I had my fist treatment yesterday. Before the treatment: I watched several YouTube videos on the process and read personal stories on this site and may others. Consultation: I was told it would take 4-6 weeks for my skin to fully heal, wear tons of sun screen and to stay home for a few days after the treatment. Note that my consultation was in June and my procedure was in January. They do not recommend doing fraxel during warm months as it does not allow for proper healing. About the treatment: I had numbing cream in my face for almost two hours and the procedure took about 30 minutes. It was a bit painful but manageable with the exception of the upper lip. It was painful when she did a run on the upper lip! It was also painful as she reached the hairline as she did not apply sufficient numbing cream to that area. My face was hot and uncomfortable for about one hour after the procedure. Then I kept feeling a slight tingling sensation as though my face was being misted (hard to explain but not painful). My face was red and slightly swollen. Late in the day I noticed pin sized marks all over my gave that were dark (almost as thought it was dirt marks). I had a balm that was given to me by the nurse on my face as well as some sun screen. I had sure I slept facing up (on my back). My skin feels a bit like sandpaper. My husband came with me and said the nurse was extremely thorough and promise! (My eyes were covered during the procedure) Day 2: my skin is still the same but a lot tighter. It was easy to wash my face this morning and I have another layer of fresh balm on my face. I've noticed a bit of peeling on my chin. Day 3: started peeling on my chin and noticed small pimples on my chin, nose, upper lip and jaw line. Skin is not as tight. Day 4: way more pimples and itching! Peeling a bit more to include my forehead and jawline. Struggling to not pick or itch right now. I also started using a vitamin c serum. I tested a small area on my check this morning and then put it all over except my chin at night. The dark marks I mentioned earlier are still there (they're scabs where the laser poked a hole in the skin).