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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser Reviews

No Difference...will Cause Hyperpigmentation - Canada

ORIGINAL POST

I was told fraxel will get rid of melasma and so...

$4,000

I was told fraxel will get rid of melasma and so tried the four treatments. Hated the experience...blah! Got hyperpigmentation after the first two treatments but then doc prescribed hydrocortizone alone for the first week following treatment followed by a topical cream without Retin A to use until the next treament. This time my skin did not hyperpigment as much and healed quickly...returned to original color (even brighter) within 2-3 weeks. However, it has been 2.5 months since my last (4th) treatment, the glow is gone, the pigment/melasma is still there - basically no difference from when I first started. Save your money and find a good foundation instead.

Replies (28)

fraxel so not worth it! i've had 6 treatments and to start with i only had acne scars, NOW, not only do i have the scars i have hyperpigmentation!!!!!!!!!!! i'm so upset! my derm now wants to do a chemical peel! so disappointed!!!!!! save your $$$$
Hi aracely and Nicki, Were you treated with Fraxel by Reliant, or another fractionated technology? Were you treated by a physician? What were the treatment settings? Thanks. Dr. P
I do not know what the settings were, but the physician, was Sherri Novic (now Dr. Ingerham) of Advanced Dermatology in Katy Texas used the fraxel and on or about the 3rd treatment, she said, "I'm really going to do it deep to get the scars"... well that was about it. From there my face was so swollen, and that's when I started to get the hyperpigmentation. I applied ice as recommended, and used the finacea and tazorac as prescribed. The "melasma" as they called it, was strictly on the treated areas, which were the cheeks and right between the eye brows. It is awful. So the dr. agreed to do a couple of more fraxels because "that's what fraxel is for, to get rid of the melasma". I only had scars before, NOW I have scars (the fraxel did NOTHING for the scars) and I now have melasma. I am hispanic, and had quizzed them about this possibility, and they just brushed it off. Well, paying about $5,000 for all the treatments, meds etc. I think I would have gambled too if I were them. Well, when Dr. Novic couldn't fix it, she passed me off to the "spa specialist" and they did Jezners, and V-Beam. Today, I returned and they said i could no longer get "free treamtents", well Dr Novic had said "whatever it takes to get your skin fixed, we'll do it".... people's word doesn't mean anything anymore. period. I use suncreen 85 spf, and a lot of cover up make up, which really doesn't cover it up. I'm sick of it, and wished I'd never done it. Lesson learned.
How are you doing now, Aracely? I have hyperpigmentation on different parts of my after doing fractional laser treatment for stretch marks. I regret it. The technician who treated me said it would fade on its own but I became too paranoid and sought the help of a board certified derm. He gave me Tretinoin and Desonide. He said it might still fade on its own but these creams might help speed it up. I just started on them so I have not seen results. He said it can take 6 months. On top of that I am using Obagi Nu Derm Sunscreen SPF 50 and covering all the areas with clothing. I hope all this can help me. Has your condition improved? If yes, what did you do?
I had Fraxel Re:Pair in early August and followed post-care instructions exactly. Used heavy sunscreen, hat and avoided outside as much as possible. Acne scars (reason for treatment_now show little reduction and my face is COMPLETELY covered in hyperpigmentation. Esp chin/upper neck has stripes. I'm 34 and it actually made me look OLDER. I avoid mirrors and am so depressed. Dr prescribed Tri-Luma and said ok for breastfeeding but my Internet research contradicted that so I weaned baby cold turkey. Painful and hard too. Is there anything that can be done to get my skin back to where it was? I'm caucasion, VERY fair skinned, lots moles, but don't tan that much w/ green eyes and Dr said was surprised this happened.
I am so thankful to find there are other people experiencing what I have gone through!!! In 2006 I went in for lazer hair removal and ended up with PIH. The hyperpigmentation is above my lip so now I look like I have a brown shaded mustache instead of hair there! I should have kept waxing!! In 2007 I went to a different derm and he decided to do a large test spot of the fraxel lazer on my cheek to see if he could lighten the hyperpigmentation on my upper lip. Now I have two huge geometric patterns of hyperpigmentation on my face that is only getting worse with time not better!! I have spent thousands of dollars on topical things to lighten and correct the problem nothing works!!! Help!

live it alone, hopefully fade away alone with time,, hidroquinone only worsen the skin!!

I had Fraxel a few years ago. Didn't notice any great improvements in my fine lines (which is what I was after) but I felt I was overly burned. I had the checkerboard marks all over my neck. It took a long time to heal. I forgot about it until this year when I suddenly got hyperpigmentation on my neck. I also now have what looks like white scar lines. I couldn't figure out where I got the scars but just realized they are in the pattern of the fraxel checkerboards. I now have dark neck with what looks like many white slash mark scars on my neck and chest. I just realized what this was. My last derm wanted to do Fraxel on me to get rid of the hyperpigmentation.
I know this post is old but I would like to know if you have healed from Fraser damage??
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