Fraxel Repair: Stories

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Fraxel Repair - Almost 60 and Now Not Happy in my Own Skin - Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

  • Not Worth It
  • Cost: $2,000
  • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

I had Fraxel Repair 3 weeks ago. I reacted to the...

  • 9 Jul 2009

I had Fraxel Repair 3 weeks ago. I reacted to the numbing agent so was given adovan and dental blocks which I don't recall as I was not fully conscious.

The recovering process has been wrought with extreme redness, itchiness and patches of sand-paper like skin. I am concerned that I am 59 years of age and my skin is looking worse than before the treatment. I am more wrinkled and my skin is even more reactive than usual.

These were not the results I was hoping for and i am finding myself now afraid of the sun and spending even more money on skin products to rectify what happened to my skin.

How long will the hyper-pigmentation take to resolve? What can I do myself to help the healing process?

Great review?

Comments (12)

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Your response made me smile when you commented on your sunscreen use. I jsut told someone yesterday I know I will look younger now in ten year because I won't be out in the sun without a hat and sunscreen anymore! Thanks for your response.
  • Reply
Thank you for asking about my outcome. The hydroquinoine USP 4% helped the most with readness. I got some tightening from the procedure but not a significant face-lift type of change. I am concerned that it minimized the fat pads which were part of my structure of my face. All in all, I am slightly disappointed in the procedure but it did help to sensitize me to stay out of the sun or to apply a lot of sunscreen.
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Did your skin texture ever improve? Did you have a pattern from the laser in your skin? What helped your redness the most? I agree with you that I would NEVER do this again!!!!
  • Reply
Hey Dazed. I don't really know all of the stats of the other laser which are currently on the market. You're at 1.6mm with those settings on the Fraxel re:pair. The total ablative CO2 in the past was much less, about 0.4mm. By going fractionally, you can go much deeper. Steve Weiner, MD Aesthetic Clinique, Destin, Florida.
  • Reply
I'm in the panhandle of Florida near Destin. We can mail any products if you like.
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Dr Weiner, I was going to stop in but my son moved from Tallahssee, so now I just fly into Orlando instead of driving. I had Re:pair done in May 08 and Jan 09, both times at 70mj-60%. I am seeing good results 50-60%. I have scheduled my 3rd Re:pair for Oct 09. How does the depth of Re:pair compare to other ablative CO2 lasers, and are there any charts available that spells this out.
  • Reply
where are you? I am visiting my sister in Tampa. Thanks-
  • Reply
Thank you. Is Pyratine XR prescription?
  • Reply
Sold only in select physician's offices, but not a prescription. Call us if no one nearby sells it. Thanks, Steve Weiner, MD
  • Reply
The Fraxel re:pair goes about 1.6 mm into the skin, which is not nearly deep enough to affect any fat from fat transfers. It's a good time to start Retin-A, and for moisturizing, I like PyratineXR. You should actually get more fullness in the coming months as collagen is stimulated.
  • Reply
the redness is finally subsiding but I am concerned about wrinkling which is worse than before andlack of fullness. I had a fat transfer years ago under my eyes at the highest portion of my cheek bone. Can the Fraxel affect this? it looks to me that it has, but I am not sure. How long till I can expect to see the real results from the treatment? What products would you recommend for moisturizing now--it has almost been a month. Thanks so much in advance for your help.
  • Reply

Hello, This is far too early to have concerns about the outcome/results. This is a process of several months. What you have described is not unusual, and fairly normal. If you were not counseled about this, shame on the physician. I find that the more informed the patient, the happier they are. At this point, starting Retin A and a hydroquinone is appropriate. I also find that Pyratine XR is useful (Lotion) because it hydrates the skin and reduces redness. You can expect redness to possibly last up to 3 months. Yes, you have to be careful with the sun - you have resurfaced your face with new skin, and it needs some loving care. Steve Weiner, MD Destin, Florida Aesthetic Clinique

  • Reply

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