Fraxel Re:Pair results?

I had the Fraxel Re:Pair procedure on Tuesday (day before yesterday), and I was told the results would get even better in the next 3-6 months. That would be awesome, of course, but I am still quite satisfied after only 3 days. I wrote a review of my procedure this morning, but I believe it is still pending approval or something.

Thanks for your reply. Would you mind telling me what areas you were looking to improve as well as how old you are? Were you told that it would tighten your jowls? I look forward to your review of the procedure. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Jackster, I am in no actual pain at all, nor have I been since the procedure. The actual procedure, however, was another story altogether... at least for me. It may be helpful to note I have a low pain threshhold, but even after a Valium & a Lortab, as well as a topical cream applied by my nurse (65 minutes or so before the procedure) AND about 18-20 nerve block shots by the doc, I still found the pain to be horrendous. One of the nurses kept having to remind me to breathe, and I actually asked the doc to give me a moment to catch my breath several times. The first few vinegar soaks stung pretty badly, but that subsides quickly. I HATE the "goopiness" of the Aquaphor all over my face, but today will be my last day of that - hooray! My procedure was performed by Dr. Donald Clemons at Tri-Cities Skin & Cancer in Johnson City, TN. He was wonderful, as was each & every member of his staff. I have been taking a close-up photograph every day, and I would be glad to share those with you if you think it may be helpful at all. I know photos can be posted with reviews, but I look so grotesque (*lol*), I'm not totally comfortable with the idea of posting them for all to see.

Obviously, I was under the drug influence when writing that last post, lots of typos! I had the fraxel May 9th, I still have had no pain at all, BUT- I am extremely swollen and can't imagine getting better my day five at this point. I am red red red. I am 48 years old, and doing the fraxel to help deminish lip lines I began to notice. Hope it works, at this point I am just hoping to look normal again. Will let you know. I was on the steroid cream for 1 1/2 days prior to the treatment.

Wow - your post-procedure photo doesn't look nearly as bad as mine did on day 3... good for you! I hope you will soon return to your lovely self, and will be thrilled with your results! Thanks for keeping me posted. -allie

AliGrace, thanks so much for sharing - Hope your 6th day was better and you have gotten the itching under control! I look forward to hearing more about your recovery especially any post-operative suggestions that you may have! I am 52 years old - fair skinned and have some acne scarring around my chin and jaw lines as well as 'smile lines' - am so hoping that this procedure might be the 'magic bullet' that I have been looking for! I have been been very self-conscious about them all of my life! I have had consultation with at least six dermatologist/plastic surgeons in the past three years. I have had all types of recommendations from a face lift (was told that the stretching of the skin would minimize the acne scarring) to chemical peels....I had four Fraxel treatments and Thermage done in the past 24 months. Saw minimal improvements in the scarring but the overall texture of my skin improved and lines were minimized! With the Fraxel treatments I experienced swelling, redness and flaking for about 5-7 days but would be very interested in seeing your photos, if you don't mind sharing! I had a consultation this past week and am thinking very seriously about having it done! I was told that the Fraxel Re-paire is much more advanced than what I received. Certainly with today's advances, there has to be something!

MB - My itching is much better today - very sporadic & minimal... thank you for your good thoughts! :-) As for post-procedure suggestions, all I can tell you (at this point, anyway) is to follow your doc's post-care instructions to the letter. Make sure you keep your face well-hydrated/moisturized (especially during the first 5 days!), too, so the emerging new skin beneath the "mess" that will likely be your face for a few days will be nice & supple. I have my first post-procedure appointment day after tomorrow, and I will let you know if the doc seems to think I am going to get good results, and whether it appears to him that I cared for my post-op skin as instructed. I will be happy to share my day-by-day progression photos with you; you can send me a direct message (with your e-dress) by clicking on my name or profile photo, then choosing the "send this member a message" (or whatever the exact syntax is) on my profile. Be advised, though, the photos from the first three days are actually quite grotesque. :-( Best of luck to you, dear. Keep us posted on your situation, if you will. -allie

I am scheduled to go in on the 10th of July- I am so glad to read all of this before hand- Please could I get your pictures so I can have something to calm me down. I feel seeing myself in this condition is going to be emotionally and psychologically tramatic. I am 39 and this is the first procedure I have ever done. I would love to see your pictures from today- to see how great you look right now- I have a feeling this is going to effect my social life- how long before you could go out at night for dinner with the girls? Karen

You look lovely. Sorry to say it but I recommend not doing it. If you saw my before and after pictures you most definitely wouldn't do it.

Karen - I'll be glad to send you some of my post-procedure photos if you'd like; the ones from the first few days won't likely calm you down (they are scary!), but I believe they will give you an accurate, realistic idea of what to expect. Your actual day-by-day results may vary, of course, depending upon the settings your doc uses, the condition of your skin pre-procedure, and numerous other factors, I'd guess. I am 39 y/o as well, and though this is definitely not my first cosmetic procedure, I was psychologically unprepared for how I actually looked the first several days. I can only speak for myself, of course, but I was pretty swollen and reddish-purple for at least a week or so, I think. I didn't even attempt any make-up until Day 9, and then, only liquid mineral fondation. I think I may have done a bit of eyeliner and mascara on day 14 or so. (?) Now, my face is only slightly pinkish, and I use very little foundation to even out the random blotchiness. (Either I'm used to it by now (haha!), or it just isn't that noticeable overall anymore). It sounds as though you are doing your research pre-procedure, and I'd bet you'll do fine. Just make certain you are comfortable with your doc and his/her abilities, and that your expectations are realistic. Follow all pre- and post-procedure instructions (of course!), and try to be patient (the most difficult part for me! *s*). Best of luck to you, sweetpea... let us know how it goes if you will. ~allie

Thanks so much, I hope to get rid of the fine lines and wrinkles, I have to say I am a bit scared, after reading all of the posts- I have given myself 10 days to hide out and tend to my wounds- I will follow my instructions to the tee and I am so happy to have communication with others- remember this is an at 6 mo. results procedure, I can wait the 6 months I just hope I dont have to wait it out in my house. I hope to night time date by week two- I dont expect to go outside durring the day till July really- I will sew myself some neat anti sun exposure face wear- people are going to think I am crazy driving down the road.{edited - you can be contacted on the private contact form available to registered users} is my email please send me the photos- I am expecting to look like a swollen, oozy, purple monster for a week- I am sure I will cry a couple times for my old face back and wonder what I have done- as long as in the end its all ok I will be happy either way- without the wrinkles or happy to just look normal again. I am going in on the 9th. Thanks for being here. Karen

Today is day 5 for me & I still have to take the Benedryl for the itching. The purplish redness is pretty much all gone except for a few tiny areas on my high cheeks under my eyes. The itching hasn't been horrendous ........... just there! I keep sort of rubbing my face, not actually scratching it but I still have to keep that Aquaphor on ALL the time & when I rub my itching parts its really gooky. So the Benedryl is a lot better & really effective in relieving the itching. I think my skin looks really good but I'm not over the swelling completely either so it's hard to say if it looks that good from the procedure or from the benefit of the little bit of swelling I still have. The pain was horrible during the procedure & the squeezy balls they gave me helped TONS. Plus I had double the pain meds ...... Vicodin, & Valium & the numbing cream. I had one vicodin & valium an hour before & then shortly before they actually did it I had another one of each pill. The numbing cream was put on about an hour before. I can only imagine how bad it would have been without that double pain med ! It felt like hot sparks on my face with some areas being more tender than others. BUT it doesnt last long & it IS tolerable & I hope the results are worth everything. I had it for beginning jowls & that orange peel look to my chin area. There's no doubt about it that when you drive your whole lower face area is exposed to the sun. And when I used to drive to work for years, I was exposed to that. Plus, whenever I would do my fast walks, the sun visor I used only covered the part of my face from my nose up. So the lower part of my face was what I wanted fixed up by the Re:pair. Edie

Karen - I had minimal wrinkling, but what I did have was mostly around my eye area. I believe it's reasonable to expect all the swelling has gone now (tomorrow will be 4 weeks), and I can definitely see (some) improvement of the wrinkles. Hopefully, the improvements will continue. :-) I think we are all grateful (and fortunate!) to have this forum; it has certainly been a great source of information and support for me. You seem to have a great attitude, and to be making a well-researched, informed decision... that's a fantastic start! Be well... allie

Edie - Thanks for the update... sounds as though you are well on your way to achieving wonderful results! I remember the itching all too well (UGH!), but it IS relatively short-lived. Once you get past the Aquaphor stage, Aveeno Calming Foam Wash and SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair are two SUPER products for lessening the itching and redness. Of course, do ask your doc if these are ok for you... what works for some may not be the best choice for all. Happy healing, and thanks again for keeping us posted! ~allie

Thanks Alie, For the recommendations of the Aveeno Calming wash & the SkinCeuticals E.P. for the redness. I have my 1 week's follow up appt. on Wed & I am going to ask my doctor about them for sure. I have been having to use the Aquaphor all the time because the other option they gave me wasn't moisturizing enough. It just soaked into my skin & it felt like I hadn't put anything at all on it. I had very dry skin to start out with & I think having the procedure done made it even drier, so the only thing that feels good on it for now, is the Aquaphor but I hate how shiny & greasy it feels & it attracts stray hairs onto my face, etc. I hope they give me something else on Wed. I'll be so glad if some of this extreme redness goes away. Edie