Itchy skin after Fraxel laser

cmc: Oh, my goodness... I feel so badly for you and your difficulties! Hopefully, the doc will be able to remedy things, and you can get back on the fast track to recovery! Please let me know how it goes when you have a moment? My itchiness has subsided for the most part today after I discontinued use of the products in the PCA follow-up kit. Still fairly red (moreso than what I would consider "sunburned"-looking), but a definite improvement over yesterday. Take care, heal well, and rest! -allie

allie-made out well at the dr's today,scar like mark above my lip was ok and just to keep aquaphor on it. He said redness was normal - I think I went in to this a little naive, I tought a week and I'll be fine, i didn't feel like answering a ton of questions from people about what I had done, but oh well.... definetly have to go back to work tomorrow! Took a Benadryl, itching is much better. He also gave some samples of Pramosone lotion which will help with itching and redness Keep me posted on your recovery, as I will cmc

CMC, just wondering how you are doing today.

CMC - I'm glad your doc said everything was ok at this point. You echoed my sentiments precisely when you stated you felt you "went into this a little naive"... and how! I'm fortunate enough to be a telecommuter, but I certainly feel your pain in having to go back to work looking "less healed" than you thought you would at this point. :-( I have only occasional itching now... random & minimal for the most part. (yay!). My redness has subsided a lot - even since yesterday. I can't detect any substantial tightening of my eyes or lower facial contours yet, but I suppose that will take some time. As long as the worst is behind me, I think I can hang in there! ;-) Here's hoping you made it through the workday ok, and are feeling much better today - physically AND psychologically! -allie

Allie Glad you are doing well. Work was ok,put on mineral makeup and looked ok - just like i had a sunburn. I don't notice any tightening either just yet. As I said before i was most concerned with the loose skin under my chin and neck. The skin on my neck does look and feel much smoother. As far as how much tightening I get, we'll see. I know the neck has a lot to do with the platysmus muscle. I'm also getting a slight jowly look so I hope that is much improved, time will tell! Talk to you soon

CMC - Might I ask which mineral makeup you used, and whether you used liquid or powder? Do you still have any flaking? I keep getting these random bruise-like areas in various places on my face... they actually look more like hickeys (LOL), go figure. Have you experienced any of that? Hoping today is your best yet... allie

Hi Allie, I used Young Blood liquid foundation, the loose minerals did not do the job. i have not experienced any bruise-like areas but i did have more flaking today than yesterday and still some itching. I think I must have still been swollen yesterday, as today my face is back to where it was before trt. I liked the way it looked with a little swelling! I really do hope that there are progressive results with the tightening and that I do not regret not having done a lower face lift. We'll see... Let me know how you are doing cmc

Hi, cmc. I have been following your posts and am very interested in what your results are. I am most likely going to have the procedure the 1st week of June. A part of me is wondering if it wouldn't be better to have a lower face lift as well, but I also want the improvement in the under eye area as well as around the mouth. Repair's claim to fame is that it treats all these areas. I hope you are going to see the results you want some time in the near future. I will be rooting for you! Please keep your posts coming, and lots of good wishes for you.

CMC - Glad to hear your swelling is gone (as is mine), but I know what you mean about liking the look with a little swelling... I feel the exact same way! (Guess the swelling plumped up the fine lines and such! *g*). Hopefully, it's just temporary, but the hollows under my eyes look MUCH worse than they did pre-procedure... I look as though I have undereye DITCHES! :-( The scar from my previous brow lift still looks better, but other than some residual pinkness, I can't tell a lot of difference today overall. I'm trying my best not to get discouraged, but if there are not progressive/eventual results, then I'll have to say I'll be disappointed. Guess I'll just watch and wait for now, and see what my doc has to say at my follow-up appointment tomorrow. Young Blood is what they recommend (and sell, of course) at my derm's office, too. I've never tried it, but I'm planning to purchase some tomorrow. Thanks so much for all your help... I look forward to keeping up with your progression, too! -allie

Hi, cmc. I have been following your posts and am very interested in what your results are. I am most likely going to have the procedure the 1st week of June. A part of me is wondering if it wouldn't be better to have a lower face lift as well, but I also want the improvement in the under eye area as well as around the mouth. Repair's claim to fame is that it treats all these areas. I hope you are going to see the results you want some time in the near future. I will be rooting for you! Please keep your posts coming, and lots of good wishes for you.

Hi Allie, I think you'll like Young Blood , I got mine at hair salon. Use it with a cosmetic sponge, works much better. I have to say the hollows under my eyes looks much better. Hopefully will stay that way. At first I thought it was becasue my cheeks were so swollen. I have "hollows" under my cheek bones and with the swelling they were GONE. My dr told me that fraxel would not help with those, only fillers or fat taken from another part of the body. I'm trying to be positive as all the literature says results are progressive, can take up to 3-6 months. I think we all want to see instant results! My son came home from college today and told me iI looked much better last time he saw me!!! My follow-up is tomorrow also, will let you know how I make out cmc

Hi Jackster, Today, I was saying to myself that I should have done the lower face lift, but have to keep reminding myself that the results are progressive. I defintely see an improvemnt under my eyes and above my lip, although today one lip line seems to be showing up ever so slightly.. My skin is starting to feel baby soft, although I really didn't have too much of an issue with my skin texture or tone, just want some TIGHTNESS. The neck is my biggest complaint and I do have to say the skin texture on my neck has improved greatly but no tightening yet. Good luck to you - will keep you updated on my results cmc

CMC - Thanks so much for your continually helpful posts... you're a gem! I had Sculptra and Juvederm for facial contouring last year, and was pleased with the results. My hollowing was minimal (according to my cosmetic surgeon, anyway), but I'm told those are used to successfully correct even severe facial wasting (such as that seen in HIV patients). Those fillers made a BIG improvement in my nasiolabial folds, too. I have had analagous (sp?) fat transfers, too - in my lips - and was totally unimpressed... apparently, my body "absorbed" most of the transferred fat within 2 weeks. A VERY painful and expensive procedure for so little ROI in my case. :-( I had a little "pity party" for myself last night (I can be such a dork! *lol*), but am feeling much better today. Hopefully, that will continue after my follow-up with the doc today... I'm anxious to hear what HE thinks of the results at this point. He truly does seem to be an honest, up-front, objective kinda guy. I'll look forward to your post-appointment update, and will offer the same after I have mine this afternoon. Thanks again for everything! -allie

Hi Allie,Hope your visit with the dr went well today. I saw mine also and he was Very pleased and he a very honest and up-front dr also.I am still red but he said it was much improved from when i saw him on mon. He took pictures on Mon and when I saw them, then I could really see the difference. thanks for your comments about the fillers, i just don't know if i could keep up with the expense of them as i already do in my naso labial folds and it does get costly and i'm sure it would take quite a bit of filler to fill my hollows!!! I saw your post to Christine and I agree with you about the Epidermal Repair, it does work well, What are you using for a moisturizer? Let me know how you made out today cmc

CMC - Thanks for the update on your progress... I'm so glad your doc is pleased at this point. My doc was very pleased with my results thus far as well... so much so, he actually called in another doctor and a P.A. to have them look/comment/discuss. (awkward! *lol*). They all seemed impressed, so I suppose I should be, too? LOL Most of my redness has subsided now, and I am more "pink" than red. He said the pinkness would become less apparent every week, but I may have SOME for as long as 6-7 weeks. As long as it's no more pink than it is now, I don't believe it'll bother me. He actually had one of the techs do a light makeup application on me using the YoungBlood liquid mineral foundation, and you were right... it seems to be a very good product. I did purchase some - along with the powder. That was my first time post-procedure wearing ANY makeup (except for a little MAC brow gel to help fill in the sparseness where the laser robbed me of some eyebrow hairs), and while it did look nice, it was actually a little bizarre NOT looking sunburned! ;-) I am very happy with the SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair. I have "cut back" to using it only at night, except around my eyes and on my neck... still morning & night there. I am moisturizing with 'Amazing Day Cream' from the Perfect Complexion line by Julie Robbins. Jules does all her own compounding & bottling, and I have found ALL her products to be both pure AND potent. I've actually been using her Bio Identical Hyaluronic Protein for about 4 years now... that, and her Royal Jelly/HA serum are among my faves. I am also using Creme de la Mer on my neck at night, after applying the SkinCeuticals. Discussed all this with my doc yesterday, and he said that sounded fine to him and was obviously producing excellent results. He told me he could not stress enough the importance of hydration & moisturizing, and I guess that makes perfect sense. Might you tell me which filler(s) you have in your nasolabial folds, and how long your results generally last? I have experience with both Sculptra & Juvederm in my NL's... Juvederm seems to last a bit longer for me, but I get good results from either. I am supposed to participate in a 'trial' for Evolence in June, but am not sure if I'll do before seeing some feedback from others. Have a great day, and thanks for keeping us abreast of your progress! -allie

Hi Allie, So happy you are doing so well. I am going to check out the products you mentioned from Perfect Complection. Regarding your comment from your dr about moisturinzing and hydration has me thinking. I'm defintely doing well with the hydration part, but being back at work and with makeup on I'm not moisturinzing till I get home which I don't know if it's enough? Regarding fillers, I tried Restalyn and about three months into it I entered a trial for Juvederm and did not nedd to repeat it until 1 yr later. but I think there was probably some Restaly left. I've been told that Restalyn helps with collagen production. I did Juvederm 6 mos ago and still looks good, Have you ever tried facial exercies? Talk to you soon cmc

Hi Allie, I've been checking out Juilie Robbins line. Do you think I should get the Amazing Day Creme and Bio-Identical Hyulronic Protien to start? May be add Royal Jelly later? Also how long would 1oz last of the Hyulronic - it sounds pretty potent and lasts quite some time? I'm very impressed with the fact that there are no preservatives in her products. How are you doing today? My redness has GREATLY improved more pink now. cmc

Allie, Are you doing ok? You usually pos t every day! cmc

CMC - Thanks SO much for your concern... didn't mean to worry you. All is fine here, and though there have been no readily noticeable improvements since my last update, neither have I encountered anything adverse. I suppose it's still just a matter of patience (not one of my more prominent virtues - haha!) from here forward. Definite overall improvement already... just mostly subtle thus far. Anything noteworthy on your progression? Thanks again for your updates, advice, support & concern. -allie

CMC - I think you will be pleased with Julie's products... there's nothing like personal visible results to make a believer out of ya! You obviously did your research, and if I were only getting two products from Jules, they would definitely be the Hyaluronic Protein & the Amazing Day Cream. I get the 2oz bottles of HA, and one generally lasts me about 4 months. (It really does take only a few drops to do a compress). I guess it's safe to assume, then, a 1oz. bottle would last at least a couple of months. Great value, IMO. If you decide to use them, be sure to let me know what you think! I've been pink (as opposed to red) for 3, maybe 4 days now, and it's much easier to handle, isn't it? :-) When I'm wearing the YoungBlood liquid foundation you recommended (thanks!), I don't even look pink at all except in really bright sunlight. We're leaving for Bermuda next Saturday, and I'm stocking up on industrial-strength facial sunblock, Heliocare, and adorable huge-brimmed hats!

CMC - I don't know how much is "enough" moisturizing; since I've finished the peeling, I've pretty much been just going by whether my face feels tight or pached or rough. As I mentioned before, I still do the Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair on my eyes and neck morning AND night, and full-face at night only. I do Jules' Amazing Day Cream on my face, and Creme de la Mer on my neck for day. My neck is actually drier than my face, but my neck never actually peeled... did yours? My doc told me on Thursday that was normal, and that my neck would likely be drier for longer. (?) Thanks for the info on your experience with fillers. I canceled the Radiesse appointment, and will re-visit the whole filler issue in a couple of weeks or so. I've never done any facial exercises... are there some that have worked for you? Thanks again! -allie

Hi Allie, I just saw your other post from this am - I don't know how I missed it, usually i get notification on my email? It's odd how these don't post in order - Anyways, I am going to try Julie Robbin's products although she does state not to use them with any other line - do you adhere to this? I am going to Fla Thurs thru Tues. I too bought 65SPF from derm and some wide brim hats althought to be honest, I don't look so great in hats. I usually wear visosrs. I've been walking around my neighborhood with my dog in a wide brim straw hat and lots of comments!!! Oh well.... I came across this website www.cynthiarowland.com re facial exercises, it's interesting.. One of my patient's was telling me a while ago about one of her friend's that does them faithfully and how fabulous she looks. Talk to you soon cmc

cmc, where are you going to be in Florida, if you don't mind me asking? Summer has arrived here in the Sunshine state so wear the hats even if you hate them as I do. :)

Hi Jackster, I will be in Fla from May 22 till the 27th. I will be in Naples. I WILL wear the hats, but i am defintely NOT a hat person!! cmc