POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
Dry Skin After Fraxel Restore - Chapel Hill, NC
ORIGINAL POST
I just wanna share my fraxel restore story. I am...
jzhongJanuary 14, 2015
$600
I just wanna share my fraxel restore story. I am 6 months out of my procedure. I have lots of same problems most of people complained about here. I had this procedure on my cheek, after 1 month, redness is on my cheek, so my doctor prescribed me retina a. WELL, THAT DOES NOT HELP AT ALL. Redness stay there for like almost 3 months. i QUIT using retina a for a week, and redness faded. My suggestion is don't use any retina a cream after your laser, because i think that will cause inflammation.
Once the inflammation gone, problems followed with wired texture, fine lines, skin dehydrated so fast, once u finish washing your face, you skin is uncomfortably tight so that i think my skin lost its elasticity. I have been trying lots of stuff, including honey and emu oil mentioned here, but in vain. Until one day, one product saved my life. Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA and moisturizer. And also i will recommended Bodyshop vitamin e toner! those work wonders on your face. I am not saying that skin producing oil is good thing, but i feel so glad that my skin is producing oil again, because the first 6 months after this disaster, my skin look dead and never produce any oil and sweat.
1) i use toner after i wash my face with cleanser.
2) put lotion directly on my face.
3) moisturizer after lotion absorbed in your face.
At least, those who experience dry skin, unexpected fines line in your age try these products. Its not expensive at all.(around $10 each). Keep using it for a week. Hope you will find your original oil skin back.
PS: i am asian, male, oily skin type before the procedure. After 6 months, skin finally produce oil again with the help of products above.
Once the inflammation gone, problems followed with wired texture, fine lines, skin dehydrated so fast, once u finish washing your face, you skin is uncomfortably tight so that i think my skin lost its elasticity. I have been trying lots of stuff, including honey and emu oil mentioned here, but in vain. Until one day, one product saved my life. Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA and moisturizer. And also i will recommended Bodyshop vitamin e toner! those work wonders on your face. I am not saying that skin producing oil is good thing, but i feel so glad that my skin is producing oil again, because the first 6 months after this disaster, my skin look dead and never produce any oil and sweat.
1) i use toner after i wash my face with cleanser.
2) put lotion directly on my face.
3) moisturizer after lotion absorbed in your face.
At least, those who experience dry skin, unexpected fines line in your age try these products. Its not expensive at all.(around $10 each). Keep using it for a week. Hope you will find your original oil skin back.
PS: i am asian, male, oily skin type before the procedure. After 6 months, skin finally produce oil again with the help of products above.
Replies (10)
August 20, 2015
Hi. Would you mind sharing which Chapel Hill doctor did your Fraxel? It would help you readers who are in the same area! Thanks!
August 21, 2015
its on Farrington Rd. Search keyword Farrington Rd dematologist in google. Personally, i dont think its the doctor problem. She did follow all the procedures. They just overestimate how wonderful this laser is.
August 21, 2015
Which products exactly do you buy and from where?
August 21, 2015
Those are the products I used when i was 6 months out of the procedure. But i gotta say the only thing that works the best for me later is the copper peptide. It dramatically reduce the lines upon my cheek.
August 21, 2015
I think your skin looks good! You just have a few open pores but overall it looks youthful to me!
UPDATED FROM jzhong
11 months post
1 year update
jzhongJune 22, 2015
Very terrible experience, initial acne breakout, discolor treated area, creepy and wrinkled line upon my cheek. Luckily, all of them are gone. The only thing left is laser holes, and new scars left on my face due to the acne(somehow if new acne formed on your treated skin, the skin didn't know how to handle it properly. And if you pick it, brown spot will be left on your new scar, even its half years out of the laser. So dont pick your acne, no matter how long after your laser surgery).
My suggestion is you can try laser to treat your acne scar, only if your skin is rough enough like mine. And its acceptable to you to undergo a very suffering recover period which could last a year long, totally not what the this fraxel laser is advertised. If your skin has mild acne scar, or you want to fix your pores, or you want you skin smoother, stay away from it. You will be so regretful.
I am trying to fix this rough texture using tca peel soon. I will update it over here and let us know if fraxel laser treated skin can tolerate tca peel and fix the bumpy texture.
My suggestion is you can try laser to treat your acne scar, only if your skin is rough enough like mine. And its acceptable to you to undergo a very suffering recover period which could last a year long, totally not what the this fraxel laser is advertised. If your skin has mild acne scar, or you want to fix your pores, or you want you skin smoother, stay away from it. You will be so regretful.
I am trying to fix this rough texture using tca peel soon. I will update it over here and let us know if fraxel laser treated skin can tolerate tca peel and fix the bumpy texture.
Replies (15)
June 22, 2015
Hey brother, i'm Asian male too well what was your purpose for the Fraxel laser ? was your goal to fix acne scar or ??? i'm on 4 months post with Palomar Laser. Do you have before Fraxel laser picture ? i don't use anything except Sunscreen and now i found "Elizabeth Arden" serum work amazing for me, well i took from my sister and tried it for a week and my skin is now even brighter.
June 23, 2015
Hey man! yea, mostly for my acne scars. I can't believe you had so many laser treatments. Overall, I don't like the result. The texture of treated area is just rougher than my normal skin, so it makes me look older. And the scars are still obvious. NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL.
June 23, 2015
how many treatment have you done though ? 5-6 treatment is what they all recommend to see the full result, ya some people like a friend here "notworth" has a bad outcome too, she done 1 treatment only, same here bro the scars are still there my skin just looks brighter and cleaner than before, i forgot to mention that i used their daily skin care products until now, they are OBAGI they're great. i spent a lot $$ on OBAGI products too not just laser alone + 2 times deep cleaning 120$ each time, they told me i won't see full result till a year, well i think i just need to wait
June 24, 2015
1 treatment is already that bad...i don't think i will go for another one to worsen the situation, cuz the laser is really complicated stuff. I'll probably just go for series of mild peel to treat the acne scars. Somehow i think you are quite lucky, i can't believe after 5 treatments, your skin still tolerates laser pretty well.
June 24, 2015
ya everyone said that, i lasered before i came on this website, if i come here 1st to do a research i would not choose Fraxel, i would go for better procedure, my gold is to get rid of acne scars no matter what, well they recommneded 5 treatments to see the full result, i see most of everyone on here did 1 treatment only, ill keep this update to 1 full year ill be in Asia for Co2 laser, it's cheap there.
June 24, 2015
Ohh no, don't do it don't wait your skin get worst
Your skin doesn't define you
But at least that glow is just a temporary only Im calling you on your phone but not answering and forwarded to voice mail box
Your skin doesn't define you
But at least that glow is just a temporary only Im calling you on your phone but not answering and forwarded to voice mail box
June 23, 2015
Following your products and somehow Ghk helps me a lot but still redness,tightness,swellingness,waxyness,shinyness is still there and my pores were became scars that is raised im not comfortable my face now it's so heavy and especially my nose its really really thick I hope anyone could help me out of this nightmare I hope this is not damage and it's only Microswelling that makes my face plump and scars are still there but my face was really devastated
June 25, 2015
You had Fraxel Restore using 1550nm wavelength? Was it non ablative or ablative using CO2 laser? Interested to know which type of Fraxel laser treatment you had as I am considering to have the treatment done.
June 25, 2015
The brochure handed to me says 1550/1970 fraxel restore. My derm said one is for acne scar, the other is just for wrinkles and lines. I bet shes using the 1550 one. But what are you considering this for? Bottom line is if you are trying to fix your skin issues other than acne scar, i suggest you stay from it. It won't make anything better, even the acne scar. I am not sure if you can ask for his patients photos, i bet he cannot provide any. (not the commercial pics)
August 10, 2015
Thank you for sharing your story. I've had excellent results with Fraxel Restore, 3 treatments however I'm Caucasian. I have a Vietnamese friend that is very bothered by his acne scars but I've been hesitant to mention Fraxel because I really haven't heard reports from Asian people. I absolutely wouldn't want to cause him greater harm. So thank you for your report.
August 10, 2015
I'm glad that you had great results. Not everyone is as lucky as you. If I were you, i wouldn't advise your friend to do fraxel in case bad things happen.
UPDATED FROM jzhong
1 year post
4 TCA peel 12.5%
jzhongAugust 16, 2015
The reason I do tca peels is to minimize the pore issues caused by laser. I did it at home, cuz 12.5% is the lowest strength, and it won't cause any side effects. Two weeks apart, I did 4 times. I can't say it reduce the pores size greatly. But overall, it makes whole appearance brighter and smoother. Therefore, I would continue this routine in my skincare in my future. And If I benefit greatly from continuing series of tca peels, I also will update here.
Replies (14)
August 20, 2015
I also have laser damage and high strength BHA (Resist 9) helped a lot, as did needling. I am not surprised you got improvement from using high strength AHA and peels. I too had laser induced holes, and found single needling to be the quickest way to heal them.
August 21, 2015
yep, i just bought the needling two weeks ago. I cant wait to try that, cuz everyone is saying its great!
August 21, 2015
Did you do the peels yourself? I would like to try a peel for my laser damage but I'm afraid of discoloration. Did you have hyper pigmentation after? We appear to be the same olive undertone. Maybe I should give it a try.
August 21, 2015
not at all, its very easy. Follow the instructions and watch couple of youtube videos online. I am an asian, I dont have hyperpigmentation at all. On the contrary, the whole texture is definitely smoother. I would recommend you just starting from 12.5%, just get famaliar with the whole process. I am done with my 12.5% bottle. I would move to 15% or 18% percent next time.
August 21, 2015
Hi, I have a great doctor who refuses to use fraxal laser. I have told him about all the stories I have been reading on here and how everyone has a negative experience with fraxal. He said he wouldn't touch that machine. However he advised me that if I want smaller pores, smoother skin and enhance collagen he does like a derma stamp with PRP. It's like skin needling ( derma roller) but more intense and they use your own blood , spin it in a machine and then roll it back into your skin. My doctor was trained in Beverly Hills and lots of famous actresses do this treatment. I have seen the results and it looks amazing. You do need a few treatments but I'm going to book it in in a couple of months. It cost around $700 per Treatment And 3/4 days doen time.. Mauve this Treatment will help you. Good luck!
August 21, 2015
Really!? o.O! They use your own blood , spin it in a machine and then roll it back into your skin. Sounds a horror movie to me lol. Thanks for your info though
August 22, 2015
I know, Kim Kardashian had it done in one of the KUWTK episodes. Results are amazing tho.
October 10, 2015
Hey! I am pleased you have seen improvement! I also have little laser holes and dry lines accross my cheeks from the laser, a Palomar icon 1540 which is very similar to Fraxel 1550 but probably worse! It's not ablative but still have me lines and holes when on the highest. Anyway, I used Amlactin and it helped by at least 50% so much smoother but still there and bugging me.
Did you TCA peels completely get rid of the lines and dry looking areas?
I really want to try one but am so scared and every doctor I ask recommends fraxel or laser! Even when they do TCA peels.
Btw don't go higher than 25% ever! I wouldn't even do 25% without a doctor present.. You don't wanna undo everything!
Did you TCA peels completely get rid of the lines and dry looking areas?
I really want to try one but am so scared and every doctor I ask recommends fraxel or laser! Even when they do TCA peels.
Btw don't go higher than 25% ever! I wouldn't even do 25% without a doctor present.. You don't wanna undo everything!
October 10, 2015
Clk26- How long did you use Amlactin on your face before getting 50% improvement? Did you also use it under / around your eyes?
October 10, 2015
Hey, well I started in May and initially my face was a bit red so I only used it a few times a week. I saw instant improvment - actually probably the most improvement was all pretty instant, I remember seeing myself in a mirror and thinking wow! It looks smooth, when I saw myself in a brighter room though it was still there but was so much better. After the first week and possibly just before (not 100%) I saw improvement I noticed in the bath that my face was slightly peely - you know when you scratch your skin when it's hot and wet and it kind of comes off? Well it did that! It hasn't really done it since and I don't think it will completely get rid of it but I have continued using it a few times a week.
I must note it makes the tiny red bumps/spot kind of things that don't form a head and disappear completely in a day or so. I don't mind this though but thought I should warn! I guess it surfaces dirt etc.
Also, my damage seems pretty superficial, it looked like dry crusty liney and holey cheeks before, now faint lines and holes mostly only visible when I smile. Ie my damage isn't very deep and I am wondering if I just had loads of dead skin that came off and that's why I've seen improvement.. I really don't know! Also I am not sure Amlactin is meant for the face. I got it for keratosis Pilaris (this bumps some people have on top arms) and just couldn't help myself. No info about anyone using it on their face so not sure it's meant to be used there. Still if anyone's damage is like mine it definitely helped.
I was much happier for a few months, now pbviously I'm still frustrated as my skin isn't 100% and I want it back! Anyway sorry for the ramble but wanted to give you as much info as I could :)
I really want to do a TCA peel but I cannot don't a doctor who doesn't just push for more laser! Too scared to do it myself as I want to use good quality product and not a rubbish one. Good luck with yours, any questions just ask. I can send you a photo of my cheek before and after (I haven't taken an after yet but I can) if you want.
I must note it makes the tiny red bumps/spot kind of things that don't form a head and disappear completely in a day or so. I don't mind this though but thought I should warn! I guess it surfaces dirt etc.
Also, my damage seems pretty superficial, it looked like dry crusty liney and holey cheeks before, now faint lines and holes mostly only visible when I smile. Ie my damage isn't very deep and I am wondering if I just had loads of dead skin that came off and that's why I've seen improvement.. I really don't know! Also I am not sure Amlactin is meant for the face. I got it for keratosis Pilaris (this bumps some people have on top arms) and just couldn't help myself. No info about anyone using it on their face so not sure it's meant to be used there. Still if anyone's damage is like mine it definitely helped.
I was much happier for a few months, now pbviously I'm still frustrated as my skin isn't 100% and I want it back! Anyway sorry for the ramble but wanted to give you as much info as I could :)
I really want to do a TCA peel but I cannot don't a doctor who doesn't just push for more laser! Too scared to do it myself as I want to use good quality product and not a rubbish one. Good luck with yours, any questions just ask. I can send you a photo of my cheek before and after (I haven't taken an after yet but I can) if you want.
October 10, 2015
Oh and I didn't really used it on my eyes but it ended up in my eyes a lot! I'm sure this isn't great - I had a small pockmark in my eye socket so I did put it on this. Not sure it made any difference my Im not blind yet! Still, I would advise keeping it away from eyes!
October 10, 2015
Sorry for triple message, Ives also had two rounds of prp in December and March. I think it did help but not as much as Amlactin! I think it just smoothed it slightly!
October 10, 2015
tca peel isn't really scary at all. If you are not famaliar with how to do it, just start with lowest strength. It won't cause any side effects at all. i cann't guarantee you will get rid of your lines, but the overall skin gets better and smoother. Also, I won't try any laser at all. I won't trust them again ever! Dont get fooled by those so called doctors. Just nasty!
Thank you for your review and sharing some great tips with the community. Sorry that you didn't have a good experience with Fraxel Restore. Are you using Retin - A again?