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What was your Fraxel experience? Forum discussion

By Tom at RealSelf on 17 Feb 2010

A number of community members have asked for common place to have a discussion about fraxel experiences, beyond the fraxel reviews and fraxel repair reviews reviews. Please share your opinions.

View 8 doctor answers to Fraxel Laser Treatment Results

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Cherry Lane 27 Feb 2010

It has come to my attention that several other women are struggling with their negative results from laser. I previously posted how difficult it is for ones who have been devastated to come forward to tell their story. The thought of others suffering through the ordeal that my daughter Angela did brings me even more sorrow. How can we help? We need to have a safe haven for the UNHAPPY with there results to turn too. Possibly a place to post and share their pain and thoughts without being judged or ridiculed for their choice of words to express their pain. I KNOW what it is like to see someone grasp for ANYTHING and HOPE and resolution to be able to function and move forward in there distress. They need to hear positive reinforcement that there is treatment and options for there injuries. They need to be heard and have there feelings validated with unbiased and heartfelt strength from others. To understand the degree of suffering and emotions and physical pain that one must endure in this journey goes far beyond just posting on a site. It is a sad sad world when someone who has breast cancer and a mastectomy/ lumpectomy is welcomed (as they should be) to many different forms of support groups. They are told they can do this... they can get through this. There illness from chemo and radiation are accepted by society and rallied by millions for a cause. It is ok to speak of this in public.... Have a bumper sticker on your car.... Wear a t-shirt in support of this. But we have women who are maimed and disfigured living in hell and torture that are SICK and emotionally ready to give up. Where is their support? The loneliness of sitting in your home day after day ..Month after month.. Year after year to realize.... NO ONE is listening to your pain and anguish. You see it every day in the mirror and cry for your lost identity every night. Where are the support groups for us? Must we suffer in silence for the rest of our life ALONE? Does anyone care? Will there EVER be a support group that society will embrace that will give these women the nurturing/ faith/hope and salvation that they very much need and deserve. The pain needs to stop and the suffering alone needs to end. If anyone needs to be heard or just scream from anger.... This option should be there for them. We need to remove the social stigma that compels these tragedies to be grouped into the OH WELL that is what they get for being so vain or wanting to be young! This is a very REAL DISEASE that deserves the attention of the public and the understanding of the medical field that if they are the cause of this suffering on others ... they should at the very least offer a safe haven for victims that are injured. I offer my support in any way even if it is just listening and understanding you pain. KNOWING what you are going through and being sympathetic to your desperate cries for help and understanding. I am here for you and feel free to call me at anytime. I may only be one, but sometimes this is all you need to make a difference in giving up or moving forward. My number is {edited}. Someone truly does care about YOU and the solutions for your care and treatment...after the fact. Sincerely Cherry Lane

Edited by Sharon: Please share contact details via private message.
Cherry Lane 16 Mar 2010
Just wanted to write a note of encouragement to others who have been devasted by unhappy results of lasers. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the freedom to grieve for what you have lost. Validate your feelings and justify your emotions. Do not self destroy yourself mentally and physically. Continue to research for help and let others KNOW what works for you and what does not. It may be something very simple (vinegar soaks) that may soothe pain or help another. Support AFTER the fact is imperative. No one should suffer alone and deal with this alone. Continue to post your emotions/ fear/ consultations/ results. With out communication we are lost and will continue to hide from our self shame. This is not about vanity ..it is about HEALTH..... maintaining it and seeking alternatives for our skin.... the largest organ of our body. To share our information is the best tool for recovery we have. Use it.. Welcome it and find peace in KNOWING you are not in this alone. Please know I think and pray for every one who has been hurt. We can and will make a difference in the medical technology that has run amuck and maimed and burned many innocent VICTIMS. It is just a matter of time before the curtain drops on this farce of HEALTH treatment. Stay Strong and FIGHT... You are not alone. Sincerely, Cherry Lane
1972Amy 30 Mar 2010
Hello Cherry Lane, I had Fraxel one year ago and am having complications. My skin look awful and is scarring. I am having a hard time finding someone to help me. Does anyone know of a doctor specializing in laser damage? Is there a device that can be used to look at the dermis? Thank you.
Cherry Lane 1 Apr 2010
HELLO AMY.... I am not sure of a doctor that specializes in laser damage. I knnow there is a website that is called Ipl damage support that may help you. I am so very sorry this has happened to you. Many women have been scarred and burned by this procedure and it seems the help to support and correct this situation is still lacking in the general public. So many Doctors and clinics rush to do the procedure but have no follow up if the results are not as expected.... and to go back to the same Doctor that injured you is scary to say the least. Where do you live? Do you have photos of before and after? I am sure they have technology that can measure the extent of your damage. First and foremost don't beat yourself up over this and don't let it depress you. Try to see a solution to this and have faith that it CAN be resolved....KNOW that you are not alone in this and MANY have had the same results. Use all support methods possible and continue to seek knowledge in your search for repair. My daughter was burned and and suffered from depression and I KNOW what you are feeling. Contact your Doctor and get your records and photos.....has he/she offered any resolutions? The support group IPL damage has information that may be more helpful. Be strong and have faith and KNOW you have emotional support. Prayers and well wishes are being said for you. Sincerely, Cherry Lane awalks mom
jewels2010 13 Apr 2010
I have been wanting to post this, and finally decided it's time. I had a fraxel done in September of 2009 (7 months ago). I'm 35 years old and had sun damage on my face that I was hoping to get rid of. If I could go back and undo that day, I would. It was horrible, in every way possible. I want people to read this and really think about what they are getting themselves into. First, the pain from the procedure was excruciating (even with numbing gel). The next day, my face swelled up like a balloon, a purply-red balloon--my eyes were almost closed from the swelling it was so severe. Throughout the day, tiny blisters began forming all over my face (about 10 billion of them!) I couldn't leave the house for a week because they began to pop and scar over. My face was so scary-and there was a clear line of demarcation on my jawline where they stopped the Fraxel. I was putting antibiotic cream on my face every day and took Valtrex to ward off any cold sores. It took about a month and a half for the blisters to clear up completely. No matter how much makeup I wore, people would still comment and ask if I'd done something like gone suntanning and gotten burned severely. Even today, 7 months later, I still have that line of demarcation on my jawline. My face is still a ruddy color and makeup still doesn't completely cover. And I still have all of my sun damage from before. The Fraxel didn't do anything good whatsoever for my skin. The doctor stated that I needed to get a series of 3-5 to get the full benefit.??? Benefit of what??? I am currently researching ways to make my skin look normal again, and will update if I find anything that helps. My advice to those out there considering is to look into other options that have more long-term favorable outcomes. I would take back that day that I had this Fraxel damage done if I could.
Cherry Lane 14 Apr 2010
Hi jewels2010..... I am so sorry this has happened to you and I know how devastated you are as I went through all the pain and suffering with my daughter when she had a fraxel treatment go wrong for her. She spent the last two years of her life researching and finding ways to correct the damage to her face and to make the public aware that this can and does happen more thanthe Doctors and manufacturers of these machines want people to know. They cover there tracks and hide behind loopholes saying it was approved by the FDA. This is not going to change what has happened to you but maybe recovering part of your money to get a lawyer would be a start. Do you have photos of before and after......get your medical records ASAP before they can change anything or OOPS can't find them. Most of all don't beat yourself up over the fact you made a decision to self improve and you did not get the results as promised. DON'T take NO for an answer. Does the Doctor seem sympathetic or are they just wanting to sell you more treatments? DOCUMENT everything and every conversation and resolution they offer. Most of all realize that the damage looks worse to you than it does to most people as this is the first thing YOUR eyes see when you look in the mirror. KNOW that you are not in this alone and many are coming forward and being heard. I have a file full of research and doctors my Angie went to for repair and was looking at stem cell research and fat grafting. She died being obsessed and devastated over what this procedure did to her....it took her life away and she became a recluse and depressed to the point she could not function on a day to day basis. This is why I will fight for her cause and help anyway I can for others that this has happened too. Just your voice letting others know what happened to you can make a difference in this happening to another. Be strong..have faith and continue your research to get your face fixed.... don't give up. I am very proud you are speaking out. There is a support group for damage called IPL damage. Hope this helps. Cherry Prayers and well wishes.
Sats 24 Mar 2011
Dear Cherry, I too am a victim. I only wish I could have communicated wtih Angie. I put posts on line about the problems Laser did to me. I thought i was the only one. I had it done 4 yrs ago on March 27. I remember that date because it was like a death to me. My death. I had Erbium Laser, I was left with scars around the scars, dents, pigment change & red for months after. I kept telling the doctor what was happening & finally he saw me. He walked out of the office saying i had them before! He left me to fed for myself. I went to so many doctors for help but after seeing my face they didn't want to touch me. Finally I found a doctor one who would help. He is a laser specialist. Only deals with lasers, nothing else. He's been trying different types of lasers, affirm, perfecta, smoothbeam etc. he's taking it slow. Lately I've tried needling, peels & emu oil. I know how Angie felt. I stay in my home, mainly the bedroom, hate going in my kitchen because of the overhead lights.You could be dressed to the nines but when your skin is bad you feel ugly. I lost 30 lbs & am on meds for anxiety. Waking up every day is a nightmare. Friends & family don't understand but when they get one little mark on their face it's like the waters parted. I am so so sorry about Angie. She was a beautiful woman. I have so much stress I feel like I could have a stroke or heart attack. I am not the person I used to be. Thank you so much for doing this, I needed to hear others know how i feel. I just wish I could have talked to Angie. I didn't know they had this site, i would post mine under resurfacing or fraxil. I too saw the stem cell articles but i'm not too hopeful about anything anymore. I also wrote the Dr who has a "skin gun". Found out it's only for burn victems. So weird when i do go out, i never notice anyone whith bad skin, at least not as bad as mine. I think we all stay home & hide. I have an appt next week & I'll let you know what he suggest & how it works to help others. Again so sorry, i feel her pain. PS. I kept writing the doctor who did this to me & after a year of documenting my results he gave me my money back. Big woop, i need my life back. Keep strong & keep in touch. I will keep checking back & post my results with what i do.

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