POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
Treatment of White (Hypopigmented) Linear, Self Harm Scars, Raised and Flat- Boston, MA
ORIGINAL POST
Let me begin by saying I cut myself and stopped...
DoublebagsJune 21, 2014
WORTH IT$1,750
Let me begin by saying I cut myself and stopped cutting over 10 years ago. My scars are hypopigmented or white, mostly flat but a few raised, I tried Mederma & silicone patches to no avail. Recently sought out laser treatments and had my first treatment 3 monthes ago by a dermotologist who I thought was well qualified. She used the v-beam laser way too high and my two scars she treated turned purple and blue, they blistered and bled. Something I've been told should have never happened. Let's just say I never went back and sought out a much more qualified doctor by traveling over an hour to Boston,
Dr. Mathew Avram of the Massachusetts general hospital laser and dermatology center. This facility is known for their experience with lasers, they even helped to create lasers.
I was told I should come for 5 treatments with the dual fraxel laser and he expected (not guaranteed) a 50% improvement in the appearance/visibility of my scars. I was told to stay clear of the sun as he would refuse treatment if I tanned my fair skin which would affect treatment and possibly alter results.
Yesterday I went for my first treatment, numbing gel was used an hour before treatment to help the pain, the fraxel laser was a breeze pain wise, the numbing gel works wonders! Both the v-beam and dual fraxel were used on my scars. I will be having one treatment a month for 5 monthes at $350 each visit. I plan to photograph and document my progress for myself and to help others in this process. Please do your research and travel if needed in order to find a decent doctor with experience! Post again soon! Thanks for reading
Dr. Mathew Avram of the Massachusetts general hospital laser and dermatology center. This facility is known for their experience with lasers, they even helped to create lasers.
I was told I should come for 5 treatments with the dual fraxel laser and he expected (not guaranteed) a 50% improvement in the appearance/visibility of my scars. I was told to stay clear of the sun as he would refuse treatment if I tanned my fair skin which would affect treatment and possibly alter results.
Yesterday I went for my first treatment, numbing gel was used an hour before treatment to help the pain, the fraxel laser was a breeze pain wise, the numbing gel works wonders! Both the v-beam and dual fraxel were used on my scars. I will be having one treatment a month for 5 monthes at $350 each visit. I plan to photograph and document my progress for myself and to help others in this process. Please do your research and travel if needed in order to find a decent doctor with experience! Post again soon! Thanks for reading
Doublebags's provider
Replies (12)
June 25, 2014
You are extremely brave for sharing your story. I will be following -- thank you so much for being open and trying to help others!!!
July 15, 2014
I was wondering if you had any pictures of what your arm looks like now. My daughter used to self harm and we have used the vbeam laser and that helped with the red pigmented scars but we are looking for into the fraxel laser for the raised white ones.
July 22, 2014
Hi momwhocares, I am still in the process of getting treated & I won't be done until October. Results are expected to heal 6 monthes to a year after that. I will certainly continue to update my journey. I go for my second treatment out of five tomorrow.. Thanks!
July 22, 2014
Hi Doublebags, my daughter decided to test the water on two cuts with the fraxel laser last week. She will decide next month if she is going to do her entire arm or not. Good luck tomorrow, I hope you are seeing results.
August 15, 2014
Hi momwhocares, I wish your daughter success with treatment. I'm hopeful the fraxel dual laser will finally be the answer.
November 17, 2014
I was so glad to come across your post here. I too am a survivor of years of self harm (though it's been officially, as of today one year and one week since I last cut and I plan to keep it that way!) So in light of this, I realized I really wanted to once and for all do something about my scars because I hate having the constant reminder of something I feel I have no recovered from-not to mention I live in the south and it is bloody hot and I'd really like to be able to comfortably wear short sleeves and shorts again without feeling so insecure. (I cut on my upper thigh and my forearm.)
I've been trying to research scar treatments and I've found all sorts of things for burns, chicken pox, acne, stretchmarks, pretty much every kind of scar you can get aside from information on treating self harm scarring-so I just wanted to say THANK YOU. It means a lot to know that there are others out there pursuing the same sort of healing (physically and mentally) as I am and this information was priceless in helping me start to make some plans for treatment.
UPDATED FROM Doublebags
1 month post
Tomorrow is my second fraxel laser treatment
DoublebagsJuly 22, 2014
Tomorrow will be my second of five treatments of the dual fraxel laser. My scars are still very visible but I notice a little improvement. My skin is mostly back to normal post laser treatment. There was a few weeks of sandpaper textured skin but very little to complain about. It can be shrugged off as a rash.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Doublebags
2 months post
Two more weeks till laser treatment #3
DoublebagsAugust 15, 2014
In another two weeks i will go for my third of five laser treatments. As of right now I see a slight improvement in my scars 3 weeks post my second treatment. I'm hopeful that after five treatments It will be better overall. My skin seemed to heal faster the second time around. I make sure to use a lot of lotion, neosporin, and 50+ SPF when in the sun.
Replies (6)
October 20, 2014
Looks like it's improving, congratulations! This is great information for so many people, thank you for sharing it XO
December 23, 2014
Hey there, I am just checking in for an update to see how you are progressing with your treatments. I look forward to your update, and if you celebrate the holiday season, I hope you are having a wonderful time!
Thank you for updating your story with photos, that is so helpful for others searching this procedure.