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How long did your Fraxel side effects last?

By pete on 03 Sep 2008

I had co2 fraxel laser 5 days ago and am bright red. I believe I have peeled all the skin off, but now I notice my skin is not porus and is rough. Will it soften over time? How long do these side effects last?

Comments (46)

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Kimba116 30 Oct 2008
I had a fraxel treatment on my face just over 5 months ago. My skin broke out a lot and I had bronzing and peeling. Eventually my skin settled down, BUT still to this day I can see the fraxel pinpoints in my skin. I know these "holes" are supposed to be microscopic, but I can definitely see them. Have you ever heard of this before, and will they EVER heal???
Kateo 3 Oct 2011
did your breakouts have oil in hem or was it just bumps? i have bumps that i never had before and im freaked oout that they may stay this way!!!
mistakeofmylife 30 May 2012
I have them also after 7 months
Lmcollis (unregistered guest) 21 Jan 2009
I am 2 weeks post fraxel. The initial bronzing has peeled, but I still have fine raised bumps that feel like rough skin. I am afraid that the "microscopic" holes in my skin have healed into these bumps. Has anyone had this experience? Will they eventually go away?
awalk 28 Jan 2009
If it hasn't gone away in 5 months it most likely will not...Have you asked your doctor what it is??
awalk 28 Jan 2009
Did you do the Vinager/Water soaks?
Kateo 3 Oct 2011

How do you do vinegar water soaks? Please help!

emo (unregistered guest) 12 Feb 2009
Did you try the vinegar water soaks for the little bumps it could be hyperkeratosis or Hyper granulation and can occur as part of the skin's defense against inflammation, infection, the radiation of sunlight or irritating chemicals?
veronikasss 17 Mar 2009
i've done a co2 fraxel about 12 days ago, and yes i can (in some parts on my cheeks) see the pinpoints of the fraxel-is this normal? also i got itchy today on the side of my temples and i scartched (not thinking) and i guess the holes opened up?:S is this bad?
VSL 20 Mar 2010
Hi, I am curious how you are healing now that it is aboout a year out. I got the fraxel co2 laser, and I think I went with one of the experts in the field-I certainly paid enough. But I have had some complications. I am about three and a half weeks out. I have had a few issues- first hives, and now hyperpigmentation so I am putting on Epiquin micro (hydroquinine) a bleaching cream. My biggest and most recent concern are those visible needle marks in my skin. My doctors says he doesnt see them (how convenient), and that they were probably there before. Will this go away? When I pull the skin, the holes seem to dissapear and I am very thin so I thought maybe sculptra or a filler would help. Can you advise? Did yours go away? Thanks, Val:)
awalk 14 Apr 2009
Did you try the vinegar water soaks (capful to 16ounce warm water)) for the little bumps it could be hyperkeratosis or Hyper granulation and can occur as part of the skin's defense against inflammation, infection ect.. Hyper granulation tissue will delays the onset of epithelialisation or the proper healing underneath and cause permanent change in texture(holes) after a period of time..... I am not a doctor...But I think the soaks followed with TNS Recovery Serum to help the cells reconnect followed with moist environment will help dramatically and prevent it from being permanent.... This is my personal Theory based on research without medical experience so ask your doctor... TNS Recovering is $150 ounce but well worth it for this kind of issue.. Time is of the essence!!!!! I love Revale Coffee berry night cream....Best antioxidants,,,NO irritation helps inflamation and redness overnight without steriods... Your doctor should be able to recognize abnormal over or under healing phases or prolonged inflamation that can lead to hyperpigmentation and treat it..... Desonide lotion prescription is good if you have prolonged swelling.....And are prone to hyper pigmentation... But you must demand he take a look don't let the nurse tell you it's irritated ect....It needs to be Treated Accordingly to get a good balance for proper wound healing.... Good luck
sandy lee 27 Mar 2012
how are the vinegar soaks done?
awalk 3 May 2009
Not if you keep it clean to avoid infection... Try not to touch your face with things that are not sterile... I personally would not share towels ect unless they were washed on sanitary mode..... Dry your face with papertowels....Until you are fully healed...
Michael A. Persky, MD 31 Jul 2009

Bright red and still swollen are par for the course five days after Fraxel re:pair laser treatment. Of course everyone is a little different so some patients heal quicker, others more slowly. To be on the safe side, you should definitely consult with your treating physician to make sure that you are not having an allergic reaction, or inflammatory reaction. Another factor in the healing process is how aggressive the Fraxel repair laser treatment was. The skin is often rough and appears and feels thicker sometimes for a week or two, particularly on the neck. After 5 to 7 days, Jane Iredale make-up provides excellent concealment of the redness. The skin is dry so it is important to use moisturizer in large quantities. Be patient and the redness will diminish to pink at around 7 days, and then will progressively fade over the next few weeks. Fortunately the side of effect of looking years younger should last for 10 years. I hope that the remainder of your healing goes well and rapidly. Be well.

View answers from Michael A. Persky, MD
shunter 9 Jan 2012
Was wondering if it is normal to still be very dark pink 6 wks. after having fraxel laser done quite aggressively around my eyes & mouth? I never wore make-up before & now have to wear it quite heavy to cover the pink/redness. What is the longest this could last? Will it ever go away? Thanks for your time!
Ter 7 Aug 2009
I had Co2 fraxel the day before yesterday and today I am even more swollen than yesterday. Dr. said she did me at 60 which is aggressive. My face is about twice it's normal size plus I have watery pockets of swelling on my eyelids that were not done. Should I be concerned that the swelling is increasing? I am not in pain.
awalk 8 Aug 2009
Ter you need to post your question under ask the doctors......
Chrisitne 21 Oct 2009
Wanted to let you know that Angie Walker (awalk on realself), who has helped so many people through fraxel disasters, passed away Friday night from a brain aneurism. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
anonymous33 29 Oct 2009
Wow, that is crazy about Angie Walker. Go to God, Angie. What a sweet and caring person she was, and you can tell just by reading her posts on this site. My heartfelt condolances go out to her family.
cjones 30 Nov 2009
I have had fraxel laser under my eyes about 7 months ago and still have redness under my eyes shaped like a half moon. I look horrible and have to wear alot of concealer that doesn't help that much. Dr. said 2 months ago that I look fine...It looks horrible...Will this ever go away? I have tried everything..even emu oil, vitamin k..vinegar soaks...HELP!
shunter 9 Jan 2012
cjones, did your redness under your eyes ever go away? I had fraxel done 6 wks. ago & am experiencing the same problem. I never wore make-up before & now I am having to cover up the redness with thick heavy make-up. I hope this is only temporary & was wondering if yours ever went away?
cjones 15 Feb 2012
shunter, yes after about 1 year the redness went away..Im now very sensitive to products I apply under my eyes...I have found I can use dermalogica ..and it works great w/o any sensitivity
allegraw 1 Apr 2012

Did your doctor try and tell you this was normal? Im three weeks out and also have thre red moons under my aeyes. I so upset that she never mentioned this would happen. I was told Id have a weekend to stay in the house then Id be okay.

Caro63 10 Apr 2012
Hi, I am six weeks out from Fraxel Re:pair. I too have prolonged redness. My skin type is fair, so I have been prepared for longer duration of the pinkness. The worst bit is definitely under the eyes - two distinctive half moons of pinkness with my normal pale skin colour just below that - and the rest of my face matches the under eye pink. Almost impossible to disguise unless I use several layers of mineral makeup, which I am loathe to do.

I have started using hydrocortisone cream 1% on the half moons under the eyes, given that I could feel a slightly raised texture to them a few days back. Am already finding that the raised texture is disappearing and will continue to use it for a full week to see whether it reduces the pinkness. Any further ideas appreciated, folks!
Caro63 3 May 2012
Update on erythema from me. Still quite pink, with the clear demarcation links between my pale complexion and the lasered skin. I think that the hydrocortisone helped with thickened skin but won't use it again around the eyes in case of over-thinning. Am taking antihistamine each day and I have stopped using rosex cream provided by my dermatologist because it seemed to aggravate the redness. Bottom line? My facial skin continues to be pink and the pinkness has not diminished noticeably in the last couple of weeks. Will the pinkness go away eventually? Does it ever stay permanently?

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