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Not sure about number 5 tho I didn't see that one on the fraxel website. Thats why I'm always skeptical. I dont know if those pix are "doctored" I sure hope not.
Cheers,
#5 use to be on the fraxel website. #6 is Floridaguy, who sometimes posts on this thread. (you can do a search under his name to read abt his experiences--quite sure his pictures aren't doctored.)
Sorry if they're not credible, i was just placing them in here as another resource. Hope it doesn't cause too much unrest. Shits me how pictures get shared all over the place. 😐
They really should give credit to the doctors who did perform the treatments (as done on the fraxel website)
Results are very very minimal but at the same time they are noticable, as I mentioned before, maybe a little on the lines on my forehead and maybe a little enhancement on my rolling scars but very little after only one treatment.
I was extremely surprised that I didn't flake at all. It felt like my face was getting burned off and then no flaking as a lot of people mentioned. I did moisturize regularly and that would certainly keep some of the peeling/flaking down.
I'm still optomistic tho, i'm just gonna have to grin and bare some higher settings and I am confident to see some results.
I think it's important that people getting this and some of the other aggressive treatments on this forum are aware of the "swelling" and how it can make the results seem more dramatic than they are and then be let down when all the swelling is gone and the "true results" show. I looked great just two days after my treatment but knew from previous Dermabrasions what to expect.
How about you ribz...any noticable improvemant???
No man not really...maybe a little, but nothing to get excited about. Hopefully after the next one I will be saying differently!
Yep, the pictures from the Erase clinic's website are from Reliant Technologies (Fraxel). In the photo book we use in our office, the pictures *are* credited to the physician who performed them.
I have to add my two cents here as a dermatology PA who performs these procedures all the time. Whenever you are treating pigmentation, wrinkles and remodeling scars (most challenging) it will take several treatments and many months to really notice a difference. And of course, the more aggressive the treatment, generally the better the outcome. Fraxel will promote new collagen formation which will also improve the appearance of scars, but our skin produces collagen at a slow rate. So *6 months* after the last treatment is when optimal results will be seen.
My own story -- when our office first obtained the Fraxel laser, the providers had training sessions on how to use it. I was a test patient twice. Both of my treatments were 3 weeks apart. Now, I don't have acne scars, but I do have crow's feet, which is really what I wanted to improve upon. After my second treatment I really didn't see a huge difference. But I noticed 5 - 6 months after my last treatment, my crow's feet look MUCH better. Even other people have commented.
If you and your health care provider decide Fraxel is appropriate for you, understand you won't see dramatic results instantaneously (other than a lot of redness and swelling!). But improvment will come, just be patient!
This place is in Melbourne, the photo's are pretty impressive IMO. In particular, patient number 5 under the skin resurfacing menu.
Correct me if Im wrong, these are pictures from Fraxel's website
Check out case #47. I believe this was only supposed to be 3 treatments of Fraxel, yeah right. There is no way that 3 of anything did that lol. I really hope nobody falls for that cause it just isnt gonna happen that way.
Went to the erase website and didnt find any links for Fraxel pictures?
Could be true. I have had 3 fraxels and my skin looks awsome. The doctor and medical staff are in shock of how great I am progressing. I feel like 3 has done the job, but I paid for 5. So I am hoping the results are permanent. 🙂
Good for you! But I have shallow "ice_picks" and I don't think it works for those or split pores?????????
I have my first Fraxel treatment scheduled for Tuesday, August 22nd. I was wondering what peoples thoughts are on doing a minor needling session a couple days before I go in for the Fraxel treatment. I was thinking that maybe with the work of me breaking up some of the scar tissue with the needle and then the Fraxel laser going in over that I might get better results. Or do you think that the outside skin would be to sensitive from doing the needling that when you add the Fraxel it would be to much for the outer skin to take.
I was reading on another message board that one erbium laser is equivalent to 5-6 fraxel treatments. In the past I have read about mostly poor results on scars with the erbium laser and alot of downtime. Are there any of you who are currently doing the fraxel laser who have done the erbium laser in the past? How would you compare the two?
I have my first Fraxel treatment scheduled for Tuesday, August 22nd. I was wondering what peoples thoughts are on doing a minor needling session a couple days before I go in for the Fraxel treatment. I was thinking that maybe with the work of me breaking up some of the scar tissue with the needle and then the Fraxel laser going in over that I might get better results. Or do you think that the outside skin would be to sensitive from doing the needling that when you add the Fraxel it would be to much for the outer skin to take.
U should try that stuff BEFORE doing the fraxels. I would wait and just do the Fraxel treatemnts first.
I've had two needling sessions done by Frank at Transitions and I have done two myself. When I do it myself I heal within a couple days and when Frank does it I'm usually healed within a week. Either way, was just wondering if the combination of the two would maybe work better. I'm thinking now though that I should see how my body reacts to the laser first like you suggested.
i have.. AND one erbium does NOT equal 5-6 treatments.. it is actually the other way around. i got WAY better improvement from 1 fraxel at 15mj than 2 erbiums at high settings.. emphasis on WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I am glad to hear that. Maybe there is hope if I go to a fraxel specialist like Dr. Fitzpatrick and try one cheek which is what really depresses me. He is so expensive but I want to try the best. You must be so happy to be getting substantial improvement after your previous dissapointment. Besides the scarring did you have any textural problems possibly caused by the erbium and has the fraxel improved that and your overall complexion?
I had an exoderm with Dr. Rullan and am so upset at noticing 0 improvement even on sun damage or a fine line on the side where I have most of the scarring. I also have further raised scar tissue and indented scars and my pores or shallow icepicks ( I am not sure what they are) on my worse side also look worse. How much are you paying and where is your doctor located.
I am also thinking about consulting with Dr. Moy at UcLA since my consult with Dr. Fitzpatrick is not until October 2nd since he is so popular.
Is anyone getting fraxel with DR. Moy or Dr. Fitzpatrick. There was one guy seeing Dr. fitzpatrick a few months back but he wont respond to my emails or post here anymore.
i have.. AND one erbium does NOT equal 5-6 treatments.. it is actually the other way around. i got WAY better improvement from 1 fraxel at 15mj than 2 erbiums at high settings.. emphasis on WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I am glad to hear that. Maybe there is hope if I go to a fraxel specialist like Dr. Fitzpatrick and try one cheek which is what really depresses me. He is so expensive but I want to try the best. You must be so happy to be getting substantial improvement after your previous dissapointment. Besides the scarring did you have any textural problems possibly caused by the erbium and has the fraxel improved that and your overall complexion?
I had an exoderm with Dr. Rullan and am so upset at noticing 0 improvement even on sun damage or a fine line on the side where I have most of the scarring. I also have further raised scar tissue and indented scars and my pores or shallow icepicks ( I am not sure what they are) on my worse side also look worse. How much are you paying and where is your doctor located.
I am also thinking about consulting with Dr. Moy at UcLA since my consult with Dr. Fitzpatrick is not until October 2nd since he is so popular.
Is anyone getting fraxel with DR. Moy or Dr. Fitzpatrick. There was one guy seeing Dr. fitzpatrick a few months back but he wont respond to my emails or post here anymore.
I am from Canada,
would be quite surprised if my surgeon was often on the net!!!!
He is busy, so look for another.
The guy's on the net are not (I believe) totally proffessional.
Get another consult, let me know K?
Dr. Moy is a very highly thought of laser specialist associated with UCLA and is well involved with Fraxel. I have read several papers he has coauthored regarding Fraxel and has been on round table discussions offering his experiences to other Doctors with Fraxel and where it is going. Go see if he is for you.
OK. Seems like there are a lot of new people o n the fraxel thread (new as in just starting treatment) Im one month out from my fourth (and last) fraxel. I was going two hours in each direction to have it done. It was available locally, but this is the first BIG thing Ive done to my skin, so I wanted to go to a well known doctor. Well, four treatments later, I am SICK of the drive! And Im not so sure that the success of the treatment is operator dependent.
Im not really sure what level of imrovement Ive achieved thus far. My husband tells me my skin looks totally different. I wouldnt go that far. Matter of fact sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder if its not worse. No, I guess its not worse. My makeup goes on much better now and actually does hide some of the scars, whereas before it would only accentuate them (Im still using the same stuff). And Im obseesing about a completely area of my face now, which leads me to believe that the original place on my face is better. Phew! What a novel.
Anyway, all this to say I called the local place and spoke to the doctor there. He was very knowledgeable. Hes not comfortable going much over 24 (which is what I was getting treated at before), but at least hes in the acne.scar.treating ballpark. One of the things that impressed me the most is that he uses VISIA to analyse the skin. So you have an actual computer image of your skin and scarring, etc. How much easier will it be measure improvement?? I think my biggest frustration has been that my original before pictures barely showed my scars, so its impossible to guage the improvement!
I cant believe Im considering another round of fraxel. $$$$$$. My plan right now is to do some CROSS while I save up my money. Im actually so excited for my consult (tomorrow) just to see my scars in action!!
Hi everyone,
I just would like everyone to know that I finished my 5th fraxel.... Where the last 2 is at 20 mj.
Personally I would say it improves around 20%. Maybe because my scarring is particularly servere.
It does some helps to my deeper pitted scars. But quite alot on the smaller ones.
While doing my fraxel I did tried to do some tca cross in betweens ( manually) It helps abit in softening up the pitted scars.
I'm doing excision now still pending for the results....
I would recomend this laser if you have mild scarring.
If you have pitted scars or as such.... please does some excision and tca cross before hand. Trust me you won't regret it...
I guess from now... after the excision, it depends if I could get my hands on the FraxelAA SR1500 Laser if not I'll probably try CO2 laser. Theres still a couple of good reports in this website about it.
Have been in Tahoe, not on this site. No news on my Fraxel results, but thought I would concur with Chrissy on several points. First, although I am happy with more even tone and texture, I am disappointed by improved scars. This could be due to my age and/or sun exposure. It is hard to objectively gauge ones improvement in a mirror and i think there is great potential for a placebo effect. On the other hand, maybe I am too critical.
Second, I agree that this procedure is not likely to be operator dependent. There is no need to spend big $ on a name doc in my opinion. That said, experience is important. Go to a clinci that has treated many others, but a nurse can do this procedure just fine.
Last, I had the Visia computer scan in my first visit, but have not returned yet for final scan and pictures. Visia ranks (and highlights) your skin on 4 criteria (pores, wrinkles, texture, and photodamage) based on age and sex. The pore size criteria is the best proxy for scarring. I actually want to travel the 2 hours to get this test, as it should be a very objective measure of status change.
Also, has anyone heard form Blaster? I was intrigued by his situation becasue he was being treated so aggressively and becasue he was so knowledgeable.
Billyboy
I would be extraordinarily interested to know what the visia computer shows when you go in for your final scan!! WHen do you plan on doing this? Please keep us posted!!!!!
I second that! I'd never heard of this scan before, but think it would be a great way to measure improvement. It's so difficult to gauge when you look at your own face everyday. I'm pleased with my Fraxel results so far, but am still pretty critical some days. I think I tend to forget what a horror story my face was pre-Fraxel...;)
Oops, I should have rechecked my Visia complexion report. There are 6 criteria; spots, pores, wrinkles, texture, porphyrins and UV spots. However, they provide an age adjusted comparative ranking only for the first 4.
One problem with the test is that it only measured eye/cheek area of both sides. My forehead is fine anyway. However, on my left side I have a patch of scarring below the scanned area. I had great results on wrinkles on both sides (96% and 94%). On my good side I was 88% for texture and 51% for pores. On my bad side, these scores dropped to 60% and 29% respectively. The scan also has colored dots/lines corresponding to the problem areas, which correspond to my large pores, scarred pores, and scars.
That's why I think this pore (and even the texture) test is a good proxy for scarring if it captures your areas of scarring. If I show a big gain ( I am going to wait about 4 more weeks), I will conclude that fraxel worked and will probably repeat a series of 4. If not, I am done trying to fix these f***** scars.
I'm confused billboy. Are those percentages the improvement after fraxel (as told by visio)?
This place is in Melbourne, the photo's are pretty impressive IMO. In particular, patient number 5 under the skin resurfacing menu.
Billyboy, Blaster, Annie and Fraxel vetrans: I have just completed my 4th Fraxel. I would like to compare my "Total Energy Used" figures to those who have undergone high setting treatments. My settings have not been as high as I would like, but the density and number of passes may have made up for that in my last appointment compared to my first three. My total energy for face was 10.17 kj, I am seeking maximum results with minimal risk (aren't we all) any input will be greatfully received!
JJ: I have not had the final scan for comparison. The % in my prior post are percentile rankings as to how my skin compares to other people of the same age and sex. In other words, I am relatively wrinkle free for my age, given my high perecentile ranking. The low scores on pores on left side are a proxy for my bad skin and scarring on that side.
Lexus: I posted my total energy in my last treatment awhile back, but I don't remember the value for sure, but I think it was 12.5 kj. Based on some of the early med literature, docs were saying that total energy for a full face would range from 3 to 8 kj. So, you had aggressive treatment based on those protocols. But, I think these ranges have been increased for acne scarring based on subsequent experience.
Ack! Just got back from my VISIA consultation. What an amazing machine. Cant say Im all that thrilled with the results. They only did the right side of my face since thats the side thats exposed to the most UV rays (driving in the car).It also happens to be the side with the worst scarring.
Drumroll please...wrinkles: 99%, spots: 29%, pores: 2% (!!!), texture: 5% (!!!!).Obviously a lot of room for improvement. What must my skin have been before the fraxels I underwent???
The doctor was great. I kind of wish I had started out with them instead of driving 2 hrs to see Rapaport. They spent over an hour during the consultation with me, going over the analysis and trying to determine the best course of action. Of course, since its impossible to know what results fraxel has yielded thus far, its impossible to estimate whether further treatments would benefit me.
SIGH.
Chrissy
I would have recommended that you do both sides becasue I can tell that the ranking (and scattergrams) variations between my right and left side coincide well with my visual perception of scarring. My right side is pretty good as per my scores, but my left side is way worse as to scarring. I do wonder about the normative data used for benchmarking. Perhaps they put you in the wrong group (hopefully they did not trick the system to low ball initial results so that the post treatment scan would show a big improvement), leading to low scores.
I am 55 and male, so my peer group should reflect "older male skin". In any event, if I show a nice improvement in my final scan, I will go for more Fraxels. I think this is a good measurement tool and I am glad you have found someone closer.
Big name docs are often good only in name. I have had 3 back surgeries, one by a world renowned surgeon at UCSF. It was my worst. He did the wrong surgery (fusion) at the wrong lumbar level. I used to be a top notch athlete, now I must limit my exercise to swimming and walking because my spine is so mucked up, mostly from this failed surgery from 10 years ago. This bothers me way more than my skin. My point is that people should research a doc/clinic, not choose a big name.
Hi Billyboy
Thanks for responding. I wonder a bit about the normative data used for benchmarking too. The doctor seemed surprised that my scores were so low. I dont have severe scarring by any means. I will say that my skin seems irritated for some reason. I started using a bleaching cream last week, but discontinued because it seemed to be breaking me out. Maybe this irritation skewed the results. Or maybe my skin just IS that bad!
Im sorry to hear about your back. Ive been suffering from back pain recently and am going to a chiropractor, but it is still limiting my activity. I can only imagine what you go through on a daily basis. Hope you sued his pants off.
Chrissy
I do ok with pain meds and steroid epidural injections, so I have it better than many. I may need another decompression/fusion surgery, so I don't want to piss off docs (spine surgery is small community). There is cap on noncomp medical malpractice claims in CA that makes it hard to sue, unless there is wrongful death and the like. I have filled in complaint form, but have not sent it in yet as to the UCSF surgeon, whom I strongly suspect operated on me becasue he had an academic study underway (I was not a WC case) and he also needed fusion patients to teach the "Fellows in training" how to peform the biggest surgery in orthopedics/neuro spine surgery.
He was treating me for back pain, which remained after surgery, so I ended up with a nerve injury down my leg and less flexibility but the same nagging pain. My most recent surgery eliminated that back pain when it removed an arthritic ligament and facet joint, but I still have lots of butt/leg pain. Had this surgery been done 10 years ago, I would have been way better off. Thank God for meds!
My problems stem from sports/overuse (he did not casue it), but he hurt my cause, rather than help it. Don't count on legal system to fix medical errors, especially in CA. Same thing can happen tryng to fix acne scars, (I have had one bad experience, but others have been good). Best recourse is to file complaint with licensing boards as malpractice claim is very dicey. Even better, make sure you get optimal treatment by an expert, who has your best interests in mind.
Ack! Just got back from my VISIA consultation. What an amazing machine. Cant say Im all that thrilled with the results. They only did the right side of my face since thats the side thats exposed to the most UV rays (driving in the car).It also happens to be the side with the worst scarring.
Drumroll please...wrinkles: 99%, spots: 29%, pores: 2% (!!!), texture: 5% (!!!!).Obviously a lot of room for improvement. What must my skin have been before the fraxels I underwent???
The doctor was great. I kind of wish I had started out with them instead of driving 2 hrs to see Rapaport. They spent over an hour during the consultation with me, going over the analysis and trying to determine the best course of action. Of course, since its impossible to know what results fraxel has yielded thus far, its impossible to estimate whether further treatments would benefit me.
SIGH.
ChrissyC, I remember you were from CT and so am I. I am just wondering where you went for your most recent consultation that made you regret having driven so far for each appointment before. I am about to have a baby (3 more weeks) and was originally planning on having Fraxel done soon after the baby was born (that's probably crazy thinking) but I know that I can't be gone all day having these treatments once a month. I was originally looking at a doctor in Guilford, CT but that's a bit far for me to drive. There is another clinic in Glastonbury which is a bit closer and may be more do-able for me. Would you mind letting me know where you just went for a consultation? Thanks!!!