Fraxel Laser
Fraxel Laser before & after photos
55%
471 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Fraxel Laser Cost ≈ $2,200 average cost
Write a review | Ask a Question

“To Soon to Tell”

13 posts
Comments (17)
Updated 9 Feb 2008
Posted 9 Feb 2008
Worth It
Spent: $3,000 in Scottsdale, AZ
I just had my first Fraxel treatment Friday 2/8/08 to remove sun/age spots. I am 38 years young and am just starting to see the effects of aging. From 1-10 the pain was about an 8. I highly recommend taking a pain killer along with the numbing cream. Today I am slightly red with minimal swelling. I intend to ice and take arnica. I also purchased Ceramide cream to help moistureise and heal. Will post updates as the process continues.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Vote: 1 member found this review helpful

Comments (17)

Post a Comment
Sort:
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 14 Feb 2008
I am nearing the 7th full day after my first Fraxel treatment and already I see a differance. First my skin started to lightly flake. Then the sun spots started to flake off too. I still have them but they are much lighter then before. Skin is still a bit sensative and I have noticed a little bit of a break out but very minimal. My complextion looks porcelain. I am very pleased and this is only my 1st session. Can't wait to see what happens after the 2nd. :-)
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 8 Mar 2008
Had my 2nd session on 3-7-08 of Fraxel. Just as painfull as the first,who are these people that say it doesn't hurt??? Anywho, I did not swell as much as the first time,my face just looks slightly sunburned. I did take a painkiller though I'm not sure it helped. I can only say I felt more relaxed then the first time. Maybe it's because I knew what to expect. Not sure what setting was used, I don't think I really want to know until all sessions are done. Only one more to go! I just keep telling myself no pain no gain. Will update as I see results. :-)
elliesma (8 posts) 9 Mar 2008
When does the peeling start? Also, did you get little whiteheads around your your lip/chin? I have and am not sure what to do about it. They seem to be a little more like blisters. Just beginning to get itchy.
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 10 Mar 2008
I started to flake around day 3. Yes the break out was little white heads, like you said tiny blisters. I tried not to pop/pick at them since I paid so much for the preceedure I figured they will go away on there own, and they did. Just kept my face clean and mouisturised with Ceremide TNS cream by SkinMedica. I did notice after the 2nd session my face feels a little dryer. If you don't mind me asking,how many sessions did you have and where?
elliesma (8 posts) 10 Mar 2008
You are better than me. I had to get rid of the whiteheads/blisters. I just can't walk around the city like that. I just started to peel this morning and my face still hurts in some areas. My face looks like I have a very bad sunburn. The brown dots are becoming more noticable too. It's day 3 so I guess we are on the same track. I just had my first last Friday at the LAser skin surgery center on E. 34th St in NYC. You think the second time is easier than the first, really? How long did you wait before you went in for the 2nd round? He told me 1 month.
elliesma (8 posts) 10 Mar 2008
Yvonne - how bad does the peeling get and how long does it last?
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 10 Mar 2008
It's not really a peeling, more like a flaking as if your skin is dry and lasts about 1 week or so. It's not noticable by anyone but you really. I don't think the second time was any better then the first I just knew what to expect and I took 2 painkillers which I don't think helped much. The pigmentation will get darker in a few days but as you wash your face you will notice it flakes off with the dry skin so keep moisturising. I am waiting 4 weeks between each session. My skin was still sensative by the 3rd so I wanted to wait a bit. Some people wait less or longer. I just want this over with and beautiful results. :-)
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 12 Mar 2008
Day 5 after my 2nd fraxel treatment. The flaky/dry skin is starting to subside and I've noticed my pores appear smaller. I see a big diff the 2nd time around. Pigmentation appears lighter but I still know it's there. It is flaking off like the first time so I can only hope it gets better from here. So far I am very pleased. :-)
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 11 Apr 2008
Had my 3rd and final Fraxel on 4-4-08. This time was like the first, swelling and redness the next day. Also painful. I iced and moisturized like crazy. By Sunday I was mildly red w/ no swelling and able to leave the house feeling comfortable. Don't want to jinx myself but so far my results are amazing! My complextion is even, the sun spots have lightened even more and I was told they would get lighter over 6 to 9 months. My minimal wrinkles have disappered and I feel great!
cheryl0514 (unregistered guest) 13 Apr 2008
does this treatment help tighten the skin at all? how many days do you need to hide from people normally? i made an appointment but not sure if i chose the right type i just looking for something to help with tightening jowl and wrinkles around the eyes. please advise me
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 8 Feb 2009
Cheryl I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner. How did your treatment go and how are your results? I was told Fraxel would laser off the first layer of skin to regenerate new youthful looking skin. I mainly did it for the pigmentation but the firming was a bonus. They say you will see the final results after 6-9 months and I'd say I saw them after about 9. I would recommend using 1 product line for best results. Im not a professional just speaking from my own experiance. Currenatly I use skinmedica cleanser, toner, C during the day, Retinal at night, moisturizer and SPF. As bad as the fraxel was for me it was worth it.
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 14 Apr 2008
Hi There, I'm not a Doctor but I don't think Fraxe will help your problem areas. From what I was told it restores collegan (spelling??) to promote youthful looking skin. Not a tightening or lift just restore if that makes any sense. I have very minimal wrinkles and went only for the pigmentation problem I have. Consult with your Dr and what they may suggest. Good luck. :-) P.S. Down time is about 24 hours and it only looks like a sunburn so you don't have to hide from the public.
cathy43 (unregistered guest) 18 Apr 2008
I just had my first fraxel treatment today.Not bad at all. My face is slightly red and swollen but I don't think this would be noticeable to anyone but me and it doesn't hurt at all. No problem going out in public. It is supposed to help with fine wrinkles and give mild tightening, which is why I did it. I don't really have any pigment problems.
disturbed (4 posts) 7 Feb 2009
Hi! How are you doing after a year? I would like to know if your skin's dryer? Thank you! I've just had the first treatment but after reading so many posts here, I am hesitant to proceed with the next. Any feedback will be much appreciated!
disturbed (4 posts) 7 Feb 2009
Yvonne, have you any new wrinkles after the treatment?
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 8 Feb 2009
My Phycisian just opened a SkinMD and told me I would have better results if I'd gotten the fraxional treatment. It's another type of laser but diff then fraxel, (I just remembered the name.) My main reason was to get rid of the pigmentation on my cheek bones and the fraxel, a yr later has made my complextion amazing. I don't want to sway you but it is diff. for everyone. Since my fraxel I've used Skinmedica (buy at skinstore.com) and gotten an occasional faceial (the vitamin C facail) and have taken care of my skin and REALLY do see a diff in my complextion. My pores are smaller and skin is clearer. I'm turning 40 in December and people mistake me for 20 something. Keep me posted on what you decide to do. What are you trying to treat with fraxel, wrinkles, pigmentation or both?
yvonne1269 (13 posts) 8 Feb 2009
No. I've noticed my skin looks amazing. I have been maintaining by using Skinmedica products and an occasional facial and I'm totaly happy with the way my skin looks. Although the pigmentation is not 100% gone it is better than it was. Even the esthatision(?) complemented me on my complection.

Post a Comment

Read more Fraxel Laser reviews

“Not Worth It” 2 comments
“Greatly Exceded my Expectations!! ” 11 comments
“So Not Worth the Money”
“First Treatment for Acne Scaring” 6 comments
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.