Fraxel Laser: Stories

Last year I had five fraxel treatments. Most of my fine lines and crows feet have disappeared. My doctor recommended I have one fraxel/year to keep up the collagen production. I just had a fraxel dual tonight. It is not as deep a tx, but will remove my dark spots and treat small wrinkles as well.

I have just turned forty, and have nicer skin now than I did when I was thirty! I think it is worth the dollars if you can afford it. I wish I had before/after pictures. There is some down time, particularly after the first one which was the worst for me. Very swollen and red. Not sure what I will look like after the dual though.

I take 600mg ibuprofen before going and along with the numbing gel the pain is tolerable. Some parts of my face hurt more than others but overall worth the pain. Some people are not happy with the results, but I have nothing negative to say. Pricey, yes, but in the long run worth it. Make sure you are assessed by a physician first. I made sure the physician was the one to perform the tx.

Two days post fraxel dual: Skin is dark, and feels like sandpaper, also starting to peel. All "normal" and expected. I had 40% done, not sure what that number is in terms of the level of laser..I have read some pretty scary stories people have...sagging skin? Not one of the side effects I could find in any journals or reviews, nor did my Physician encounter this at all..maybe laser not done properly or done too high. Also I only had a 2/10 pain experience, maybe up to a 4 on the fourth pass of the laser. I read stories where people were in tears and it makes me wonder who is doing this proceedure to them?

Almost three weeks post fraxel dual and I am just amazed at the difference...all of my dark age/sun spots are gone! Not one left! Skin is so rosy and fresh looking. I am just thrilled with the result. I recommend this proceedure to anyone...honestly I don't know how some of the people here have such horrible experiences because mine was so posititve. I have now had six fraxels in total and would do it all over again. I think the most important thing is to find a physician who has a lot of clinical experience with the laser...