Fraxel Laser: Stories

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Fraxel: Biggest Mistake of My Life

Prague
posted 3 years ago
updated 3 years ago

Not Worth It
Cost: $2,500
USA

I had Fraxel: Restore done over a year ago. My...

27 May 2010

I had Fraxel: Restore done over a year ago. My face is scarring, I have tissue/fat loss. This is the most horrifying mistake of my life. I wake every morning to new scars on my face. It looks like both cheeks are going to be covered with scars. I was told NO complications, NO risks, NO side effects. I did this for a few scars and now I would give anything to have my old skin back.

None of the doctors I have been to offer any help. They tell me to use Retin-A and this only makes everything worse. Is there anyone out there that can help? There are others like me. This has ruined my life.

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Comments (118)

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stefinash 1 May 2013

This is what you should do. First do a facial fat injection where they take your own fat from your body and put into your face then wait a few months as it heals your skin and every 6 weeks, do dermarolling at a doctor's office.

Christian1 21 Apr 2013

the same thing happened to me. My damage is just on the nose but if I look in the mirror I can see sandpaperlike skin. Everybody is telling me that it doesn't look that bad but I know how my skin looked like before and it wasn't that horrible. At at least I got a visible zit or gristle after that procedure. I was so stupid... I had a dermatologist who worked very well but that I read about this super doctor in hamburg who has removed a scar. ... And then the shit happened. Maybe someone can check my photo and can tell me if your damage is similar? Cause I'm very depressed can't sleep at night and I dont think that this skin can rebuild.

JULIE HERMANN 13 Oct 2012

I do to, this was the biggest mistake of my life. I trusted Prevea Plastice Surgeons in Green Bay and believed them, but it was all lies just for money and so they could pay for the laser. Very safe and little down time, and nothing bad could happen all lies. My face and life is ruined and this was the biggest mistake of my life. No how you feel, one day your alive and happy and have a bright future ahead of you, then you do fraxel and your dead inside because you have to look in the mirror and see what they have done to your face everyday. I died that day. I will never be the same person I was. Prevea Plastice Surgeons killed me and destroyed my life.

Sats 13 Oct 2012

What laser did they use on you? What kind of reaction did you have. I said the same thing about feeling dead now. I've been dealing with the damage from Erbium resurfacing for over 5 yrs. They made scars around the scars, I have dents all over my cheeks. I've gone to so many doctors in the beginning, all said they couldn't do anything for me. I found one who started with smoothbeam, perfecta, affirm then fraxel restore 4 times, one a month for 4 months that ended in Dec 11. Then had another in June 12 along with sculptra. I stopped going out, became a hermit. Lost 30lbs from the stress & had to go on meds. Now I can't sleep. It effects every single part of your life when your face is ruined. I can say that it seems the fraxel restore after 5 treatments is started to work a bit or maybe it's the sculptra helping. I still have a long way to go. I have another fraxel restore in Jan. but til then I'll needle some of the scars on my own. I'm always selfconscience. about being under overhead lights & I try not to look at myself in the mirror. I did find a exfoiant called Aqua Cure that helps take the dead skin off & a pore filler caller Pore Professionals that helps fill in some of the scars. Maybelline mousse foundation is pretty good too in the jar. Please keep us posted on anything you find that helps.

Sats 22 Sep 2011

Sorry for not getting back about the rollers but it seems the cheaper one is just like or better the more expensive one. Got the punch needles too, I like them to hit just the scars instead of the whole face. I now have an appt with a ps to see if a face lift will help.

Sats 14 Jul 2011

I was afraid to buy a dermaroller on ebay after reading some reviews about them being knock offs alto I've been using one from there called Mims but since it's kind of old I started checking for a new one on line. I bought one from Vaughter Wellness at owndoc.com for 35.00 & a derma stamp for 17.00, supposedly the real ones & I decided to check one out from z_mart_beauty_dot_com for 14.99 w/free shipping on ebay. Figured since it was so reasonable I'd check it out & see if theres a difference in the rollers. Haven't gotten them yet, I'll let you know when i get them, I just ordered them. Retin A is strong for me after having the laser done almost 5 yrs ago. Now I try Glycolic acid 30% once a week & mirco derm scrub at home with Olay once or twice a week. Just got coconut oil too, tried Grape seed, emu & squalane which says it's olive oil. Still upset tho, scars are still visible after this long under lights & from the side view all the time. So sick of it. Wish i never did this to myself. Going to a derm & Glasgold in Sept. I'll roll again when i get the rolllers, i know that's going to be another week of hiding in but i hope with a longer needle I'll see some better results. It really sucks when you have bad skin. Even when your dressed to the nines you still feel ugly. Girls don't realize how lucky they are when they have nice skin. I never had it & it really takes a toll on you always wondering if others can see what you do.

scooble 14 Jul 2011

I also use Retin A about once a week - and yes, it does make my skin look flaky and yucky for a day or two (but not excessively) - I also have a micro roller which I use, can you tell me where you got your 1.5mm roller from

Milton Keynes 23 Sep 2011

Hi Scooble, just wondering if the gel needling still looks good. How many times a week do you use dermaroller?
Thanks

Milton Keynes 4 May 2012

Hello Scooble, I was just wondering how you're getting on after the needling. I 've had my first session and have been told I will not see a difference after 1. I was also wondering if you were suffering from fat loss after the fraxel and if the needling helped it. I have been harmed by fraxel 2 years ago. Now I have lines and bigger pores. I'm really hoping the needling will help.

scooble 4 May 2012

I haven't had a gel needling session since september last year, but I did purchase a 1.5mm roller that I have used about 3 times. I could do with another Gel session top up though.I think that there was some fat loss, but not a huge amount. I too found that the first gel needling session produced a marginal affect, but there was quite an improvement after the second session. I hope it works out for you.
Tricia x

Sats 13 Jul 2011

Hey Scooble, I'm doing needling on my own with a 1mm needle. I just ordered a 1.5. I do it once every 3 to 4 weeks, I don't want to damage the little bit of progress each session does if i do it sooner. I use copper peptides too but read putting Retna a after each time works so i tried doing that but it seems every time i do the next few days i don't look too good & get depressed, seeing bumps & redness after each treatment but after a week it looks a bit better. Using olive oil to for moisture after. I have filler for the deep parts but hoping after more needling I won't need any but i can't really tell right now since i had filler put in some not long ago. I made an appt w/ Dr Glasgold in Sept. to see if he thinks fat transfers will help. So glad to hear it's working for you. I hope it does the same for me but being 57 i feel by the time i get done this I'll be ready for a face lift! So tired of my skin. Every day it's something new. Trying not to look in the mirror as much anymore too.

scooble 13 Jul 2011

I now had 3 Gel needling treatments as EUDELO. The results of each procedure have become progressively better. The first was the least agressive, but the last two produced a fair bit of blood. I use a copper peptide and salicylic acid cream at night as well as a heavy moisturiser and a sunblock during the day. Many of the fine lines have either diminished significantly or gone. I am booked in for a needle only session in August (without the filler). Obviously, it may not work for everyone but for skin texture, I think its worth a go.

Milton Keynes 24 Aug 2011

Hello Scooble, great to hear that the needling has helped. How much did you pay for the 3 sessions? Do you think it was worth the money. I am getting desperate.

scooble 25 Aug 2011

The procedure wasn't that cheap, around £400 I think, however, I must say, that after having 3 HA needling sessions and just one needling on its own that there has been a progressive improvement. I'm still not sure if copper Peptides are actually a good thing, some say its a scam and can make your skin actually look worse, where as the website says it a miracle cure for just about everything.

Sats 25 Aug 2011

Your right. I just read up on peptides. Some do say too much isn't good, could make you look worse so only put a little on & not around your eyes. I never heard of 3 HA needleing. Just needleing but i'll look into it. Thanks

scooble 2 Sep 2011

I meant 3 off Hyloronic(sp?) Acid needling procedures - sorry for the confusion

Milton Keynes 26 Oct 2011

Hello Scooble, am thhinking of having the gel needling done. Is it still looking good? Would like it to last a while since it's so expensive.

scooble 27 Oct 2011

The cost compared to one session on Fraxel or Pixel is less. But it is expensive for what it is - the cost of a roller is a fraction of a laser machine.
However, I noticed longer term and better results with needling. I'm dues for another session on Sat 29th Oct. To me, its going to be an ongoing treatment, but at least it makes me feel better.

Milton Keynes 21 Jun 2011

Has anyone experienced broken blood vessels after fraxel? I am now getting that under my left eye in the size of a coin and am not sure what to do about it. Anyone with experience out there?

scooble 30 May 2011

I had my second treatment at EUDELO on the 18th of May with Dr Williams.
This time I had subscision on a few of the smaller scars on my lower face. This time, instead of using the Micro HA dispenser generally all over my face, Dr Williams targeted specific areas of my face with a syringe before going on to doing the needling with the roller.
The needling this time was much more agressive (still not to painful though) and there was a reasonable amount of blood. The next day I was still a bit puffy. Once the swelling had gone down, I had noticed an improvement in my skin. It looks and feels much smoother. I aprreciate that this may only be a short term solution, but at least I am feeling better

Sats 17 Apr 2011

Went to my doctor last week. He tried Perfecta laser, I was puffy for a week & i know from dealing with this for 4 yrs it will take time to see any results. Since I'm 57 I'm going to see a plastic surgeon. When i pull my face a bit tighter it takes away the dent thats on one cheek & a some of the larger scars on the other cheek, looking into having my eyes done too to lift my cheeks up. I'm so tired, tired of spending money, tired of lasers & tired of the down time inbetween & tired of staying in. For scars like mine i need to pull my skin tighter & get some filler & peels I think plastic surgery is my only hope along with fillers. I made a couple appts with different surgeons, want to see what they say. Anything is better than this. If i have to stay in then i want to see some kind of results. not keep going & going then not seeing any results at all after months of hoping & your money has gone.

FSRB (RealFriend) 17 Apr 2011

Could you "fill in" some information? From what I gathered, you had scars then had a procedure that made them worse but another procedure that made them better? How are they today? What issues does the Perfecta address? I saw you were going these last year as well? Do they help? Have you tried any topicals? Thanks!

Sats 30 May 2011

I had a few acne scars, had Erbium laser done, distroyed my skin. More scars,dents, broken blood vessles & pigment change. The only doctor who would touch me has been trying different lasers. I've been going through this for over 4 yrs. It's better than when i first started. I had Fraxel, Affirm, Perfecta, needling, obagi, retin a,coconut oil,shea butter, Emu oil, grapeseed oil, peels, masks, honey, lemon, scar patches, scar creams, fillers. So far i'd say i the Perfecta & needling. Emu & grapeseed oil at nite after using bakeing soda to wash with every day & lemon for 30 min every other day a day. Just stared using a scar cream called Kelo-cote w/a silicone patch when i can. I just had a filler for the dent. Yogart or Lactic acid or glycolic 30% peels every week at home. Seeing a couple doctors about fat transfers in June. I tried a plastic surgeon for a face lift but he said i'm not ready for one yet so fillers are the only other option for now. the peels make it smoother & the lemon lightens it up. Baking soda too to exfoliate. Be gentle, just bought a Clarisonic bursh, haven't gotten it yet but figured it would help. Let me know if you have any ideas. I've tried more thingds but now i know it it takes time to heal skin so don't hurt or scrub it too hard. It makes things worse.

FSRB (RealFriend) 21 Jun 2011

Thank you!! Who are you seeing for fat transfer? Please pm me if necessary. Which procedure has given you the most improvement for pigmentation issues? Did you use the hq in the obagi program?

Sats 24 Aug 2011

Going to see dr Glasgold in New Jersey in Sept. Heard he's used to fat transfers & laser damage. To tell you the truth i have no idea what worked best. Now i'm trying tomato on my face. Seems after doing it for a few days my skin peels a bit. Right now i'm sticking to needling & I just bought a TCA peel on line, I'll try that in a week or two. Don't want to do anything for 2 weeks before trying it since it's a strong peel. I'm only starting with 10%. By then i should be seeing Dr Glasgold about the fat transfers. I'll let you know what he says. Also going to a derm in Sept to see what he says he can do.