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“Fraxel Re:Pair NIGHTMARE! Hyperpigmentation, Severe Redness, Laser Track Marks! - California ”

CAgirl 27 posts

Comments (71)
Updated 15 May 2011
Posted 11 Jun 2009

Not Worth It

Spent: $1,000 in California

I am hispanic with tan skin. I am one month post fraxel repair and the treated area is still very red, with hyperpigmented spots (brown spots) and laser track marks. Please-in specific detail-tell me what to do for this!

This is not the "walk in the park" that I was told it would be! Should I begin Tri-luma? Renova? What is going to make my skin color and texture normal again? It's horrible, dark and bruised looking, and bumpy with laser track marks; it looks very wrinkled and discolored! No make-up can even begin to make me look even semi-normal, not even Jane Iredale! My life has completely stopped and I've been in hiding for 30 days now...please help me!

Please help me end this nightmare and get my normal life back.

Updated on Feb 9, 2010:

Updated on 15 May 2011:
2 YEARS POST FRAXEL REPAIR:

Because of Fraxel Repair, I now have skin that looks like an orange peel, scarring caused by the laser, lots of "fine lines" and holes in my skin that resemble enlarged pores. My HYPERpigmentation has faded. However, I have spots of HYPOpigmentation (loss of pigment). ALL of this is PERMANENT LASER DAMAGE! I had NONE of these issues BEFORE Fraxel.

So what's there to do??? NOTHING! Because the truth is, there's NOTHING out there that will ever restore my skin to what it was BEFORE Fraxel destroyed it. I can continue to take more risks and have more laser surgery, but it will more than likely cause more harm and injury.

I can continue to spend thousands of dollars on creams, treatments, skin care systems, facials, etc. And all it will continue to do is drive me insane, while adding financial strain. NO CREAM CAN FIX THIS! NOT Obagi, Vivite, Retin-A, etc. NO LASER CAN FIX THIS! NOT Fractional, Erbium, YAG, CO2, WHATEVER, it doesn't matter. NO LASER CAN FIX THIS.

NO CHEMICAL PEEL WILL REPAIR THIS. NO FILLER. NO INJECTION. NO COMBINATION OF ANYTHING WILL FIX THIS. The best, most expensive and proven-effective treatments WILL NOT WORK! NOT EVEN WITH THE BEST PLASTIC SURGEON.

If any of you have any good sense about you, YOU WILL HEED THIS WARNING AND NEVER, EVER HAVE LASER SURGERY ON YOUR FACE. EVER!

You want to "fix" your face because of "this" or "that?" It's time to turn off the TV. Throw away the "fashion" magazines. IGNORE all things "celebrity." Be thankful for the beautiful and unique person you are and all you have to offer the world. MOVE AROUND. Stop analyzing yourself in the mirror. Smile and live!

Please hear my heart on this, You DON'T want to go down this path. It's an illusion. IT'S A LIE! It is meant to cause destruction in order for them to earn lots and lots of money!!!! These procedures ENSURE that you keep coming back for more by destroying your face and making you WORSE! PLEASE DO NOT DO IT!

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Vote: 13 members found this review helpful

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Marc alorston (1 post) 12 Jun 2009

Is your face still like this? how long has it been now?

kallie (unregistered guest) 12 Jun 2009

Dear CAgirl, I, too, had a horrible tramatic experience with fraxel laser! It made my skin look like I had been badly burned! Please do not put any chemicals on your skin! Fortunately there is a laser called nd:yag 1064- this type of a laser works well for skin rejuvination and can also be used to help reduce scarring. It is imparitive that you do your own research on the internet and look at all kinds of websites and information to see what all the different types of lasers do. You can just start by typing in "ND yag laser treatment of scars and hyperpigmentation" and go from there most nd yag lasers have two wavelenths, one wavelength is called 532nm. this wavelength is used for helping to remove brown spots on the skin. However it will not work on hyperpigentmentation that is black in color or that is deep in dermis of the skin. However, the nd:yag laser also has another wavelenghth called 1064nm. this wavelength is highly effective in treating hyperpigmentation that is black in color and it is also great for reducing redness and scarring. However, it is ABSOLUTELY OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE that you absolutely do not just go blindly into some clinic and let them do what ever they think is best! You have to only let them do something on a tiny little part of your face first, to make sure that they don't burn you again. It is also of extreme importance that you know what settings they are using on you! Fluence or jewels is how hot the laser beam is, and word to the wise, if it feels to hot, it probably is! You are better of going somewhere where they will treat you modestly and then they can always go up on the fluence rather than having it be to hot in the beginning. Nd:yag laser has many different settings, many different "spot sizes, pulse widths and many different other aspects to how the laser will work on your skin. You should try to find a dermatologist who is very patient and kind and who will correctly assess your problem and who will answer all your questions and who will be willing to treat modestly on only one small area of your face before doing the whole thing. And if you have hyperpigmentation, you should be absolutely sure that they start out with a very low fluence, like 10 or 15 jewels, and they can always go up. MAke sure you have a doctor who will explain to you what the difference is in all the settings of the laser. Good luck to you and I hope you get some good help!

CAgirl (27 posts) 13 Jun 2009

Yes. My face is still like this and it has been 32 days today... A NIGHTMARE!

blondy (3 posts) 14 Jun 2009

i stayed red for 5-6 weeks. Still sort of red even after 6months. This procedure is a total waste of money. not what they advertised. I WISH I saw this site before I had it done.

sweet.yoga.life (3 posts) 14 Jun 2009

I am at 24 days post treatment. At first my skin looked pretty good. Then, I guess, the microswelling I had heard about went down. I expected to still be red but now I have very rough textured skin. I still have my acne scars and there is pixel-like pitting on on the surface of my skin (you can see how the laser was used over the surface of my skin). I think I see vertical lines appearing on my forehead now, as well. Can any doctors recommend how to treat these after-effects/possible damage?

Chrisitne (92 posts) 7 Jul 2009

Hope you skin is getting better. If it is not you must report it to the FDA. It has been a year and half since my fraxel and I got scars, rough skin, hypo and hyper pigmentation. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm Until enough people report issues, nothing will change.

VSL (14 posts) 23 Mar 2010

Do you still check this site or email? Did your pixel-like marks go away? I have them too, but I am only 4 weeks out? I was hoping to connect with someone who was further along in their healing...

CAgirl (27 posts) 15 Jun 2009

While you're still in the stages of healing, no GOOD doctor will do anything more to your skin (and this is probably for the better), besides prescribing creams or putting you on a good skin care program. However, it's almost impossible to resume any type of normalcy in your life when you look like you do! PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS RISK! YOU ARE NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CONSULTATION FOR FRAXEL RE:PAIR! It's great to fantasize and imagine yourself looking better...BUT while doing that make sure you imagine yourself looking worse, much worse than you could ever imagine! IT'S NOT WORTH IT! The psychological and emotional toll that this has taken on me and my family...the isolation (You'll be isolated because you wouldn't dare show your face anywhere, not even on Halloween!). Then you'll spend more money than ever planned or imagined because of your desperation to try to FIX a problem that the laser created! Good luck finding make-up to cover it! You won't! You'll still look bad, and badly made-up. What I should have done instead of this laser is invest in a damn good psychotherapist to help me with my self-esteem and to help me accept me for me! That would have been money well spent! Now, I still need a psychotherapist to help me through this nightmare...

Chrisitne (92 posts) 7 Jul 2009

It has been a 1 1/2 years since my fraxel repair, and I now have scars, hypo and hyper pigmentation. Please report your case to the FDA. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm I also did several news stories to try and inform people of the risks, since the company is not.

Carlel (4 posts) 16 Jun 2009

Dear CAgirl I feel so sorry for you, I know nothing about any of these treatments, I just stumbled upon it, while researching how to treat dilated pores and wanting more info about chemical peels, some people commented that their healing took as long as 6 months, so stay hopeful, and avoid the sun, it should get better... I hope...

Carlel (4 posts) 16 Jun 2009

awalk (338 posts) 16 Jun 2009

Please see my photos...My face continued to get worse...I just started a new treatment...Contact me and I can share my info and hopefully spare you some of the scarring I have been left with..... The white lines are scars and I'm sorry to report they get worse as time passes... Contact me by clicking on my name I can send or will post current pics...Christine and I have been in three news stories on the dangers of Fraxel...I am calling the other reporters back this week if you don't mind pictures being on air without showing your eyes...They won't air in your home town...We have been doing the stories in each others home towns ect ect I broke down after a while and just put my pics up to warn women... Don't expect much help from your doctor....Contact me and I will share what I have been thru and who you should see for treatment.... A derm is going to be more interested in covering for another derm or exploiting you to fraxel than preventing your scarring...Unless you found one of the few ethical ones left... I learned to late how evil and corrupt this business is and have horrible burns and scars...I'm basically a prisoner of my home over two years now,,,You need the best treatment available you have deep burns under your skin!!!! Hopefully some of yours can be prevented or minimized...You have to be agressive... The nicer you are hoping they will help you get better...The more they will give you the run around and blame it on anything else under the sun!!!! Never happened,Never seen,Allergic Reaction,Give it time to heal and on and on.. You are badly burned only it is under your skin...Like radiation burns....

awalk (338 posts) 17 Jun 2009

Please all of you file a complaint with the FDA. You can do it online,, I have a contact I'm communicating with if you have problems I have a face book page that we can share photos on... When the doctor denies you are burned and they say they have never seen it you can take the pictures of the same thing on someone else if they agree....Don’t take a wait and see..Demand a diagnosis and what happened ASAP… I also have important information for your doctor but will not share online.... Anyone is welcome to use my pics to share with their doc..I have many that are much worse and more recent as well to show it continues in a pattern and gets worse I will send them to you..I have a full photo diary of every phase... I also encourage you to post pics on this site cover your eyes if you must Also write a negative review and paste it on every online venue,, medscape ect. Other women need to be warned.... Investors, Distributors, Doctors ect all need to be warned and hear the stories of real women and not the bogus studies they put out,,before buying this laser, investing money or lending their name to this laser or company... We can spare other women while trying to heal from this… I can forward the news stories to send to your local media as well so they will do a story in your area.... They have done 4 very good stories on the risks and problems in other states that I lended my pics and story to I was contacted by many more reporters but didn't follow thru because I was humiliated (Why, for taking care of my skin and taking a doctor’s prescription???) I understand your desperation.Coming from someone who rarely ate a meal at home unless it was with guests. I've spent over 2 years in my home. I wouldn't dare be seen in public with the raised white lines and now open ulcers covering my face.. The door bell or alarm beep from my door opening sends me upstairs to hide... I'm now angry and prepared to go forward this is happening to too many women....This laser needs to be taken off the market.... The only thing that has kept me sane is the perception they will try to place on each of us as emotional overreacting ect…It’s a tactic and you need to be calm but firm and demand things in writing…. I know it’s hard not to cry, but don’t yell or seem irrational ect.. Bound together with our pictures ect I think I have enough info we can stop this insanity..

CAgirl (27 posts) 17 Jun 2009

Awalk, thank you so much for your posts! Please tell me how to e-mail you; I clicked on your name/pic but I didn't see anything but your posts. You have a wealth of information that I need, including where to go from here to hopefully FIX MY FACE! I would also like to see your pictures. Thank you!

awalk (338 posts) 13 Jul 2009

walker942@cox.net

VN (6 posts) 28 Jun 2009

Tell me how your skin is looking now and I'll try to let you know what you should do.

CAgirl (27 posts) 29 Jun 2009

The skin is still hyperpigmented. However, the Hydroquinone and Retin-A are helping. The very dark marks and patches are starting to fade. I still have a ways to go though. I am very worried about the texture of my skin! It's not at all smooth like I was told it would be. As a matter of fact, the texture is so much worse than it was before. I still have track marks that look like deep wrinkles, really rough looking, and pin point holes that look like enlarged pores. As bad as I look, it looks much worse with make-up on. I've tried it all, including Jane Iredale. Everything magnifies the track marks and holes. I've been told that this isn't permanent, but who really knows? Why wasn't I told that this damn laser would leave track marks on my face to begin with??? I'm still very angry. I'm a very educated woman. I had a very long consulation. I did the research. I asked the questions. I did my homework. I went to a very skilled, highly respected dermatologist/plastic surgeon. But here's the bottom line: I wasn't told the truth from the beginning. I wasn't given ALL of the necessary information, good and bad, that would have allowed me to make a well informed decision. Had I known THE TRUTH from the beginning, I NEVER would have put myself at this risk! NEVER. It angers me that some doctors are so immoral and lacking in integrity, that they are willing to destroy a woman's face for money! They are willing to put people at unnecessary risks and take major gambles with their faces and their lives. This is truly despicable and it should be a crime. These doctors are acting as salesman and selling this laser with a pitch of lies,and their training their consultants to do the same. The manufacturer of this laser is a liar as well. And lives are being destroyed in the process... I truly pray that everyone considering this reads all of my posts as well as the other posts about Fraxel Re:Pair. I can promise you this, no matter what your complaint is now, you are BEAUTIFUL! And, you look great. Go get a make-over. Buy some new make-up. Get on a good skin care program. Eat healthy and drink lots of water. Take your vitamins. Use sunscreen. Stay out of the sun. Love yourself. Embrace the beauty of the natural aging process. We can all dream about how great we'd look "if only" this, or "if only" that. But, you have no idea the devastation you will go through when you pay thousands of dollars to DESTROY YOUR FACE! Please hear my heart on this, you CAN look much, much worse! And your face can be much, much worse. You have no idea, and I pray that you never will. The grass is NEVER greener on the other side. Love yourself just as you are. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND THERE IS NO OTHER YOU. THIS IS A RISK THAT YOU TRULY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR! TRUST ME.

vrsad (unregistered guest) 29 Jun 2009

I had my fraxel repair done in Jan for scars on my cheeks. My doc recommended full face since I could get demarcation lines. Now, I have different colored patched on my face cause he missed few areas when he was changing the settings from area to area. I have started the .05% tretinoin & 4%hydroquinone 3 weeks post the procedure. However, I still have hyperpigmentation & noticeable track marks on my face. I am thinking of getting a chemical peel soon. I'll post my results.

awalk (338 posts) 30 Jun 2009

You can see my pics on realself It is much worse now....It does not get better over time you need treatment asap... I would see a radiation oncologist or wound nurse,,, Someone who is used to dealing with radiation damage...Because this laser goes so deep(the coagulation points microholes) not the ablative aspect it effects your skin much like radiation damage after cancer treatment and you can have the same late onset effects..Atrophy ulceration ect ect...You need serious treatment...The surface appearance is deceiving it's whats happening underneath that is critical...............MY POST http://www.realself.com/review/do-not-do-fraxel-ruined-face-burns You can contact me walker942@cox.net

Carlel (4 posts) 30 Jun 2009

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge Awalk and for the skin care tips, I will ask my dermatologist about Retin A and try the sunscreen you suggested, thanks to your story, thank you CAgirl also for sharing yours, you are both saving us alot of heartache,that you unfortunately had to suffer. Awalk I was wondering what your opinion is and what you know about " Photofacials" are these in the same category as the treatment you had? Most people seem very pleased wtih the Photofacial treatment and the most negative response I read was that it didn't make a difference, other than that, most people said they looked dramatically amazing and skin looked much smoother and softer?

awalk (338 posts) 14 Jul 2009

Cariel We are all biased by our personal experiences if it was my mother or daughter I would say don't do any laser...Retina A is the most proven thing you can do for your skin and a few others...Microderm or mild peels ect... If you really need it for scarring..I would do something ablative......The non-ablative technologies go to deep and can cause damage that CAN"T be repaired... Think Thermage and faces melting off as the fat disenagrated.... Deeper is not safer...And Nonablative is only safer for the doctor as mistakes are harder to see and when they surface it could be a year or more later,,,Why give you a prescription for a tube of Retina A that you go the drugstore and buy for 40 when they can give you a prescription for a 5000 treatment you pay for in their office.... Try everything else first!! I didn't go to my doctor with a buyer beware mentality but should have....I trusted him. He trusted the manufacture... Just because you can't see it right away You're still burned it's still thermal heat or radiation damage ect... If you have to get laser,,,,, a spot treatment should be done a few weeks before.. Good luck

sfgirl01 (4 posts) 2 Jul 2009

I wished I had found this site earlier. I was desperate to get rid of some dark hyperpigmentation around my eyes from the sun and found such great info. on fraxel. I read different reviews and researched it on the internet. Obviously, I missed this website because I did not know of all the risks before preceding with the procedure. I consulted with two different offices about laser treatments and had the procedure done with the office that offered fraxel. In addition, it was the doctor (not RN) that would perform the procedure so I felt more comfortable. I was told three treatments and four weeks apart. The first treatment went well and I saw great results after five days after peeling. As you can imagine, I was so happy because no cream I had used had worked up to this point. The second treatment seemed to have gone well but wasn't sure if it was better or had a reverse affect since I noticed a little hyperpigment around the right eye (which I didn't think was there before). Since I wasn't completely sure, I went ahead with the third and last treatment which has turned into a horrible nightmare. The laser seemed to have brought back the hyperpigmentation and in a bigger area of my face. In addition, there seems to be redness which has not gone away. It's been three weeks since the treatment. I saw the doctor after two weeks and was told to wait it out, use the bleaching cream and come back in a month for evaluation. I think it may be that the doctor increased the fraxel level which I did question and she denied. I'm so depressed and don't know what else to do. I wish I had stopped after the first or second treatment. I'm trying to keep my spirits up and hoping for a miracle to undo this last treatment. Talk about regrets... That's all I feel now.

CAgirl (27 posts) 2 Jul 2009

sfgirl, thank you for sharing your story. I would agree that the settings were increased on you the second and third time. It's still very early in your healing process. I'm sure you weren't told the truth about the healing time so expect it to take a lot longer than the 5-7 days. It may take 3 months to heal (although the "collagen renewal" process will continue for 6 months, where you'll see the "maximum" result...whatever). The redness will break up over time, but again, it may last for up to 3 months, gradually fading over time (from bright red to red to pink, etc.). Hyperpigmentation SUCKS! But with time, it should fade. Use a good Hydroquinone twice a day. Use a good sunscreen with a high spf (like 55 or higher). STAY OUT OF THE SUN! It will make your hyperpigmentation worse. I don't even go outside during the day with sunscreen on. I'm like a freak--I only go outside at night. :( You're in the healing process and it's going to take time, much longer than you were told. The things that you should be very alarmed about: an open wound to the area, burns or scarring. If you're not feeling comfortable with how things are going or something just doesn't look right or feel right, RUN to get a second opinion. Don't wait. I really hope you heal beautifully.

awalk (338 posts) 3 Jul 2009

sfgirl01 Have you tried Tri-Luma?.. Ask you doc for a prescription.. It should give a Kick Start but should only be used short term because long term use can thin the skin...It is the MOST effective prescription by far... I really like PCA Skin products PCA Skin Pigment gel(no hydroquinone) works as well as obagi for 1/10 the price... I also found if I use Skin medica TNS recovery serum..I can use Retina ect every day instead of every other without irritation...Adding this will speed your recovery...It's expensive $160 but worth it... I would also add La roche posey vit C.... I love Revale skin night cream I use for day(Allures list#1 night cream)It's an Antioxidant and fights free radicals irritation and redness..I use Aveeno spf 70 for face over it (Absolutly no irritation or sunscreen feel)Used every sunscreen in every price MY FAVORITE...... Alternate hydroquinone use with non...It has been shown to stop working with long term use......I would stock up..We are one of the only countries it's still legal in....

sweet.yoga.life (3 posts) 4 Jul 2009

What are some recommendations to improve skin texture after Fraxel re;pair? I am 7 weeks post-treatment. My skin texture is pretty rough. Is Retin-A or a mild chemical peel an option? I also have what I perceive as probably mild scarring. Close up, I can see pin prick type marks. They look like small pores. What makes them more noticeable is they are obviously mechanically made so I have this weird repeating pattern of them across my face. I think this is what is referred to as laser made track marks. Any suggestions for how to treat those? I thought that if the Retin A was safe post laser it might help these as well. Thanks all!

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“Fraxel Re:Pair NIGHTMARE! Hyperpigmentation, Severe Redness, Laser Track Marks! - California ”

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