Also try: Fraxel Laser, Laser resurfacing, laser skin rejuvenation, laser treatment, recovery, skin laser
I have done my 1st Fraxel laser treatment for acne scars. It’s been 4 week and still have redness on cheeks, they look like they had sun burn. I am also getting breakout.
My skin type is brown and Doctor prescribed me bleach to reduce pigmentation change and light treatment for redness. Has anyone experienced this?
Submitted by Neo88 on June 13, 2008 - 9:55am. Viewed 746 times
6/13/08
Hi,
I am assuming that you have been treated with Fraxel Repair for your acne scarring. The redness in most people has faded by three to four weeks.
In the past with the older traditional CO2 lasers, the redness would sometimes last up to a year. I would be shocked if your redness doesn't resolve very soon. The redness will always fade away over time, the time period varies depending on the individual. Be patient and it should continue to gradually fade away. Continue to follow your physicians advice. Ask your doctor about Desonide cream 0.05% which helps with the redness. Keep us informed of your progress, and be well.
Dr. P
6/17/08
I agree with Dr. Persky.
However, the "lightening cream" can also contribute to the redness in some people.
Try the desonide cream if your doctor will prescribe it to you. I would tell you about OTC treatments but think it's best if you discussed it with your provider :-)
The redness should fade away soon.
7/31/08
I'm 5 weeks post Fraxel Re:pair and I'm still very red. I'm considering IPL treatments as they have worked for me in the past. I don't see my doctor again for 4 weeks. Is it too soon for me to be looking at other options? Should I just wait it out?
Thanks
CB
8/4/08
Hi crb,
The redness will fade over time. There are patients who will improve with a light IPL treatment and/or LED treatment. I would give it another 4 weeks until you see your physician. Discuss your options with your doc at that time if the erythema has not improved. Be well.
Dr. P
8/5/08
Thanks Dr. P. I could not wait 4 weeks to see me doctor as I was stressing too bad, so I saw him today.
He said it's not redness, it's post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. I am brown everywhere the laser touched. He called Reliant when I was there and this is something they have seen and said it will go away. I am currently using the Modus line and he added Triluma as well. He said once we see how this works we may do some IPL treatments or chemical peels. I'm afraid this is going to take months and months to resolove, if ever.
Have you seen this issue before? Any words of advice?
Thanks!
8/8/08
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a fairly common complication that we all try to avoid by taking a great history, accurately determining skin type (Fitzpatrick), evaluating for tendency to hyperpigment, determining amount of recent UV (sun) exposure and making appropriate adjustments in the laser settings.
However, despite everyone's best efforts, there can be a surprise episode of PIH even with the best planning. We have been fortunate to only have about one per year and they all have resolved with the intervention you are receiving.
We use lightener prior to more aggressive lasers - such as fractional CO2 lasers - to decrease the risk of hyperpigmentation since the melanocytes are inhibited.
We treat PIH after we determine the depth of the pigment. Deeper pigment is much harder to treat. More superficial pigment responds very well to lighteners and even microdermabrasion (but be very careful).
We do perform IPL or PigmentFX treatments once everything is under control and we have confidence that we won't actually make it worse. It's always best to be on the safe side and avoid being too aggressive trying to fix a problem.
You should do fine but it may take several months to a year to resolve. It is very important that you try to be very patient and avoid UV exposure as MUCH as possible. Even the best treatments will be undone by unprotected exposure to the sun just going to work or picking up kids. This is a critical step that you can't forget about in the healing process and over the next year (really, don't ever forget it).
8/8/08
Dr. Clinton,
Thank you very much for your response. I have been using the Triluma for 3 days. I've been putting it on after work and washing it off before I go to bed because I don't want to over irritate my skin. However, I'm already starting to peel just a little bit, but my face is not red or burning. I can already tell with the slight peeling that my face is getting lighter. My doctor used one of those lamps (wood's lamp maybe?) and he said the pigmentation was very much on the surface, which he said is good. After my fraxel, my face did not appear to peel like some of the others that I spoke with. When I would try to rub in the aquphor, the skin would ball up and come off. Some of the other girls that had it done the same time as I did would email pictures and their peeling looked very different. Their bronze color seemed to peel off while my stayed. It there any chance, that while rubbing my face I made it not peel correctly? I can tell by feeling my face that it's right on the surface and I'm fighting the urge to try to scrub it off, but while it may be tempting, I'm going to leave it alone. I've had IPL treatments, chemical peels and laser hair removal over the years and I never had this issue.
I have been using Total Block by Fallen, SPF 60, religiously. Is that a good choice? Do you think if I'm still pigmented at 12 weeks (post FR) I would be healed enough to try other options? I would even consider a light fraxel treatment.
I'm trying hard to just chill. Crying and worrying sure has not helped. :) I have not even written a negative review because my skin looks great, just the wrong color.
Again, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and reply to my drama.
CB
8/8/08
Hi C,
I agree with Dr. Clinton who has answered your question quite thoroughly. It is good that you saw your physician. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is one of the risks of laser treatments. Fortunately, my experience with PIH has been that over time it resolves. Everyone's skin is different; after treatment regimens vary, and some patients unintentionally get more sun exposure that others (the Fallen Sun Block is an excellent product). PIH is most common in darker skinned patients. Do stay in touch with your physician and hopefully your PIH will resolve quickly. Much good luck and be well.
Dr. P
8/11/08
Hi CB,
It sounds like you are definitely on your way to recovery!
Keep using the TriLuma and don't plan on anything else for now. Your progression seems perfectly reasonable and encouraging.
Make sure you see your physician since they will be able to give you the most accurate advice (unless they have a horrible accident and lose their vision before you get in - things do happen. . .I'm just saying. . .).
I'm glad that you realized the crying wasn't helping much! You don't want to get dehydrated for nothing. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Continue to be patient. Don't scrub! Keep using that sunscreen even on days you think you don't need it (or are running late)! Smiling doesn't hurt either :-)
Take care,
Dr. Clinton