Farewell Freckles – My Fraxel Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Posted: Friday 7 January 2011 11:49am

Danielle, 43, has the fair skin of her Celtic ancestry, highly susceptible to the effects of photo-ageing, such as freckling and hyperpigmentation. She had the fractional laser skin rejuvenation procedure Fraxel re:store Dual performed in November, 2009, and again in January 2010, by laser cosmetic surgeon Dr Jack Ting, of the Laser Cosmetic Day Procedure Centre in Coogee, Sydney. Her final result is pictured at left.

The pigmentation on my skin was the first thing I noticed in the mirror every day and I was sure other people did, too. I wanted to look better, fresher, good for my age, not necessarily younger.

When I decided to have Fraxel re:store Dual, Dr Ting advised me that I may have a little swelling and feel sunburnt immediately after the procedure (which was exactly what happened), then I’d go a little brown and peel and that it may take a few days for the peeling to finish. It took all of four days.

On the day, some topical anaesthetic cream was applied to my face for an hour, then the treatment took about 20 minutes. It felt a little warm in places, such as on my hairline and forehead, but was completely tolerable

As Dr Ting warned, I looked “sunburnt” immediately afterwards and that night. It wasn’t really uncomfortable; just like I’d a very long day at the beach. The next morning I was brown and the skin was rough to the touch.

I popped on my mineral makeup and went out for the day. No one else would know I had the treatment, as I just looked really tanned, but I was a bit self conscious.

The peeling started the next day, so it was a little harder to cover with makeup, but I was so excited as I could see the beautiful freckle-free skin underneath. The peeling wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t the end of the world either and I can assure you the end result far outweighs my vanity!

As soon as the peeling stopped, a week after I’d had the procedure, I noticed an immediate and dramatic difference in my skin. I still had a little pigmentation but it was no longer the first thing I noticed about myself.

My skin looked and felt beautiful. Its tone and texture, the size of my pores, the fines lines and wrinkles (especially around my eyes and mouth), have improved dramatically. I didn’t have Fraxel to treat lines or wrinkles – that was an unexpected bonus for me!

People often say to me “Oh, I wouldn’t do it because of the down time”, but for a week of peeling the results are well worth it!

A couple of months later [in January 2010], I had another treatment, not because I felt I needed it but I work as Clinical Trainer Australia and NZ for Solta Medical Consumable, who own Fraxel, and so I could. It’s important that we practise what we preach, I think.

I saw even more improvements in my skin and now, a year later, it looks just as good. I will have another treatment to maintain the effects, probably after summer.

A full face Fraxel treatment costs an average $1500 and in my view is worth every cent. I had had many treatments before to treat my pigmentation, including IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), but nothing really worked; certainly nothing the way Fraxel has.

I was so thrilled with my beautiful new complexion I wanted to maintain it, so I find I am much more diligent with my skin care now, and especially about using SPF. This has obviously helped, too.

The main comment/compliment I’ve received since the treatments is: “You have such beautiful skin!” And I think to myself, “I certainly didn’t before!”.

by Jenni Gilbert

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