hey im goin in for fraxel, just wondering if anyone has any pics of after they got out during right after like a a day or so, wanted to see what kinda redness/spots i can expect?

hey im goin in for fraxel, just wondering if anyone has any pics of after they got out during right after like a a day or so, wanted to see what kinda redness/spots i can expect?

 

Imagine millions of small tiny scarbs on your face. Anyway. Nothing explains better than just stay home for the next 3 days.

So I had my first Fraxel on in mid July at 12/250 with 4 passes and I just had my second one today at 14/250 and again at 4 passes. I have a question does this sound about on the right track for good results or do you think he is being too conservative? I am asian so I understand that he has to be careful, but I am also kinda worried that he is not being aggressive enough. I thought he would increase the passes on my second fraxel so it kinda surprised me that he stuck to 4... Any advice or input?? ) Thanks!

Hey Buddies, I want to know if anyone here uses Skinmedica's TNS Recovery Complex as skincare with your Fraxel surgery. Usually one week after Fraxel, your face will look normal again from pinky, red face. But after using TNS before sleep, the pinky look of my face still remain. So, Should I discontinue using TNS or whether this pinky look is normal for recovery?

What's this talk of fraxel can cause more scarring by going too deep?! I asked my derm and she said that's bogus. Is that just an opinion or has someone really suffered from this??

Hi Acne.org members. I am a Registered Nurse and have been treating patients with the Fraxel Laser for over a year. I work in a dermatologists office. One of my patients today told me about this site. It is very interesting for me to read from a health care provider position. I would be happy to reply to your questions. The Fraxel is a great laser but may not be for everyone.

Hey Buddies, I want to know if anyone here uses Skinmedica's TNS Recovery Complex as skincare with your Fraxel surgery. Usually one week after Fraxel, your face will look normal again from pinky, red face. But after using TNS before sleep, the pinky look of my face still remain. So, Should I discontinue using TNS or whether this pinky look is normal for recovery?

 

I used TNS on and off during my fraxel course - not continuously because I was running low (SO expensive) and because I was experimenting with different things to see what I liked best. I did find that using the TNS during recovery phase seemed to make the scaliness look worse and it was more difficult to apply makeup. But it seemed that if I waited until after that first week, the TNS made the results "look" much better (I'm sure you've noticed that it has some tightening properties) I like the stuff enough that I'm thinking of purchasing some more, although if there were a less expensive solution I'd pursue that. You don't hear much about TNS for whatever reason, but it seems to be a good product from my experieece.

Hi Acne.org members. I am a Registered Nurse and have been treating patients with the Fraxel Laser for over a year. I work in a dermatologists office. One of my patients today told me about this site. It is very interesting for me to read from a health care provider position. I would be happy to reply to your questions. The Fraxel is a great laser but may not be for everyone.

 

Just curious what you think the waiting period should be before embarking on additional scar treatments? I've had 4 treatments at pretty high settings (the last two at 24) - I'm pretty happy with the results, but there are some deeper icepicks and some shallow boxcars that I'd still like to address. I've considered another round of fraxel, but am wondering if I should pursue other means instead (or first). I have a follow up appointment in two months with my doctor, but until I can actually speak to him, would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Hey Buddies, I want to know if anyone here uses Skinmedica's TNS Recovery Complex as skincare with your Fraxel surgery. Usually one week after Fraxel, your face will look normal again from pinky, red face. But after using TNS before sleep, the pinky look of my face still remain. So, Should I discontinue using TNS or whether this pinky look is normal for recovery?

 

I used TNS on and off during my fraxel course - not continuously because I was running low (SO expensive) and because I was experimenting with different things to see what I liked best. I did find that using the TNS during recovery phase seemed to make the scaliness look worse and it was more difficult to apply makeup. But it seemed that if I waited until after that first week, the TNS made the results "look" much better (I'm sure you've noticed that it has some tightening properties) I like the stuff enough that I'm thinking of purchasing some more, although if there were a less expensive solution I'd pursue that. You don't hear much about TNS for whatever reason, but it seems to be a good product from my experieece.

 

Hi Acne.org members. I am a Registered Nurse and have been treating patients with the Fraxel Laser for over a year. I work in a dermatologists office. One of my patients today told me about this site. It is very interesting for me to read from a health care provider position. I would be happy to reply to your questions. The Fraxel is a great laser but may not be for everyone.

 

Just curious what you think the waiting period should be before embarking on additional scar treatments? I've had 4 treatments at pretty high settings (the last two at 24) - I'm pretty happy with the results, but there are some deeper icepicks and some shallow boxcars that I'd still like to address. I've considered another round of fraxel, but am wondering if I should pursue other means instead (or first). I have a follow up appointment in two months with my doctor, but until I can actually speak to him, would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Hi. To see the full results from your first 4 you will need to wait 4 months. If you still see deeper icepicks they will probably not be a whole lot better. If you decide to go ahead with more Fraxels maybe your doctor can spot treat to save you money. I think I have been as frustrated with the Fraxel re: acne scars as many of the patients on this site. The Fraxel is still a new laser to many practitioners and it takes time to learn how to use it. The truth is if you want to see a major improvement in deep scars the laser has to be at a very high setting for at least 4 to 5 treatments. High to me is 30. As far as other treatments go there is always CO2, but it is not 100% either and there are many risks. The Fraxel is safe. I have done close to 1000 Fraxel procedures and have never scarred anyone. My biggest issue is hyperpigmentation in women.

Dear ljgrn,

You mentioned that your biggest issue is hyperpigmentation in women. I am Indian with medium olive skin tone. I am considering the Fraxel laser but am afraid of the risks of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone because I am only doing a portion of one cheek. Did you have any Indian/darker skinned patients, and if so, did they all hyperpigment following the Fraxel laser? Did the hyperpigmentation go away and how long do you think it took for it to go away? Thank you for your input! This message board has been so helpful.

Hi Acne.org members. I am a Registered Nurse and have been treating patients with the Fraxel Laser for over a year. I work in a dermatologists office. One of my patients today told me about this site. It is very interesting for me to read from a health care provider position. I would be happy to reply to your questions. The Fraxel is a great laser but may not be for everyone.

 

hi I would appreciate if you can tell me if the fraxel could help with texture and scars like mine. Last year I had a modified phenol peel known as exoderm with Dr. Rullan in Chula Vista. He gives estimates of 60- 80% improvement with this peel along with the second day abrasion with a metal tool on the second day when they take the tape off to reveal your skin with no epidermis. He has great pictures on his website but he is great at using the camera and in reality many of us have been left with worse skin than we started out with I mostly had large looking pores or scars and a few small raised scars and the biggest depressed scar was on my upper cheek which I would say is moderate and wide the rest were very shallow rolling scars that gave my skin an uneven appearance but there were no defined edges. Now one of my cheeks has more noticeable large looking pore scars along with wide shallow scars with edges that look more defined and raised tissue surrounding it. Looking at it from a side ange it appears to be like he gave me burned scar tissue with the peel and abrasions he did. Have you had patients with scar tissue from strong peels try the fraxel to smooth the dry looking and small raised looking tissue surrounding the indentations? I see some hypopigmentation noticeabe from a side view in some of this small raised tissue that is why I think it is burned scar tissue from the peel. I can make it look smoother with mineral powder and it makes me feel better when I dont scrutinize it from a side angle but I cant stand to see myself with no powder on.

Dear ljgrn,

You mentioned that your biggest issue is hyperpigmentation in women. I am Indian with medium olive skin tone. I am considering the Fraxel laser but am afraid of the risks of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone because I am only doing a portion of one cheek. Did you have any Indian/darker skinned patients, and if so, did they all hyperpigment following the Fraxel laser? Did the hyperpigmentation go away and how long do you think it took for it to go away? Thank you for your input! This message board has been so helpful.

 

Hi. I cannot deny that if you are Fraxeled with any setting above 6 and more than 8 passes you could have increased pigment. I tell my female patients that it is a choice they need to make because it is a risk. Also when women with pigment are doing Fraxel treatments you MUST stay out of the sun. Fraxel is causing you to make new tissue that is very vulnerable to sunlight. I have had several patients not listen to me and show up a month later with huge dark spots on their cheeks from a day in the sun, with sunscreen.

With darker skinned women I only Fraxel the scarred areas with high settings and the lowest setting for everywhere else. I have done Indian, hispanic, asian, and middle eastern women. As long as I stay only on the scars with the increased settings we do fine. All of our patients use Cosmelan II beginning four days after Fraxel and after the second treatment I have them use Triluma as well. This seems to be working very well for us. The higher setting causes a pink color to linger in the skin but goes away about 1 to 2 months after the last Fraxel and then their skin looks even.

I have done close to 1000 Fraxel procedures and have never scarred anyone. My biggest issue is hyperpigmentation in women.

Why in women and not men?

 

ESTROGEN 🙁

Has anyone undergone fraxel after burns or scars from chemical peels. Did it fill in the scars as well as smooth the skin by improving that wrinkly look in the shallow scars from the peel burns?

I would appreciate if the nurse who posted here and kindly offered to help us with any questions would share her experience with patients damaged by chemical peels.

 

Hi Acne.org members. I am a Registered Nurse and have been treating patients with the Fraxel Laser for over a year. I work in a dermatologists office. One of my patients today told me about this site. It is very interesting for me to read from a health care provider position. I would be happy to reply to your questions. The Fraxel is a great laser but may not be for everyone.

 

hi I would appreciate if you can tell me if the fraxel could help with texture and scars like mine. Last year I had a modified phenol peel known as exoderm with Dr. Rullan in Chula Vista. He gives estimates of 60- 80% improvement with this peel along with the second day abrasion with a metal tool on the second day when they take the tape off to reveal your skin with no epidermis. He has great pictures on his website but he is great at using the camera and in reality many of us have been left with worse skin than we started out with I mostly had large looking pores or scars and a few small raised scars and the biggest depressed scar was on my upper cheek which I would say is moderate and wide the rest were very shallow rolling scars that gave my skin an uneven appearance but there were no defined edges. Now one of my cheeks has more noticeable large looking pore scars along with wide shallow scars with edges that look more defined and raised tissue surrounding it. Looking at it from a side ange it appears to be like he gave me burned scar tissue with the peel and abrasions he did. Have you had patients with scar tissue from strong peels try the fraxel to smooth the dry looking and small raised looking tissue surrounding the indentations? I see some hypopigmentation noticeabe from a side view in some of this small raised tissue that is why I think it is burned scar tissue from the peel. I can make it look smoother with mineral powder and it makes me feel better when I dont scrutinize it from a side angle but I cant stand to see myself with no powder on.

 

Hi. Reading your post was upsetting, I'm sorry the peel did not work out. I'm sure there are many people who have had peels that look great but the risk is great. I have treated 2 patients with hypopigmentation from peels and we have seen great improvement. I used a very high setting on their face (30). One patient had 3 treatments and one had 4. It is difficult for me to give you an accurate answer without seeing your skin and in aesthetic medicine we really don't know how each person's skin will react. I can tell you though that the Fraxel will make your face look better but how much I cannot guarantee.

After the fraxel procedure, was anyone else told to put vasoline on there face at night or whenever your skin is peeling? It just seems like it's making my skin break out.

HELLO AGAIN

It's been two weeks since my first Fraxel and I.m convinced that the swelling is completely gone. There is very very minimal improvement in my scars however I believe there is a slight improvement over all. The biggest improvement seems to be on the lines on my forehead but unforntunately I don't give a "rats arse" because there not that bad in my opinion and I wear my hair in a way that covers them anyway.

There does seem to be some kind of "evenness" in general but it's hard to tell.

I have been reading some of the posts regarding having some other procedures done prior to the fraxel treatments but I will have to do more research before I could even search for a doctor. Is there anything that I can do myself to help compliment the fraxel? I probably have every type of scar that's available LOL.

I'm still optimistic and will have the dial turned up on the next treatment... FUN

Thanks to all on this site as it really is great to discuss all these alternatives and give us all some hope to improve the way we look and feel, feel and look...you know what I mean !!!

Cheers,

i'm not sure but i think the thing with fraxel is that you need more then one session am i right? perhaps how many session do people usually get before seeing more then 50 percent improvement?

You will need 5 treatments and high settings get the best results.

I would put a thin layer on for about 30 minutes, carefully take it off with tissues, and reapply. I didn't have any breakouts doing this. I had Fraxel and loved the results.

 

How many days after your procedure did you continue to do this??

For the Nurse, we have speculated the "total energy used" on the face is key to continued improvement with each Fraxel treatment. In other words higher settings with fewer passes could be equal to lower settings with more passes if the total energy used is the same. Do you find this to be true, and would total energy used need to be increased with each Fraxel to yeild optimum results?

PS- To the Nurse, do you work in the So. Cal. area? I am interested in pursuing additional treatments and would be interested in a consult with you...

whats the estimated cost of 5 fraxel or somewhere around there in southern california, anyone know??? sorry to bug, just wondering how much should i be saving up for

NURSE:

What have you seen with patients who have bigger pores than normal after a series of fraxel treatments? I just got my first treatment and my pores on my forehead (where my scars are the worse) definitely seem bigger. Will they just continue to get bigger or improve over time?

For the Nurse, we have speculated the "total energy used" on the face is key to continued improvement with each Fraxel treatment. In other words higher settings with fewer passes could be equal to lower settings with more passes if the total energy used is the same. Do you find this to be true, and would total energy used need to be increased with each Fraxel to yeild optimum results? YOU ARE BASICALLY CORRECT AND THE REASON IS AS THE SETTINGS INCREASE THE LASER BEAMS BECOME LARGER AND LONGER. THIS MEANS THAT IT DOES NOT TAKE AS MANY PASSES TO REACH A 20 TO 25% TREATMENT. THE IMPORTANT FACTOR TO KNOW IS THAT TO DIMINISH ANY ACNE SCAR THE MJ SETTING MUST BE AT 20 OR HIGHER.

PS- To the Nurse, do you work in the So. Cal. area? I am interested in pursuing additional treatments and would be interested in a consult with you... Please send me a private email as I do work in So.Cal.

 

NURSE:

What have you seen with patients who have bigger pores than normal after a series of fraxel treatments? I just got my first treatment and my pores on my forehead (where my scars are the worse) definitely seem bigger. Will they just continue to get bigger or improve over time?

 

I find it interesting that several people have mentioned bigger pores. I have not seen that in any of my patients. Fraxel makes your best areas look better fast with the rest following behind. Could it be that the larger pores then stand out more as the surrounding areas look better? This is the first time I have heard this and I have performed many Fraxels at all settings.

If you are swollen or the blue dye is still in your pores they will look larger. It takes a good 21 to 30 days for a treatment to heal so be patient and you should improve. Good luck!

It's been about three weeks since my seventh treatment (at level 18). I'm pleasantly surprised that my skin keeps looking better every day. The texture is great, the scars are more even and my makeup goes on very smoothly. I think that because I had my treatments spaced so closely (1 week for the first half and then 2 weeks for the last 3), I never had a chance to really see the real improvement because I am one of the unfortunate few who break out and get weird rash type things from the laser. Since my treatments were so close together that was kind of a constant state.

I still am planning on having three more done at level 20, but I'm kind of dreading it because I don't want to have to go through the 'ugly' phase again. However, since my skin seems to be responding well to this treatment, I'm going to do it anyway.

When can you expect to start seeing improvment in your scars after you start fraxel?

When can you expect to start seeing improvment in your scars after you start fraxel?

 

Thay say not until after your 4th treatment and from all the people on this thread who've had it done, that seems about right. It took until after my 5th actually....