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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser REVIEWS

Horrible Fraxel laser for acne scars at Allure Image Enhancement by Mina Grasso

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Horrible Fraxel laser for acne scars at Allure Image Enhancement by Mina Grasso

DVine84
$2,502
I have always suffered from Acne since I was a teen and still do, but when I got my acne in control I wanted to get rid of my acne scars. At that time I didn't do an extensive research and didn't know about real self, so I found the nearest local Medical Spa to perform fraxel and artifill. I found Allure Image Enhancement on yelp and online they advertised a special for 2 fraxel treatments. I called for a consultation and information.

When I arrived, I was blown away how beautiful, clean and luxurious their office looks inside. The spa had massage chairs, a waterfall feature and with self serve coffee bar with a variety of drinks. The receptionist there aren't that friendly, they always have the resting b*ch face. The coordinator was friendly. She told me about the fraxel procedure, then called the Nurse Mina and Mina told her to tell me that they can give me a discount if I get 2 fraxel treatments and 1 artefill treatment. I though it was a good deal so booked my pre-op appoitment. I was excited because I though that I fill finally get rid of my scars once and for all not having to look at myself in the mirror and remember I had acne.
On the Pre-laser surgery appointment, the Nurse gave me a couple of handouts about the before and after care of laser and artefill. she also told me about Minas Skin care (the nurse and owner)for acne. I decided to give it a try, maybe I will work on my acne. A blond lady walked me inside another room to take pictures of me of before the treatment.
My laser treatment day, happened on a Saturday. I got my first laser treatment, then in a few months later i got artefill then another laser treatment. Mina the owner/nurse did my artifill, she was ok, but not that friendly either. Artefill hurt a lot, my teeth were grinding. The lasers was painful even with the numbing cream because the laser feels as if hot oil is splattering your skin. Also, the skin smells like burned. For the after treatment, I had to wake up several times at night to clean my skin with a vinegar wash because your skin is burned off and crusty. I had to attend a friends wedding days after, I moisturized it very well and applied mineral makeup on my face. The staff never followed up on me or not a single call to make sure my skin is healing or if I have any questions or concerns.

At first I though that my skin was smooth and I though it made a difference, but it was only swelling from the skin that gives the illusion of smoothness. The swelling can last many months even a year to see the final results. I noticed that my left cheek lost volume and less fuller than my right cheek, my skin texture looks horrible, reddish and rough. This is after a year. Its been over two years now and I feel that I wasted a lot of money of their Fraxel treatments and artefill. Fraxel CO 2, didn't do anything of my acne scars. Her skin care also sucks, it never helped my acne, their medication is very weak compared to Retin A. I wish I could have saved my money and knew about real self and would have found an experienced Dermatologist instead.

I've been treating my own skin with dermarolling at home. I found a kit that I bough and have done two tca cross peels on my ice pick scars. I occasionally do microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I am considering doing a stronger CO2 fractional laser resurfacing, erbium full resurfacing, FR treatments. I can't give up, beauty and self confidence is pain unfortunately. I don't recommend anyone to do this treatment here, you will not see any results.

DVine84's provider

John Grasso, MD - Account Suspended

John Grasso, MD - Account Suspended

Physician, Board Certified in Anesthesiology

Replies (4)

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February 3, 2017

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope you find support here in the community.

February 8, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear your experience. Check out Davin Lims videos on Youtube. Lasers are some of the least effective measures for acne scarring. TCA cross, Infini, fillers and subcision are techniques that the better Derms are using.
February 11, 2017
David Lim is a great dermatologist, I've seen his videos on YouTube and Instagram, but he is in Australia. I found two dermatologist here in Califirnia near me Dr Jason Emar at Beverly Hills and Dr. Christopher Zachary at Irvine. Dr Zachary is an experienced dermatologist over 20+ years. I'll make an appointing to see how he can help me. I would liked traditional CO2 laser more dramatic results and longer recovery time.
December 30, 2017
I'm sorry that you experienced a poor result, because I know just how you feel. I want to let you know from personal experience that CO2 and erbium lasers will be disastrous, so please forgo that technology. I had full face CO2 in 1997 for mild scars from having aggressively picked at my skin. I went to a dermatologist who specialized in laser resurfacing, and he assured me (flagrantly lied) every which way that the technology would remove the skin evenly and would produce smooth results better than dermabrasion. My skin texture was destroyed by the lasers. I ended up with a face that looked like a jigsaw puzzle of uneven etching. The laser removes the skin layers UNEVENLY, and they cause visible permanent patterns in the skin. He attempted to improve it by performing two separate full face treatments of erbium laser, which helped a miniscule amount to fix the damage. The final outcome all these years later is I have grid lines on my face, darkened spots of skin where the tissue was removed deeper than the surrounding skin, bizarre patterns etched in my face, and distinct full face erythema that makes my face look redder than the rest of my body colour. I urge you to not try ablative lasers. If the Fraxel created problems, you'll have far far worse skin issues with full ablation.