During my teenage years, I had terrible acne. And with pimples, you know what's next: Acne scars. I improved my skin texture by having an exfoliating skincare routine, but for my deep scars, I needed extra help. Atrophic scars, aka boxcar, rolling, and icepick scars, need to be addressed by in-clinic procedures.
(READ: Here's How You Can Get Rid Of *Deep* Acne Scars, According To A Dermatologist)
I tried microneedling, and it reduced the indentations on my forehead. I just had one session, so I didn't expect significant improvement. In 2021, my project was to get my acne scars smoothened out. (BTW, there's nothing wrong with having acne scars. It's up to you if you want them faded or not. Skin texture is normal.)
I got a six-session laser resurfacing treatment package from Simply Skin clinic, and I have to say, it was the ~*only*~ thing that improved my skin texture. For my Fraxel touchup, I visited Tres Medical Aesthetics Clinic in BGC.
What is Fraxel?
Fraxel is a skin resurfacing treatment. According to its website, it uses "microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen."
What benefits can we get when we get a Fraxel treatment? What areas of concern can it address?
It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out pigmentation, and smoothen surface scarring. Your skin would look younger and firmer after a few sessions.
How should we prepare our skin for Fraxel?
Since Fraxel is an intensive treatment, I stopped using retinol and other exfoliating acids like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic one week before the procedure. I also never skipped sunscreen (my number skincare rule since I learned about its importance).
Since Fraxel has downtime, I cleared my calendar of social events. I had to stay away from the sun, and my face would have tiny grid marks as the area healed.
What should we expect during the treatment?
Your face will be cleaned so no need to wear makeup when you visit the clinic. Then, the esthetician will apply numbing cream to your whole face an hour before the actual Fraxel procedure.
When your face is ~numb~, the doctor will make you try various laser intensities to check your pain tolerance. There is a slight tingling sensation every time she runs the device on an area of your face. The procedure itself will last for approximately 10 minutes, so it's not that agonizing.
How long is the downtime and what's the proper aftercare for post-Fraxel skin?
On the day I had Fraxel, was face was red and swollen. For the next five days, my face had grid marks and weird texture. Throughout the healing process, I was told to use a mild cleanser, apply an EGF cream to speed up the healing, and wore sunscreen to prevent pigmentation. I also limited my sun exposure: No beachtime or park visits!
My skin looked normal after a week! The scars were almost invisible now. NO REGRETS AT ALL.
How much does it cost? Is it worth it?
In Tres Medical Aesthetics, one session of Fraxel costs P7,000, but they have packages that will help you save more money. Fraxel is an investment, but it's worth it. It can really deliver amazing results. Seeing how my skin has improved from pre-Fraxel, I'm so happy.
I can now go foundation-free! I'm a tamad girl, so it really saves me effort and time to skip foundation. Fraxel also reduced the appearance of large pores.
How many sessions should we get to see results?
It really depends on your current skin's condition. For me, it took eight sessions, including the one from Tres Medical Aesthetics to see significant improvement. Consult your dermatologist on the possible timeline you may need for optimal results.
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GOODBYE, ACNE SCARS:
Here's How You Can Get Rid Of *Deep* Acne Scars, According To A Dermatologist
The Best Skincare Ingredients To Look For That Can Fade Acne Scars
Project Clear Skin: The Most Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Acne Scars
