I'm surprised this has such low ratings. I've had great results and about 70% improvement in scarring with 11 sessions of the Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 laser over the past few years. Background: I have thick oily skin, with rolling and boxcar scars from teenage cystic acne. I use prescription strength retinol nightly (Tazorac 0.1% gel) to keep my skin clear, however despite clear skin, there was still plenty of scarring and in the sunlight my skin texture looked worse than an orange peel. I had heard that Fraxel dual was the gold standard for getting rid of acne scarring and despite some poor reviews took the plunge and it was the best decision I've made in my life. I do around 3-6 sessions per year (the max # of sessions you can do is 6 a year) and paid about $570 for each session because my local provider had a package discount. I logged my experience with the settings and recovery for reference below. Most of the sessions were administered on the highest setting (70 MJ) because I have light, thick skin and thus can handle it. I really didn't see much results before hitting this highest setting, so if you have similar skin type I would highly recommend being as aggressive as possible in these sessions. Recovery took about 5-7 days for me to get rid of swelling and crustiness (as in I stopped looking like a red lobster blowfish hybrid monster and can leave the house again with full coverage makeup). Full recovery with skin being back to normal (no redness, no peeling) and where I can wear light makeup normally again is about 21 days. I found using aquaphor helped greatly in speeding up restoring the skin's barrier. To get rid of flakes and molting I resumed my prescription retinol tazorac immediately the night of the treatment and it helps drastically as well (note this is generally not a recommended approach - most doctors advise stopping retinol 2 weeks before and resuming 2 weeks after, but I chose to not follow this because I know my skin can handle it. And I got really good results.) The only negative I can think of is that the actual treatment is quite painful. My nurse does 4 horizontal and 4 vertical passes and on the highest setting, even with numbing cream, every single pass feels like the sharp side of a heated knife mildly scraping against my skin. But it goes by quickly if you think about other things. No pain no gain right? Fraxel Log 2014 October ' 55 MJ: Lots of pustules, took a long time to heal November?? : no pustules; lots of redness many weeks after 2015 November ' 55 or 60 MJ: no pustules, took ~ 6 days December ' 60 MJ: took 5-6 days 2016 November ' 65 or 70 MJ ' most dramatic improvement but very dry and flaky in the healing process December ' 70 MJ ' healing took shortest time; laser pressed lightly. But had red patch and peeling skin near nasolabial fold for weeks after 2017 May ' 70 MJ: This is the 3rd day but my face texture seems so smooth, like normal skin. It used to be really rough, dry, coarse and flaky, even when I use tazorac religiously following the session. June ' 70 MJ ' I would say my skin is 70% smooth now. In darker lighting/shadows there are still the pits, but I'm hopeful the next few sessions will get rid of that. July ' 70 MJ August ' 70 MJ September ' 70 MJ: skin continues to be smoother with each session. Rolling scars seem to have flattened considerably; the icepick scars look more like big pores now which can be covered with primers (Benefit Porefessional) and setting powder (Tarte smooth operator amazonian clay setting powder)

I had my first treatment in November of 2010; my fifth early December 2011 (exactly one month ago). The only reasons I can assume so many people are having disappointing results are: maybe their doctor (if even a doctor performed the procedure)had no idea what the heck he or she was doing; maybe they have not allowed enough time to for the collagen rebuilding to kick in. Remember this is not a quick fix. I see myself every day and tend to be critical of what my face looks like. On the other hand, my husband and family members have seen subtle improvements since I healed from the first. My friends began to comment on visible smoothing (remember, not perfection) after the third and fourth procedures. I used to photoshop my forehead scars in pictures. Although the scars are still there they less visible and do not show up in a photographs anymore. For me, this is success enough. The true test came when I went to see my dermatologist (although a medical doctor performed my procedure'"with my skin, I would not have it any other way, my dermatologist did not) who I began seeing at age 15. He commented that my Fraxel results 'looked really good.' I told him I was hoping for a 35-50% improvement and he responded, 'Oh, you will definitely get that.' My dermatologist is not a friend, nor a family friend, he is my doctor and has seen my skin at its worst'"he would not lie. I would love to answer any questions or encourage any of you who need it. People, acne scars suck. Acne is from hell. My acne scars were horrible - especially in the temple to cheek 'pork chop'. The comments behind my back were, 'J is very pretty but those acne scars'' I was mauled by acne. Fraxel Re:store is basically the ONLY procedure safe for my tanned skin'"and I am not complaining.

I don't understand why people dont say it works... maybe you need to ask to put it on the highest setting. Well I had two done so far and she said by the third my red marks will be completely gone and then I will prolly need two more for my indented scars. They will never be back to normal but the improvement will be worth it. Maybe people with darker skin it won't work as well for cause they can't put it on too high of a setting?? I'm extremely pale & I have a ton of sun damage living in FL since 16 ...now 23. The cost is $850 full face & $450 just cheeks

You always see lots of negative reviews; but most people wont take the time to write a positive one. This works. I am in my late 30's and have suffered with severe acne since I was 13. When I was 23 I went through Accutane treatments. This brought my acne under control, but never got rid of it. In the last year i began having significant problems and needed to see the Dermatologist again. for the last 7 months i have been on a treatment of Minocin and Stievamycin. This has completely cleared up my skin and i have been "acne free" for 3-4 months. it was time to do something about the years of damage and my MD recommended Fraxel Re-Store. the procedure took approximately 2 1/2 hrs. it was 1 1/2 hrs for the numbing cream to work and then an hour for the procedure. I have heard several people compare the pain to being minor; like a shock. i will tell you it HURTS! perhaps this is because of the level of damage, but i had 8 passes over my entire face at a high level and by the end of it I was coming up off the chair with each pass. That being said, the results show. it has been 4 days and the swelling and redness are down significantly. i am able to go to work and it looks like i spent too much time out in the sun. It itches like crazy, but a good moisturizer helps with the itch. make sure moistureizer is hypo-allergenic and non comedogenic. I have read several others have problems with breaking out after the procedure. i also had a slight breakout of small whiteheads; but i think it was more to do with fluid under the dead top layer of skin. i have been using an antibiotic since the day of the procedure and have not had any more trouble with breakouts. I used pure all natural aloe all over my face constantly for the first two days. do not get an aloe that is green or blue or smells strong. you want a hypo-allergenic aloe with no colors or smell. natural aloe is very good for the skin and wont clog your por

Make sure your doctor has taken top notch classes. My Dr took classes from the inventors... went to a lot of trouble to learn from the best. It paid off!

I was born with beautiful, translucent, fair skin and being a Calif. girl, it was almost impossible to keep out of the sun, resulting in severe sun damage and topped with horrible acne as a teen. 20 yrs ago, I visited a top doc who told me to wait for less invasive technology to become available. A big thank you to that dr. Fraxel IS that technology and nothing comes without a price. Compared to other options for laser skin rejuvination, Fraxel has the least amount of after care issues with the best results. My advice is to be smart and go to the best DOCTOR possible. A Dermatologist preferred. I went to the best and it shows on my face. You get what you pay for, so do your research thoroughly...no technicians, just use a board certified dr that has performed many Fraxels. Most of all, stay out of the sun afterwards. Now, I go to the beach in winter and take walks at night. I'm almost 50 years old and Fraxel has made me look all of 30. It's a fantastic option to repair the skin

Here are tips for getting through fraxel with better results and I promise you this works. This cleared up my after fraxel breakouts and those pin-point bumps in about two days. It makes skin glow and tightens and softens pores and scars. Wash your face with plain baking soda and water. Do not scrub. This will naturally exfoliate the skin as it cleans and balances the ph levels. Next, in a very small bowl put together equal parts of the following: Honey, cinnamon and sea salt, and then just a splash of ORGANIC apple cider vinegar and pure lemon juice. Make a paste and spread it on your face like a mask. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.Rinse face with tepid water and pat dry. Spritz face with Organic Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.Dilute in a little water if it stings.Leave it on the face. Next drink 1 Tbls. Organic ACV in a little water (chase with more water cause its yucky). Do this morn. and night. This works from the inside out. See "earth clinic" on the web for more inf

I had this done because at 37 my hands were already starting to get a crepey (like crepe paper) appearance and had tons of freckles on my fair skin. It was quite costly and definitely painful (needed a Vicodin to complete the hand treatment), but worth it! My skin is smooth, supple and the freckles have faded. I would say make absolutely sure that your physician is qualified to do this procedure. I see some very low prices and it makes me wonder exactly what they did.

I am so happy I did not listen to the bad reviews and took the plunge! It is amazing. After one treatment at level 60, which I was told was the lowest she would go, I can't believe how much better I look. I would say, exept for my deeper acne scars, that I am 40 to 50% better. I don't look like scarface in grey light! Make sure that whoever does this is aggressive and not just taking your money. Also, just to let people know, I got rid of my acne simply by eliminating dairy...If you have cystic acne, look it up!

Shop around, get a few quotes from different Doctors, I found some doctors just wanted to get your money, offering 4 visits and get the 5th one half price... The Laser specialist I am seeing is great, recommending I wait 3 months between treatments as she has seen maximum results this way... I've been twice so far and already I'm seeing big improvemnts, she expects 4 treatments should do it and only charges $400 per treatment...