I am a 27 year old femalde, I had my first fraxel...
I am a 27 year old femalde, I had my first fraxel restore laser treatment in July 2012 for moderate/severe acne scarring. As for the treatment itself: It hurt. Nothing terrible, but it was certainly very uncomfortable. Healing time was the part I liked the least. I spent two days very red and very swollen. By the time work came around on Monday, I was able to put on make up but I certainly didn't look great. I was still red, a little swollen, and by then, peeling had begun. It was a rough work week. I then spent a long time being unhappy with my fraxel results. I am sure no one else noticed my face looking bad, but the skin just didn't seem as healthy as it once had, my scars did not seem improved, and my skin was red. Lately though, nearly four months later, my skin is no longer red, seems healthy, and I do notice some improvement with scars! Not a lot, but some. I believe doing the 3 remaining treatments will leave me noticeable improvement in my skin. This has not been an easy or enjoyable process for me (and it's nowhere near over!), but I think by the end it will be worth it. I hope the improvements will be worth $3,000.
Update: It's been 24 hours since my 2nd fraxel. I...
Update: It's been 24 hours since my 2nd fraxel. I guess the doctor turned up the levels this time and said I might experience more swelling and redness (great...) than I did last time. I have been icing, taking benadry (zzz), and ibuprofen. Things seem to be going okay. Just the typical redness and severe swelling. My skin is getting very dry (Despite LOTS of lotion) and starting the peeling process. I wish I could speed up that process since I have to work Monday, but I am sure my face will be dry, itchy, and flaky . No pain no gain, I guess.
It's been 11 days since my 2nd Fraxel. I forgot to...
It's been 11 days since my 2nd Fraxel. I forgot to mention in my last update that it hurt a LOT more this time around (it was set at 70.) Thank God the procedure is quick. My first few days of recovery were worse than the 1st time. More swelling, more pain, and I missed another day of work because I looked so bad. However, since day 3 passed, I think I am healing quicker than last time. My skin looks okay right now, but not great. It's still a bit red, very dry and the texture isn't right. I've had a breakout around my mouth, but nothing too crazy. I'm looking forward to healing all the way and seeing the results.
Okay, 16 days after and my skin is looking great!...
Okay, 16 days after and my skin is looking great! I am so surprised. It is still redder than normal, but it's nothing that some foundation can't cover up easily. My scars, which are by no means gone, look much softer and my skin looks very healthy! Very pleased right now. Hope things keep going well!
Okay, it has been 5 months since my last Fraxel. I...
Okay, it has been 5 months since my last Fraxel. I personally haven't been feeling too great about the results, but I have received a couple of unsolicited comments about my skin looking better, so that is encouraging!!!! It can just be so hard to track progress when you see your own face every day. I should have taken photos I guess. I am going in next week for 3rd fraxel. The technician said she is going to turn up the settings even more, which I am not looking forward to.
It is Sunday afternoon. I got my 3rd fraxel on...
It is Sunday afternoon. I got my 3rd fraxel on Thursday afternoon. The technician said she turned it up even more this time. My face is such a mess right now. Still a little swollen, very red, and full of sore-like spots, probably from me being too rough on my skin when washing, I imagine. My bad. Doing whatever I can to speed up healing so I can wear make up and go to work tomorrow. :(
I myself am in the middle of Fraxel treatments... the first treatment the usual redness occured...then 2 days later it darkened...I was freakin out....tried so many different softerners.....nothing gave me any relieve..THEN I found a bottle of CASTOR OIL that Id had and never used before.......It works wonders......soften my skin and the peeling and healing began...after my 2nd treatment I used my Castor Oil right away and was so much more comfortable and my skin looked better.......I will be going for my 3rd treatment in a couple of weeks and hope this investment will really change my skin...have not seen too much of a change or any great results there yet,,,but maybe too soon................... Marilyn
Have you cosidered using a BB cream while your skin heals? They were originally created by dermatologist to help patients who had just had procedures done and needed help healing. You should check it out. The best ones are the Korean ones. I think you can find them, not too expensive on Amazon. If not, Clinique has the Moisture Surge CC Cream which is similar to a BB but has correcting properties as well. It's pretty much a tinter moisturizer, but better. If I were you though, I would definitely look into the Asian BB creams for the healing properties. Good luck!
Hang in there!
Thank you for posting your review. The redness and peeling sound frustrating! Please check in with us because I would really like to know your thought after each treatment.
Sounds great:)