up until a couple days before fraxel.
I did level 20 w/ 7 or 8 passes and concentration on my most scarred area. I am looking pretty good today. Went to the mall and a friend said I looked great she didn't know about the procedure.
Wow that is a very high setting. I think i am going to do up to 15 next time.
That didnt hurt you?
I just had my second Fraxel-treatment done this morning. This time they did level 15, 2 passes. The first treatment they did level 12, 2 passes. I'm reading about alor of different levels...can anyone give me a bit more information. I'm a bit worried that the Dr. is giving me a treatment that is 'very soft'?
I just had my first fraxel, and she did 8 passes on a setting of 8 all over my face, and 2 passes of 12 on my more scarred areas.
She said next time we go more rigorous, that its better to go higher and do less passes.
For me, it hurt like crazy, but i think that is because my skin is really sensitive from previous years of accutane, and i was also using Retin-A up until a couple days before fraxel.
I did level 20 w/ 7 or 8 passes and concentration on my most scarred area. I am looking pretty good today. Went to the mall and a friend said I looked great she didn't know about the procedure.
Wow that is a very high setting. I think i am going to do up to 15 next time.
That didnt hurt you?
They put numbing cream on for an hour before and used a cooling machine. It stung a little but I didn't mind. Next time I am doing 1440. See my post under "Just had Fraxel #1" to get an update on my stuff. 1440 same as Fraxel but no pain and no dye. I can't wait.