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Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:47 am |
Msaries1-They can recommend up to 5 treatments if you have melasma and scarring from acne. I did mone strictly for fine lines and sundamage. I won't do another one right away until maybe a few years down the road if I need it. The only exception is my chin area which I hope it will address the fine lines and pores, because that is where it is concentrated. If I need more there, I will just do a spot treatment.
Had 4 different neighbor/friends stop by last night while I am trying to lay low. How frightful and of course they don't understand the laser thing and why.
Woke up this morning on day 3 thinking this had better turn out good as my skin was nothing to complain about before, as I now belatededly realize. My face is so VERY tight and still VERY red/bronze with light swelling still. It feels like I have a clay mask on and it is rough like sandpaper.
Lunchtime, HAH! |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:46 pm |
I hope your procedure went well and you have fabulous results, however according to posts I've read on YTF's forum, the Fraxel laser (and Thermage,) causes fat loss in the face. It has been discussed frequently, but not at all favorably. Hoping your experience is positive one. |
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Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:48 pm |
You're going to be beautiful Annie!! This too shall pass and you'll be so glad you did it. I'm sure you did your homework before the procedure and knew what you were doing. Take care and I hope you'll show us before and afters.
Patty |
_________________ Patty |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:36 am |
Thanks Patty-Right now I certainly have my doubts as I am into my 4th day. Swelling is down to just a mild puffer fish, but the bronze/red sandpaper that is now my skin is pretty gross. It keeps me at long last from staring obsessively at my lines in the mirror!
MountainGril-I did a lot of research on the Fraxel beforehand and it is actually not known to promote fat loss. The Thermage is so well-known to my med/spa/plastic usrgeon's office to have that side effect that they no longer do them. People were getting them strictly for facial sculpting, if you can believe that! Fraxel actually promotes collagen build-up and keeps your skin plump which is how it also evens out the scar tissue.
Looking forward to new, healed skin and back out of hybernation. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:30 am |
AnnieR wrote: |
Right now I certainly have my doubts as I am into my 4th day. |
That's a very normal reaction to have after a procedure where time is required for healing. Try not to doubt yourself; once you see your results, you'll feel differently about it.
I was wondering though, is this a procedure that you need to repeat to see good results? |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:30 am |
I know that feeling Annie. The feeling of - am I ever going to look normal again? You are. You are. Just hang in there. I can truly sympathize with you because yesterday I injected Resty in my chin and around my mouth. I bruise everytime I do it. Then, I've finally narrowed down the product I'm allergic to and it's my wonderful JM Eye Cream. I love this stuff but I can't use it anymore. This is the third time in the last 5 weeks. Before this, I was trying out so many different skin care products that I didn't know which to blame the redness and swelling on. Now I do. Darn it all!! I may as well send my eye creams back the JM because I can't sell it if I don't love it.
Anyway, with the swollen check bones that are also as red as a beet and the bruises around my mouth, I look ravishing as you can imagine. I look like I've been ravaged anyway. LOL!! |
_________________ Patty |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:36 am |
Tam-Some people can have up to 5 if you are doing this to reduce acne scars and severe. I was doing this as a rejuvenating proceedure to help with fine lines starting to appear and to tighten up a bit. I am going to hopefully do only one, but if I see good results I may do a partial on my lower facial area for even greater results. I decided to do my whole face the first time to make sure I didn't have any demarcation areas and to do an overall "lift". I can already see that my forehead is tightened and my crow's feet are remarkably improved and that wasn't even my intent.
Patty-I bruise everytime I have had the resty and it can sometimes last for weeks. I am hoping this helps with some of those lines that I had the resty in. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:21 pm |
Annie, I found the same thing with Thermage. Unbelievably painful! Hearing your account dissuades me from doing the Fraxel. I wish they could come up with something to totally numb your face. My derm said they'd be afraid to burn you if you had no feeling. There's got to be some way around the pain. Anyways, I'm glad it's over. Probably, like giving birth, you'll be so happy with the results that you'll forget the pain. Coleen |
_________________ 40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:54 pm |
C4ward-Were you happy with your Thermage? I've read such mixed reviews but I have not talked to anyone who did it.
I did hear that some people take a shot of demeral or take 2 vicadin and it helps. Also some docs will give a shot of novacine to the face. Mine doesn't recommend anything but Arnica and maybe vicadin. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:53 pm |
[AnnieR"] C4ward-Were you happy with your Thermage? I've read such mixed reviews but I have not talked to anyone who did it.]
I had Thermage about a year ago. I thought that the pain factor was about the same as IPL (which I think is torture). I always have significant swelling after IPL, however, I did not have any with the Thermage and, in fact, there was no down time at all.
Results: they took before and after pics and they did show that my double chin had tightened up a bit. I think though that the results were really negligable - I would have liked to have seen much more of a lift to my jowls. Also, the expense was horific - AUD$4,000. For that kind of money, I want to see BIG RESULTS and I can honestly say that it was a disappointment for me. I read in a recent article about Ellen Barkin (the actress) that she has 3 Thermage treatments a year - she does look great - but then only a Hollywood actress could afford that kind of money, I certainly can't.
I have cefinitely been tempted by the Fraxel - but here again, money is the issue. So I will really be interested in AnnieR's final results. |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:55 pm |
Ellen Barkin has three Thermage a year? Holy moly! I wish I could afford that!
I know quite a few people here at EDS have not been happy with it. I have another thread on EDS talking about Eye Thermage.
In a nut shell, I would do the Thermage on my upper lids again. I was starting to see a little sag & it's completely gone. I would NOT do under my eyes again. I think it gave me lines where there weren't any there.
Regarding the face Thermage, I was happy with the subtle results. It is a lot of money & very important to go to an experienced physician. The plece I noticed the biggest difference was under my chin. I'll probably do it again, unless some other new invention beckons.
Oh, but note, IT HURTS A TON!! My face still hurt five days later. What I'd like to do next is Radiesse in my smile lines. Everyone who has Radiesse, says you must get a dermal block with it, otherwise it's simply unbearable. The only way I could do Thermage again was if there was somekind of Novacaine for the face. Sounds like the Fraxel needs more numbing, too.
Coleen |
_________________ 40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:58 pm |
Kelin, My dermatologist charges half price for Thermage after the first one. It's still hugely expensive. |
_________________ 40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:08 pm |
I'm glad you did your research beforehand. You surely know a lot more than me. One thing I've experience with every procedure I've ever had, I am always freaked out afterwards and look far worse than I was prepared for. Just visualize the results you want, and you will be fine! |
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Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:18 am |
Today I can start to see the light at the end and I think I will be pleased. My forehead and cheeks are almost normal w/ a little light peeling. I could go out like that. However, my chin and lip area is still red/bronze and scaly, but WAAYYY better. The swelling is a slight puff that no one but crazy old me would notice (as my hubby phrases it). I think by Monday I would not scare small children.
But the main thing is the fine lines are greatly diminished in the areas that are almost normal. I can't tell in the chin yet, but as I check every hour or so I will know the minute it changes! |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:06 am |
AnnieR wrote: |
I think by Monday I would not scare small children. |
AnnieR wrote: |
But the main thing is the fine lines are greatly diminished in the areas that are almost normal. I can't tell in the chin yet, but as I check every hour or so I will know the minute it changes! |
That's wonderful news! How thrilling that you can already begin to see the results you hoped for! Fantastic! |
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Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:38 am |
Thank goodness you didn't go through that awful experience for nothing! I hope your results continue to get better and better. |
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Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:15 am |
Annie,
This is wonderful! I am so glad that you start seeing some of the expected results! |
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Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:53 pm |
On day 8 so I thought I would update. Every day had gotten better but then today, the most horrible outbreak on my chin. Called Amber and she got confirmation from the Fraxel rep that the purging was very normal because of the aggressive treatment in that area and sensitivity. Now on a 1 week cycle of Doxycycline to clear it up. Worse than a teenager, I swear!
Anyway, the saving grace is I got my EDS order in and my free Delceor Harmony Soothing Cream. Love it. Very soothing, calming and soaks in w/o leaving a greasy feeling/layer like the Neosporin was doing. Yuk! I wish I would have had this all along, what a relief. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:19 pm |
Hi AnnieR,
Glad your healing well!! I have a couple of questions..hope you don't mind. Did you by chance take any "before" pictures? It would be cool to see daily pics on how you progess. Also, why did you decide on Fraxel? I am under the impression it is for fine lines. There is a practice in my area that I went to last year for a IPL consult and they offered a "free" fraxel session. The info I can get the better! TIA!!
Lisa |
_________________ Early 40's, normal/dry, Oily T zone (summer) fine lines, hyperpigmentation |
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Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:15 am |
Good Luck . waiting to know the result because i'm going to have laser treatment as well. I tried NG YAG laser to reduce pores and remove hairs on my face but it wasted my money . |
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Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:23 am |
They took before pics at their office. When I go back for my checkup at around 6 months they will do a follow up.
I did choose Fraxel for the fine lines and sun damage, larger pores in the chin area and a couple of chicken pox scars, very light and shallow. These are the things Fraxel is supposed to address. Now I am only doing the 1 (at least for now), and the lower part of my face was done very aggressive for that reason. If you are doing just one, they recommend it at a higher setting. I am not sure if just having 1 can help, but I am not sure more than 1 would be worth the money, like say for 2-5 treatments. I got my treatment at 675.00, which is a steal, so to me worth the cost to try it. Had I paid over 1,000, I would be expecting so much more I think (at least at this stage of results). Now having said all that and the fact that I am always a HUGE skeptic but also a very willing guinea pig, I will give it to the 6 month mark. I have read tons and tons of personal reviews and it has had very mixed reviews. It is a minimally-invasive, semi-ablative laser, which also limits the amount of results. If you have heavy damage or lines and wrinkles, it probably would not be worth the cost unless you had at least 5. They recommend the Portrait laser for that, which has waaayyyyy more downtime (could not imagine). They say the Fraxel is not as invasive, which limits the downtime for most people, but I'll tell you honestly, that wasn't true in my case. Now Amber, my esthetician who performed the procedure, had warned me that my skin might take up to 2 weeks to recover, so I appreciated her honesty up front. Most doctors won't tell you that because they are afraid it will put people off. I work at home, so I didn't frighten any small children, just the hubby, neighbors and the UPS guy, and it's good for them.
At least that redness/bronze mask is gone and I can go back out into the real world. And that thanks to the Decleor Harmonie Gentle Soothing Cream, which I wish I had had last week. Amazing stuff, that sucked the red right out!
I will update as I see/don't see any collegen tightening and firming. Now as I am about to start back on Candy's firming serum, I could bet I will see some results. Probably could have saved some money and just used her product!
Overall, it did even out the skintone, tighten up the skin, tightened up the forehead with a nice little lift of the eyebrows, my crows feet are REALLY reduced, my pores shrank a little. Jury is still out on the fine lines on the side of my mouth and nasolabials, but I am glad I did it, even with the pain. Who knows in 6 months, maybe another one on just the lower part of my face (someone reimnd me of the pain, will ya?)
My son says next time I want to waste some money, just write him a check and he'll blow it on beer, girls and video games, same results, but he'll feel better. |
_________________ Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:46 pm |
Sorry I haven't gotten back with the post.
Fraxel definately sounds interesting and amazingly enough not as expensive as I had imagined. My main concerns are hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity(neck area). I do have some broken caps that I suppose IPL would take care of. Please keep us posted with your results. I hope it turns out to be all that you expected.
Oh, btw. I was mistaken on my previous post about the derm giving me a "free" fraxel session with my IPL treatments...it was suppose to have been Gentle Waves. Either way I can't afford the sessions at this time.
Take care
Lisa |
_________________ Early 40's, normal/dry, Oily T zone (summer) fine lines, hyperpigmentation |
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Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:49 pm |
BTW AnnieR, how are you doing? |
_________________ The best way to locate your cat is to open a can of food. |
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Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:02 pm |
AnnieR wrote: |
My son says next time I want to waste some money, just write him a check and he'll blow it on beer, girls and video games, same results, but he'll feel better. |
"Waste", naaaaaaa, tell him it's more like enhancement. |
_________________ Early 40's, normal/dry, Oily T zone (summer) fine lines, hyperpigmentation |
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Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:02 pm |
I'm sorry that Annie's procedure was so painful. My experience was not painful and I didn't have much redness the next day or discomfort of any kind. I did get amazing results - the fraxel took immediate care of a bunch of wrinkles of several depths.
I was thinking that probably the person who gave it to her was responsible and then later noticed it was an aesthetician. That might be the problem. I had mine done by a dermatologist. |
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