Staying Positive Along This Journey - Rochester, NY

I feel like I've dropped off the face of the Earth, but it's been slammed at work and I'm trying to get my ducks in a row for graduate school. Nonetheless, I wanted to post a quick update on the great results that I've had from the Fraxel treatments. I've had a total of 3 sessions to date and I've booked one more for January 15th. It's pricey, even for such a small area of skin, but since I've seen an improvement I'm going for one more. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Hi RealSelf friends,

After taking some time off from Picosure treatments (my last zap was in May), I’m pleased to share the results from my first Fraxel treatment. The Fraxel 1550 laser is a fractionated skin resurfacing laser from Solta Medical. It penetrates tiny columns in the skin to smooth the skin and to stimulate healthy collagen production. It’s primarily used on the face to treat acne scars, wrinkles, and damage caused by the sun. I’m going to share this experience with the tattoo removal community because many of us have varying degrees of scarring. It’s much more expensive than the Picosure, at $500 a visit; however I picked up a part-time serving job to cover the expense. Fortunately, the new restaurant has been busy enough that I was able to finance the entire series (four zaps) in just one month.

As you know, the scarring left from the first round of tattoo removal devastated me. With the ongoing support from the RealSelf community and my own self-reflection, I am slowly coming back stronger than ever. As you can see in the comparison pictures attached, I have improved skin tone and complexion. Since the laser on ‘damages’ a fraction of the area treated, one can expect a quicker recovery than with other methods. As a result, some areas of the web are smoother than others. The scar is becoming less dramatic and my skin is softer. I’m hopeful that with time, I will continue to see a fresher forearm. I realize that I’ll never be able to erase the scar completely, but it’ll serve as a reminder to never jump again.

Thank you for taking the time to read my update. I really appreciate the continued encouragement the people in this community have given me.

Only my best,
John

Thank you to everyone who replied to my last post; I really appreciate your ongoing support. Yesterday, I had a consultation with a dermatologist. For my type of scar (hypertrophic/slightly raised), he recommended the Fraxel 1550. This Fraxel aka Fractioned Laser penetrates collagen in the scar in order to facilitate new, healthy (fingers crossed) collagen. The outcome is a flatter scar, with less defined edges. The catch? It costs $500 a treatment, and he estimates 3-4 to have optimal results. Because I'm so desperate to fade as much of the maitake as possible (yes the ink is gone, but now I'm permanently tattooed with the tattoo). Who knew tattoos were so permanent? Lol. Anyways, I agreed to one zap on July 17th with this new laser to see if it helps at all. After this is over, I hope I never have to say "laser" again.

I'm wondering if after I flatten the scar, and since the scar will always remain, would a cover up even be possible? I'll have plenty of time to think one over and then go from there!