Patrick McElgunn, MD

I went for Fraxel Laser for my acne scars. I had it performed on 02/17/09 and I will post my comments as I continue with the treatment.

Because of various negative comments regarding Fraxel, I think it's very important to let others know where I am doing the procedure so if everything works out well it can serve them as a good reference for a good doctor. I believe that people that had negative effects it's because of the person performing the procedure.

To start, the doctor prescribed Valtrex to start the day before and continue for 2 days after the procedure to avoid cold sores (some people might get them), then they numbed my face for 1 hour and I took a pain killer before the procedure.

The procedure is not painless, even with the numbing cream, but the pain is not extreme. It burns a little bit more after multiple passes through the same area. I will say pain was mild, nothing that will not make me continue with the treatments.

After the treatment they gave me a shot (I don't know of what) but they told me that it was for the swelling, and in fact I had no swelling at all, only redness. I did sleep with my head elevated and put a moisturizer and polysporin for the 1st day, 3 times. After that only the moisturizer.

Will post follow ups when available.


Updated on 24 Apr 2009:
I finished my 3rd treatment, it's been almost 2 weeks. As per my doctor changes are visible about 3 months after the first treatment, so my skin should start looking better everyday now.

On my last treatment the nurse didn't give me the shot they usually do at the end of the session and I regret it, it took a little longer for the swelling to go down and the healing process overall. Next time I will let them know I want it regardless.

I see myself everyday in the mirror so it's hard to tell the differences, I will keep on posting pics to see the final results. No complications so far, the procedure it is a bit painful, but just when they are doing it, no pain after it's done.


Updated on 10 Jun 2009:
I am seeing a nice change in the texture of my skin, I am almost 3 weeks after my 4th treatment. The only thing is that I am not seeing a big change in my acne scars, they are still there and are noticeable.

The main reason I did this was for the acne scars, the doctor said that for those it can take up to 6 months after the first treatment to start seeing a difference. Will keep on posting on my results.


Updated on 2 Nov 2009:
I am done with my Fraxel treatment, and unfortunately even though I am happy with the overall change of the texture of my face it did not fix the main reason I did it for "ACNE SCARS"

The doctor even did 2 extra treatments at no charge because he also noticed that the acne scars had very little change after all the treatments, but still the 2 extra ones did not do anything.

He ended up putting some fillings that make the scars look better and in all reality i would have rather spend the $3,000 over x amount of time doing the fillings rather than fraxel for the scars.

I haven't been able to update with the final pics because someone stole my camera =(

The final review is this: Fraxel is good to make the texture of the face better, as long as it's done with a good doctor who has been doing it for a while and can show you pictures of past patients.

I would NOT recommend it for Acne Scars, it did almost nothing for them.