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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS

Horrible Hyperpigmentation After 16 Months - Glen Burnie, MD

Name: Horrible Hyperpigmentation After 16 Months - Glen Burnie, MD
Item: Adam Summers, MD
Rating: 1
Author: izzy9970

ORIGINAL POST

Well, I had fraxel in March 2010. Initially when...

izzy9970May 26, 2011

$3,000

Well, I had fraxel in March 2010. Initially when they put the numbing cream on my face I broke out in a huge hive. I was told that this had never happened to a patient before. My face was extremely red and swollen so I was given a shot of benadryl and they took the cream off of my face and used another type of cream.

So I went in for the procedure and just getting the needles in my face was so painful that I had to be put under.

After the procedure I looked like I was a victim of a house fire. About 3 days later the top layer of skin started to peel off. I noticed laser marks and raised areas that look raw. It took about 9 months for the redness to go away and now I am left with massive hyperpigmentation. My doctor also told me that this has never happened to one of his patients before and he had done approximately 100 procedures. Like telling me that I was 1% was going to make me feel better.

I am a single woman of 40 and all I wanted was to get rid of fine lines. I originally went to see him about Thermage, but he said that it was very painful and the Fraxel would be almost painless, but could not have been worse.

As I mentioned, I am currently single but feel I will be saying that for the rest of my life. I want my old face back... fine lines and all. I never had a problem getting a date in the past, but now the only time people look at me, I can tell they are wondering what happened to my face.

It's a horrible feeling when I go into the bathroom every morning and think, 'maybe this will be the day that I notice some improvement' and then I look in the mirror and the disappointment sets in.

This has effected me in every aspect of my life. I don't date, I don't go out during the day, I miss friends and family cookouts because I don't want to risk going in the sun... it has even effected my mental psyche to the point that it spilled over into my work. You can't be happy doing anything when you feel like everyone is looking at you and wondering what happened... when everyone feels sorry for you... when everyone keeps asking you 'why' you did it. All I want to do is become a hermit...but instead I have become a vampire.

I have been on a regimen of hydroquinone and retin-a for a year now. I have to stop every few months because my skins gets very irritated and turns red.

I was told by a dermatologist that the hyperpigmentation would eventually fade, but he could not tell me how long 'eventually' was. He said it could be another year or two or even more. I just want my old face back... fine lines and all.

Had I known any of this would happen, I would have spent the money on several dermabrasions and light chemical peels instead.

PLEASE DON'T NOT GET FRAXEL LASER!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.

I am a very fair skinned white person of german/irish decent. I was told that I was the perfect candidate for this procedure and this is what happened to me. My life has changed drastically and none of it for the better.

izzy9970's provider

Adam Summers, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

izzy9970 rating for Dr. Summers:

Overall rating

Replies (1)

urlm

August 16, 2018

Have you seen any improvements? You likely have dermal hyperpigmentation. I had it after 2 years and 3 months of hydroquinone - zero improvement. What finally worked for me was microneedling, it's now 90% gone. Takes patience.

UPDATED FROM izzy9970

I know this says that 55% of the people say that...

izzy9970May 26, 2011

I know this says that 55% of the people say that getting Fraxel is worth is, but is 45% a risk that you want to take? Hell, 1% isn't even I risk I would have taken had I known.

DON'T GET FRAXEL LASER!!!

Replies (56)

BrittB

May 26, 2011

Hi izzy,

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I know you mentioned you went and saw a dermatologist, but have you gone and seen anyone who possibly specializes in something like this? Maybe someone who can do scar removal or an actual plastic surgeon to see what they can do? Please keep us updated.

Thanks so much for the review,

-Britt

izzy9970

May 26, 2011

To my understanding, a dermatologist IS a skin 'specialist'. And it was a plastic surgeon who did this to me. This is hyperpigmentation and not a 'scar'.

BrittB

May 27, 2011

Hi Izzy,

I was just thinking maybe a dermatologist that specialized in major skin damage or someone like that. I must have read your review wrong I thought you had scaring too. I hope you can find someone to help. Please keep us updated how things go.

Thanks,

-Britt

misty21503

June 1, 2011

I'm considering fraxel and dr. told me to do research and check this site. Would you share with me what type of fraxel that you had? based on the official site they have 3 types. Thank you.

kaytee1

June 4, 2011

They put needles in your face? What did you have done? A fraxel repair? I never heard of going under anesthesia for a fraxel restore.

izzy9970

June 4, 2011

To my understanding Fraxel is a brand... the first brand to come out with Fractional Laser Treatment. The type of laser that was used on me was Sandstone Matrix CO2. It was a one session treatment and yes, I have not heard of anyone else having to be put under anesthesia either but the pain was so bad they felt it was necessary. I wish I would have found this website prior to the surgery though, I would never have had this done.

kaytee1

June 4, 2011

So sorry this happened to you. I think this was an ablative laser according to their website.

VeryVegan

November 14, 2011

Hello kaytee1, I'm desperate for getting rid of my lines/wrinkles too and was reading all the terrible experiences these poor souls went through, so I decided, with a sigh, to resign to live with my ugly lines/wrinkles instead.

But you mentioned to someone that the procedure must be "ablative laser". I read elsewhere here at RealSelf that the latest is: "Matrix CO2 fractional NONABLATIONAL lasers". Could this make the difference I wonder? Of course, these so called cosmetic scientists are always inventing impressive sounding names that the general pubic has no clue about so I'd stay away.

HOWEVER, may I share with you something I may do? I read about White (or Dry) Needle. It's done with a micropigmentation needle or little machine but without ink and it claims to get the same results as the laser by stimulating the collage, etc. I figure at least this is much less invasive and cheaper than laser. I may be wrong, but I think I'll go and try one application. Was told we can tell if there's improvement at the first application. $250 but I forgot to ask how much of an area this fee covers.

Will welcome with thanks any comments about these 2 matters here. Rosedala

FSRB

November 14, 2011

Rosedala

Have you tried products first? Consistently? Please try them for 6 months before considering anything else. Plus they will help the skin prepare for procedures.

kaytee1

November 14, 2011

After going through this I would have started, under a dermatolgists care, a strict skin care regiman with Retin A and possibly a peel instead of lasers. I don't think lasers are worth the money and have a higher possibility of damage than being more conservative at first. Give it six months. Ultimately I had a facelift but still you need to take of the skin anyway so why not see if medically supervised skin care works before spending thousands on lasers.

VeryVegan

November 14, 2011

thank you FSRB, you give me a good idea, but there are thousands of products in the market, so do you happen to know of a good, effective one by chance?

I remember to have read (don't recall where) that it works better when any kind of treatments, especially the strong ones like lasers, are done gradually so as not to shock the skin. It makes tons of sense to me!

Thanks again! :) Rosedala

FSRB

November 14, 2011

I believe the science is behind retinoids (Retin A, Tazorac), acids (AHA, BHA, etc.) and Vitamin C and of course, sunscreen. You would want to start slow. If you are in the US, the fall/winter is a good time to start beause the sun's position. It takes time to work and you must be patient. I would start with retin a which is a prescription so you will need to see a dermatologist. The key is to find a really good aesthetician. The Obagi system is easy to use but very expensive (less than a laser though). If you have age spots, I would go with someone that offers Obagi. After the first month or two, you can decide which products from the line you like and don't like. For example, I no longer buy the wash and toner. I use Cetaphil cleanser, Obagi Vitamin C and Cerave sunscreen in the a.m. then I wash with the Cetaphil, combine the Blender (sun spots) and Retin A in the p.m. Go to Obagi.com, you can look for providers in your area. You might want to consider light peels (acids) as well but I would take the advice of the dermatologist. I have seen medical papers with pictures of patients on retin a for wrinkles after a year....they are amazing even the deep stubborn wrikles. After Retin A, I would try replacing the loss of volume with fillers. Bottom line, you need to decide what is best for you and your skin. Best wishes!!

VeryVegan

November 14, 2011

Thank you so very much for your detailed suggestions FSRB! I forgot to indicate that my lines and wrinkles are from an 84 year old...would these suggestions apply do you think? When you recommend Vitamin C is it also in the cream? Luckily I don’t have brown spots on the face so one (expensive) problem less. However for any system that really works on lines/wrinkles...I’d use up ALL of my savings if need be! :) I used to have some brown spots on my hands, but I took 2 sessions of IPL and they are now gone! Never thought it would work! Yes, I’m in the US (NYC for that matter) :) so I’ll get busy with your good recommendations right away.

Again I thank you for this kindness a lot! Rosedala

FSRB

November 17, 2011

Find a good dermatologist with a great aesthetician. One that does not have the word "laser" in his/her practice. As we age our skin gets thinner so I would certainly start with retinoids and acids before I would consider lasers. You may be able to get a series of peels and be done. Think about this as well...wrinkles are caused by volume loss so you might want to consider fillers and/or Botox. BTW: You can get peels/fillers on your hands for rejuvination.

Did you find an office that would do the needling? It is the same concept as fractional lasers without the heat. The problem I have with lasers is the heat. I know they work on many but not on all.

VeryVegan

November 17, 2011

I want to thank you so very much for following up on me, FSRB!

Following your advice, I've found an esthetician who does needling under a dermatologist which I didn't think of doing before...and, without laser, as I too have some objections based on consumers' reports though I never had laser myself.

This lady has this on her website:

"The daily use of topical products such as Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamins C & E and/or 25% Hyaluronic Facial Enhancer will help boost collagen and regenerate the tissue after each needling session."

Though she recommends the them AFTER rather than before. But you explained that before is better, so as to go into the more or less invasive needling to make things gradual. And I think it makes sense, but I ask you to please, if you know, to recommend to me specifically any of those creams (which you also mentioned) so I know which brands to buy? Please? If you can't mention brands here, maybe you could use the private email also here?

I don't know how to thank you since, while I've been thinking of doing something I never did, until now where I really feel to go ahead and do it...even at this advanced age... :)

Hope to hear from you again. And thanks a lot! :o)

Rosedala

FSRB

November 17, 2011

What skin care lines does she carry? I have heard that the .25 needle is good for product penetration. Ask her if she carries that needle for home use. This is my regime: in the morning, I wash with Cetaphil (Walgreens/CVS), Vitamin C (Obagi 10% or Skinceuticals CF whichever I can find on sale when needed and since I can't decide which I like better) and Cerave (Walgreens/CVS) sunscreen. The Vitamin C is expensive but the other products are cheap. In the evening, wash with Cetaphil then apply the Retin A (this is a prescription and must come from the doctor's office). I would start with the .05% and use every 3 nights for a month then every 2 nights for a month then work your way up to every night. Of course, if your skin is not reactive, you can proceed faster. Red and irritated means slow down!! If needed, you can use the hyaluronic on top of the Retin A but I would wait at least 30 minutes. It sounds as though you have found a person you trust. Since she can actually see your skin, go with her recommendations.

Oh...use the excess on your hands instead of washing the products off!!

VeryVegan

November 18, 2011

Sorry forgot to ask, would bhe .05% Retin A cream come with other ingredients? Happen to know which other ingredients they are? Thank you so much! Rosedala

FSRB

November 18, 2011

Retin A's main ingredient is Vitamin A. Here is some more detailed information:

http://www.drugs.com/pro/retin-a.html

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/retin-a.html

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