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BTW- My blue dye comes right off after using the DAWN foaming cleanser.....weird
I have my first appointment Monday for a smoothbeam treatment. The Dr also uses Fraxel and I think this might be better for me. Has anyone had a smoothbeam treatment first then started with Fraxel?
How soon after will I be able to wear makeup after either treatment?
I've never had smoothbeam, but it usually takes me 7 to 8 days before I can wear makeup, because of the flaking from Fraxel.
I just had my 3rd fraxel this morning. By yesterday, after the swelling from my 2nd fraxel was gone, my scars looked the same. So today, we went up to 20, and it was a lot more painful, almost unbearable. They also did spot treatments on the worst scars at 30! I better see some results now because this treatment is hell. Hopefully, #4 won't be as painful since it's 10 days away instead of 7. And next time, I'm going to put numbing cream on until my face feels like rock.
I just had my 3rd fraxel this morning. By yesterday, after the swelling from my 2nd fraxel was gone, my scars looked the same. So today, we went up to 20, and it was a lot more painful, almost unbearable. They also did spot treatments on the worst scars at 30! I better see some results now because this treatment is hell. Hopefully, #4 won't be as painful since it's 10 days away instead of 7. And next time, I'm going to put numbing cream on until my face feels like rock.
Are you serious??? FREAKING 30!!!???!!! Oh my lord, I heard it is not in anyones best interest to go over 20. Im kind of anxious to see how your results turn out.
I noticed great results even after my 1st fraxel. It reduced my rolling scars in appearance by prob 10% and shrunk my pores quite dramatically. I am 2 days post 2nd fraxel with no swelling (for some reason I dont swell for anything) and so far my skin is looking great.
The girl who posts here, "annefrommiami" I think her name is also has seen great results after her 2nd. Im hoping this is the case for me.
I agree, my second fraxel hurt much worse then my 1st, I guess my skin was still sensitive. The places that hurt me the worst are my cheeks right by my nose and upper lip. YOWCH!
Anyone taking before & Afters?
Adultfemale - I have had a series of smoothbeam treatments and am now beginning my fraxel series. Smoothbeam is a much less intense laser. You will be able to put makeup on almost immediately, I once put some on in their office and then went out to dinner, after the treatment. It worked quite well for my active breakouts, skin tone, oiliness, and softening some scars. However, if your scars are deep, even a little deep, I would skip the smoothbeam and go straight for the fraxel.
I tried to put makeup on today 
. My face is still blue! Grrr. I don't mind the bronze/red/leathery skin I just want to get rid of this #$%^ blue!
Cameron - how deep are your scars? Maybe you should be waiting longer in between for collagen to develop.
Well, I don't know where you guys are getting all these great results. Nothing ever changes for me. Now, I'm getting scared about those 30 spots. I hope she's not experimenting on me. Also, I'm doing them 1 week apart to get it over with sooner so I can get a job sooner so I'll have money to give to these doctors for the rest of my bullshit life. I'm not going to work like this, that's for sure.
Adultfemale - I have had a series of smoothbeam treatments and am now beginning my fraxel series. Smoothbeam is a much less intense laser. You will be able to put makeup on almost immediately, I once put some on in their office and then went out to dinner, after the treatment. It worked quite well for my active breakouts, skin tone, oiliness, and softening some scars. However, if your scars are deep, even a little deep, I would skip the smoothbeam and go straight for the fraxel.
I tried to put makeup on today :lol:. My face is still blue! Grrr. I don't mind the bronze/red/leathery skin I just want to get rid of this #$%^ blue!
Cameron - how deep are your scars? Maybe you should be waiting longer in between for collagen to develop.
Faye, If you can get someone to go to the store for you, Dawn Direct Foam dishwashing foam works great for getting the blue off. My doctor is using it in his office now. I'm 5 days post my 5th Fraxel and it is snowing off my face. I can't believe this. He went to 22 with 4 passes. (I won't let him do 4 passes again) I won't make it through it. I wonder how many more days before I'll be able to get out of my house.l
Hi again holelyface,
I flew to Singapore and met Dr Lee at Sloane Clinic at Chip Bee Garden ( nice place, did get a chance to try the French Restaurant there-- Au Petite Salute), Dr Lee is quite professional, from the way he explained the options available to me, I can tell that he was all for flaxel, he said that in average one can get about 60% improvement from flaxel, in my case, I would probably need more than 5 sessions( i.e. 8 sessions) for more significant improvement, anyhow, he did not press for 8 sessions, he said I can always try 5 sessions first and see whether I want go for more after that. He told me that he does subsicion as well, have you tried subsicion with him? is subsicion for ice pick scar or other type of scar? (I forgot to ask him) how is his skill? I suppose he is a GP not a surgeon, right? I am under the impression that subsicion is better to be done by surgeon, any comments? 15mj is what he will do for me if I sign up, he said it is the best level for treatment of ance scar, is it the level you got from them as well when they treated you? how much improvement you got from fraxel treatment with them in term of percentage?
Would appreciate your opinion or advise as to what else I should do to on top of Dr Lee's advise to ensure I get the best results from his treatments (such as insists on increase the mj or passes or power of the machine or any products I should apply my face to speed up my healing process, any preparation which would be of help, or what are the things that I should avoid after or before treatment) from your experience.
What Dr Lee advised only to avoid sun before or after the treatments and he gave me some skin care to clear my ance and blemish of my face b4 the treatments, that is all he said. I have not actually signed up with him, but I think I will at this moment. Moreover, I have to wait for a while as I took 1-month accutane/or some thing similar to that in Jan, he asked me to wait for at least 3 months b4 going for fraxel. I think I will wait for 3-6 months before starting the 1st treatment.
Would appreciate your thoughts on the above.
Thank you.
Hi I had never tried subcision with him, I done it else where so therefore I couldn't comment on his skill... But it is strongly recomended for you to do subcision before your fraxel for the Ice pick scars it may take another 2-3 months before your fraxel... His a dematologist rather than a normal GP. It's always good to start with 15mj first to see how your skin reacts... graduately if the results is not satisfying or your scarring is bad I'm sure he will do more. He increases the power and repetition for me on subsequent sessions. Dr Lee is a cautious man... sometime I wish he go alittle more aggressive in a shorter interval...
Regarding what to apply on the face my personal experiance is get those oral or facial ACE+Zinc Vitamin... They helps in your skin repair and fasten the process. His package may include 2 light therapy for S$400 more if you signing up 5 upfront, its an optional package which would repair your skin faster hence reduce your downtime and bronzing dramatically. I signed up for it, with the light therapy and the extra vitamins the redness disappear in less than 4 days. Though frankly I find the light not really required.
Anyway on my 3rd session I think he spot treat an area of my cheek which is badly scarred with 8 passes... I see the first small blister... heard its normal from the others at high power. But to date I say I had about around 30% improvements overall.
Well, I don't know where you guys are getting all these great results. Nothing ever changes for me. Now, I'm getting scared about those 30 spots. I hope she's not experimenting on me. Also, I'm doing them 1 week apart to get it over with sooner so I can get a job sooner so I'll have money to give to these doctors for the rest of my bullshit life. I'm not going to work like this, that's for sure.
I don't understand why is your doc doing it at 1 week apart... Its harder to see the results actually because you are healing. But I'm sure after 3 weeks you'll be more satisfied with the results as the skin heals. So Hang on.
Usually the interval is 3 weeks or more.
Adultfemale - I have had a series of smoothbeam treatments and am now beginning my fraxel series. Smoothbeam is a much less intense laser. You will be able to put makeup on almost immediately, I once put some on in their office and then went out to dinner, after the treatment. It worked quite well for my active breakouts, skin tone, oiliness, and softening some scars. However, if your scars are deep, even a little deep, I would skip the smoothbeam and go straight for the fraxel.
I tried to put makeup on today :lol:. My face is still blue! Grrr. I don't mind the bronze/red/leathery skin I just want to get rid of this #$%^ blue!
Thank you Faye for your posts and updates. I am nervous about going on Monday. Since I previously booked for the smoothbeam, I'll have to have it on Monday, I was told the Doc will not change procedures. I plan on talking to him about Fraxel. I am going out for a reunion with old friends on Friday so I hope I don't get a bad reaction and it's good to hear I will be able to wear makeup.
Hi I had never tried subcision with him, I done it else where so therefore I couldn't comment on his skill... But it is strongly recomended for you to do subcision before your fraxel for the Ice pick scars it may take another 2-3 months before your fraxel... His a dematologist rather than a normal GP. It's always good to start with 15mj first to see how your skin reacts... graduately if the results is not satisfying or your scarring is bad I'm sure he will do more. He increases the power and repetition for me on subsequent sessions. Dr Lee is a cautious man... sometime I wish he go alittle more aggressive in a shorter interval...
Regarding what to apply on the face my personal experiance is get those oral or facial ACE+Zinc Vitamin... They helps in your skin repair and fasten the process. His package may include 2 light therapy for S$400 more if you signing up 5 upfront, its an optional package which would repair your skin faster hence reduce your downtime and bronzing dramatically. I signed up for it, with the light therapy and the extra vitamins the redness disappear in less than 4 days. Though frankly I find the light not really required.
Anyway on my 3rd session I think he spot treat an area of my cheek which is badly scarred with 8 passes... I see the first small blister... heard its normal from the others at high power. But to date I say I had about around 30% improvements overall.
Thanks for the infor, holelyface, I appreciate that.
I suppose you meant that You have had 3 sessions of fraxel already with 30% improvement, right? i just want to make sure I got your right? if so, honestly, 30% improvement after 3 sessions sounds good to me. I understand that you had CO2 b4, did it help you? how % improvement you got from CO2? which type of scar can be best treated by CO2? Ice pick? box? how much it costs you? would you recommend me the doctor if he/she is good and share the contact of the doctor with me. I may want to go for it as well if I decide to go for more aggressive treatment after fraxel, of couse, I need to consider other factors as well such as cost, down time etc.
Would also appreciate if you could share you experience of CO2 with me, I suppose my skin type is type IV or V or in between , didn't you worry about hyperpigmentation? I heard that Asian skin type is likely to get hyperpigmentation with CO2. It is said to have long down time ( i.e. do not expose to sun for at least 6-12 months, it is difficult for me to stay home for at least 6-12 months, I have to work.) How long you stay at home ? How did avoid the sun after the treatment? Would you please share with us your after-treatment-care to ensure no complication arising from such treatment. did you have hyperpigmentation subsequently ?Other than hyperpigmentation, what are risks that we take if we go for CO2?
Dr Lee from Sloane said that fraxel is an ablative treatment to him, as it works like CO2 but one needs a few treatments of fraxel is get the same result as one treatment of CO2(e.g. 5 sessions fraxel = 1 session CO2), do you share his opinion? If that is the case, then, I may want to consider more fraxel sessions for me to get CO2's results considering the down time for each treatment of fraxel is much lesser than Co2, if fraxel can really achieve the results of CO2. ( CO2 is widely known to be one of the most effective treatment for scar)
Thanks in advance. Hope you can update us on your progress of fraxel treatment.
Right now I'm planning on getting 4 treatments but of course if I think I need it I'll get the 5th. When I touch my face now, especially my chin where she went over an old accident scar a third time at a higher level, I feel something grainy. Is that my skin flaking off already?!
hi
i just got my first fraxel yesterday and they told me to expect my skin to feel somewhat grainy and rough, like sandpaper, so i'd say its quite normal. god i look like total crap right now and hope i can go back to work in a couple days! my face is really reddish brown and swollen. i felt like just laying around all day today and not doing much of anything. i am hoping that this all heals up nicely and doesn't leave any wierd pigmentation or new scars. as far as the skin flaking off, its not supposed to really flake until day 4 & 5. we'll see i guess. good luck to you.
OK, so here are my before and after pics... It is 4 1/2 weeks since my 4th treatment. I had 4 full face treatments, levels 16, 18, 18 and 18. Doc said I had 12 passes on each treatment, but I only counted 8, kind of confusing.. Anyways, they calculated it out to about 1100 MTZ/cm2 after all was said and done, and that's all that matters..
I'm not sure of the EXACT amount of improvement, but I'm saying it's atleast 30% at this point, and I expect I will see some more improvement over the next 3 to 4 months. I hope this helps those of you undergoing treatment now and those of you considering it.. Pic on the left is before any treatments, pic on the right is 4 1/2 weeks after my 4th treatment.
I'm going to do 4 or 5 rounds of needling on the deeper scars to help raise them up more, and then I'm going to do 2 more rounds of fraxel in the fall to finish things off..
[attachmentid=3904][attachmentid=3905]
Sean..
Sean,
Your photos given me hope, my scar is similar to yours except that I have a bit more scar with even skin tone, would appreciate if you could post your after 3months photos to us so that we can compare and guess the % of ultimate improvement. I am thinking if fraxel is really the one for facial scar ( for my type of scar), can give improvement of 30% after 4 treatments, I wonder if I go for 12 treatments, will it give me 90% improvement, if it works that way, I may be willing to spend the money to do so. ( if you go for another 2 fraxels, keep us updated, it would be definitely of help to us to consider this treatment.)
Hope needling help you, if it works, let us know. At least we have another alternative to consider especially it is a cheaper treatment.
Good luck to you.
Hey Sean 1977, I am wondering if you are the same Sean who was considering exoderm with Dr. Rullan a few months ago. I saw your fraxel pictures and your scars do look softer in the Feb. and March pictures. I remember you were debating between Fraxel and exoderm. I am so glad you avoided the horrible ordeal with exoderm. I remember you said Dr. Rullan gave you an estimate of 60% improvement. Judging from your pictures I believe your scars in the before pictures are much sharper than mine and I really doubt you would have seen any improvement with the exoderm, even with a touch up. I am so glad you made the right choice. You can definately see some improvement in your pictures and must feel so good to have your family and friends notice. Even my mom says she sees no improvement and she usually wants to tell me postitive things and be supportive. I believe my scars are shallower than yours and I see absolutely no improvement with a full face exoderm and touch up 2 months later. I see more shallow indentations and small raised scar tissue as if the peel burned my skin. I cant believe he gave you such a high estimate. He knows most people would not put themselves through that horrible procedure and hand over $5000 dollars to him if he didnt give these high bullshit estimates and down played the risks of the procedure. I am glad you waited to do what is best for you.
Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure you are terribly frustrated. My doctor is so busy that I wasn't able to schedule another appointment for five weeks after my first one. As I am so looking forward to getting this all finished I was quite disappointed. Why did your appointment get bumped?
Well, I had 4 Fraxels so far.
Sad to say I have seen little to no results. My skin may be softer and look a little more red and tanned but i still have a ton of scarred pores and a lot more pores are now visible after having these treatments. I just had a bunch of them before, now it's my entire cheeks. $6000 for this. I kind of regret doing this right now. I'll give it a little more time and see what happens but all I see Fraxel doing is just burning off a layer of skin, it's like a really bad sunburn then you go back to normal. I have one shallow rolling scar and a ton of scarred pores/icepick scars everywhere.. and they are all pigmented red. I may have a tiny bit of improvement with the icepicks and now i have more exposed pores. No improvement in the rolling scar. I have very oily skin type, the pore thing is my worst problem which I'm trying to fix and Fraxel has kind of worsened it..
i can see it working for those who don't have oily skin.. but don't do it if it's oily, your pores will be exposed all over your face, now you'll definitely have that orange peel texture all over the place.. like i do 
Hi I had never tried subcision with him, I done it else where so therefore I couldn't comment on his skill... But it is strongly recomended for you to do subcision before your fraxel for the Ice pick scars it may take another 2-3 months before your fraxel... His a dematologist rather than a normal GP. It's always good to start with 15mj first to see how your skin reacts... graduately if the results is not satisfying or your scarring is bad I'm sure he will do more. He increases the power and repetition for me on subsequent sessions. Dr Lee is a cautious man... sometime I wish he go alittle more aggressive in a shorter interval...
Regarding what to apply on the face my personal experiance is get those oral or facial ACE+Zinc Vitamin... They helps in your skin repair and fasten the process. His package may include 2 light therapy for S$400 more if you signing up 5 upfront, its an optional package which would repair your skin faster hence reduce your downtime and bronzing dramatically. I signed up for it, with the light therapy and the extra vitamins the redness disappear in less than 4 days. Though frankly I find the light not really required.
Anyway on my 3rd session I think he spot treat an area of my cheek which is badly scarred with 8 passes... I see the first small blister... heard its normal from the others at high power. But to date I say I had about around 30% improvements overall.
Thanks for the infor, holelyface, I appreciate that.
I suppose you meant that You have had 3 sessions of fraxel already with 30% improvement, right? i just want to make sure I got your right? if so, honestly, 30% improvement after 3 sessions sounds good to me. I understand that you had CO2 b4, did it help you? how % improvement you got from CO2? which type of scar can be best treated by CO2? Ice pick? box? how much it costs you? would you recommend me the doctor if he/she is good and share the contact of the doctor with me. I may want to go for it as well if I decide to go for more aggressive treatment after fraxel, of couse, I need to consider other factors as well such as cost, down time etc.
Would also appreciate if you could share you experience of CO2 with me, I suppose my skin type is type IV or V or in between , didn't you worry about hyperpigmentation? I heard that Asian skin type is likely to get hyperpigmentation with CO2. It is said to have long down time ( i.e. do not expose to sun for at least 6-12 months, it is difficult for me to stay home for at least 6-12 months, I have to work.) How long you stay at home ? How did avoid the sun after the treatment? Would you please share with us your after-treatment-care to ensure no complication arising from such treatment. did you have hyperpigmentation subsequently ?Other than hyperpigmentation, what are risks that we take if we go for CO2?
Dr Lee from Sloane said that fraxel is an ablative treatment to him, as it works like CO2 but one needs a few treatments of fraxel is get the same result as one treatment of CO2(e.g. 5 sessions fraxel = 1 session CO2), do you share his opinion? If that is the case, then, I may want to consider more fraxel sessions for me to get CO2's results considering the down time for each treatment of fraxel is much lesser than Co2, if fraxel can really achieve the results of CO2. ( CO2 is widely known to be one of the most effective treatment for scar)
Thanks in advance. Hope you can update us on your progress of fraxel treatment.
Personally I would say CO2 is more effective in removing the scars... sorry to pop the bubble. The thing which fraxel does is really improve the appearance of the scars that it blends in beautifully perhaps it does improve the scar itselves. It works very well with smaller scars like scar pores type. or smaller scars and yes I must really agree it works great for rolling scars, even bigger ones (more than CO2)...
As for CO2 it probably removes these small scars... When I had my CO2 it yields about 15-20% improvement as mainly I'm treating ice picks... Don't expect much from it. Therefore if you are treating Ice pick.. you'll need to go through subcisions or TCA cross (multiple sessions, NOT ONCE) when the scars are almost even before you resurface your face... It will yield a much much better results. Be prepare to go to even 2 or 3 CO2s after the procedure.
After the procedure... First two weeks you MUST stay at home... or at least first week.. Subsequently you'll have to apply sun block and avoid the sun vigourously for the first month. Also you'll be very very red. After the first month you'll some how be back to normal. Still sun block is a requirement and avoid the sun. The risk of CO2 hyperpigmentation is not as much.. even if so it will return back to normal 6 months.... Anyway first 6 months you face will be a little pinkish... nice look... alittle like those northen people who live in winter.
The following doc are best in CO2 in Singapore.
Joyce Lim Clinic
National Skin Clinic
Both have its advantage... Joyce Lim is more of a specialist clinic.. with better services and of course higher price located at the prime area of Singapore. Whereas NSC is a government owned national clinic services may not be that great but price is cheaper and better escape route (don't want everyone to see your face plastered)... But both the doctor are very experienced.
Important: If you have really oily skins, ask for anti biotics to stop acne for the moment. Coz basically you can't do anything during the first week but leaving your skin to ravish by the acne bacteria.
Well, I had 4 Fraxels so far.
Sad to say I have seen little to no results. My skin may be softer and look a little more red and tanned but i still have a ton of scarred pores and a lot more pores are now visible after having these treatments. I just had a bunch of them before, now it's my entire cheeks. $6000 for this. I kind of regret doing this right now. I'll give it a little more time and see what happens but all I see Fraxel doing is just burning off a layer of skin, it's like a really bad sunburn then you go back to normal. I have one shallow rolling scar and a ton of scarred pores/icepick scars everywhere.. and they are all pigmented red. I may have a tiny bit of improvement with the icepicks and now i have more exposed pores. No improvement in the rolling scar. I have very oily skin type, the pore thing is my worst problem which I'm trying to fix and Fraxel has kind of worsened it..
i can see it working for those who don't have oily skin.. but don't do it if it's oily, your pores will be exposed all over your face, now you'll definitely have that orange peel texture all over the place.. like i do 🙁
dang sorry to hear this!!
My pores has closed up dramatically. But I have very dry skin. I guess just a difference in skin types results in completely different results.