Fraxel Re:store in Washington, DC
First, I was shocked by the price, I was expecting...
First, I was shocked by the price, I was expecting it to be half that much! But I have been going to my derm for 5 years now and wouldn't see anyone else.
I am 36, had the full face and the chest in the hopes of getting rid of brown spots on the chest, and brown splotches, freckles, and fine lines on the face. I am very fair and have, as an adult, been very religious about sunblock so my skin is in ok shape. The doctor said she thought one treatment might be enough for me. My derm also uses Gentlewaves LED after Fraxel, she says in their experience it helps minimize redness.
I had the procedure yesterday (Friday) about 2 pm, derm said they call it Fraxel Friday around the office because so many do it on Friday and ready to return to work on Monday. We'll see about that!
I sat with numbing cream on for about 45 minutes; I jokingly asked if I could have a valium (I was nervous), and to my surprise they said yes, as long as I wasn't driving! I would describe the procedure as uncomfortable rather than painful, with the exception of -- for me, I'm sure everyone is different -- around the eye socket and top of my cheekbone. That was painful, but over quickly. It didn't feel hot, it felt more like someone had a small tool with a piece of rough sandpaper on it and was scraping my skin with it. Uncomfortable, but tolerable except for the aforementioned areas (but even with those, it's over fairly quickly).
Immediately after the procedure and last night, I was a little swollen and bright red, as though I had a very bad sunburn. I could also see a sort of grid pattern on my face, as though I'd pressed it against a screen door for a while. My face felt very hot and was stinging for about an hour, then mellowed to warm and tingly, which lasted another couple hours. Since then, I have felt nothing except a little tightness.
It's Saturday and I am now about 24 hours post procedure. I am not red at all, I would say I am just slightly pink. However, my face is swollen to about twice its normal size (and I followed their instructions to sleep with my head elevated)! This has me a little freaked out, as I have to go to work on Monday, so we shall see. I am following their instructions about ice and am hoping that helps! Will update as I go.
EVA70S's provider
A few hours after I wrote this review, I had a...
I am, right now, deeply regretting this. My face is a complete mess and I don't want to go out of the house. I am really hoping this breakout clears up soon!
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Hi ECA,
Welcome to the Fraxel community. Well, I'm glad the top 2/3rd's of your face look great. How is the bottom looking today? Your information about taking a full week off is useful for the community to know, especially since this procedure is often viewed as having a shorter healing time. Once your chin is completely better do you think you will have this procedure done again in the future? Please keep us updated and we would love to see pictures if you have some.
Thanks so much for the review,
-Britt
I'm sure there are people who are recovered enough to be comfortable socializing and working 2-3 days after the procedure, I was just not one of them! I just think it's a good idea if you're getting it for the first time not to assume you will be fine in 2-3 days. If you are, great (lucky you!), cancel your time off and go back to work!
Way too early to say if I'd do it again. If the bottom part of my face clears up and looks as good as the top half, yes (but this time schedule a week off!). But right now, the entire area around my chin and corners of my mouth and jaw line is ravaged by bumps, redness, and peeling and looks awful (even though the rest of my face is fine). I was expecting redness, swelling, and peeling, not to look like I have a severe acne problem (which I never have), and that's exaclty what I look like now. I am trying to remain optimistic!
Yes please do try to remain optimistic, which I completely understand is easier said than done. Please keep us updated.
Thanks,
-Britt
It's now the following Wednesday (March 16, I had...
On the positive side, the top 2/3 of my face looks pretty great. The fine lines/crow's feet around my eyes are GONE, as is the crepiness that was starting to show on the tops of my cheekbones cheeks when I smiled. If the bottom 1/3 of my face clears up, I will be very happy with the results!
I would suggest to anyone getting this for the first time that, if possible, you take a week off from work. From my experience and from everything I've read, it seems it is rare that someone can have the procedure on Friday and comfortably go back to work Monday. Taking some time off will allow you to heal and allow you some wiggle room in case you have an unexpected reaction, like I did.
I will update again when some more time has passed, hoping the bottom part of my face improves!
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