Fraxel Laser: Stories

Throughout high school I had a few cystic acne pimples and they eventually went away without scarring (pockmarks). I went through a traumatic experience at 27 that, for whatever reason...stress, emotions, hormones, something...caused extreme cystic acne that led to scarring. I still experience acne today at age 32.

I did some searching and decided that Fraxel technology was the way for me to go to remove these horrific scars. I found a local plastic surgeon and decided to go for it. Unfortunately, I had a very bad experience. The plastic surgeon I used actually had some acne scarring himself, but his beard covered it (lucky guy). He was friendly, but didn't fully inform me of everything I should expect. I thought there was just ONE Fraxel. I wasn't aware that I wasn't receiving the strongest treatment for my scars. The staff were friendly and loaded me up on medications to prevent pain.

The doctor also did nerve blocks (injections through my mouth, like a dentist does) to prevent pain (even though I DID feel it, lol). I had had about several treatments and I just wasn't seeing what I wanted or expected (especially with the amount of money I was spending). I was extremely frustrated. Aslo, after each session, my face seemed to be getting more "used" to the treatments...I'd swell some, flake, then go back to normal...almost TOO quickly if that makes sense.

During one session -- I don't remember which one, as I would estimate I had at least 10 to 12 -- the doctor's assistant burned me. Even high as a kite I remember it. She burned my chin and the side of my face along the hairline and jawline. I didn't realize the full extent of the burn and didn't treat it as I should have. I work in a public environment were I am exposed to a lot of germs, so I'm sure I picked up some kind of infection...as stated, I wasn't fully aware of the extent of this burn and didn't treat it as I should have.

When my poor worried mother finally persuded me to return to the doctor, he was horrified I didn't come to him sooner. Well, I didn't KNOW. I probably could have sued him, but he told me he'd give me MORE treatments for free. Naive, trusting, emotionally shot, and foolish, I allowed him to continue to treat me. They showered me with free treatments and all the medications I wanted, and the assistant who burned me even LET ME BORROW some things of hers for a trip I took, but it doesn't excuse the fact I wound up with hyperpigmentation on my face along my hairline and a large, raised keloid scar at my jawline. In fact, the scar is what convinced a nurse at a different plastic surgeon to convince her husband/doctor to NOT give me a Fraxel Re:pair treatment, which is what I wanted in the FIRST PLACE to treat my acne scars!

Throughout various other treatments -- from other doctors, mind you -- the hyperpigmentation has gone away. The scar obviously hasn't. I've received numerous other treatments to the scar that have helped curb its EXTREME sensitivity -- I couldn't touch it...WATER from the shower would even hurt it -- but it doesn't excuse the fact that it's there, the acne scars I went to treat in the first place are there, and I've been fleeced of thousands of dollars.

Bottom line: the Fraxel Re:store does not work for people with moderate to severe acne scarring. The doctor I went to DID NOT inform me of all the risks, the fact that I probably should NOT have had the treatment in the FIRST place because I STILL have active acne, the fact I should have had better wound care instructions to follow, and the fact there are different forms or types of Fraxel lasers. His assistant burned me and nothing was done. I've learned my lesson the hard way.