Fraxel Restore in my Forties; Aging Gracefully - Santa Rosa, CA

I am a 46.5 year old caucasian woman and like many of you my story is similar. I was a teen and adult acne sufferer. I was prescribed antibiotics and topical creams from age 16 and in my mid 20's I was prescribed an eight month coarse of Accutane. Much to the discouragment of others, Accutane was a positive treatment, but the results still left my skin with shallow scaring concentrated along my temples and cheek area. In my early 40's, I began to have facials including extractions and peels on a regular basis. This was extremely benificial for combating hormonal breakouts. As I have aged, the elastcity in my skin is begining to sag and the acne scars are becoming more visible. For this reason I chose to try Fraxel-Restore.

I have done my research on the procedure and doctors in my area. I have also been to several cosmetic seminars and spoke with others who had the procedure done. Although nervous, I was confindent in my choice of doctor. I was not looking for the cheapest gig in town, but the doctor who was looking out for my best interest.

My Fraxel course of treatment will be four sessions, each spaced one month apart. Yesterday I had my first treatment. It began with Lidocain numbing cream for an hour and half. The laser was set on 50, 70 being the highest setting. I held a wand blowing cold air at my face while the nurse did 8 passes over my entire face, with an extra pass around the temple area. The sensation felt like tiny heated pricks, very tolarable. The laser time was 20 minutes. I was very red and swollen immediately following the precedure. The pain and tingly heat sensation lasted about 2 hours, but with an ice mask and fan I was comfortable before I went to bed last night. My post receovery treatment consist of ice, mild cleanser (Cetaphyl), plain aloe, sunscreen spf 50, wide brimmed hat and minimal exposure to the sun.

Today the swelling is down and the flaking has begun. My skin is very tight and the texture is like fine sandpaper. I see and feel a visable differance. I know this is only treatment number one, but so far so GOOD!

I would enjoy a positive and productive discussion about Fraxel, but if you are a troll or naysayer, pass on by.