POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
Fraxel Caused Orange Peel Texture
ORIGINAL POST
I had 3 re:stores done in April, May and June of...
FSRBApril 18, 2011
$3,600
I had 3 re:stores done in April, May and June of 2010. The last treatment was at the highest setting 70 mj at level 8. The derm's PA did the treatment. She has being doing Fraxels for 5 years. The 1st was in normal settings at 40 mj at level 8 (no problems and great results) and the second at 60 mh and level 8 (great results but some darkness under eyes). I asked the PA if the laser caused it and she said I was probably tired. I went forward on the third treatment even though I had a feeling that I should not. On the last treatment, I broke out in cystic acne (never before) hyperpigmented with more broken caps along my cheeks and under my eyes which make me look as though I am healing from two black eyes. Two weeks later (six weeks almost to the day), my face completely deflated as though I had lost 15-20 lbs. I had jowls, marionette lines and my cheeks were gone!! Also, since my collagen and tissue had been destroyed by the laser. I was left with huge open pores and wrinkles!! As others report, it is confined to the areas of Fraxel - my neck is still smooth and youthful. Sad thing about this is I did it strictly as a vain procedure. I had no real issues except a few brown spots and a few fine lines beginning around the eyes.
I now understand that my natural collagen/skin tissue was intentionally destoyed so that it could be replaced with scar tissue!!!!
Fast forward to 10 months later.....now I have this obvious cobblestone/dimpling/orange peel pattern. It is not nearly as bad as 2 months post laser; however, the skin puckers between pin prick pores. My skin is extremely smooth to the touch but looks very red and uneven. My skin has become somewhat firmer but not back to normal. My broken capillaries are just as obvious as well as my hyperpigmention. I have gone all over to try to find help. A few offer "more lasers" and a few say "let it heal" and a few offer "products". This proves that no one really has an answer. I am considering a facelift to correct the loss of tissue damage but I am not sure the texture/pattern will ever resolve. I believe the hyperpigmentation will resolve in time even though it could take a very, very long time.
Bottom line: I honestly feel I look 5-8 years older.
If you are considering Fraxel, PLEASE think long and hard about the possible consequences. I don't believe that all possible side effects are listed in an informed consent. My life has been put on hold. No one should fear the sun.
If you have already had Fraxel and find yourself in an adverse reaction. I pray you find a speedy resolution.
I will be certain to come back and update should I find a resolution. I have started Obagi's Nu Derm. I have been on it for 2 months with minimal results. I have heard it would take up to a year to correct some of the damage. I wish I had been offered it before I considered Fraxel.
Replies (20)
April 24, 2011
we tend to get impatient and want to fix the problem right away, buy no matter what we are doing...finally it is more harm to our skin..LEAVE it alone...no peeling, no retinoide treatments, nothing agressive...you will only weaken your skin more and take away their natural power to recover, and i thing it is horrendous that some M.D. answering you that if you skin is suffering abnormally after a "suppossed to be" the less offensive laser like Fraxel Restore to go for ablative laser like Co 2 or more agressive treatment. It's like when you having a sun burn from sunbathing with bright red damaged skin giving you the advise going to a tanning studio to take UV-light for 1 hour in your face.....does that make sense?
April 25, 2011
litshia25 this is excellent advice and so true. I made a big mistake using retin-a one year after fraxel. Of course skin should be healed in one year, but mine was not because fraxel created scar tisse in my dermis. Derms have rec. more lasers to fix this. They are not acknowledging the damage these lasers are causing people.
February 19, 2013
I am so confused! I am one month after pixel laser and pointed out to my doctor tonight that I have skin crepiness, orange peel texture, the presence of multiple flesh colored bumps in my dermis and fine line wrinkles. He too gave me the ole song and dance of "wait for three months. Your skin is healing andnproducing more collagen. The bumps arenthenresult of it trying ton shed it's impurities.". Then he suggested that if the appearance of my skin didmnotnapprovE within 3 months that I shouldntry photodynamic therapy!! Please I need my Real self friends to help me with this explanation!!!!
February 20, 2013
I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. I have the same problems with my skin. My doctor kept promising me things would change over time even after one year and 4 months he could offer no explanation for what happened to me other than "I have never seen this happen". The doctor was giving me free botox as an apolagy then his business shut down 2 months ago. Now I am left with fat loss, orange peel texture and just an overall deformed look. Truley devastating:(
April 25, 2011
I think I am going to bring down the laser industry. If I ever get my face fixed and can accept what has happened to me. My face and life have been put on hold because I have been dealing with this tragedy. This laser has done things to my face I am too upset about to even write on here. One day I will. I will tell all of it. Just a warning to anyone considering this laser or any other type of laser treatment. It isn't worth it. Only treat scars if you have them and want to use a laser. The facial rejuvenation is a lie. Fraxel creates tiny holes in the dermis and inferior collagen grows in to replace healthy collagen (scar tissue) It is so not worth the destruction of healthy tissue. risk of scarring, fat loss, damaged skin for life, damaged muscles. I could go on, but will stop here. I hope this saves someone from this horrible experience that I have been living for over a year now.
April 25, 2011
I agree completely!! I am sorry this happened to you as well!! This is not just happening to me but to my family and friends as well!!!
May 25, 2011
i don't even know where to begin to take down the laser industry T.T
it's all we can do, to bring the percentage down on this website.
it's all we can do, to bring the percentage down on this website.
September 12, 2011
hey!! thanks a ton for yr valuable feedback. i was considering fraxel laser for my acne scars which are not even that big, got lured in the greed of getting baby like skin back but all the risk is definitely not worth it.
thanks again, have decided not to go for it
September 13, 2011
nisch
I think JBM3 (review above) saw improvement with his acne scars but developed the orange peel texture. Contact him if you would like more information. I didn't have scars so I cannot comment. I'm sure your scars bother you but I seriously doubt people notice them. I don't feel the trade off would be worth it. My texture looks very rough and uneven....like an orange or golf ball. Lately, there is really a trend of Fraxel reviewers getting orange peel texture after their Fraxel treatments. I can't find any public papers discussing this as a Fraxel side effect. I have seen posts here on Realself about it going back to early 2008. I have also seen doctors on their personal sites admitting to it. My hope is that someone will step up and tell us how to correct this damage. There is an idea that it is an autoimmune response. I know of several that have been tested and only one has come back with an autoimmune disorder. Before making a decision, I would check out other sites with Fraxel ratings like acne.org. It also has a very low approval rating. Best wishes!!
I think JBM3 (review above) saw improvement with his acne scars but developed the orange peel texture. Contact him if you would like more information. I didn't have scars so I cannot comment. I'm sure your scars bother you but I seriously doubt people notice them. I don't feel the trade off would be worth it. My texture looks very rough and uneven....like an orange or golf ball. Lately, there is really a trend of Fraxel reviewers getting orange peel texture after their Fraxel treatments. I can't find any public papers discussing this as a Fraxel side effect. I have seen posts here on Realself about it going back to early 2008. I have also seen doctors on their personal sites admitting to it. My hope is that someone will step up and tell us how to correct this damage. There is an idea that it is an autoimmune response. I know of several that have been tested and only one has come back with an autoimmune disorder. Before making a decision, I would check out other sites with Fraxel ratings like acne.org. It also has a very low approval rating. Best wishes!!
October 17, 2011
OK, so after hearing all the stories and freaking out a few times – this is what happened to me and how it has changed my life. This is a personal experience and I hope someone will benefit and realize their inner strength and potential from it. I will be brief in my explanations…
I have always been worried about how I look. No matter how beautiful a person is there is always a flaw, a line, a spot or something that makes you feel terrible.
I did my last fraxel in Jan 2010 – so we are nearing two years after. I have always had a problem skin, very acne prone. I had a massive break out a year ago, and was given accutane in a very high dose for four months (this has nothing to do with the fraxel btw – long history with this)
To be honest, as I feel we all should be to help each other and not to speculate too much, I never noticed anything weird after the fraxel (Re:Store) treatments. OK, so to re-cap, I am now 3 months post accutane and two years post fraxel. I was digging on the net to find a way to lighten my scars and was re-searching fraxel once again to see if anyone had success with treating acne scars (because I had no complaints) – then I found the stories. I had a panic attack. I was so depressed and kept looking in the mirror, I swear I started seeing things. I don’t have sores, weird lines or fat loss, but I do have a really bad skin texture and broken capillaries. The skin texture is thin and wrinkly and sensitive type, I have huge pores and milla and I stress all the time about what if and what will happen later etc. – because I did fraxel.
I researched accutane effects and found that a few people have the same worries as I do after accutane. They also say that their skin is extremely thin and sensitive long after the accutane is supposed to leave your system.
So in short – I just don’t know what caused what… and my family have never said that something looks wrong, they are confused as to why I am worried. My mom and sister both have thin skins and large pores, so I know it is in the family – also an interesting observation, I actually do have fewer wrinkles than they do and my skin texture is almost the same as theirs, I don’t know what to think anymore… There is only one definite fact about the laser and that is that I have a fine line of pigment that I burned on the side of my face where I drive and the sun catches it. I also never had laser everywhere but my skin is consistently bad everywhere.
I have been extremely depressed, and in a weird way it is something that has saved me as a person. This is why… and for anyone struggling with this, please read on.
I believe that some of us have actually been saved from a worse experience later on. We have already been to the derm for this which means that we would probably never have stopped doing things to our skin in the name of staying youthful. I feel so sorry for those who have suffered much worse consequences than “a bad skin texture” and “a few broken capillaries” If you search on the net you will find people who are living with problems that are way beyond anything we will ever have to go through. I also realized that this whole thing about “going through life can only be great if I look like a porcelain doll” is so stupid that I actually cannot believe I ever thought that way. I now know for a fact that GOD has saved me, and probably you too from something that you might have done in the future (He has done this to me a few times!) He is there right next to you and he has given you something that you can handle and heal. I realised this and fell on my knees to thank him for what he has done. I have given up my life of vanity and judgement and replaced it with love for all and a compassion for people that I have never felt before. This entire experience has saved me and I hope that you will see God’s grace in your life and see that He is ready to give you a new one. Remember that God said, I am the God that Heals you! All you have to do is ask him and to also ask forgiveness for the way you lived before. I know this sounds crazy, but believe me, when you see it, your life will forever be changed, and the healing, both spiritually and physically, will give you a wonderful life. Please please please don’t lock yourself in a room and feel like you want to die, or carry on with life being centred around your face – it is not what you are meant to be doing, and anyone who judges you or looks at you – pray for THEM, don’t make it your fault – it is not your fault! There are famous people, big business people and all kinds of other people who are nowhere near perfect looking, and their lives are abundant and successful. Live life abundantly!
For those who are interested in the healing versus in the Bible – here are a few…
“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds … Great is our Lord, and mighty in power …” (Psalm 147:3)
“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:8)
“The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting …” (Psalm 100:5)
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
“But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there; and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.” (Matthew 12:15)
I hope this will help someone get their life back! I did! And I have done more good and lived more than ever before – I can also see the improvement in my face!
God Bless!
BTW, I am using Neostrata and it seems to be working on the texture, I will let you guys know how it looks in 3 months… Never again will I mess with my face with a procedure or pills! Just use good creams and do the best you can – THEN MOVE ON, your life is worth sooooo much more!
If anyone has had the accutane skin texture problem, let me know what you think is good to use…
December 9, 2014
I apologize if I've messaged before. I'm compiling a list of any improvement seen on real self with orange peel/micro scarring/pinhole texture created from laser resurfacing. My questions are, how long ago was your procedure? Have you seen any improvement since? If there was improvement, do you feel it was natural healing, and if not, what kind of other procedures/topicals/suppliments/meds did you use for this improvement to occur? Once I have compiled the answers I receive, pls check my page for an update on what I've found. Thank you kindly.
UPDATED FROM FSRB
My children had spring break last week. Although...
FSRBApril 30, 2011
My children had spring break last week. Although I was very, very careful (lots of sunscreen, Coolibar hat, umbrella and shade) my entire face has hyperpigmented. I am certain I have laser induced melasma. I am a Fitz 1.5 or 2 with no history of melasma.
Replies (2)
May 25, 2011
DON'T DO FRAXEL!
and everyone writing comments about how the damage has happened to them as well, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write a "Not worth it" review!
It's the least you can do. Just commenting on others' reviews doesn't bring down the percentage rating. I can't believe it's at 55%!!
It's all the positive reviewers who write after only a week. The truth needs to spread.
And since we can't do anything about with the FDA, nor the company, nor with our doctors... the least we can do it to expose the dangers of Fraxel through this website!
and everyone writing comments about how the damage has happened to them as well, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write a "Not worth it" review!
It's the least you can do. Just commenting on others' reviews doesn't bring down the percentage rating. I can't believe it's at 55%!!
It's all the positive reviewers who write after only a week. The truth needs to spread.
And since we can't do anything about with the FDA, nor the company, nor with our doctors... the least we can do it to expose the dangers of Fraxel through this website!
March 9, 2019
Help me any advice would be great. I had fraxel restore almost 4 months ago. November 21, 2018 worst day of my life. I have no moisture in my face, huge orange peel texture on my upper cheeks, forehead and chin. They are like huge holes. I have lost all my oil production in my face. I don’t even look like myself anymore. My eyes are sunk in, fat loss in my entire face, horrible texture, my face still gets red and aggrivated with anything that touches it. My skin texture is horrible. Any help out there. I have went back to the treating dermatologist 5 times and she deneys that anything is wrong with my face. She told me on the last visit that she will no longer be seeing me.
I have huge pores now and acne looking scaring.
I have huge pores now and acne looking scaring.
Hi Bowman,
Welcome to the Fraxel community. Bowman I'm sorry I thought you said you looked years younger. I saw that you changed your "worth it" to "not worth," I'm glad that you were able to fix that. Please keep us updated.
Thanks so much,
-Brit
Yes, please do keep us updated Bowman. I'm sorry the healing process is so extreme hopefully it will be over soon.
-Britt