Fraxel Laser Reviews
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“read reviews at least 6+ mnths after and compare pics - Maryland”
FraxelDamage
Not Worth It
Spent: $1,600 in Maryland
Spent: $1,600 in Maryland
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.
Updated on 15 Jun 2011:
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.
Updated on 21 Jun 2011:
I've decided to try a deep TCA peel in a few months. Wish me luck.
Updated on 26 Jul 2011:
Yesterday a female friend of mine mentioned that it looks like I no longer take care of my face. She noted the pores and crazy texture and said I now have a crazy rough look - not in an attractive way. She also asked if I am living with smokers, which I am not.
This is not getting better. I am 20 months out now and am devastated knowing I will have to live the rest of my life like this. Fraxel has robbed me of my identity in a way. It kills me to know I did this to myself.
If I could go back the first clue I should have backed out was when the doctor kept insiting that we needed to do the full face to make everything even. If there are supposed to be no major textural changes then why would I need to make everything even? Now I know that had I just done the three scars I went in to treat that only those spots would have this crazy texture. I could have lived with that.
Again, please don't get all excited from these reviews that are only a couple of months old. Most of these people are still experiencing the micro swelling that makes things look better for a short time. Months later they come back and start asking questions on how to fix the damage.
These doctors know what is going on and this needs to be addressed. There is no fix for this and I have been told this by top dermatologists and plastic surgeons. If you decide to go, just know that if something goes wrong you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE and that your previous problem will pale in comparison to what you can be left with.
Updated on 26 Jul 2011:
Here is a picture posted by a doctor here on RealSelf. Note the burn victim like texture in the after picture. That is what my entire face looks like, but worse!!! http://www.realself.com/files/Fraxel-Laser-before-97891.jpg
Updated on 19 Aug 2011:
Nothing new to report. Still have the same texture over my entire face.
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
Helpful review?
My Doctor: Name not provided
My rating:
He is a nice guy.
Comments (90)
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“Horrible Results - Canada”
16 comments
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
How soon did you start the glycolic wash after treatment?
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.
Hi JBM,
So sorry this happened. But I'm glad you are talking got Bowman and Kaytee they are very knowledgeable in the subject. Hopefully you will find some help. Please keep us updated.
Thanks so much for the review,
-Britt
What you might try is this. I found some peer reviewed research done that said daily use of topical Vitamin C for 30 days completely restores the papillary dermis. The study demonstrated through skin biopsy that the actual papillary dermis grew up and into the inferior layer of the epidermis, which would greatly help the "orange peel" look you refer to. Even though it says 30 days, I'd suggest using it for several months. I had great success with SkinMedica Vitamin C, which is 20% concentrated. Also, Vitmain C is also known as Ascorbic Acid. Yes- an acid. This topical will dry your skin out, but KEEP using it. I think your age is on your side, along with some daily use of sunblock and vitamin C, you have a pretty good chance or some significant improvement! Go to pubmed.com and do some research on the breakthroughs coming out as far as research on vitamin C and its effects on fixing MANY skin problems.
Do you have pictures of your damage?
The problem with laser damage is that it goes much deeper than any peel, less a Phenol Peel, can reach. Correction to the papillary dermis would be temporary because the existing damage would eventually resurface or effect the ability of the papillary dermis to maintain its form (NIH).
The Jessner's peel took care of my color issue and I would recommend it; however, the texture (pin prick pores) remained the same. I NEVER had an issue with my pores prior to this.
Here community member livluvlaf had the same problem.
I am not taking any supplements. The damage is done and I do not feel any supplement will go back and fix the damage. :(
Here is another picture where you can clearly see this texture issue AND THIS ONE IS FROM FRAXEL!
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.
Riegel V Medtronics, Inc.
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.