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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS

Excruciatingly Painful

ORIGINAL POST

I researched Fraxel for over a year & got as...

ldv2003May 25, 2008
$1,750

I researched Fraxel for over a year & got as much info as I could. I saw this Dr. on a news program talking about Fraxel so I made an appt. I didn't get to see him but the tech sounded knowledgeable. Another tech did the procedure tho.

The first treatment was so excruciatingly painful that I've not only never had the following 4-5 treatments done, I'm terrified of having any other procedure done. I was told it would feel like a rubber band snap but it felt like a hot poker ripping thru my skin. I can't believe the tech even kept going as I was in tears & shaking the whole time. I had little swelling but was bright red for a couple of days. Even w/ ice packs & topical pain cream it felt like I had the worst sunburn I could ever have imagined. My skin felt like it was on fire for two days.

I'd never suggest anyone getting fraxel done. Well, maybe if they knock you out first then it might be tolerable. The pain afterwards was more tolerable but they tell you there will be no pain or redness afterward. They've apparently never had it done.

ldv2003's provider

Center for Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology

0

Replies (17)

Nigelthornberry452
February 27, 2014
People have different pain thresholds thus they handle pain differently. It could be that you have a very low tolerance for pain(maybe especially for pain caused by high temperatures)?
ldv2003
October 14, 2014
That's what they tell you when you're complaining about the pain from the laser being set too high. I had less painful burns from an oven/stove. I've worked in assembly for years, even had a 2" nail go thru my hand when someone bumped into me as I was using a pneumatic nail gun. I slid my hand from the nail & piece of wood while the guys around me froze up & got squeamish. I put a band aid on it & kept going just like I did when I got hit in the leg by a chainsaw that kicked back because the neighbor put chicken wire in a bush to shove it towards my yard. So, NO, I don't think I have a low threshold for pain. This photo is 25 hrs after getting zapped & I still had painful, blood red marks all over my neck where she wasn't even supposed to use the laser. Do you REALLY think those don't look painful? Seriously ! Don't let anyone give you the "everyone has a different pain threshold". A burn is a burn.
ldv2003
October 14, 2014
BTW, this was just my neck. My entire face was blood red & painful as well.
bennielo
December 18, 2014
It's been a number of years since you first posted this. What was the outcome? So sorry to hear you suffered so. Do you know what setting this was on? What has your doctor said? Was this Restore or Dual, or another Fraxel?
Chvza00
September 25, 2014
My doctor was qualified to give me an IV with anesthesia that put me asleep during the treatment. And he gave me pain meds for after. I am sorry you didn't have any numbing during the procedure. I can't imagine doing it without it.
ldv2003
October 14, 2014
Thank you for your reply. The (young, I might add) tech was new & no one was watching her. Yet no one would help me. She didn't stop & ask anyone what to do & wouldn't lower the temp on the laser because ( "wouldn't get the full benefit". The burns hurt for many days & I kept having flashbacks of the zapping. Why did she continue? Her whole focus was on finishing - like it was normal for it to hurt that much & it was all in my head, I guess.
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Teddyjo
December 18, 2014
I am sorry to hear about your pain. But I do understand. I had ablative CO2 laser treatment to my entire face. Prior to the procedure, I applied two rounds of lidocaine to my face, and took oral pain medication. The procedure was VERY painful. So, I was then given a shot of more pain medication. It felt like a 4th of July sparkler being dragged across my face. My doctor was very responsive and stopped if the pain was too much. Eventually the pain was bearable, because the medication finally kicked in. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. I had a very skilled and experienced doctor. People do have different pain thresholds. Do your homework, and find a good doctor. The results, were worth it!
JCL
February 12, 2015
Sorry you experienced this, at our center we apply BLT which is a high potency numbing cream for half and hour before the treatment. I have never had any complain about pain using this technique.
ldv2003
August 10, 2015
I didn't say which center I went to. It was in Ft Worth, TX tho. I'd never go back there as they let a not-quite trained person do the procedure like it was no big deal.
ldv2003
August 10, 2015
Looks like I did say which center. Been so long since I put this post up. This clinic is lucky no one's sued them. I was literally burned & I was treated like it was just a big baby. I have more photos of how red & painful the procedure made my skin. It hurt for days.
daringone
February 13, 2015
I had this procedure done 5 years ago in the office by my plastic surgeon. It was scheduled to do two passes just under my eyes. Yes, I had ALL the numbing stuff available, my doctor was very thorough with all that. First off, I could only do and barely made it for him to do one pass!! Never made it to two passes!!! The results were barely noticeable because of that. I WOULD NEVER suggest anyone doing it without going under anesthesia...extremely painful..like someone is taking a blow torch to your face..OUCH!! However, because I'm still dealing with wanting my skin tighter under my eyes, I will be doing this procedure again sometime this year. This time going I am going to the surgery center and going under anesthesia so I can get the full results with the doctor doing the two passes as suggested. Am I looking forward to going through the first several days of chasing the ointment...NO....however...I will be looking forward to the results :) I hope my review helps
ldv2003
August 10, 2015
Be sure to let me know how it works out. Ugh... having flashbacks of what felt like a knife being run all over my face. So painful. And they act like you're just a big baby. The newbie assistant (with no one watching her) had it turned up high, saying I wouldn't see any results w/ a lower setting. Well, you won't anyway if it's so painful you won't have another treatment !
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