How to treat damage caused by Fraxel

Paper Doll 30 Mar 2013

Check out copper peptides by Loren Pickart

Laser2 23 Dec 2012

Dee1016. If I am looking at the correct picture (major spots) then what you have is not damage from fraxel. I can tell you this from both direct experience (and damage) from Fraxel and as the owner of a cosmetic laser center. What I see is actually damage from either pre or post (or both) sun exposure. What most people do not realize is that the age spots we get as we get older are actually causes many years before they show up (10-20yrs in some cases). First off... Fraxel is not a laser. It "emulates" a laser (theres a difference). What has likely happened is the Fraxel has removed skin hiding what you are currently seeing The good news is; there is hope for you. Melanin (color in the skin) reacts well to particular wavelengths of light (in other words you can get rid of it ). There are 2 procedures that will help you. Seek out a physician with a Qswitch laser for color issues. The second is a CO2 Fractional peel or even a deep resurface. Depending on your area both should set you back about $1000-$2500 ea. Most physicians will not do both treatments at once, but you can. The reason for this is both procedures target different cromaphore so it's perfectly safe. Old school physicians just don't have experience with it yet and are affraid to try it. Google Dr. Mullhulland and see what he has to say about it. QSwitch will correct the color, CO2 will resurface the skin, shrink colagen (tighten skin) and stimulate new colagen and cell growth. You'll look 10 yrs younger when you're done. Now... don't expect instant results. Your color will clear up pretty quickly (1-2 skin cycles/ 30-90 days). Full results of the CO2 can take 3-6 months or longer. Be sure to take good before and after pics, one each month without makeup. Fraxel is notorous for causing pitting as it destroys the integrity of the cells. I've seen this before but usually it takes time for this to develop (years). CO2 "Fractional" (not Fraxel) is the procedure that will give you fresh new heathy looking skin. Now... If you're a sun worshiper, smoker, heavy drinker, coffee drinker and you don't drink at least one ounce of water for every pound you weigh every single day... Consider changing your habits or you might as well save your money and learn to live as you are because you won't be happy with the end results (you just won't get much from it). Your skin is all about water. It lives and works on water. Alchohol and caffiene are dieretics and deplete water from your skin. Smoking slows down your immune system and inhibits the delivery of nutrients to the skin. I think it also has a tendency to shorten your life span (wink). If none of these are concerning factors for you... Stay out of the sun for 30 days pre and post laser (no exceptions - be religous about it). The more water you drink the better the results you'll get (use the above as a guide). Good luck hun'. Let us know what happens

dee1016 25 Dec 2012

hi, I don' have any pictures on this page that show damage done by the fraxel. But Inassure you that what I have is damage done by the Fraxel laser. You can literally see the tracks left behind by the swipes done the by the physician that performed the procedure. I don't smoke nor do I drink. I currently live in the state of Washington, where the sunshine is sparse andi drink lots of water. I have tried lots of different creams to help lighten the areas to no avail. The layer of skin beneath is damaged or burned. I've had no improvement but have had more damage surface in the almost three years sincenthe procedure. i have gone to olympia Plastic Surgery and they do perform the QSwitch, I'm just very skeptical and afraid that more damage can be caused by more laser. I use SPF religiously even with minimal sunshine here. I've broken down in tears on more than one occasion because I just don't feel attractive anymore. I look in the mirror and see ugly and I believe this is the first thing people see when they look at me. this is a horrible way to have to feel all because of lack of and mis infomation on the procedure. the pitting shows in some areas and the texture is dry and patchy. thank you for all your input and will do more research on both of the procedures you've mentioned, understandably I'll still be afraid of trying anything else on my face in fear of worsening whats already there. I did ask if they'd do a tet patch with the Qswitch but she just danced around my question. :(

Mis_b 27 Mar 2013

Hi Dee, Everything you stated is exactly what happened to me. You can still see the trail of line marks from the laser. I'm positive the laser was set too high and I only got one treatment. I was setup for four but there was no way I was going to go through with it. I too cry alone and hate looking in the mirror! Have you found a solution after all this time? Has your face healed?

dee1016 28 Mar 2013

Hi Mis_b, Unfortunately, I haven't found a solution and it seems to get worse as time goes on. Wish I could give you some good news. I even went to a plastic surgeon to see if he could suggest a treatment and their is none. He apologized and said that not even a face lift would help because of the positioning of the damage. The anger and anquish I feel when I look in the mirror causes alot of negative emotions on myself. No longer feel attractive and feel that its what people see right away. Ugh..... hate it. I really wish I could slice that part of my skin off in hopes that new skin would come in. :(

Mis_b 28 Mar 2013

I'm so sorry to here that! Bc I feel the same exact way! I'm only 25 and my face is damaged!!! I have friends offering to book me flights to visit them and I refuse bc I know when the makeup comes off it's shocking! I have unbelievable pictures of what it did to my face. I'm so disappointed that the woman who did it just want be honest and say she made a mistake and had it too high. I wish like hell I could have my old skin back. On a more positive note.... I've been using Obagi since and it made it better but once it peeled off it went right back to hyper pigmentation spots where she went too deep. I trusted them bc the same plastic surgerents office did my Rhinoplasty as well. This was the biggest and worse mistake of my life! People don't understand, I will work all my life as a slave if only I could go back to my clear skin. I NEVER used to break out and now I even get pimples. It's horrid and I'm so ashamed!

imsorrynow2 28 Mar 2013

Mis_b I am so sorry you have this damage at such a young age. It amazes me how many doctors continue to deny the damage they have done! How can anything be done to stop them unless they notify the manufactors and the FDA. Please report it yourself, you can do that. Let me tell for your dark areas I have found something that takes it away by 75%. It is called Yellow Cream by Dermaceutic and than I used the Vit C powder by Philosophy. The texture is something that is more difficult I am hoping for some sort of break through with stem cells I believe that is our hope. All the products I have mentioned have no chemical lightners in them so they are not harsh. Just apply the yellow cream to the dark area only with a qtip. Start with one spot it will get darker a first and than peel off leaving the skin a light pink but than using the Cpowder evens it out. It takes about two weeks using it before going to bed. Go to a Plastic Surgeon that deals with burn victims that is what we are. Good Luck and we can keep hoping.

dee1016 28 Mar 2013

imsorrynow2- can you tell me where you purchased the cream from. I have the Philosophy Vit C powder and use it in my moisturizer. What do you use it in? Your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated. When notifying the FDA what happens and what do you tell them? I'm tired of feeling the way I do on a daily basis. My 3 years has come and gone with no improvement.

Mis_b 29 Mar 2013

@Imsorrynow2 That sounds like the same thing the Obagi Condition and Enhance does. My face gets really tight and then peels. It looks better but never like my face was per Fraxel. I would love to share pictures with you and @dee1016, if you'd like. The peeling is whats difficult. I actually stopped using the Obagi for four days bc it made my face so tight it hurt, instead I used Burt's Bees for hydration. Then my face got even worse! What a catch 22! Now I'm using the Obagi and its helping, along with the Burt's Bees for hydration.

Paper Doll 29 Mar 2013

Try emu oil to moisturize, it doesn't clog pores at all.

Paper Doll 30 Mar 2013

I would say no to any more laser anything!! If they dont acknowledge that you were damaged from a laser to begin with then I would not trust them. Please look into copper peptides by Loren Pickart

laserdamage2 30 Mar 2013

Hello all, This is so hard to read know one knows our pain but God & us. We don't look the same our skin is damaged, I feel like a scientist when I put make up on blending different colors to try & even out my skin, I wont wear my hair up, I love the outdoors but avoid the sun at all cost & cry often. I tried chemical peels looks good for awhile then it goes right back. I curently use a mixture my dermatologist makes w/hydraquion, retin a & bio- oil. I hate that all doctors wont acknowledge the facts & that is our faces are living proof of what damage is being done. I pray for all of us that we would know true beauty & character lie within us not on the outside. I know it aweful & we have to deal with it everyday & only we know the pain it causes. Lets hope & pray there will be a fix for our damage.

laserdamage2 30 Mar 2013

Did some research for burns & alot is about nutrition after the fact. Also I found this vitamin I am going to try DermaAstin u can find it at www.nutrex-Hawaii.com it's currently 50% off. Lets keep in touch on our treatments : )

imsorrynow2 30 Mar 2013

Yes of course share photos. It seems across the board everyone has one or more side or bad effects hypo and hyperpigmentation , lines, enlarged pores also pixel holes,dry, coarse, orange peel. Also skin sagging, loss of fullnes or skin plumpness. It has happened with different type of lasers and IPL. It has happened even if they were young and fair. Even if they went to a plastic surgeon with years of experience. In almost all cases the person doing the procedure denies it can happen. We are all just looking for some sort of justice and some level of improvement. I do notice everytime someone is brave enough to post a picture some doctor post two dozen of their good result pictures. I do not care if we are a small percentage we still count. I do not believe it is a rare as it seems.

Mis_b 31 Mar 2013

@laserdamage2 @paper doll, @dee1016, @imsorrynow2 I just posted a picture two weeks after my Fraxel treatment. It's horrid! I don't know how to post more images. Do you guys? I'd like to share before and after photos so ppl. Can see how bad Fraxel and ruin your face, moreover your life! I regret I ever did this and I always told myself to live with no regrets! Fraxel was something I've wanted for over 7 years and now it's the worse mistake anymore could ever make. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy! I spend so much money on makeup and blending, you'd think I worked for Mac! But who has the time to put buckets of makeup on everyday? The worse part is the blending because my face is like fifty shades of black! From yellow tones to midnight black.

bk718 1 Apr 2013

i feel the same as you and im also 25 but i wasnt damaged by fraxel, i was damaged by another laser which is ruiing my life.

imsorrynow2 1 Apr 2013

Mis_b is the brown marks your biggest worry? If so I would for sure try the Yellow Cream by Dermaceutic. You can usually find at a doctors office or sometime at a spa. The easiest is of course is the internet. Just try using in a small area at first. Do not be alarmed as it will darken at first than flake off. I use every day first three days and than ever other day. I take a week off let totally stop flaking than start to apply again. It is all natural products so it is not harsh like chemicals but it works really well. Good luck with that.

bk718 1 Apr 2013

I have been to several plastic surgeons in NYC and if its surface damage the only way it can be removed is by CO2 laser. If its volume loss and dents, fat transfer can be done. If it just dents they can inject your own fat like a filler which is permanent. Im thinking of doing the CO2 laser because there is no other option anymore.

cmuk 8 Apr 2013

This is utter nonsense... As a 35 year old man I was foolish enough to have ONE fraxel sitting. Purely for vanity reason that were directly connected to my career, in front of a camera. My skin was fine before [hence the vanity remark] 5 mouth later my skin is a warzone and in my opinion... destroyed. Orange peel texture, multitude of micro scars and constantly dry and painful... even with a strict aftercare regime which has cost me three times the cost of that bloody Fraxel sitting. You cannot blame natural ageing on the damage caused to my skin when a mere 5 months ago it was smooth. Obviously as my work involves images there is ample prove of this. Doctors in this field are financially driven and lie to your face or pass the buck when they are clearly to blame. Fraxel lies about the side effects in order to make a buck and this will eventually come out. The commercial, cosmetic use of lasers and Fraxel should flat out be ban and this monster of a treatment stopped. As a result of all this I have been unable to work... my confidence is next to zero and I live in dread of it worsening. So please call a spade a spade and stop feeding people dis information... It's insulting, greedy and malpractice more times than not. Blaming natural aging on people my age simple does not wash... Horse shit ultimately but then as long as the laser butchers sleep at night... Who cares... right!!!

bk718 8 Apr 2013

The best thing to do is find a great plastic surgeon who mainly is a reconstructive surgeon or a dermatologist who specializes in the scars which is what i did and my skin does seem somewhat better, but the sad part is I will have to go under another laser just to fix what the Sciton laser did. I emailed Sciton so many times that they added me to their block list. I went to my doctor who did this and he said i see the scar tissue but what do you want me to do. There are doctor who do care but most that do not. Im not sure how you guys are enable to sue your doctors or medspas because Iam and a lawyer did take my case. Look into Ultrapulse C02 laser it helped the burn triplets if you want to look them up. Im about ten years younger than you are and should of healed fine after the Sciton laser resurfacing but i did not. Laser do help many people only at the right hands. Just because a doctor certified dermatologist or a plastic surgeon does not mean he has the experience with laser. Im so ashamed of my skin that i did not go to my cousins engagement party. These doctors do not realize they are actually destroying peoples lives not just skin.

cmuk 8 Apr 2013

Can you wait a year to full heal and address the damage that way... I think it a wiser... granted longer... move.

bk718 8 Apr 2013

That is what im going to do.. A year will be in august. I had some pitted scaring from acne and it wasnt all over my face just in the back of my cheeks and it was slightly off the surface but now i have scars all over they look a little indented but they arent its like chunks of skin missing and that is why i want to do CO2 laser but in meantime I will do some subcision and injections. Fraxel somewhat helped my skin as in it took away the redness but who knows i might get damage from that as well. I used to date and be happy now I will not even talk to a guy and walk with my head down its so depressing.

cmuk 8 Apr 2013

lol... Fraxel gave me redness... still red today. Ok well you are being somewhat patient but I do hear very similar stories in regards to CO2 lasers. I wish you luck... Personally no laser will ever get near me again... I'm resided to wait it out and see what my options are later down the road as right now there seem to be very few alternatives... not to mention fixes.

bk718 8 Apr 2013

lots of my redness is gone also due to using vitamin c and toners. I just want to fix it and get on with my life. Seems like the redness is inflamation so for that you can try drinking or eating green leafy vegetables. I have damage that only can be addressed with another laser, now I just have to find a good laser specialist and take my chances.

cmuk 8 Apr 2013

I'm all over it... Kale smoothy etc... no sugar... less booze [sugar by proxy]... Every supplement under the sun. It might have helped that I made the decision to just suck it up and try to be positive and make positive changes to my lifestyle. Even which all the new restrictions to my lifestyle there is no point crying over spilt milk... easier said than done but it was a black and white decision that worked for me and my sanity. My therapist told me to stay off this site - so I did for the last 3 months. Today I am visiting it because I feel a state of calm and can therefore address some issues and do my updates... There is much to be said for mind over matter and positive thoughts... Won't cure the issues but will make the ride less bumpy. Just remember there is always someone else worse of than you... foolishly we paid for our insecurities in this manner and that is the reality of the situation... Roll with the punches and you will feel stronger for it.