Fraxel Re:pair Procedure

My name is Stephanie and I am an almost 42 year old female who went for fraxel re;pair on Sept. 25th, 2008. I went to a doctor who is very experienced in this procedure and owns his own machine. Another Dr. who was researched to do the procedure was rejected by myself as she is a great dr. but had to rent the machine and this gave me a lot of discomfort knowing she did not do this procedure very often. I would think this is a PRO when researching for a dr. to do the fraxel re;pair. My Dr. was nothing but friendly and extremely professional and his staff is as professional as well as sweet as sweet can be. Okay I started out by taking the meds (antibiotics,steroid crème for the face n neck and valtrex) the day before and the morning of the procedure. The day of procedure I was numbed up given some goofy meds and we started. Now mind you my face is extremely sensitive and didn’t know it until the laser touched my skin but if I would do it again I would be sedated. I am an ex-smoker and was told perhaps because it hasn’t been that long since I quit the blood vessels are closer to the surface producing more pain.( don’t quote me on that medical theory though) I had my face and neck done. Once the procedure was finished the pain was all gone. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me right after but surprisingly pain free. For the next few days I did the vinegar soaks(which feel great if you put the water/vinegar mixture in the fridge) and the goopey aquaphor. I did this for 4 days then moved on to Cetaphil cleanser and Cetaphil lotion and moisturizer.( I was very happy to stop the aquaphor by then ). I started to get white bumps and pimply looking things all over my forehead and my face which lasted about 5-7 days. Then 3 days ago I literally woke up with this beautiful glowing baby skin which I really don’t think I ever had. Being a Cali native and growing up in Venice I fried my skin with baby oil with by blonde hair n blue eyes. My skin was ruddy and had tiny bumps underneath the surface. My skin was looking so dang old. I could NOT believe the results of this procedure. I put makeup on for the first time 2 days ago and the whole day got so many compliments on my eyes n skin. My neighbors husband who is not a complimentary kinda guy raved yesterday saying I looked at least 10 or more years younger. It seems like everything lifted up my cheeks are higher my eyes look amazing as if I rested for so long. I am so happy.I have a glow I had only seen others have and my God it was ME!!! I neglected my skin for so long and decided it was a time in my life to start taking care of me as I have health issues with my husband which keep me busy and 2 kids one with special needs who takes a lot of my time and energy. I want to tell you that my experience was great rough at first as well as human beings we tend to have less patience and want results NOW NOW NOW!!! It’s only been 14 days and I am so happy to have done something for myself. It’s already such a huge confidence boost. I will say make sure you have a dr. who knows their stuff. This is not something to be taken lightly AT ALL. But if your in the right hands and have some patience you have no idea what a HUGE difference it can make in the texture, appearance and tightness of your skin. I am a very very happy woman right now and as my daughter says. MOMMY you look so PRETTYFUL.. LOL . Thanks for letting me share. Stephanie