“Fraxel, am i an experiment ”
Fraxel Laser: NOT worth it
Pain: Worst possible
I am 40 years old and wanted to have a little fresher upper. I have not tried any peels or other laser treatments only regular facials up to now.
I got the first treatment (of 5 pre-paid and scheduled) 6 days ago and my face looks like a monster, literately. According to the Doctor I had a low setting and 1000 zaps which were Extremely Painful. My face is still very swollen, very very red and horrible acne, white heads (which I have never had in my life before this) covering my entire forehead, both sides of my nose down to all around my mouth and my entire chin.
I am scared and upset and being told by the Doctor it will go away but when!?? I can not go out and although this is very humbling I wish I never would have done it and after reading other reviews very worried about the long term damage this Fraxel laser could have done. Are we just an experiment to all these doctors and manufacturers?
I see several comments on the blogs that look like they come from someone trying to promote this Fraxel laser. This is the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life!
Jan 30, 2009Comments and replies (24)
465 posts
2 Feb 2009
Fawn rogers If your doctor didn't tell you to call and ask him asap if you can do the vinager water soaks... I think the soaks will provide the most help in preventing any potential or permenant problems....What kind of after-care instructions did you receive?????
465 posts
3 Feb 2009
Did you try the vinegar water soaks for the little bumps it could be hyperkeratosis or Hyper granulation and can occur as part of the skin's defense against inflammation, infection, the radiation of sunlight or irritating chemicals? Hyper granulation tissue will delay the onset of epithelialisation and cause permanent change in texture(holes) after a period of time..... I am not a doctor...But I think the soaks followed with TNS Recovery Serum to help the cells reconnect followed with moist environment will help dramatically and prevent it from being permanent.... This is my personal Theory based on research without medical experience so ask your doctor...Or take him the studies I posted about damage to the surrounding tissue after fraxel....He may even be able to prescribe a cream ect with growth factors they are available for chronic ulcers..TNS Recovering is $150 ounce but well worth it for this kind of issue.. Time is of the essence!!!!! Good luck
9 posts
9 Feb 2009
You had the treatment 6 days ago and you're already dissatisfied? I wrote a very good review and, NO, I am not a plant. I am very grateful for this procedure. I wouldn't put anything on your face-just wash and moisturize. No vinegar soaks, nothing harsh (they recommend against that)... You have to let your face heal and that takes weeks to do. I think you owe it to everyone to update your comments after you have healed because you may be scaring the only hope some people have. I'm very disappointed that you freaked out so quick. NO I'm not a plant and I would be glad to verify it with RealSELF.
465 posts
11 Feb 2009
Dawn doctors recomend the vinegar water soaks if you have a lot of bumps whiteheads ect capful of vinegar warm water followed with Auqaphere..I read the patent and the whole process is based on normal transepidermal elimination.. For many people who have thicker skin or excess keratin or are prone to ingrown hairs ect lotion is not enough.. wound healing is very complex you want it to fill but not to long and we are all differant. It's important you go to a doctor who pulls out the binocular glasses and examines your skin..I'm not a doctor but it doesn't seem like lot of them really examine your skin..I would look at hands to see if they have callouses, color and thickness of knees or elbows can be great indicators.. I believe a women’s face can be deceiving when selecting a laser procedure because we take better care of it retina, hydrqouine,AHA’s you need to look at arms,legs or hands ect..To get the full picture hyperpigmentation ect… This laser is contradicted for many people and they don't advertise or disclose it like drugs do.Not even on the website. They should be asking you about your skin condition,problems ect and feel comfortable actually looking at them..before telling you what procedure to do..... They should want to know everything to avoid any and all complications..They are getting ready to put a powerful laser on your face
9 posts
12 Feb 2009
Awalk-- Vinegar soaks or anything other than mild soap and sunscreen is contraindicated after laser surgery. I had blue dots that had to surface after the laser. One of the hardest things to do is know they are there, see them and whiteheads emerging and yet NOT picking them. Antibiotics are recommended only. I did go to a dermatologist--please don't recommend putting anything on your skin after this procedure because I would hate to see someone damage their skin. As it happens, tomorrow I'm going to my dermatologist who did this treatment for me 2 years ago. I will ask him if he would recommend anything else.
465 posts
20 Feb 2009
Unsure Oh how I understand your pain a year ago I was freaking out crying frustrated...I’d get dressed makeup and all and then burst into tears wash it off and go to bed.. Its Friday everyone is making plans,,,time to have fun with family and friends.. But you can't bear the thought of the strange, empathetic looks ect ect....It’s very difficult on the Psychy to look different than you normally do and not know when it is going to get better... But stay positve..It could be something very, very simple.... Don't stay home... Make yourself go somewhere... Find a understanding friend your husband ect and go to the movies anything...If you live in a small town and don't want to run into people go to the next one, Whatever it takes But don't stay home!!!! So my best advice is don't think about it today or tomorrow...Focus on doing something you enjoy get your mind off of it... So you can revist your treatment with less emotion and a clear head…...Then Write down your symptoms and concerns start a diary include a photos if you can. When your finished writing them down put it aside and out of your mind..Avoid looking at it and do the things you would normally do.. I will help you work on a list of questions to ask your doctor Monday... The photos and diary may help him better understand what is happening in the long run... As difficult and humbling as it is... Know your face is not who you are. Your experiences make you so don't deny yourself Keep enjoying them and keep living them while we find a solution.... My biggest regret is the experiences I missed...I can't believe it's been 2 years... Get dressed and go somewhere with the people you love... What has your doctor said about your reaction? How long ago was your procedure and Do you know what settings they used? Has he had anyone with the same reaction and what was their diagnosis treatment plan and outcome? These are simple questions and you are entitled to an answer or explanation and appropriate treatment.... But you have to ask the questions...If he doesn't know...He needs to find out what the culprit is to provide you with the best possible treatment to prevent scarring.... I went to appointments for 2 years and came home more frustrated than when I walked in..... Exactly what are you experiencing now?? I can try to help you prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor if you send me more detail, I don't know what your experience has been to date.... But I will share my experiences and try to help you avoid the same pitfalls and frustration that I've gone thru But in the end your doctor will be the one to offer a diagnosis solution and treatment plan to address it...It's important that you follow his instructions... Every person who has experienced an issue the first thing they do is blame it on something you did a lotion ect....yea right... Be very clear that you are and will follow his instructions but would like to know why he is prescribing the treatment and what he hopes it will accomplish If we share maybe my experiences can help you get earlier treatment/answers and hopefully a faster resolution with a better outcome... Most doctors don't like to acknowledge they just don't know... If he is going to offer this treatment...He needs to know how to deal with the complications or stop doing it..
18 posts
22 Feb 2009
thanks for the help...but I am going thru a divorce, hence the "wanting a pick-up" for my aged appearance. I have always been loved for my looks...PATHETIC isn't it...and I'm working on those issues right now. I live in a very small town on a beautiful lake but people comment on the redness on my face esp around my eyes. I am believing for healing and DO expect a miracle. The scarring is on my chest..neck down to the V at my clevage. My Dr is disappointed w/ the results but what he is prescribing is NOT working..his plan is to see me weekly and go from there...this week was to be Siva Sorba Gel all over..my skin won't even absorb it. It just rolls up into little balls and falls off! Dr said he used the same settings as he did for his other patients but I just healed differently on my chest. He is not concerned about my face I AM! What creams can I use around my eyes to stop the "granulated" look they have from the phenol peel? He offers no suggestions on creams or skin care other than Obaji and that doesn't apply to the SmartXide Co2 laser I had. Please give me some suggestions...what were the vinegar soaks for? I've never heard of them. thanks, sue
465 posts
23 Feb 2009
I'm not familiar with phenol peels I've never had one....But I know people who have had amazing results... How long ago did you have it? Sue when you say granulated....Do you mean it looks like millia or hard bumps under the skin.. I think the best thing for bumps hyper granulation, hyper keratosis is tazorac/retina....But you are too soon after your procedure to consider it… The vinegar/water might be helpful on your chest neck area but it's so hard to say without seeing it.... I'm a little confused about what you did and when?? What is your skin type?? Is it thick thin? When you get a cut how do you heal do you heal...? It's so complicated and I would never want to advise someone since I'm not a doctor...I can only say what has helped me... I have somewhat thicker skin compared to my female friends...light Olive... Circulation is important for healing... When people smoke or have bad circulation...Cold hands feet ect healing can be severely inhibited .... You may want to get a Panasonic pore cleanser...They have mild suction and pull the blood to the surface for your chest neck... Circulation is so important for healing... You need to get your blood moving..It carries oxygen and nutrients to your skin.... If you have bad circulation ask your doc if you can take aspirin or baby aspirin... Warm baths and exercise, massage, inversion ect also could help... We all produce different amount of keratin, protiens ect... I produce a lot of keratin so I am prone to goose bumps on my arms Hyper keratosis ect and I have to be diligent to keep my feet elbows, knees and hands from being thicker...With AHA's Glycolic body lotions ect....If you have a different skin type what I do may not work for you.... The vinegar water soaks soften the layers of skin similar to aha's but it is anti fungal and anti bacterial...If used in a very mild concentration with the warm water it helps soften the plugs ect so they can escape..Like when you go swimming or take a long tub....If you follow it with the aquapher or a petroleum based moisture it makes it easier for the dead skin to escape and the new skin heal together... It may help you if you have extra keratin ect... Did you ask your doctor about it?? TNS recovery serum has growth factors..I find it very effective but it's not cheap...I have purchased on eBay and it was the real deal...It is great for healing... Before my procedure I used an electric tea steamer it my bathroom and put my face over it for a second rubbed it in and followed with moisturizer.... If it's the redness that is bothering you.... Revale Coffee berry night cream is wonderful for redness..I use it during the day my derm suggested..And when making sure my spelling was corret I learned it was Named 'Best Night Cream' by Allure Magazine's Best of Beauty Awards. Use the TNS at night.. They have other creams with growth factors as well you could try The one thing should really try is the revale Great for redness and all around antioxidant.... I like ordering from skincarerx because of the reviews and you can search by ingredient.. If you sent me a picture It would be easier to see what the deal is with your chest...I could show it to the derm I see now and see what he thinks.. Obagi is great for hyper pigmentation but you can't beat the coffee berry and TNS for healing and redness... Pick up some aveeno positively radiant moisturizer spf 35 at the drugstore...It is in a pump..It is very gentle and also somehow seems to mask the redness... I have tried every sunscreen on the market..This is by far the best for everyday... In the summer or if I'm outdoors for a period I wear a 60 but wash it off as soon as I get in or home...The aveeno doesn't feel like sunscreen at all and doesn't sting sensitive skin...It’s easy to use everyday I cover my face.neck and chest with one pump... When you are healed Retina is by far the best thing you can do to fight aging..With an antioxidant and sunscreen during the day.. As far as being know for looks....I do believe it's harder on people as far as aging goes when they have received attention for being attractive... Our society is no help...When every other commercial and add in fashion mags....Is for a wrinkle cream ect... I for one am sick of it.... Divorce is tough but know it’s not the end of the world.. Try to view it as an opportunity to experience another chapter in your life..
465 posts
29 Mar 2009
TNS Recovery will not cause your skin to thicken it is great to speed healing and will allow you to speed exfoliation without as much irritation.. If I use TNS every day I can use Retina A or tazorac every night... Without it only a 2 or 3 times a week... It sounds like your doc is trying to speed cell turnover to prevent scarring ect... Ask him about this...Combining the 2 and finding balance can really speed up the process as well as microderm to clear the pores or MTZ's of debri early....So the cells can reconnect
18 posts
7 Apr 2009
thanks, I sought help with a wound treatment center/specialist that used a topical compounded cream to stimulate collagen growth for my face, neck, and esp my chest. He gave me something orally to cause my body to produce more blood and I required 20 hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments. This laser about killed me. My chest is still scarred but the would Dr feels that it will continue to "plump up" and fill in with time....I see him again this Thursday. The Eye Candy Trio by Color Science did more for the phenol redness around my eyes than anything else. I am so self conscious...I wanted to wear a bikini this summer but don't know about my chest. Thanks for staying in touch. Do you have any recommendations for an eye cream that won't affect by "phenol eyes" badly? thanks, Unsure