Fraxel Repair: Stories

I know some folk have an improving result with Fraxel... Friends have had it done and I have watched their relatively easy recoveries. Pure vanity prompted me to book my first Fraxel sitting... The first and last I might add. Personally I wish I had never considered it and stupidly my skin wasn't even bad to begin with, I just wanted freshening up. Considering this is an aggressive attack on the skin it should not to be taken so lightly... I was just too impulsive.

The results have been horrid and I am left with hundreds of open pore type marks and what I can only describe as paper cuts in multitude over both cheeks... I have noticeably darker circles under my eyes and if I so much as touch my skin it tears or scuffs... It itches often and generally just looks haggard and sensitive. Bizarrely a few new wrinkles [or scars, whichever they happen to be], have popped up out of nowhere around my mouth and smile lines. Basically I have trashed my perfectly good skin with this aggressive procedure that costs £700 per sitting.

Let it be stated that the forehead is fine and recovered mush faster and without issue but I can see absolute zero difference after the fact. There is no noticeable difference with forehead but then I did only sit one session at mark 40.

The one week downtime was more like 8 weeks... and still counting. I have since been to the Harley Street clinic twice to review the situation only to be fobbed off and told it will recover, it might just take longer... doubtfully I remain unconvinced by that answer and expect some permanent damage. As for the blotches and skin discolourations, the nurse [not the doctor] said the two glasses of red wine I had on Day 4 was to blame for the skin patches and my body temperature would have increased as a result of having a few drinks. At no point was I told alcohol was ill advised or that my face would explode into deep red blotches and acne if I drank alcohol... Albeit a few glasses of red. I only ever got the occasional spot and mild dermatitis that comes and goes but is not often and does not bother me... This was acne [has since gone] and prolonged ongoing recover.

So I asked, when and how do they know for certain it will all go away when I was originally told it would be one week recovery? The answer I was given... This happens in 1/300 Fraxel procedures, also something not for-mentioned. Thinking about this clinic provided almost no information on the procedure, risks, stats, aftercare or rather any serious aftercare to address the new problems. I am as much to blame but then it is their job to talk you through it all. For good measure I'll be making another appointment with a different clinic for a second opinion and if this is fixable, I do hope my newly wrecked skin recovers.

As the skin texture is now covered in paper cuts, open pores and odd patches [8 weeks on] it is hard to photograph, clear to the eye but hard to capture in standard images. It has a texture similar to an Orange... I can honesty say I see no improvements but definite degradation.

I got me an Orange peel face and not a single compliment. Penance for vanity and a regrettable experience... That'll teach me.

On the advice of two other [REAL] Dermatologists I have been going to bed wearing an ALeo Vera drenched face cloth mask like thing... I have seen some immediate improvement in the orange peel texture.. the pore like holes are still there but the texture has improved and in in a few days so I truly believe the masks, although awkward to wear through the night are helping.

I have started feeling a lot more positive about the outlook.

SPF 100 at all times during daylight hours... also taking a multitude of supplements morning and night.

Thought an update was important.

I am now 5 month post Fraxel... Only one sitting.

My skin is pretty much in the same state... although some creams and routines do improve the appearance, this is merely a quick fix as every second week the skin appears to be rotting again... the texture is still so unpredictable.

The consequences of my actions in deciding to do this are far reaching. I can not indulge socially, I cannot go in the sun which is a huge issue for me. Something as vital as exercise is problematic as sweat irritates my skin... but hell at least I CAN still sweat.

My confidence is still scraping the barrel and if I am honest I avoid social situation and will not be photographed... which in turns means i have resigned from my job.

The expense of aftercare is shocking and the three REAL dermatologists all said to give it a year and hope for the best regarding the texture... There is no obvious fix and all stated they would NEVER use laser on someones face unless there was no other options.

I don't know what to tell you apart from that... there has been no improvement and I expect further issues although I try to stay positive in my outlook.

The butcher than performed the operation was a complete asshole in terms of responsible aftercare although the clinic manager was willing to listen to me... Unfortunately two weeks later she stepped down so my communication with said clinic was fizzled out... No refund was made... nor did they return my deposit for the Fraxel sitting I refused to have.

One more note... I was lying done on a bed which the prep cream all over my face when they ask me to sign the waver form... I have since discovered this is illegal...

Unfortunately no laser doctor I have spoken to since will commit to telling me that Dr [whatever] Tom Bozek leaving the room mid session for 10 minutes before returning to finish the job was incorrect... At the time it felt wrong and today that still feel like an issue of malpractice... Unfortunately there was no nurse in the room and therefore no witness to this... I'm not sure we should have been alone in that room.