POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser Reviews
Fraxel Dual - Daily Progress - Atlanta, GA
UPDATED FROM atlbased
6 Months After 3rd Fraxel Treatment - Not Happy With Results
atlbasedJuly 1, 2013
$2,500
Ok, several of you have messaged me asking to post new pictures. Now that I am officially 6 months post-3rd fraxel treatment, I have posted new pics...and can officially say that the $2500 I spent on Fraxel was $2500 down the drain.
To make it short and sweet, I now have awful pigmentation issues that I did not have prior to Fraxel. I am religious about wearing SPF 25+ sunscreen daily, so this is not an effect of being careless with sun exposure. I know that hyperpigmentation issues can be more easily fixed, but the hypopigmentation is harder to treat (can remove color but difficult to add color).
The updated pictures are WITH foundation on...so you can imagine that it is worse without. See for yourself and decide if you want to chance this happening to your skin.
To make it short and sweet, I now have awful pigmentation issues that I did not have prior to Fraxel. I am religious about wearing SPF 25+ sunscreen daily, so this is not an effect of being careless with sun exposure. I know that hyperpigmentation issues can be more easily fixed, but the hypopigmentation is harder to treat (can remove color but difficult to add color).
The updated pictures are WITH foundation on...so you can imagine that it is worse without. See for yourself and decide if you want to chance this happening to your skin.
UPDATED FROM atlbased
It is now 2 months post Fraxel #3. WAS IT WORTH...
atlbasedJanuary 28, 2013
It is now 2 months post Fraxel #3. WAS IT WORTH IT? Well, while there was initially some improvement in evenness of color, there was NOT significant acne scar improvement after 3 treatments...and now my skin has some spots of hypopigmentation (see latest pics) and the darkest age spot I had located near my left temple, which disappeared after the treatments, has started to reappear. I have slathered on SPF daily and avoided the sun like the plague.
Latest pic shows arrows pointing to examples of the hypopigmentation, and the reappearing age spot is circled. Not the best quality picture, but you can see the imperfections.
So for $2500, not worth it to me. A lot of money spent, and though my skin is a bit different now, not noticeably better overall.
Latest pic shows arrows pointing to examples of the hypopigmentation, and the reappearing age spot is circled. Not the best quality picture, but you can see the imperfections.
So for $2500, not worth it to me. A lot of money spent, and though my skin is a bit different now, not noticeably better overall.
Replies (5)
February 19, 2013
Hii.. good to see your complete day to day updates over fraxel. Yesterday,I too had a fraxel restore' first sitting! I would like to know about the sunscreen regime. And also as i live around 1 hour drive from the place i had had fraxel,So i had to drive my way back to home at 2 o clock in the afternoon after my first sitting of fraxel,though sunscreen was applied. Can it be an issue to cause hyperpigmentation? As i am of Asian origin,My doctor prescribed me with Carofit ultra cream which i am suppose to apply daily at night after 3-4 days of fraxel. Thank you.
February 22, 2013
I am hoping you will post when you are at the 6 month mark. I had a consultation with a dermasurgeon on Wednesday that said I would need at least 4 treatments and it takes at least 6 months to see improvement on the acne scarring since of the remodeling going on deep under the skin.
February 22, 2013
I will do that - that is good to know! They didn't tell me 6 months. I have been thinking about going back to see if another session would help.
February 22, 2013
Hello, What did your doctor tell you about your actual hypopigmentation, and the reappearing age spot ascircled?
March 5, 2013
Hi.. I have just checked out your pre fraxel pics that u have posted.. I feel, the hypopigmented spot that you mentioned after the fraxel is visible in the pre fraxel pic too. I mean no offence, just that i want you check that once again as it will really help other people who are still thinking of having a fraxel done soon.
And to tell you, i have myself seen some people who were no initially happy with fraxel but as the time passed, there was indeed an improvement in the scars as tbe collegen takes time to build up and fill in.
I would ask you to stay calm for say, another month or so and look out for further improvements.
Hope it helps. Do keep us updated! Thanks. good luck!
March 7, 2013
You may be right, looking at my pre-fraxel pictures it may be there. Perhaps it is just more noticeable now that my skin color is more even. Honestly though, I still don't see much improvement in my scarring, and it is 6 months past my first Fraxel treatment. Color - better, scarring - not significantly improved.
March 7, 2013
My dermatologist had told me I would need at least 4 treatments to see significant improvement with Fraxel. Are you scheduled for more Fraxel's? On acne.org boards, Ive seen people post that some acne scars dont respond well to lasers - those that are bound down, like rolling scars - and subscison is need to lift up the scar. I have my first appointment for subscison April 22nd, I believe. I will need 3 visits to get the best results. After I go through that process, I will revisit fraxel as the next step. The lady tried to sell me on fraxel right away, but thanks to realself and acne.org I was well informed and we are going down the surgical route first.My dermatologist charges $90 per scar, $500 for 10 or more. If you arent familar with subscision, go to acne.org and search for it to see if you might think that would be a viable option for you.
February 22, 2013
Thanks for all your info!! Your skin is looking great! I have a question - how long did it take for the spirnolactone to be effective? I've been on it for just over a month and recently upped my dosage from 50mg to 100mg and am only seeing slight results, i would definitely not say that it's "under control" - my derm says I can't start laser treatment until the acne is under control. How long did it take for you to see result? Let me know! :)
March 5, 2013
Sorry, for some reason I didn't get notices when I got these newer posts! As I recall, it took about 3 weeks to start seeing changes from the spironolactone, and only after it was upped to 100 mg per day. Other changes I made were to change my pillowcases every two days (so I was only sleeping on each side of the pillowcase once before it got washed), and I also started using the Clarisonic Mia to wash my face. That thing has been a godsend! Hopefully since it has been a couple of weeks that you asked, yours has improved?
March 21, 2013
Hi!! Please update us on your present condition. Thank you.
I myself had my 2nd fraxel restore sitting on monday!!
UPDATED FROM atlbased
Ok, so I am now 1 month past my 3rd and final...
atlbasedDecember 28, 2012
Ok, so I am now 1 month past my 3rd and final fraxel treatment. I am leaving my opinion of "worth it" as NOT SURE. My skin definitely has some improvement, but it is more the brightness and color than it is the smoothing of the acne scarring, and I probably could have achieved that same result with a less expensive laser.
The texture of my skin is better, pores - particularly on my chin and forehead - are smaller, and I seem to be experiencing fewer breakouts.
So, has my skin improved overall? YES. Was it worth $2500? I would say for me, NO. For those with money to burn, maybe YES.
I just posted pictures of my final results. I have no makeup or even tinted moisturizer on in these pictures. You can see for yourself in comparing the pictures from my before that the overall appearance is brighter and more even toned, but there is not significant acne scar improvement.
The texture of my skin is better, pores - particularly on my chin and forehead - are smaller, and I seem to be experiencing fewer breakouts.
So, has my skin improved overall? YES. Was it worth $2500? I would say for me, NO. For those with money to burn, maybe YES.
I just posted pictures of my final results. I have no makeup or even tinted moisturizer on in these pictures. You can see for yourself in comparing the pictures from my before that the overall appearance is brighter and more even toned, but there is not significant acne scar improvement.
Replies (4)
January 2, 2013
This is a great review... I am a med-spa owner and it always nice to see what a patients perspective is on a procedure. Considering to add Fraxel treatments to my list of services and do agree that the cost per procedure is overpriced. What do you consider to be a fair price for each treatment?
January 2, 2013
I probably would have been happy to pay $500-$600 per treatment...if they had offered me a package of 5 for $2500 I would have thought that was a lot more reasonable.
January 2, 2013
I'm in Boston and I paid $1000/treatment at a surgeon's office. I know of a MedSpa that offers $500/treatment with a buy 3 get 1 free promotion (for Fraxel restore!) but I didn't go with the Spa bc I trust a surgeon more than a nurse.
January 6, 2013
How are your acne scars looking now? I just got fraxel dual done and I'm on day 3. It hurt, but I'm praying it was worth it! Your skin looks amazing!!!!
January 7, 2013
Thank you - the acne scars are still there, though they may be slightly smoother. After 3 treatments I was really hoping they'd be barely noticeable, but that is not the case. My skin overall looks brighter and more even toned, but the texture is not where I hoped it would be. It always looks best about 2 weeks after treatment! Hopefully you will see better results than I did :)
January 7, 2013
Hi Seeking, it seems you and I had similar outcomes and experiences with our Fraxel. I agree with you in stating, if your doing this to remove age spots or discoloration chances are you'll see significant results immediately. Acne scars are much tougher to deal with. I'm glad I did it, I don't feel like I threw away $3200, but I wish the results were more dramatic. Happy New Year to you!
July 6, 2015
ur skin looks great! but this laser is not for scarring. u need isolaze for that. this dual laser only targets pigment and lines. barely does anything for scarring.
Replies (5)
I've had 2 fraxels done, and not sure if I notice a difference yet, spaced about a month apart. I'm 53 and am doing it for both acne and wrinkles. The doctor had me on retin A & moisturizer regimine before i started w/the program. I'm paying $500 a treatment & located in Tampa. The Dr told me it could take up to 6 mos before seeing a difference, and he's recommended 6 txs, i'm on the fence as to whether or not I should go back for 3rd treatment as he recommended 6. Kathy from Tampa.
hi im a 46 yr old male and just went yesterday to check on Fraxel....the aesthetican reccomend me having Silkpeel Dermalinfusion for my minor acne scarring and sun damange and wrinkles..she said i need 3 sessions 4 weeks apart,she explained it is fairly new and much better results than Fraxel with no down time...has anyone had this treatment?