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here's an update on my treatment. i've had 3 FLT thus far, and i've noticed about a 15% improvement overall, most notably a softening of the scars. In my opinion, this laser does produce improvement, but depending on how severe your acne scars are, i would highly recommend combining this method with other conventional acne scar treatments. it seems fraxel is only meant to smoothen the texture of the skin, and not really get rid of the acne scars;thus, the reason why you notice the softening of the edges of the scars. i was just wondering if anyone knew how long collagen remodeling was supposed to continue after treatment?
Florida guy, did you continue to see improvement after your last fraxel treatment?
I apologize if for replying to someone else's message when I just want to ask a question for myself. This is my first time posting although I have been reading the discussions for some time. I tried posting a "new topic" but I guess that starts a new thread. Oops. Anyway, I'm in Phoenix, AZ was wondering if anyone has gotten Fraxel in Phoenix and with who. I am shopping around and the prices are all the same ($4000 for four treatments) for the five doctors who have the machine here. I am willing to go to California and get it done there over spring break if I can save some $$$. If any one has had treatments in California and was happy with the price and the service would like to know where you got it done.
P.S. Nice to finally meet you all.
YEs I got about 4 months of slow steady improvements after my last Fraxel and then the improvements seem to hold quite well. That being said we are all AGING and getting sun damage so no matter what you have done your skin will need touch ups now and then. I am now 8 weeks post my first sculptra and am starting to get impressed (I whent in monday to have a second round and my doctor seems to think I should hold off a few weeks to better gauge my responce, She felt Ihad a robust responce from the first round) My acne scars in my Upper cheeks area are already seeing significant filling up due to the sculptra and the WHOLE cheek ares which are a bit sunken in are also starting to slowly plump up. I think 3 treatments and several months of patients can produce quite a dramatic effect not only on the acne scars but I will also have sublte cheek bones (as opposed to sunken cheeks) and a more full and balanced look on both sides of my lower chin which are also quite sunken. That is a lot of bang for your buck. I am going to hazard a quess from what I have seen from 5 fraxels and one round of sculptra that over 75% improvement is possible with the combined procedures (I will need atleast 2 more rounds of sculptra to get there) . I am now probably pusing close to 50% over all improvement due to Fraxel and my first round of sculptra. Not BAD!
here's an update on my treatment. i've had 3 FLT thus far, and i've noticed about a 15% improvement overall, most notably a softening of the scars. In my opinion, this laser does produce improvement, but depending on how severe your acne scars are, i would highly recommend combining this method with other conventional acne scar treatments. it seems fraxel is only meant to smoothen the texture of the skin, and not really get rid of the acne scars;thus, the reason why you notice the softening of the edges of the scars. i was just wondering if anyone knew how long collagen remodeling was supposed to continue after treatment?
Florida guy, did you continue to see improvement after your last fraxel treatment?
hey floridaguy
i am getting my second fraxel on tuesday and am supposed to get 4-5 in all.
I was interested in the sculptra you were talking about, is that permanent, and how much does it cost?
is it a filler that is injected?
YEs I got about 4 months of slow steady improvements after my last Fraxel and then the improvements seem to hold quite well. That being said we are all AGING and getting sun damage so no matter what you have done your skin will need touch ups now and then. I am now 8 weeks post my first sculptra and am starting to get impressed (I whent in monday to have a second round and my doctor seems to think I should hold off a few weeks to better gauge my responce, She felt Ihad a robust responce from the first round) My acne scars in my Upper cheeks area are already seeing significant filling up due to the sculptra and the WHOLE cheek ares which are a bit sunken in are also starting to slowly plump up. I think 3 treatments and several months of patients can produce quite a dramatic effect not only on the acne scars but I will also have sublte cheek bones (as opposed to sunken cheeks) and a more full and balanced look on both sides of my lower chin which are also quite sunken. That is a lot of bang for your buck. I am going to hazard a quess from what I have seen from 5 fraxels and one round of sculptra that over 75% improvement is possible with the combined procedures (I will need atleast 2 more rounds of sculptra to get there) . I am now probably pusing close to 50% over all improvement due to Fraxel and my first round of sculptra. Not BAD!
here's an update on my treatment. i've had 3 FLT thus far, and i've noticed about a 15% improvement overall, most notably a softening of the scars. In my opinion, this laser does produce improvement, but depending on how severe your acne scars are, i would highly recommend combining this method with other conventional acne scar treatments. it seems fraxel is only meant to smoothen the texture of the skin, and not really get rid of the acne scars;thus, the reason why you notice the softening of the edges of the scars. i was just wondering if anyone knew how long collagen remodeling was supposed to continue after treatment?
Florida guy, did you continue to see improvement after your last fraxel treatment?
Sculptra is injected check out www.sculptra.com for more info. It cost me $800 per vial and I am using one vial per treatment. Some people need more then one vial per Treatment, I estimate I will need 3 vials total cost $2400 . sculptra is not a TRUE filler as it stimulates collagen and does not provide an instant correction like Restylane. since the FILLEr is your own collagen it last longer Results are supposed to last up to two years. Results can be quite amazing. ALmost like having fat transfer. So far I see a slow but steady plumping up effect. I think Fraxel + Sculptra should produce amazing results but cost will be High and it may take a total over 6 months before you can see the FInal results of all your efforts from the time you begin your first fraxel. I like the fact that both fraxel and sculptra stimulate your own collegen as oppossed to some artificial filler that you have to live with under your skin. Sculptra itself is a complex sugar type molecule which is totaly broken down in your body. WHile this happens your skin naturaly produces collagen in the area the sculptra was injected.
Hello all!
edensapple....I heard fraxel is what causes fat loss (if used improperly), not thermage. There was an article in Allure magazine a couple of months ago, I can't remember exactly when, except that it was in the past six months. The lady in the article experienced such negative effects from fraxel (fat loss in her face to an extreme degree---there were pics in the article documenting her claims) that she has to get restalyne injections to give her face volume. It is surmised that her problems arose from the doctor's inexperience with usage of the fraxel laser.
I would like to try to try the fraxel someday, I am just concerned about making things worse if it is done by an inexperienced doctor.
Thermage most certainly DOES melt the fat in the face! People have this done ON PURPOSE to get that "chiseled" look. It's a disaster on unsuspecting patients who are not looking for that side effect & especially devastating for acne scar patients who need ALL the fat, collagen, etc. VOLUME in their face that they can get. Fat loss accentuates scars & wrinkles & that is why both get progressively worse as we age.
I know that with thermage there can be some (not sure what it is called)..sunken cheeks...I think it's called fat something. Any way has anyone heard or experienced that with Fraxel that you know of.
Thanks for the info. I'll have to see if I can find that article. I've been reading the posts and people seem to have the sideffect with Thermage but, have not heard too many comments on the similar sideffect with the Fraxel laser. My concern is that since Fraxel is some where between an abalative and and non ablative laser that it might have the same negative results as Thermage. Although I am not sure if by "non ablative" it means the same as the Thermage laser since there are so many lasers out there. Hmmm. I would like to have my first Fraxel done over spring break here in about two weeks. But, I just want to even out my scars not change the whole contour of my face. Or have sunken cracksmoker cheeks. Ya know?
Hi everyone. I just signed up for 4 fraxel treatments with Dr. Parker here in Denver. I'm starting on March 9 and getting them each only 1 week apart, so I will already have had all 4 by the end of March! I'm going to take before and after pictures, so we'll all have another test case to look at. It's $2800 for 4 full face treatments. They're performed by her assistants - 8 total passes at level 16 each time. I sure hope this works!
Hooray for you, Cameron! I wish you all the best & pray your results are stellar. PLEASE do keep us posted on your progress & if you're able to take pics & don't mind sharing, that would be marvelous!!! Oh, have to written/spoken to "kooky" - I believe Parker is his doctor and he's gone three rounds with her....
Hi everyone. I just signed up for 4 fraxel treatments with Dr. Parker here in Denver. I'm starting on March 9 and getting them each only 1 week apart, so I will already have had all 4 by the end of March! I'm going to take before and after pictures, so we'll all have another test case to look at. It's $2800 for 4 full face treatments. They're performed by her assistants - 8 total passes at level 16 each time. I sure hope this works!
Cameron, would love to hear your results. I am putting off Fraxel until my summer breack so that I might be able to take sometime off and space the treatments just the right length apart. edens apple
I'm on accutane. Going on 5 months. My acne is totally clear. The scars do not make me happy though. Low level light sucks. I should be taking accutane another month or so. What are the recommendations for accutane or post-accutane. Is there a long waiting period before you can do fraxel?? Most of my scars are of the sunken kind unfortunately. The skin is pretty uneven now.
Hi everyone. I just signed up for 4 fraxel treatments with Dr. Parker here in Denver. I'm starting on March 9 and getting them each only 1 week apart, so I will already have had all 4 by the end of March! I'm going to take before and after pictures, so we'll all have another test case to look at. It's $2800 for 4 full face treatments. They're performed by her assistants - 8 total passes at level 16 each time. I sure hope this works!
Cameron, would love to hear your results. I am putting off Fraxel until my summer breack so that I might be able to take sometime off and space the treatments just the right length apart. edens apple
Please do keep us informed Cameron. My derm referred me to Dr. Parker, too, but I don't have any down time until summer... Seems like when I called her office about 5 months ago, the cost was about $1000 more than what you mentioned... another good thing. Good luck!
I'm on accutane. Going on 5 months. My acne is totally clear. The scars do not make me happy though. Low level light sucks. I should be taking accutane another month or so. What are the recommendations for accutane or post-accutane. Is there a long waiting period before you can do fraxel?? Most of my scars are of the sunken kind unfortunately. The skin is pretty uneven now.
I also took accutane for 6 months forgot what levels though. I remember being told I had to wait atleast six months after the fact (might be more I don't exactly remember) because it was over two years ago now. Ask your derm. he will tell you. Most reputable cosmetic sugery places if they see that your problem has been acne they either ask how long it's been since you've been on accutane or they tell you you should wait when you tell them you've been on accutane. Your skin is not the same while on accutane or soon after it is more sensitive and risks of something going wrong are higher.
Looking for advice from Fraxel vets. I have consult on Thursday, to be followed by first Fraxel treatment. Unless Doc/Laser Center come up with a surprise, I expect to sign up for 4, with 4 to 5 week intervals. My scarring is shallow but moderately extensive on cheeks and jaw line. My biggest fear is pigment changes (which seems to be low risk), but I want to start at lower levels and build to higher level (not becasue of pain) but to see how my skin reacts. What input should I give to Dr as to intensity, density, and total energy? Has anyone had pigment issues beyond the intial red/bronze phase? I'm hoping for 10% declining balance improvement from each session (ie 10%x(1+.9+.81+.73)=say 35%. Is this realistic? I'm thinking that shallow scars are more likely to get a bigger % improvement because deep scars become shallow but are still noticeable, while shallow scars may become imperceptable.
Thanks guys!
Butterflies, I have been in touch with kooky. His results were not stellar, but our scarring is totally different. Also, thanks for your well wishes!
Goldie, Dr. Parker normally charges $800/treatment, but if you pay for them in March, they're only $700 each. Maybe you can pay now and get them done later.
By the way, the $2800 I'm paying also includes botox before each treatment. I have frown lines between my eyes that are magnified by acne scars, and she wants to botox them up so they don't fold after they're fraxeled. The effects of the botox will not be permanent, but the effects of fraxel there would be. I thought that was a nice bonus.
Looking for advice from Fraxel vets. I have consult on Thursday, to be followed by first Fraxel treatment. Unless Doc/Laser Center come up with a surprise, I expect to sign up for 4, with 4 to 5 week intervals. My scarring is shallow but moderately extensive on cheeks and jaw line. My biggest fear is pigment changes (which seems to be low risk), but I want to start at lower levels and build to higher level (not becasue of pain) but to see how my skin reacts. What input should I give to Dr as to intensity, density, and total energy? Has anyone had pigment issues beyond the intial red/bronze phase? I'm hoping for 10% declining balance improvement from each session (ie 10%x(1+.9+.81+.73)=say 35%. Is this realistic? I'm thinking that shallow scars are more likely to get a bigger % improvement because deep scars become shallow but are still noticeable, while shallow scars may become imperceptable.
Billyboy,
i just had my 2nd treatment this past Thursday. I have a darker complextion and haven't suffered any adverse side affects such as hyperpigmantation. My nose seems to be getting a good beating though. I've been left with dark marks the width of the laser head. They eventually peel of but I left witha redish-purple mark that kind of looks like a bruise. my Dr. has me put cold compresses on them and they usually go away in about a week after the treatment. The ones I have now are alomost gone.
As for the intensity, I would let your Doc plan this one out. Hope he has alot of experience using the laser. I started with a 9 and 11 level and it was virtually pain free for me. This past treatment was a 12 -14 and it was a bit uncomfortable. Make sure they get enough of the numbing gel on the hairline areas. My Doc gave me some advil and the pain was gone within an hour. The visible swelling was gone 2 hours later and I was out running errands 4 hours later.
As far as improvements, I noticed nothing from the first. Once the swelling is gone, the scar comes back. I was told that you wont notice any improvements until after the 3rd treatment. However, my colpextion is clearer and have noticed that some blemishes and the discoloration in the "pits" of the scars are either gone or much lighter.
I've been reading different advice on this thread but my best advice is follow your Dr.'s.
Good Luck!
Hi everyone. I just signed up for 4 fraxel treatments with Dr. Parker here in Denver. I'm starting on March 9 and getting them each only 1 week apart, so I will already have had all 4 by the end of March! I'm going to take before and after pictures, so we'll all have another test case to look at. It's $2800 for 4 full face treatments. They're performed by her assistants - 8 total passes at level 16 each time. I sure hope this works!
I have had consultations with Dr. Parker and the other doctor in Colorado that does the Fraxel procedure. From the consultations, it didn't really seem as though either of them had a lot of experience with the procedure and neither of them seemed too competent. Please let me know how your procedures go!
Can someone please explain "No. 23" on the Fraxel Slide Show. It appears as if the laser brought pigment back on that woman's face. Is that correct? I have a spot of hypopigmentation that I'd like to get rid of. And if this laser can do it than I'll gladly plunk down the $$.
Does anyone know for sure?
Industry,
Have you looked into other lasers?
I have heard of IPL used to even out skin tone, but not specifically for hypopigmentation. Specific treatment for hypopigmentation is usually with a light/laser that exposes the area to UVA or UVB rays.
There are also topical steriods that can be used. The earlier it is treated the better. I heard it takes at LEAST 3 months of use with topical steriods before any any results.
Careful with fraxel for hypopigmentation. If you look at all the slideshow pics you will see that some scar/melasma patients experienced small spots of hypopigmentation. Still the intended use for fraxel (and FDA approval btw) is for sun damaged skin. And obviously a lot of the pictures show that it helped reduce hypopigmentation due to sun damage.
One thing you definately want to avoid is laser hair removal and other ablative resurfacing lasers. These are known to cause permanent hypopigmentation in up to 20 percent of patients.
I have a small spot on the tip of my nose from the Comet laser at American Laser Center (for laser hair removal treatment, 2 sessions). Its been there at least 2-3 months now, but I hope it goes away. I'm planning to get Fraxel to help smooth my complexion and pores; if it helps with the hypopigmentation that would be great too.