LCB--

One more thing-- I have read so many people talking about getting up all night for the vinegar soaks-- My Dr. actually put an ointment ( i assume Aquafor) al over my face then placed gauze over it and a mesh netting over that to hold it all in place--I didnt have to get up -- the next day I saw him and he cleaned up my face--It was scary looking ( think Hanibal Lechter) but extremely comfortable and more importantly eliminated exposure to anything touching my skin all night ...all the while keeping the moisture in...and I slept ... I'm sure every Dr. has their own preference but if yours offer this -- DO IT ! The next day I did the distilled water soaks but he said the vinegar was sort of a dated technique for cleaning purpose so unless i wanted to use the vinegar he was fine with me just using distilled water and 4x4 gauze pads ( which you will need tons of ) .Keeping the water in the refrigerator was refreshing for the soaks, except at night use room temp.And Aligrace ( on this website) gave me a FABULOUS cleanser Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser-- It is the 1 item i couldn't live without--it calmed my skin within seconds-- Again good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery.

HI Gi GI , Not having the benefit of knowing all of your info I will tell you this. I had Fraxel Re:pair done approx 7 weeks ago. Would I do it again? YES absolutely...My Dr did 40-50 with i think 4-5 passes,and a 25 setting around my eyes I don't know the depth ( if thats the figure actually missing from the equation) ... I am 45 with fair ,thin, slightly scarred, loose skin--I told him to go as high as he could on the settings because the down time wasn't an issue, and although I have heard stories about MUCH higher settings ( which admittedly made me think mine could have been higher) I trust that my Dr. knew what he was doing , as it would serve no purpose to hold back. I think we all naturally want more of something when we see positive results--I still drive myself a little nuts wondering if i had waited until he had done hundreds more - would he have been more comfortable with higher settings-- once again this is where trusting your Dr is key, and I do . My skin has already shown very good signs of tightening, especially around my eyes and the creapy ( sp?) areas in my cheeks..I am very optimistic about the next few months of remodeling. However, there has been one drawback -- I have been breaking out in almost a rash like acne-- small little pustules ( yuck huh ?) . I went to the Dr. yesterday and he said that this was much like returning my skin to the activity of a teen ( i told him he could've stopped in my 20's ). He put me on erthromycin benzoyl gel and minocycline ( which is making me almost seasick ) and I am hoping this will clear it up. Don't be scared-- it didnt hurt -- it was slightly uncomfortable but they gave me Zanax 1 ( sp?) and vicodin 2-- and i never had any pain in the healing process. The itching got a little nuts (benadryl)-- but it was all very much worth it..In fact if its not much more - you might as well do your entire face-- I mean you'll be down anyway and I think its a fantastic pick me up -unless your goal is specific to scarring etc. Just to add to the excitement of mine my Dr. threw in an earthquake-- It was the last fairly decent size quake we had in Ca. I was drugged up and on the table thinking ..How much bacteria will get in my face if i have to get up in the middle of this-- My advice is relax, be happy you are in a position to do it and follow your doctors orders-- If you trust him or her then don't worry about the settings -- they'll do the best they can . ( sorry this is so long ) . P.S. If anyone has any advice about getting around this breakout and or dealing with this minocycline seasickness please let me know. Good luck Gi GI , I know you love the results !