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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Repair Reviews

Adverse Effects Fraxel Repair

UPDATED FROM Chrisitne

It took a long time, but I finally found the...

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Chrisitne
$4,000

It took a long time, but I finally found the FDA report filed by the fraxel people.  It took so long because the product was mis spelled twice???  Curious, how do you misspell your own product.?  They typed Praxel instead of Fraxel.  HMMMM, even worse though is that they stated I had an incident but healed with no scars or hypo pigemnt issues,  COME ON,  I call them regularyly , and send them pictures....HOW DO THEY SLEEP??????  

Following is an email from the FDA. Dear Ms.Hoene,

There is a typo in the name of the device. It is recorded as ‘Praxel’ instead of ‘Fraxel’. That is probably why you weren’t able to find the report. You can click on the following link to see the report.

Updated on May 28, 2010:

I had Fraxel 2 years ago; it burned by skin and caused many nightmarish cosmetic issues (see earlier posts). But, now that seems insignificant! one year after fraxel I started getting a very painful facial rash that has not gone away and is only controlled by steroids. This is also happening to another women, bad enough it ruined my skin, now it is ruining my health! SO FRUSTRATED AND SAD!

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Replies (5)

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July 7, 2009
I had the fraxel restore a few times a year prior to the repair.
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July 10, 2009
Were you taking a lot of vitamin A at the time of this procedure?
July 10, 2009
James, nothing unusual, but why do you ask?
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July 11, 2009
you said you were a vitamin junkie. accutane is synthetic vitamin A. so taking a lot of vitamins can sometimes have the same effect. sensitizing the skin to laser treatment.
July 12, 2009
James, sorry, I bet your comment was intended for Christine. As a matter of fact I am weaning my self off all vitamins except B12 and CaMgZn. Americans are Health [RS bleep] and overdosing of vitamins will prove to be disastrous for our health.
April 21, 2012
Hmm I take multivitamins and am aware of what not to take before procedures --- hey if anyone sees this just make sure never to take too much A, D, E, or K, EVER. You have to take quite a bit to overdose but why take more than the standard dose? Not only sensitive skin but death can occur, plus a multitude of other probs. However, I often take a teeny bit extra C, since you basically excrete any excess. Now....what about those of us who take antidepressants? Argh you know what not worth it....I think I am officially scared off the Repair or any Fraxel, unless I go to Dr. P. Just forget it! Plus even if it did work on me, I don't want them to have my money after their bad behavior!
UPDATED FROM Chrisitne

May 2009, it has been a year since my fraxel...

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Chrisitne

May 2009, it has been a year since my fraxel repair laser. So it is time for a final update.

- My experience was horrible. For 2 months I was horrific looking, for 7 months I had issues that could be covered up if I was in a dark room with heavy makeup on. The last few months, my skin has settle down but I have been left with permanent loss of pigment, minor scars, and I still have rough areas to the skin around my eyes. It was not worth it. There has been some improvement in the skin. (see photo)
- What I learned was that a responsible doctor is very important. The majority of people that had similar experiences to mine went to their doctors, and the doctors did not know how to treat them, and they have not faired well to say the least. My doctor was concerned and treated me well or I would still be extremely disfigured today. Everyone should be proactive with their doctors. Ask them, what happens if I have an adverse effect? Who will pay to have the face fixed if there is an issue? Do you have the knowledge to deal with adverse effects? Do I get a refund if things go bad?
- I am angry because the laser company has been marketing the product as no risk, no documented case of issues – even though I have been consistent in contacting them. The doctors who are referred to on their website also say the same think. And, the sales people have been selling it as no risk to doctors, who therefore feel comfortable buying it, even though they may not have the knowledge to fix adverse effects. After dealing with them for months and months with not even an * added to their website stating the risks, the media got involved. Since then there have been some positive reactions by the laser company. It is too bad it takes media hype to get a reaction from them; they should have acted in good will and done it on their own.

Replies (5)

May 7, 2009
Christine, from looking at your updated pictures it appears your latest skin looks very nice. I don't see the "loss of pigment, minor scars, and rough areas to the skin around the eyes". Am I missing something?
May 8, 2009
Christine your latest pics do look great!! Im glad for you and sorry you had to go through all of that, thanks again for all the info you've provided everyone.
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May 9, 2009
Yes this is very valuable to the community. I hope you are suing the doctor and Thermage (current owners of Fraxel) for damages.
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May 25, 2009
I think you look remarkably well and much younger than in the before pics.Your skin looks so much tighter, and more evenly textured. I think it was worth it in your case, just judging from the pictures. I suppose living with the recovery process for a year is too hard on the self esteem though. But you do look great now.
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June 1, 2009
Obviously you haven't seen the scars it left on the sides of my face. Where once my skin was smooth it is know pockety and discolored. It is horrible. I just had filler before the second picture was taken which helps make you look younger. I agree my pores are better after the fraxel...but the scars are horrible. I switched pictures from the front to the side view so you may understand how bad it is.
March 21, 2010
Christine, Sorry if I already emailed you...I had fraxel done about 3 1/2 weeks ago. I am currently most concerned with my face (when in the light) it looks like I have lines and dents-sort of like if you took a fingernail and dug it in. Will this go away? I thought I would be getting better each day, but I seem to have new issues. I have had some pigmentation issues that I am taking Epiquin Micro for, and TNS recovery. I think I went to a very credible doctor, but I think I may have some inflamatory responses. I am mostly concerned to know if these are permanent issues?Thanks:)
UPDATED FROM Chrisitne

It has been 6 months of negatives. I have hypo...

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Chrisitne

It has been 6 months of negatives. I have hypo pigmentation, red lines and streaks, rough skin and scars.  In additions the laser had little / no effect on my face wrinkles.  I could not leave the house for 2 months without the stares and looks of pity.  It was horrific.

The laser company final changed their advertisement to say there is a small risk of scarring.   ABOUT TIME!!!!!!     I have heard from so many sad people that have gone through fraxel repair that have been left with negative issues. 


Replies (5)

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August 18, 2008

Were you on Accutane, Claravis, Sotret, Amnesteem, etc.(Isotretinoin)before or during treatment? I know that drug makes the skin very fragile and you are not supposed to do laser for a few years afterwards.

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August 18, 2008

I have never been on any of those drugs in my life.  I am pretty much just a vitamin junkie.

January 29, 2010
You shouldn't even have to defend yourself. Unfortunately, some of these people are misinformed, so they tend to blame the victim. In addition, I suspect some are so full of wishful thinking and hope (ie. hoping these lasers will work for *them* and that it must have been that *you* did something "wrong" - it bursts their wishful bubbles to hear otherwise) that they don't want to hear or believe stories such as yours.
August 20, 2008

I'm sorry this happened to you. However, I would not "trust" that the settings were actually "normal". The machine have have needed calibrating and exactly who decides what is "normal" for each individual anyway?? I think just like in life, normal is quite subjective. To me, with any ablative laser procedure (yes, I've had ablative laser and am not happy with my outcome either),a more obscure area of the face should be tested prior to doing the entire face off the bat, so "normal" can be determined for each individual. Find a very good derm in your area and get one, two or three more opinions on what went wrong. Good luck and take care. D

August 20, 2008
What did the doctor say who performed this procedure as to what went wrong? My husband said I could do this at 45, but now I don't know! What have other doctors said? God Bless you and the best of luck - Merry
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August 27, 2008
no one knows what happened. I am healthy, nor did I get an infection.
April 3, 2010
I have the white lines that look like stretch marks. Did those get better or worse over time? I swear mine are getting worse, but I'm told they will "get better over time".??
October 27, 2010
Christine,
I had Lumines Total Fx with same results around my mouth and cheeks on 10-15-2010. I knew something had gone very wrong by day 8. How did you end up doing? You're about 2 years out now. Is there any hope for me to look "normal" again??
August 22, 2008

I hope this doc was not in indepence mo. I was think about get this laser instead of co2 laser.

August 27, 2008
You are far braver than I ever could be, the posting of your pictures must have been hard but has helped MANY with a potentially life changing decision. Someone needs to step up and help you out free of charge, I dont know who or how but its the decent thing to do. God bless you and I hope someone somewhere helps you out.