“So far i'm extremely happy with the results”
Pixel laser: Worth it
Pain: Mild
I had my first Pixel procedure done on my full face and 1/2 neck 6 days ago. I've noticed immediate results in skin blotchiness, as well as some improvement on acne scars. It's still pretty early to comment on myself but I'm very happy so far with what I see. It was pretty uncomfortable to have done, it feels like being snapped with a rubber band except with a burning sensation as well. But the procedure only took about 10-15 minutes so I was able to handle it.
Afterwards its as though I had a bad sunburn but that began to fade about an hour later and was totally gone within 3 days. Minor flaking then occured and now on day 6 my skin is smoother and I just can't wait for my 2nd treatment in about 4 weeks.
Would love to hear from more people that have had the procedure and I will update my progress after my upcoming treatment.
Updated on Jun 28, 2008:
I had my 2nd treatment and the pain wasnt nearly as bad, maybe because I had it done before and knew what to expect. Either way it was easy. They set the setting done at 50% higher than the first time. Same results with the 3 days of spotty redness followed by peeling and flaking. Its been 3 weeks since my 2nd treatment and again I see improvements. Scars are filling in and skin blotchiness has lessened. Cant wait for my 3rd treatment. I did not have 1/2 my neck done this time so it cost me $995. for my entire face. They did one pass over my entire face and then the Dr. did "stacking" which means they allow the laser to hit three times in the same spot before moving along to another spot. After each treatment I used a antioxidant refoliator lotion for 5 days, it replenishes nutrients to help the skin protect itself after laser, microdermabrasion or peels. It really helps the healing.
Updated on Aug 28, 2008:
I just had my 4th treatment with the Pixel laser done. It was set at 1800 which is pretty high and more painful than before, nothing i couldnt handle tho. I was much redder after this treatment but I like that cause it means something intense was done. Time will tell my improvements, I dont go back to my Dr for 4 months so that the new collagen can come in. Ill continue to update....
Updated on Nov 30, 2008:
Had my 5th and i believe final treatment and OMG it hurt like h*ll this time, i had to have them stop at least 5 times while doing my face from eyebrows to neck. They did 5x1900 this time, very high setting and it burned for hours after, not like before where within about an hour the burning stopped. I was as red as a tomato, swollen and in pain. Once the burning stopped after approx 3 hours its hard to even remember the pain. I was pink up to about 4 days after the treatment. This time i used aquaphor starting on the 3rd day and it helped a ton with the peeling. Its now day 6 post treatment and my skin looks great, like brand new, im very happy and i go back in 4 months to possibly have a filler used on two deep scars i have. But my shallow scars are SO much better im very pleased with my results so far, and it only gets better with time.
Updated on Dec 4, 2008:
Im only adding this because i have to in order to change my overall rating and pain experience. ok anyways the Pixel rocks check it out people you wont be sorry. An added benefit of having it done for scarring is it also greatly lessens wrinkles so now i have like no wrinkles around my eyes, i am 41yrs old and having a minor little wrinkle at the corner of my eye is all i have now :-)
May 1, 2008Comments and replies (18)
67 posts
3 Jun 2008
Ok I just had my 2nd Pixel laser treatment yesturday and I gotta say it wasnt as bad as the first one. Maybe I was just more prepared but honestly I thought the pain was mild. My Dr. said he was using a stronger setting (i guess that means it goes deeper into the skin), he said 50% stronger than my first treatment which was fine by me. So far I feel just like the first treatment, it feels and looks like I have a sunburn. This time I opted not to have my neck done cause of the cost, so i paid $995.00 for full face. They did one pass on my entire face using a lower setting then he did "stacking" with the stronger setting (which means he held the laser over the same spot while it went off 3 times instead of just once). Again I cant wait to see the results and I have an appt. for the end of July for my 3rd treatment. Will update with my results as time goes on.
unregistered guest
3 Jun 2008
Hi Tracy, thank you for sharing more about pixel. i'm getting updates by email so please keep updating! i too have acne cheek scars. my derm is selling me on fraxel. why did you choose pixel? did you have a choice of other lasers? thank you again Tracy!
67 posts
29 Jul 2008
Ok I had my 3rd pixel laser procedure done about 2 hours ago. WOW was this one more intense than the others. The setting went up to 1600 where the first two were set at 1400 (whatever that means LOL). All i know is that it hurt much more than before which i actually liked because no pain no gain and its over so quickly that its totally tolerable. Im super red and they gave me cold packs for my face where b4 they werent even needed. Again i just feel very sunburned but its only been 2 hours and its subsided ALOT already. Cant wait to see the results, my 4th and possibly final procedure is done the end of August, will update again then.
67 posts
24 Nov 2008
Im going for my 5th pixel treatment today at 5pm, cant wait!! Will update and this time im taking some pain meds before i go in, i have some vicadin left from having wisdom teeth removed so i may as well put it to use before it expires. Wish me luck....
67 posts
4 Dec 2008
All i have to say is I LOVE THE PIXEL LASER!!!! and my doctor too of course!!! lol
4 posts
8 Dec 2008
Hello, please keep us updated about the progress of your acne scars. We always here that acne scars are plumped with the skin because of these procedures but over time they return to their original state so please inform us what happens long term. thank you!
unregistered guest
10 Dec 2008
Hello! I've been reading alot of peoples stories about pixel laser surgery. Today was my first consultation day with the cosmetic surgeon and they did some testing on some tiny freckles on my arm and under my chin and they also did one on one scar, which happened from a past doctor cutting it out and after the stitches went out it stretched. The doctor and the nurses said that its a SIMPLE procedure and I can go back to work. I was a little scared reading your stories. My first pixel laser is next Thursday and copper laser surgery to remove some raised moles. They said you can easily cover it with make up, im not sure how well that will go with the healing process. And three weeks after I have that done I am going back for IPL. At the moment the test patches they did are looking dark and my scar is looking pinkish. I just wanted to ask how many treatments were needed to fade scars? I just don't like the idea of constantly going back and then having red skin all over again. Why can't they invent a one day treatment.lol.
67 posts
3 Jan 2009
Hi Tiger_eye, are you having just certain spots done or your whole face? If your whole face you definately can NOT go back to work the same day, you would need at least 3 days home. If you are just having spots done im not sure as ive only had my entire face done. I would think to be safe you should take a day or two off if you can because it does leave you very red where you have the laser done. Good luck to you and keep us updated!
27 posts
4 Jan 2009
Hi All, I am pleased to read about the positive out come with the pixel laser I think I have now decided to get the pixel instead of the repair as the overall client satisfaction is much higher for pixel treatment then any other. I have one question do any of you know the exact machine name you were treated with i.e. Pixel 2940 for example. Does anyone know how deep the penetration range is for pixel? For Fraxel repair its up to 1.6 mm and I think the deepth has a lot to do with the success of treating acne scars. Many thanks for any advice and good luck to you all going forward with further treatments.
1 post
16 Jan 2009
hi everyone! my fiance is thinking about having this done. he had a consultation at sona medspa today. has anyone been there? he has mild & some deep acne scars. sona recommended 5 treatments, totaling $1800.00. we thought that was fairly inexpensive. does anyone have some before/after photos that they wouldn't mind emailing me? i really want to research this as much as possible so that we are not expecting anything more than he will get. i have heard that a chemical peel may help just as much??? thanks!!!!!!!