ProFractional Laser: Stories

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Holes After Profractional Laser for Scars, Discoloration and Acne

Gagana
updated 3 years ago

Not Worth It
Cost: $1,600
Chicago, IL

Pros-rounder face, facial lines diminishedI had it...

17 Sep 2009

Pros-rounder face, facial lines diminished

I had it done for many things such as scars, discoloration, acne

Cons-holes in my face, more scars, some The scars and the skin texture is much worse, looks like holes burned from laser

I had a Profractonal done 4 times. The last one was the strongest, done by a nurse. It seemed to heal fine, until a few months latter, when small holes in the pattern of laser, started to show up, some joined making lines. What might have happened?

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Comments (24)

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Positive Thinking 123 16 Apr 2013

Hello, I have been reading everyone's posts and I feel your pain. I received profractural treatment 3 years ago and it left me worse off. I feel like the treatment has changed the chemical make-up of my skin and now I find that my scars very easily. I'm very sensitive to scratches and any new acne causes scaring. I am feeling much better today. I have come to realize it's not about how you look, it's about what you accomplish in life. Believe me I have TERRIBLE skin and scarring, but I was able to move past it over a year ago. In the big scheme of things there could be worse things that happen to you. Pick a focus and push forward. If you focus on your skin, you can become obsessed about it, and many other things will pass you by. I regret wasting a year of my life obsessing about my skin - hindsight is 20/20. Treat your body well - take your vitamins, exercise, devote the time you spend looking at your skin to volunteering your time, moving forward in your career or with friends and family. Your skin is only a part of you - albeit a big part of you - but still only a fraction of who you are. Don't let your skin condition dictate your worth - YOU define your own worth. Try looking up stories of others who have hit rock bottom and listen to their stories of recovery. My apologies if this sound preachy... my only intention is to inspire and provide some insight. The human spirit is an amazing thing. My last advice would be to quit experimenting with your face and different invasive treatment options. From the many reviews I have read, the majority of the feedback speaks to the pain we are all feeling with the pro fractional treatment.

Brightcrystall 26 Dec 2012

I had the sciton profractional treatment 2 month ago, and I have the same pin holes around my face, making lines everywhere, right now my skin looks worse. When I went back to the doctor after 1 month, he said that it would take 4-6 months to heal. Well I hope so, because right now I am very very disappointed each day when I look into the mirror:-((( I do not understand that why any of the doctors say something about these side effects here, or how can it be fixed or something???

SusieJ 26 Dec 2012

Where did you go? Laser lift?

Brightcrystall 1 Jan 2013

Hi, I went to have laser lift, here in my country, middle Europe, Hungary. They are known as one of the best and most popular skin clinic here. I keep hoping:-(

Sigh 17 Oct 2012

Pedruch, I had the microlaserpeel with Profractional so no it won't help. I had pinholes right off the bat. 2 years post op now and am looking into dermabrasion.

Nothappyjan 16 Oct 2012

Has any Doctor addressed this issue regarding the lines left from the laser as this has happened to my neck and I am one year post laser.

Sigh 29 May 2012

It's been two years and same issues with the pinhole scars. I still am emotional about it with good days and bad days. It's been two years and I use RetinA and creams to hydrate. Unfortunately I think the damage has been done. I am only 25 and did it for acne scars. How I wish I could turn back time.

SusieJ 1 Mar 2012

I had 2 of these and my skin is aweful!!! dents, scars and more noticable scars. I am on anti depressants, so , depressed. Can anyone help me with advice!!! Please say it will get better not worse. I just want to die when I think about this. I wish there was someone I could talk to.

missmyoldface 6 May 2013

hello susieJ, I am so sorry this has happend to you the same thing happend to me and I was wondering how you are doing?

jimsha 21 Aug 2011

I had profractional 3 yrs ago for mild acne scars and I still have the pinholes left on my face.It was the biggest mistake I have ever done.My face looked so much better before.I've done peels and still have the pinholes.If anyone has done anything that helps please let me know.I want them gone.

teresa-lar 26 Aug 2011

sorry to hear the stories, my advice would be not to use peels or any more lasers, what i would recommend is scaraway healing patches placed on the cheek for 3 months it will work to hydrate tissue giving it better texture and softness and flatten any raised lines but please be patient and persistent. after this just leave it be...

teresa-lar 26 Aug 2011

also it will eventually fill in any holes in the skin ...

405321anon 8 Oct 2010

Hello gagana, im sorry to hear about your painful experience with this laser treatment. Are the holes still there? Its been a year now. Have they gotten better or gotten worse?

cyndipa 3 Jan 2010

In my experience, skin changes as we get older. It heals very slowly after 50 and scars easily. I would try a good healing cream such as Hope in a Jar by Philosophy. I also have found estrogen helps scarring and have cut "the patch" and applied (tiny pieces) for a few hours. This is the lowest strength patch for post menonpause hotflashes! It does help the scarring.

Gagana 7 Jan 2010

Dear Cyndipa, Your comments don't apply to my situation much because I am just over 30; however, thank you for your ideas. I think that the laser damaged my skin more than it fixed it. I had some scars from acne and an uneven tone of skin. Now I have tons of holes, dents and little lines on my face, that I don't remember having. I think that some of the holes and dents, which are clearly in T zones, are laser enlarged acne scars that maybe were smaller and hidden under the surface of the skin. Laser could have exposed them by pushing them up while building collagen. But what is interesting is that I see that these wholes appear in the pattern of the laser. Maybe these tons of microscopic wholes that laser creates filled out with congestion. When the congestion got out it left scars. At any rate, the texture of the skin is not right. The pores/wholes are way too big. Has anyone have had any experience that was similar to mine?

Gagana 8 Oct 2009

My skin keeps getting worse and worse, after pro-fractional- it has been about 6 months. Laser must have caused some kind of damage-burns that never really healed or damage maybe from the heat. My skin now has many scars in the pattern of the holes the laser made, dents, lines that look like short, but deep wrinkles. Since it is still changing, for the worse, maybe I should wait until I try to fix it. The problem I am facing is that doctors don't want to talk or believe in damage caused by lasers, so I don't know how to find one. Please share with me any advice you may provide. Ideas from people in the field -doctors -are needed. Thank you!

margie1044 19 Dec 2009

I had a COs laser done a year ago. I now have texture changes and huge holes in my right cheek. I did not have perfect skin but before laser there was nothing on my cheek. The Dr. blamed it on me. I started out with lines that looked like claw marks across my right cheek now holes are developing in the lines. Plus I have a lot of scar tissue which feel like it is ripping. Feels horrible, looks horrible and I have the same problem...can't seem to get anyone to take me serious about the laser causing problems. I think my skin was burnt. Dr. who did the laser wanted to relaser. I told him no as I am scared more damage will be done. He is a very popular plastic surgeon in my area and also respected. I have no idea where to go but I need my face fixed. Would appreicate feedback as our situation seems similiar. Thanks

Gagana 21 Dec 2009

I am so sorry to hear that. After my damage, I was very depressed and wanted to heal or fix my skin immediately. Now, I am a little better emotionally and decided to will wait for about one year to allow my skin to get better on its own as much as possible, and then try to close the holes and improve scars with tca cross, dermaroller or fat transfer. Happy Holidays! PS. How did the doctor blame the damage on you? What was his rationale? What did he say to you exactly?

mary678 23 Aug 2010

Hey I would really like to talk to you. I've had the same procedure and too now have lines and more scarring just like you've described. Pleeease contact me I would really like to compare stories. Thanks so much...

KdDaisey 2 Apr 2011

Hi there,

I just had Profractional laser on my face. I am 2 weeks, 3 days out and I have the diagonal lines everywhere. I am in a state of devastation. My skin lost its glow and looks dead. I have an appt with a leader in laser sugery on Monday to see if the lines can be sanded down. Did you ever treat the lines you have? Have they gotten any better over time. I am just horrified!

KdDaisey 2 Apr 2011

Samshaw 5 Aug 2011

Hi gagana, I have suffered similar results to what you have described after profractional laser treatment. I am completely depressed and distraught by the experience and was wondering since you experienced the same thing how things have progressed for you. It's been 6 months since I had my treatment and I the large pin holes, vertical lines etc have not dissappeared. I am currently having non ablative laser treatment and peels to see if things will improve but have not seen any great results thus far. Please let me know how your skin is looking these days and if there is hope for mine.

Pedrucho0113 24 Sep 2009

Has your skin heal? Is your texture better. What ar your final results? You might want to get a microlaser Peel to help with skin Texture. Talk to your doctor they might offer a solution for free to help you get better results.

Gagana 24 Sep 2009

First, my skin healed nicely (that's what it looked like), after a few months my skin pumped up, got a lot of congestion and holes in the pattern of laser started to show up. I don't get it. did the laser go too deep and the holes never healed just filled up with congestion in the first place?