POSTED UNDER Fraxel Laser Reviews
Was Almost Frightened Off, but So Glad I Did the Fraxel Now!
UPDATED FROM Lara_Z
Update - two years later. The side effects have...
Lara_ZJuly 30, 2011
WORTH IT$2,000
Update - two years later.
The side effects have completely gone. Main side effects? Dark AND light patches on my skin (hyper and hypo pigmentation). The light patches were due to the cortisone. The darker reddish patches were from the laser itself.
So my scars, the reason for my treatment? The honest answers, now. Are they gone? No. Are they better? Absolutely. They have been reduced by about 50% so that in sine lighting you can't even see them, nor are they obvious anymore unless you know what you're looking for.
Before fraxel, I used to get people and their questions when they saw the scarring and were too naive or rude to bot ask the question. Since the fraxel, knock on wood, not one question, even one.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would I recommend it to everyone? No. I'm lucky enough to be of the right skin type for laser and so responded very well. I also know I was very lucky and not everyone will have the same experience. But if I could do it again, I'd do so in a heartbeat.
My next step from here, the rhinoplasty I've wanted since puberty! Looking forward to posting that experience :) Also extremely nervous!
The side effects have completely gone. Main side effects? Dark AND light patches on my skin (hyper and hypo pigmentation). The light patches were due to the cortisone. The darker reddish patches were from the laser itself.
So my scars, the reason for my treatment? The honest answers, now. Are they gone? No. Are they better? Absolutely. They have been reduced by about 50% so that in sine lighting you can't even see them, nor are they obvious anymore unless you know what you're looking for.
Before fraxel, I used to get people and their questions when they saw the scarring and were too naive or rude to bot ask the question. Since the fraxel, knock on wood, not one question, even one.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would I recommend it to everyone? No. I'm lucky enough to be of the right skin type for laser and so responded very well. I also know I was very lucky and not everyone will have the same experience. But if I could do it again, I'd do so in a heartbeat.
My next step from here, the rhinoplasty I've wanted since puberty! Looking forward to posting that experience :) Also extremely nervous!
UPDATED FROM Lara_Z
Edit** meant to say was reduced by 60% not 50. And...
Lara_ZJuly 30, 2011
Edit** meant to say was reduced by 60% not 50. And some* lighting, not sine lighting, lol. Darn iPhones.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Lara_Z
Ok, had procedure number two done a few days ago...
Lara_ZApril 26, 2009
Ok, had procedure number two done a few days ago.
That, was painful. The first time it hurt but this time, more so. Not during the process, but afterward it seems like it's more tender than it was the first time, that's because the skin is newer and thus more tender this time around.
It's gotten to the point where it's dried out and is sandpapery, and looks like a bad sunburn. It's starting to itch so I'm guessing it's healing well. The improvements are still coming along, some of the scars are almost invisible now, but the worse ones are taking longer to lessen in appearance.
It's still early, I'll update once the swelling/redness/bronzing has gone.
Replies (5)
Lara_Z
April 26, 2009
Just had my second!
Ok, that was painful, more painful than the first. But it's getting better now.
Scared of, no, I didn't see an improvement straight away. After the redness it'll dry out and go sandpapery, and then it will look to be improving.
After that, the bronzing will peel and it will look more or less normal (ie as it did before). BUT, after this, the improvement starts to happen. I saw the more substantial improvements about 3 weeks after the treatment.
Be very careful. That area will be tender as anything. I put the moisturizer on 3-4 times per day.
Mine are starting to look better now that the pain has settled down - now to wait for the bronzing to flake.
But don't worry. You'll see the results in a few weeks I'd say. Did you get the cortisone or just the fraxel?
April 27, 2009
I did not get cortisone, just fraxel. So far I see no real improvement, but your detailed description of what will happen in the next few weeks gives me a lot of hope. Thanks! Keep us updated on your continued improvement!
April 28, 2009
The cortisone would help if you have raised scars, as that seemed to very visibly flatten them.
Only one risk, an that's that the injected areas seemed to be the ones that had the hypopigmented skin appearing around them, that I mentioned before. It's back to normal now, but it had me worried.
I'm sure you'll start to see the difference around the same time I did. :) Just treat the area as you would treat glass.
April 28, 2009
I'm not doing anything to the treated area, not even lotion, just leaving it be. Right now it's a very slight sandpaper texture, no redness or soreness, and the scars still as visible as ever. I really hope the next few weeks bring some results. The doc didn't suggest cortisone for some reason, maybe they aren't raised enough?
April 29, 2009
Hmm, could just be because it's something he might not have done before. It's turned out well for me, but it might be a little risky. It did what was intended but my doctor didn't want to do it again this time because of what I told him about the light patches that appeared.
I'd still be putting the lotion on, though, otherwise the skin can dry right out. I use Cetaphil for that, they gave me a good supply.
Replies (0)