POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
read reviews at least 6+ mnths after and compare pics - Maryland
ORIGINAL POST
I am now 15 months post 2 Fraxel Restore sessions...
$1,600
I am now 15 months post 2 Fraxel Restore sessions and must say that this was the WORST decision of my life.
I am a 29 Y.O. male that had 3 MINOR acne scars on my right cheek. I was talked into doing my whole face in order to ensure an even tone and texture. The texture I got is the "orange peel" texture everyone is talking about. Here is what causes this: "deleted collagen is inadequately replaced and forms a pitted appearance resembling the surface of a golf ball. (Laser Revision of Scars, Dr. Keyvan Nouri, MD)"
I went from having three small scars and baby smooth skin to a face that looks ten years older. You can actually see where the laser stopped - around my hair/jawline, which makes things worse and very noticeable.
I am currently contacting doctors all over the world to find something to correct this damage, but it is not looking good.
On a side note, I have already tried peels and scar revision creams to no avail. The damage here goes deep.
Please take the time to look at and compare the other pictures on here and read everyone's post. I beg you not to have this done!
I'll add more pictures soon.
FraxelDamage's provider
UPDATED FROM FraxelDamage
I hesitantly went to the doctor that performed the...
I hesitantly went to the doctor that performed the laser a few days ago and he noticed the difference. He is not sure what to do and offered to do a test spot with a 100% ablative erbium laser to see if that makes a difference.
I am scared to death to try another laser.
I am scared to death to try another laser.
Replies (19)
June 15, 2011
I had the same experience. I am 12 months out of 3. I have heard of a few people where it resolves. I am assuming you have used retin a, how long? What type of peels have you tried? I was hoping to try some after the summer.
Please keep us updated.
I am sorry for your experience. I wish more doctors would come forward with what to do. I think they don't really know. My doctor just wants me to go away and I have been blackballed by the other derms in my community.
Please keep us updated.
I am sorry for your experience. I wish more doctors would come forward with what to do. I think they don't really know. My doctor just wants me to go away and I have been blackballed by the other derms in my community.
June 15, 2011
I did use Retin-A for a few months, but developed an allergy to it.
I have also tried 2 Jessner's peels, and these help for a few days post; however, I think this is just because of the swelling. My thoughts are that the damage goes to deep to be reached by your average peel. A Phenol Peel will reach the appropriate depth, but there are tons of risks.
In addition I have tried the grossly overpriced Revive Peau Magnifique, Jan Marini Age Intervention Regeneration Booster. Again, neither worked.
Hopefully we will find some sort of cure - the only problem is IF someone has they stop posting or never post. We need to share our collective experiences good or bad.
I have also tried 2 Jessner's peels, and these help for a few days post; however, I think this is just because of the swelling. My thoughts are that the damage goes to deep to be reached by your average peel. A Phenol Peel will reach the appropriate depth, but there are tons of risks.
In addition I have tried the grossly overpriced Revive Peau Magnifique, Jan Marini Age Intervention Regeneration Booster. Again, neither worked.
Hopefully we will find some sort of cure - the only problem is IF someone has they stop posting or never post. We need to share our collective experiences good or bad.
June 15, 2011
I'm not sure if you skin can tolerate Vitamin C but that would help along with a daily AHA. Walgreens has a very cheap one at 10%. I could not try using them together.
Also, I have heard great things about the ViPeel. I live in a beach community so I need to wait until the fall. Have you thought about a microlaser peel? I don't think I could do another laser but I have heard of good results with them.
Bottom line, you should (I pray for you and me) get results with Vitamin C, Vitamin C and acids. Finding your tolerance is the key.
I have emailed tons of reviewers and many do see improvement but it take up to 2 years. I pray this is the case for you as well as me.
Also, I have heard great things about the ViPeel. I live in a beach community so I need to wait until the fall. Have you thought about a microlaser peel? I don't think I could do another laser but I have heard of good results with them.
Bottom line, you should (I pray for you and me) get results with Vitamin C, Vitamin C and acids. Finding your tolerance is the key.
I have emailed tons of reviewers and many do see improvement but it take up to 2 years. I pray this is the case for you as well as me.
June 15, 2011
I have tried a daily glycolic wash in conjunction with InviCible (scar treatment). InviCible contains silicone and Vit C. Neither netted any results.
I have thought about the micro-laser peels, but again I think the damage is too deep and that the texture just remodels back into its old form - almost like your skin has learned this new texture pattern. I think the scar needs to be reached then flattened in an even manner (NON-Fractional).
When you say the people you have talked to have seen improvements was this after 2 years of use of the products you mentioned or was it just time?
What products have you tried?
I have thought about the micro-laser peels, but again I think the damage is too deep and that the texture just remodels back into its old form - almost like your skin has learned this new texture pattern. I think the scar needs to be reached then flattened in an even manner (NON-Fractional).
When you say the people you have talked to have seen improvements was this after 2 years of use of the products you mentioned or was it just time?
What products have you tried?
August 8, 2011
Dear JBM3.. I had a tea peel.. They are horrible aswell. I have found a world renouwned dermatologist.. Comment back if you want his name. He may be able to help you if anyone could.
June 16, 2011
that is sort of like what my forehead looks like. Was it that way from the beginning? I wear bangs so at least it doesn't show.
June 17, 2011
No. I had baby smooth skin prior. The texture slowly developed over time and eventually (I hope) has plateaued.
June 17, 2011
what did you put on your skin right after your treatment before the texture started showing. For example after my first tx I started using BetaC which irritated my skin. The bumps started appearing and my doc said it was a form of dermatitis. I stopped using everything except c and aloe/hydrocortizone. Texture is still bad so i cancelled my upcoming treatments.
How soon did you start the glycolic wash after treatment?
How soon did you start the glycolic wash after treatment?
June 16, 2011
@JBM3
I don't think the wash helps since it is not on the skin very long. I really like Nia 24 as it has niacin, ceramides and a retinol. Up until a week ago I was using. Am: wash, skincueticals vit c, exfoderm from obagi and LRP anthelios (european version). Pm: wash, Retin A. Sometimes I layer the Nia 24 over it. I had a very respected Derm tells to follow the Retin A with Cerave lotion. It contains the niacin and ceramics. Nia 24 has the most niacin but it costs 10x as much. I think I will go back to the Cerave since I don't need the retinol and the science behind the niacin is not fully supported. Walgreens has a great 10% AHA line that is cheap as well. I have heard very promising things about Osmosis skin care but I have not tried it.
Thank you for your Laser Scar Revision link. I have many of those if you are interested in them. I think the laser is largely operator dependent; however, even the best make mistakes and the mechanism and it's safety HAS NOT been proven. I would encourage anyone to ask their doctor to provide the safety data and follow up studies There are none!!! Also any doctor that says it is safe without risks, is not telling the truth. I would run from their office.
Oh. as you know shaving is a great exfoliator I would shave your forehead. Many women pay big bucks for dermaplaning which very similar.
Did your damage get worse over time or stay about the same?
I wrote this on my iPhone with my kids running around so i hope it does not ramble.
I don't think the wash helps since it is not on the skin very long. I really like Nia 24 as it has niacin, ceramides and a retinol. Up until a week ago I was using. Am: wash, skincueticals vit c, exfoderm from obagi and LRP anthelios (european version). Pm: wash, Retin A. Sometimes I layer the Nia 24 over it. I had a very respected Derm tells to follow the Retin A with Cerave lotion. It contains the niacin and ceramics. Nia 24 has the most niacin but it costs 10x as much. I think I will go back to the Cerave since I don't need the retinol and the science behind the niacin is not fully supported. Walgreens has a great 10% AHA line that is cheap as well. I have heard very promising things about Osmosis skin care but I have not tried it.
Thank you for your Laser Scar Revision link. I have many of those if you are interested in them. I think the laser is largely operator dependent; however, even the best make mistakes and the mechanism and it's safety HAS NOT been proven. I would encourage anyone to ask their doctor to provide the safety data and follow up studies There are none!!! Also any doctor that says it is safe without risks, is not telling the truth. I would run from their office.
Oh. as you know shaving is a great exfoliator I would shave your forehead. Many women pay big bucks for dermaplaning which very similar.
Did your damage get worse over time or stay about the same?
I wrote this on my iPhone with my kids running around so i hope it does not ramble.
UPDATED FROM FraxelDamage
I've decided to try a deep TCA peel in a few...
I've decided to try a deep TCA peel in a few months. Wish me luck.
Replies (7)
June 21, 2011
Here is another picture where you can clearly see this texture issue AND THIS ONE IS FROM FRAXEL!
September 23, 2011
I don't understand. The photos clearly say that one is BEFORE the treatment and one is AFTER. The skin in the photo AFTER the Fraxel treatment looks much better than before. This isn't really helping your argument. Why not post photos of your face?
September 23, 2011
I think the after photo is better over all, but I think he is talking about that shiney pitting that happens. That;s what my face looks like too. yea it got rid of the lines though, so take a choice, scars, lines or orange peel!
July 16, 2011
To JBM3: I must wonder if you have a lawsuit with the manufacturer of the laser. I feel that this company is responsible, if the doctor used the product correctly.
I feel that at the least, they owe you lifetime dermap fillers and they should pay for any future treatment options that ever may address the problem.
Very sad this happened to you. Thanks for sharing the experience with us here, it is valuable knowledge.
I feel that at the least, they owe you lifetime dermap fillers and they should pay for any future treatment options that ever may address the problem.
Very sad this happened to you. Thanks for sharing the experience with us here, it is valuable knowledge.
July 26, 2011
In the US you cannot sue the makers of FDA approved medical devices (lasers/IPL/VBeam). The Supreme court protected them in the landmark case:
Riegel V Medtronics, Inc.
Riegel V Medtronics, Inc.
July 19, 2011
Regarding supplements...I just posted that my skin was improving since my 1 and only 1 IPL treatment. I take a vitamin A, C, and E tablet. Dont fall for the all in one, once a day vitamin. If you take a separate supplement of A and C and E, you will get about 1000% of the daily value, whereas if you take an all in one, you will only get 100% of the daily value. You cant overdose on these vitamins at 1000% of the daily value. You'd have to get closer to 25000% of the daily value.
I do think using supplements makes alot of sense for skin issues and I cant prove they helped me, but I do think they at least helped some. Supplements are cheap and you should invest in them if you have skin problems.
I do think using supplements makes alot of sense for skin issues and I cant prove they helped me, but I do think they at least helped some. Supplements are cheap and you should invest in them if you have skin problems.
Replies (3)