I have had subcision with fraxel restore twice last winter...
decided to take a more aggressive approach and try a new doctor and try the c02 fractional laser for my full face. He also used another laser I believe it was called broad band just before the fractional.
The pain was far worse than the fraxel but it was still bearable. I refused nerve blockers cause I dont like needles near my beautiful face.
Anyway its been about 2 hours... im red, some bleeding, little to no pain right now but i feel really warm.
Here are some pics:
72 hours after operation. I must have abnormal recovery skills because I didnt expect to look this good just 3 days after... im still pink but nothing compared to what I thought I would be today. I did breakout as you can see but whatever. Final stages of flaking as you can also see.
Im really dry without the lotion they gave me and I havent had swelling since the first day... the cosmetic lines on my forehead are literally pretty much gone. The lines around my mouth (smile lines or whatever you want to call them) are diminished greatly. And the scarring I had on both upper cheeks is really improved. They are still visible but not as deep and ugly lookin. Cant wait to see what it looks like a month and then six months from now.
You really do seem to be healing very well, which can't be a bad thing.