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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS

Unhappy and Worried with Fraxel So Far

ORIGINAL POST

I am 41 years old and have been unhappy with the...

sue mitchellJuly 10, 2008
$4,600

I am 41 years old and have been unhappy with the way my eyes have been aging (crows feet, dark circles,fine lines).  I went to a very reputable laser MD and had one very aggressive and expensive treatment.  I actually flew from CO to NY to visit this doctor.  I had a limited amount of time in NY, so this was the reason for the 1 agressive treatment.  I had awful swelling, oozing and crusting for about a week, which got visibly better day by day.  It has been 2 weeks,  and the swelling around the eyes is what is worrying me now.  There are 2 rows of "bags" under one eye and one bag under the other.  My eyes look like they have rings under them.  Every day I wake up and hope to see just the tiniest bit of improvement, but they remain unchanged.  I wish I knew that this was temporary.  I could deal with the puffieness if I knew for sure that I won't have these bags permanently.  At this point I am thinking my old eyes weren't so bad and wish I had them back.  If anyone could offer an explanation or give comments they'd be MUCH appreciated.    Sue

Replies (22)

crb101169
July 12, 2008
Sue, Did you have Fraxel Re:pair? I'm two weeks post Re:pair today and I still have some swelling also. My eyes are also the last area to heal, but they are getting better. Just at a slower rate than the rest of my face.
sue mitchell
July 12, 2008
Hi! Yes, I did have the Re:pair. Did you only have one treatment? Do you notice your eye swelling getting better on a steady basis? The thing with me is that they don't seem to be improving, almost like they've hit a plateau. It's crazy because today, I woke up to find the less swollen right eye with bigger water bags than the left! I am so nervous that I paid 4,600 dollars to look like my grandmother. Thanks for responding! Good luck with your healing! Sue
crb101169
July 13, 2008
Sue, They healing seemed steady at first, but then it kind of slowed down. I had one treatment, but my settings were high. My entire face and neck are still the bronzed/reddish color. I too have felt the concerns you decribed, but after talking to several others that had it done, I've learned that it's normal. Some days the "track marks" from the laser are gone and then the next day they reappear. Same thing with the swelling. Except the swelling in my eye area does not come and go...it's always there. I see my doctor again Monday and I will be happy to share with you what he says. Good luck with your healing also, I'm certain it will improve.
sue mitchell
July 13, 2008
Thanks so much for the reassurance! It makes me feel so much better knowing I am not alone in my experience. I would be so greatful if you would pass on what your doc has to say! Thank you! Sue
123Robert123
July 17, 2008
I have the same issue. Each eye is totally different. I was curious what your doctor said. Has there been any improvement? Regards, Robert
sue mitchell
July 19, 2008
Hi Robert, Nope no improvement yet. Mornings are the worst for me now, since I have to put ice packs or tea bags on my eyes before I consider going out. Funny, because puffy eyes were never an issue for me. I haven't called my doctor yet. I am going to hold off until I am a month out. He is in NYC and I live in Denver, so I can't go to get looked at which is more frustrating. When did you have your treatment? Sue
(unregistered guest)
July 21, 2008
It has now been 18 days and they seem to get a little(barely noticable) better each day. The other parts of may face and next look much better. I guess I need to be patient and see where they are on my next visit to the doctor on August 22. Regards Robert
crb101169
July 21, 2008
I will 4 weeks post FR on the 25th and I'm still going through the same thing. My doctor says I'm healing fine. My entire face and neck are still bronze/red and healing seems slow. I don't have any open wounds or anything, it's only the color of my face and the issues around my eyes that concern me. Robert, did you appear bronze too? Carla
Vallee
August 5, 2008
Wow! This is so informative - I am so fed up with how the skin under my eyes look and was researching the fraxel treatment but now am having second thoughts after reading this. Have your results gotten any better since this last blog?
(unregistered guest)
August 5, 2008
The skin under my eyes are a little better. The puffiness seems to be receding gradually. My face is still pink - not bronze or red. It seems better. It is now 33 days. I am hoping it will all resolve over time. Regards, Robert
Kgayle
August 12, 2008

Both of my eyes were swollen, but after about the 7th day, were pretty much back to normal. On 8/12 it will be 2 weeks...that's tomorrow. I'm not sure if this is normal, but my face is completely broken out with little pimples, especially on the left side of my face, next to my cheek, near my mouth, my forehead, and the sides of my face near my eyes. I'm 44 and never in my life has my face ever broken out like this...it's embarrassing! I can't see that it really did anything wonderful. I'm going for my 2 week check up tomorrow and hopefully they can give me something to clear it up. If it's true that results occur over time, I'll be a believer, but if not, I'll feel like a fool...a poorer one at that!

imac
September 24, 2008
I am now 20 days post fraxel repair and having the same issues. My eyes are baggy underneath and that was never a problem for me. My skin is kinda reddish brown. I too had problems with breaking out until I found the right face creme. I sleep sitting up and am careful with salt...... Hope things improve
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