These issues need to be addressed with your treating physician. Fraxel re:pair is a more painful procedure than the Fraxel re:store(SR1500) because the CO2 laser actually vaporizes tissue. It helps to have a strong numbing gel applied for 60-75 minutes. A local anesthetic nerve block is used in about 1/2... more
No signs of change after Fraxel laser
I am entering into my fourth week of recovery after undergoing Fraxel CO2 surgery. I do not know specifically the brand name (re:store, re:pair, etc.) of the laser, but it was definitely a Fraxel CO2 laser. I am in complete agreement with the other people on this site who have share this experience. It was enormously painful - and my doctor did not discuss this with me at all. Additionally, I ended up with not one, but TWO Corneal abrasions from the "metal shields" they place in your eyes during the procedure, and was virtually blind for the first 3 days out. This not only was extremely painful, but has served to undermine my confidence in my doctor, who is supposed to be one of the leading authorities on this procedure in New York.
After the treatment, I had pretty aggressive breakouts, which required cortisone injections to reduce the inflammation of the blemishes. I now have several new acne scars on my face (that were not there before the procedure) and have not noticed, to date, one iota of improvement - not one single scar or depression that has diminished - not one pore or wrinkle that has disappeared.
My doctor has given me assurances - spoken with great conviction - that this procedure requires 3 months before you see any definitive improvement, but i haven't noticed ANYTHING! After the swelling subsided, and the break-outs calmed down there have no signs that my skin is changing (no additional peeling, no lightening of scars).
Is this normal? is the condition of my skin really going to improve? Or have I just spent $5,000 purchasing the emperor's new clothes?
1 answer to “No signs of change after Fraxel laser”
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unregistered guest
25 Jul 2008
Thanks for the response - I appreciate the information...but what about the lack of improvement? Is it normal at the one month mark to be showing NO improvement?
1 post
9 Dec 2008
I have had 4 treatments of Fraxel done on my face - each 1 month apart. I must say that the improvement I see is extremely minimal, and people who know me well probably don't notice anything at all. I can look in the mirror and maybe tell a slight improvement in some acne scars near my temple, but other than that, I still look exactly the same. After photos are scheduled in one month, but honestly don't think this was worth it. I still think highly of my doctor, as I have a history with him. There was so much "hype" and "promise" over this exciting new treatment, and really my hopes of improving my skin with this treatment are pretty much gone now. I hear it does work for some people, just don't think it worked for me.
6 posts
15 Jan 2009
Hi Mike Thanks for getting back to me. the co2 fractional laser treatment you had isnt that just the same as the new co2 fraxel? I'm a little confused. My test patch is still red,pink and a little brown- mind you i had four passes done on my skin. how long do you need to wait after the laser to know if you have devloped any pigmentation problems? Are yu covering your redness with anything? als, what was your aftercare instructions after the fractional co2 laser?