“Bad rash after procedure”
Fraxel Laser: NOT worth it
Cost: $900
Pain: Uncomfortable
Pain: Uncomfortable
Fraxel Laser satisfaction: Fair
I had my first treatment 2 1/2 weeks ago. I don't see any difference yet, but my biggest concern is the rash that developed afterwards. I had swelling and redness for two days, then peeling started and by the 5th day most of the peeling had subsided, but I had a horrible red bumpy rash on both cheeks, from my jawline up to the top of my cheekbones, and it itched like crazy. With make-up most of it was covered up, but the itching was horrible. Now most of the rash is gone and my face is breaking out. Have any of you had this rash and what did you do about it?
I am suppose to get my second treatment next week and am very leary about going and starting all over with this itchy mess. ANY suggestions?
Oct 24, 2007Comments and replies (86)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
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17 posts
14 Dec 2007
My suggestion is to tell your provider about your experience. Sometimes a product (cosmetics, moisturizer, etc) that would never cause an irritation can be a problem on skin sensitized by an aggressive procedure. Your tech may have a solution, need to adjust a setting, or have a different post care regimen for you to follow. You may also try using a topical hydrocortisone ointment, or try taking an OTC anti-histamine. Sadly, a breakout is normal, a common issue with peels. It usually is a problem only for the first treatment or two. Share all these concerns with your technician. The most important thing is that you feel confident about what is happening to you. Ask questions, be the squeaky wheel if you have to. And, yes, at some point you do have to expect downtime. But at least this way you will know what is normal and won't be itchy!
unregistered guest
21 Dec 2007
I had fraxel 10 days ago. My skin did the same. I have a rash like this on my forhead and cheeks. It itches like crazy. I am also still very pink like a bad sunburn. My doctor said it go be excema caused by some product or soap. she is prescribing some cortizone ointment this morning. I am scared my skin will not go back to its natural color. I hope the cortisone helps the rash. I don't know if I want to go through this again. I just would like to be back to normal.
2 posts
7 Jan 2008
I had one treatment of Fraxel on my neck for sagging skin and experienced a rash also. After first trying a triple antibotic cream with no improvement my doctor prescribed some oral antibiotics and an over the counter hydrocortisone cream. After two weeks the rash had improved only slightly. I asked my doctor about prescribing a corticosteroid cream was after reading the posting from Abby on 12/23. The cream cleared up my rash within a few days - I was prescribed Ultravate. The only thing that remained was a slight bit of hyperpigmentation which I had one session of laser light therapy for that has cleared it up very quickly. I have very fair/sensitive skin. My only advice is to ask your doctor lots of questions, especially what type of cleanser/moisturizer to use after the treatment. The good news is that the suffering is over, my skin is clear again and it is much tighter.
unregistered guest
28 Jan 2008
I had a fraxel treatment 3-days ago. Outside of being a little red and somewhat itchy...things seem to be fine. I wash with Dove for sensitive skin, use sunscreen for sensitive skin, and drink lots of water. I've been paying close attention to what I experience each day, so I can monitor how long it takes me to get back to "normal". So far, it's seems to move along pretty fast.
unregistered guest
21 Mar 2008
I had the fraxel procedure done 2 days ago. I never experienced swelling but I definitely turned as red as a tomato. My main concern though is that today I am completely broken out with little white bumps covering my entire face.There must be hundreds of them. They look like whiteheads and will pop if I pinch them but they leave a bloody sore. I am horrified since the point of getting this treatment was to get rid of my acne scarring. I am concerned that these white bumps will only create more scars. I feel so embarrassed and don't want to leave the house until it is cleared completely. Does anyone have advice for me? The doctor who did it has no recommendations for me and was no help at all. Please help!
17 posts
21 Mar 2008
Hi Amber. Try NOT to pick at the bumps, your skin is healing and you may create a scar. These are not common, but have been reported after Fraxel and other similar treatments. I myself have always been acne prone and have experienced them after Fraxel as well as chemical peels. I would see if your doctor has an aesthetician on staff that may be able to do a deep pore cleansing facial with extractions a few days prior to your next treatment. That has worked well for me as well as my clients. I would also try not to moisturize your skin with an extra heavy product even though I'm sure it feels dry and peely. You just have to get over that. Use a non-irritating cleanser like Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (from the drug store) or Cosmedix Benefit Clean (from a med-spa or physician).You may wash and reapply moisturizer 3 times a day if it helps. Stay well hydrated. You will heal faster. I like a clay masque called Lerosett (from the spa) for acne. It is safe to use on sensitive, traumatized skin, and will help to draw out the clogs in your pores. If your derm office doesn't provide facials, you may want to check out a REPUTABLE med-spa. Someone there may be able to do a treatment safely to help relieve the pimples and milia. Sometimes a gentle cleansing under steam and a light enzyme masque is all that is needed to alieveiate this condition-no extractions yet! Make sure it is at least 4 days after your treatment, and make sure the aesthetician is experienced in post-procedure skin care. It would be best if the center also offered Fraxel, so you will know they have seen this before and know what to do. Think about this. You are acne prone. Even if you have it under control, it's likely you still have plenty of clogged pores that would eventually become pimples. Fraxel speeds up your cell turnover. This can push all that junk out all at once. That's why when you use Retin-A, or other anti-acne regimens, it always says to expect it to get worse before it gets better. I know you feel hideous right now, but hang in there and don't pick. It WILL get better, and it probably won't do it every time. Good luck!
136 posts
23 Mar 2008
the foams and creams your doctors are giving you are steroids. steroids reduce inflammation by suppressing DNA synthesis. the most common side effects of topical steroids? thinning skin and skin atrophy, stretch marks, teleangecstasia, etc. you're seriously screwing yourself using them right after a procedure that is meant to increase collagen production!
136 posts
29 Mar 2008
The post fraxel acne is from sebaceous gland stimulation + disruption/irritation of the skin's normal lipid barrier. In addition to targeting water in the skin, fraxel also targets the sebaceous glands. This eventually impairs sebaceous gland function and gives you drier skin long term. Short term, however, the oil glands go crazy producing sebatocytes and trying to restore the normal barrier function to the skin. The result is an acne flare that can be extreme in acne prone patients. The good news is it usually goes away and leaves your skin permanently drier. I'm actually concerned that with multiple treatments fraxel could make a patient's skin too dry. Sebaceous glands are also an important source for the stem cells that allow such a quick recovery from fractional resurfacing. So with multiple treatments you may actually be decreasing your skin's ability to recover from additional treatments.
29 posts
30 Mar 2008
The itchy rash sounds like an allergic reaction. Topical steroids are the treatment for this. The little white bumps are probably a flare of the acne due to sebaceous gland stimulation. This can be treated with oral antibiotics or topical antibiotics. Many times we will pre-treat patients with oral antibiotics if they are prone to this type of flare. If you still have acne flares, ask you doctor to prescribe something like Doxyclcline 100 mg twice a day for 5 days prior and 5 days after treatment.
unregistered guest
23 Apr 2008
I am post Fraxel procedure day 2. My face is covered with tiny whiteheads. I took pix and sent them to the nurse who did my treatment and she states that this is a normal occurance and should go away within a week. This is my first treatment, and I wonder if it will be this way every time. It's extremely embarrassing and I don't want to go out in public because people look at me like I have the plague!!!! Help! Any recommendations or words of advice?