POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
Negative Reviews Are Frustrating Because They Are Not Specific - Fraxel Dual - Ardmore, PA
ORIGINAL POST
A doctor that I went to -- Dr. Bernstein of...
Anonymous1429062August 3, 2015
$1,200
A doctor that I went to -- Dr. Bernstein of Mainline Laser Center in Ardmore PA -- recommended that I do Fraxel Dual twice (within 4 weeks) on my skin for my moderate acne scarring. My skin was damaged by acne scars during my child-bearing and breastfeeding years (28-32) when I refused to treat the acne because I was afraid of hurting the baby with medicine. Six years later, my skin is in terrible condition, and I NEED to make these scars look better. I was exited at first for the consult, seeing this as my best hope for having skin that might be close to normal again. Dr. Bernstein said it would not make everything go away, but that it would look a lot better.
Now, I am very dismayed and frustrated reading all of these horrible, negative reviews. The reviews, however, are not specific. Most do not say what kind of laser was used, what year, what setting, who the doctor was, what your skin type is, what after-care procedures you followed, what you were trying to treat, your expectations, the cost, etc. Without these variables, it is hard to tell what reviews to take into account.
Does Fraxel Dual REALLY severely damage your skin texture and pores, years after the procedure? Could the fine lines and wrinkles in the years past the Fraxel be purely from aging? Could the additional scarring be from new acne? Could some of the damage be from too high of a setting, improper after care, an inexperienced physician, etc.?
Please be more specific in your reviews. When I Googled Fraxel Dual reviews, it sent me to this page.
Has anyone gone to Dr. Bernstein in PA?
Now, I am very dismayed and frustrated reading all of these horrible, negative reviews. The reviews, however, are not specific. Most do not say what kind of laser was used, what year, what setting, who the doctor was, what your skin type is, what after-care procedures you followed, what you were trying to treat, your expectations, the cost, etc. Without these variables, it is hard to tell what reviews to take into account.
Does Fraxel Dual REALLY severely damage your skin texture and pores, years after the procedure? Could the fine lines and wrinkles in the years past the Fraxel be purely from aging? Could the additional scarring be from new acne? Could some of the damage be from too high of a setting, improper after care, an inexperienced physician, etc.?
Please be more specific in your reviews. When I Googled Fraxel Dual reviews, it sent me to this page.
Has anyone gone to Dr. Bernstein in PA?
Anonymous1429062's provider
Replies (6)
August 13, 2015
Your scars are not bad at all, I have been on this board looking for help from an Erbium Laser treatment I had 8 yrs ago. I had a couple scars I wanted gone. Now I have a face full of scars, after the doctor saw the damage he walked out of the room, left me crying on the table, no help what so ever. I got my money back from bothering him every week but I have spent thousands & lost myself. I changed, who wants to go out with scars all over & texture problems? I went to so many doctors & no one would help me, said the damage was done, basically had to live with it, I also had fat loss in my cheeks about the size of the laser wand 2in long in 2 spots, pigment change, brown spots in the shape of squares & that was just the one side, the other had a huge triangle scar around the few scars I wanted fixed. A nightmare. I was told about Dr Bernstein, he was the only one who would help me. I went to him for a few years, he went slow, he tried smoothbean, perfecta, affirm, fraxel dual, fraxel restore, I spent a lot of money but I still needed more, then I went for fillers & a lift & a fat transfer. I've been needling too, I'm sticking with that & light peels & 80% tca in pits with a toothpick. Pups told me about saline & I'll try that later because I have to go back for a revision for scars on my temple from the lift. I also used every cream, oil, masks you can imagine. I have post traumatic stress from all this. Lost over 30lbs. I shake with anxiety & don't sleep. I also bought a microderm kit & it gave me line scars on my jaw. Hon, do at home needling first before putting a laser to your face. It does the same thing without the heat. Dr Bernstein was extremely nice & I will always be grateful for him being the only one who would touch me, he gave me hope. Now I don't think he uses ablative lasers anymore. I think he knows about all the damage that can happen. so many doctors have stopped using lasers. I had told a doctor about needling yrs ago, she never heard of it & now she has it done in her office. Said people have been getting good results from it, I noticed a change after doing it for a while, it takes time. I'm getting better but I still need fillers or saline for the dent the laser made. Do not jump because I know how scars effect you. I don't go out in the sun at all from all the lasers making my skin so sensitive it hurts if the sun hits it. So be aware & take things one step at a time. Try needling, you will need at least a 1.0 for scars. You are young & you will heal faster than me. after needing with a 1.5 I'm red for a few days then I flake. I just did a tca 80% just in the pits so we'll see how that works in a few weeks, then i'll try it again but give your skin a chance to recover so only needle once a month or only peel once a month. Do not rush things. Should you decide to go to Bernstein that's fine, he knows lasers but you don't look bad at all, so try home things first then you can go see him if your not happy in a year of needling & peels & like pups said maybe some saline. I don't want you to get hurt for a few little scars that after some lasers on some people can change your life so drastically that you wake up hating each day.
August 14, 2015
Thank you for your comment. I am sorry for all that you have gone through. While I do really trust Dr. Bernstein and I do not think he would damage my face with lasers, because of some of the comments in this site, I have decided to move forward in a different direction. I am going to a cosmetic surgeon to consult about doing microneedling, specifically INFINI, which is microneedling with RF. I've seen dramatic results in photos and it has a great safety profile. Thank you for you comment and I will keep everyone updated. My consult is not until Oct. 19.
August 16, 2015
You'll have to let me know what doctor you choose who does it, if you don't want to post his name i would love if you messaged me with it, and keep us posted on the results, I had heard of RF with micro needling but i've just been using the derma pen alone.
August 16, 2015
Just make sure you research RF. I have heard people complain of fat loss after the procedure.
October 16, 2015
Don't for get to let us know how your consult goes. I have one I Nov. Who are you going to?? I live in Phila You can message me with your doctor if you don't want to mention his name on here and i'll tell you if I saw him already too since I've gone to so many in Philly and the Main line
February 5, 2016
I had fraxel dual three times on my entire face and five around my eyes. It has made my skin much nicer and smooth. Not a cure end all but all these reviews are crazy. You need to trust your doctor and ask for referrals from his patients. It will most probably make you break out afterwards and that will make you miserable...believe me I have no acne issues ever but it was terrifying...That said once a month had passed it was great... Also take an antibiotic before hand ( dr will prescribe) so that you won't break out and wash with a vinegar and water mixture. It is worth it but remember, the dual is not going to make you gorgeous...just help . Fraxel re:pair is much deeper and can / will provide better results, but you will look awful for a lot longer in the beginning...red peeling bleeding in spots. RE store is just makes your skin tough and as my daughter said I looked like a chocolate chip frappucino. laughing out loud Try the clear and brilliant laser first to see how you like it...that is the least invasive...and yes make sure to start with low settings to see how your skin tolerates it. Good luck.
Replies (110)
i used to have perfect skin ( the type that people compliment) i developed adult acne at age 26 which left me with minor scars on my right cheek. i was so determined to do the most drastic thing to restore my skin. 3 years later...i wish i never done laser. your experience might be different. have them do a test spot and research your dr.
looking back i would have kept my acne scars over all this any day. but i understand....we are already down because of acne scars.
At the age of 48 I was pretty and had good skin. A few lines around my eyes and a small scar on my upper lip because a cat scratched me when I was a teen. The doc I went to I could keep my skin looking good if I used this laser (Cutera Pearl Fractional) and collagen would build and I would look even younger. I followed all her damn rules. After the swelling went down, I noticed grid marks on my cheeks and chin. They were faint and I probably could have lived with them at that point. After about a year, all of a sudden you could see deep dots all over my chin and upper lip. I went back to her crying and she said that I am jjust getting older. Ha ha ha. Pin holes and grid marks are not age related. Now I have dots and lines and I feel gross and old. It's up to you. YOur skin is not the same as others. You may never have bad results. Anything you do, you will be taking a chance. By the way, I also have considerable fat loss. Docs are into making money! Try a peel first.