POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS
Fraxel Ruined the Texture of my Skin - 4 Months Until my Wedding :( - Chicago, IL
ORIGINAL POST
I am 2 months post 1 Treatment of Fraxel Restore...
FraxelistheWORSTApril 4, 2015
$400
I am 2 months post 1 Treatment of Fraxel Restore and my skin texture is looking worse than it ever has in my entire life. I wanted to get the treatment for large pores on my cheeks and a few tiny acne scars but ended up with pores that are even larger, connecting lines (kind of like little slits across my face), skin inflammation, weird raised bumps and skin that gets shiny about an hour after I put my makeup on but is dry at the same time. To say that I am in panic mode is an absolute understatement. Right now, I am currently using Psoria Gold to help with the inflammation and just purchased Emu Oil to hopefully help with the texture. I have gone back and seen the doctor 5 times and of course she denies that the laser could ever do anything like that and claims it's stress that is doing this to my skin. I am absolutely devastated about this and at a loss of what to do. It's crazy because this seems to happen to people who did more than one Fraxel Restore session, I only did one... I wish I never did this to myself. I am praying that my skin will recover in time for my wedding. This has been extremely hard on my fiancé and me :(.
Replies (78)
April 6, 2015
these pics are very similiar to what I have but I couldnt find good light to show the true damage I have the lines as well I never had on sides of my cheeks going towards my ear where my skin was the smoothest and in the best condition now scarred sucks :(
April 8, 2015
Wow! My skin looks exactly like that, but I had IPL! WTF, did the IPL machine the doc used on me have a fraxel head and she forgot to swap it out??? Or is that just what happens to skin when they use settings that are too aggressive? Take heart, I was just looking at my photos over time, and those dents and lines have lessened on me, but it took a good 6 months. I can't say they're gone, but the dents have gotten shallower on me. I found using good topical and oral antioxidants and using a good moisturizer like Cerave cream (the one in the tub) helped. Personally I also found RetinA to help, although some people have said that made their texture worse.
April 8, 2015
Thanks so much for your comment. It's so sad to me what they did to my skin and how aggressive they went for someone with minor skin issues... I am really glad to hear you saw improvement after 6 months. That's how long it will be from the procedure to my wedding so I am definitely hoping to see some improvement by then. Thanks for the product tips too... Right now I am using psoria gold and emu oil. My skin is so sensitive so literally everything makes it the color of a tomato. Keep me posted on your progress!!
April 14, 2015
and I have seen slight improvement and this post gives me hope as well thanks :)
April 13, 2015
My theory would be that the fraxel laser removed the top layer of your skin, therefore further revealing your pores, and that the results will reverse once the collagen stimulated by the laser starts to take effect. For now, I would focus on collagen boosters! Try hyaluronic acid (it's not actually acid, more of a serum) I know that is supposed to help!
April 15, 2015
I beginning to think that the idea of Fraxel stimulating collagen, is just that, an idea. I have not seen any evidence of that. I tried hyaluronic acid, prescription strength, and after the third night, I had to stop, because it made me ruby red. After that, I took a benedryl, along with the hyaluronic and it made it more tolerable, but I didn't see any difference in my skin.
May 20, 2015
I've been drinking a collagen powder drink along with hyaluronic acid pills. Maybe if I get rid of my scars I can focus better on the texture. Just needled & put an antibiotic cream on since I'm red. Then later on vit c. but when I put vit c on I'm red so I mix it with some of the ointment & take vit c vities. I had a lot of fraxels & I didn't see any memorable improvements, just the opposite sometimes. So sticking to needling for now. Filler or fat for the scars even tho it doesn't make them disappear. Hoping needling will help with that.
May 20, 2015
Hi Sats, I have always wondered about the collagen powder, I saw it all over Thailand when I was there and was so curious. Please keep us posted on it's effects.
UPDATED FROM FraxelistheWORST
2 months post
Just wanted to share some photos....
FraxelistheWORSTApril 5, 2015
It's Easter today and I cried the entire holiday looking at what my face has become. I can't believe I did this to myself :(
Replies (17)
April 6, 2015
Thank you for sharing your photos. I was thinking...raw honey is a great for the skin due to its antibacterial properties, it's very soothing and promotes healing. If you have access to Manuka Honey it's amazing. Check out this review, she claims honey helped heal her skin after Fraxel damage.
April 6, 2015
Wonderful! Thank you so much ... Is there a specific place I can purchase this from?? Trader Joes? Whole Foods? I appreciate your support!
April 6, 2015
Most natural food stores will carry a wide variety of raw honey, you can even check your local farmers markets. I found one more thing I wanted to share with you :)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOMEMADE SKIN TREATMENT?
April 6, 2015
Hang in there. It'll get better.
April 6, 2015
Mine was done by a VBeam in a hospital dermatology office. I'm in the Chicago area too. I've been doing Dermaroller. It has helped a bit. I'll send you a private message later and let you know where I have it done.
April 6, 2015
Do you have any before pictures, too? Hang in there!
April 6, 2015
I do.. I would be happy to send them in a private message or email! I'm just a little mortified right now to post the before pictures because it's such a drastic difference.
UPDATED FROM FraxelistheWORST
2 months post
Another pic of damage...
FraxelistheWORSTApril 6, 2015
My pores are so huge and swollen! I can't put any makeup on because my skin looks so bumpy. It's like applying makeup to a dried out sponge.
Replies (15)
April 6, 2015
in this pic I see something you may not it actually looks like its healing from other pics you posted. I have read that the pores do shrink with time I hope that maybe true but I def think this pic looks better then the other two you posted . Also I know that dried out sponge feeling and that did go away for me but it took almost three months there is hope our skin may never be what it was originally but it will get better with time mine has anyways.
April 6, 2015
I have been using pure aloe gel I purchased online drenching my face several times a day
April 6, 2015
also there is pore minimizer I have been using to disguise the pores a bit definetely has helped I put it on after moisturizer has absorbed and makeup after it has its own tint to it as well but its like a light skin tone color so makeup goes over easily
April 6, 2015
That's a little bit reassuring. I am glad to hear that your skin is getting a little better as opposed to worse like some people on this website. Right now, my skin is so inflamed that if I put makeup over my skin ... It looks so bumpy and The pores look really raised. I'd be happy with even a little bit improvement at this point ... I'm thinking about seeing a holistic doctor to see what they have to say about the healing... Not sure if they can help. I just purchased emu oil and it should be coming in the mail today so I hope that helps. I'm also going to see one of the leading laser experts ..: although I don't think I could be talked into another laser to fix the damage. I am really desperate at this point and feel like I'd try anything.
April 6, 2015
How many months are you out from your procedure? You said it was month 3 when you noticed improvement?
April 6, 2015
Keep us posted on the emu oil. Is that supposed to help with scarring, texture?
April 6, 2015
I think it's supposed to help with inflammation which can help with texture. I also think it's supposed to help rebuild the skin ... I will definitely keep you posted!!
April 7, 2015
I am a lil over three months after my treatment and definetely seen some improvment just a lil bit though but its better then it getting worse I suppose
April 7, 2015
my inflammation was also very bad thought it would never go away now its just minor inflammation but I feel like the lines and pores will never change idk I will post updates
April 7, 2015
I'm really sorry about your experience. Here is a link to a medical journal which discusses a case of textural changes caused by fractional CO2 laser resurfacing. Perhaps it can provide you some information about why this happened to you.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19291745
April 7, 2015
I just looked at the Fraxel website and under the section "Possible complications from Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 Laser System treatments" it lists "Skin Textural Changes" as a possible complication. It says that "Following laser treatment, restoration of the skin may not occur as expected due to your physiology, such as poor wound healing ability or post-treatment care. This may result in undesirable textural changes to the skin." Perhaps you should discuss this with your doctor, especially if she is telling you that Fraxel does not cause textural changes to the skin which is obviously a lie since it is listed as a risk on the manufacturer's wesbite.
April 7, 2015
Yeah ... I wish I knew that. I actually specifically asked my doctor if there was any way my texture could change for the worse and she said there was no way the texture could change ... I might just not see improvements.
July 10, 2022
Agree, I brought this exact thing up (in addition to treacle saying scarring can occur) to my derm and she smiled and said what they’re talking about is only temporary. Why wouldn’t they then say “temporary changes to texture?” Also Fraxel used the word scarring as well, scars aren’t temporary. More lies. I can’t find an honest dermatologist who will admit there’s damage to face and it is sickening. I’m at the end of my rope which trying to get help. Noticed a bad difference 7 days after fraxel and have been telling my derm, 2 mos later it’s still terrible and no derm will help or acknowledge.
Welcome to the community, I am glad you found us. I am sorry to hear that you are feeling stressed about your situation, the good news is you do have 4 months before your wedding, and time can do wonders, your skin may just need some extra time to heal. I thought that you might find this information helpful:
HOW TO CORRECT FRAXEL TEXTURE DAMAGE?
You may want to check in here and share your thoughts as well.
Please keep us posted on your progress :)