A good reader emailed me to ask about the machine my derma, Dr. Sixta Foronda, uses for my fractional CO2 laser treatment, and it goes:
I know that you mentioned that it was a MULTIXEL. How different it is from FRAXEL RESTORE and FRAXEL REPAIR, did your doctor tell you? I believe that the one being offered in BELO is FRAXEL RESTORE, and they don't have the FRAXEL REPAIR. Now my question is, did you actually have a FRAXEL REPAIR through MULTIXEL? Is MULTIXEL the equivalent of FRAXEL REPAIR?If you are unaware, Repair and Restore are two different modes of the treatment along with Refine (not mentioned above). Refine is non-invasive and is the mildest mode; Repair is more ablative than Restore. In the fraxel mode spectrum, it's Refine, Restore and Repair.
The R2D2 of beauty - the MULTIXEL machine that my doctor uses
Reader L asked a good question to which I responded to:
Multixel and Fraxel are brand names for machines that utilize Fractional CO2 Laser in treating skin concerns. It's really FCO2 that we talk about here; Restore & Repair (popularized by Fraxel brand i believe) denote variations in the setting of the realease of FCO2. Multixel can do both restore and repair. I've had restore and repair done for my skin in one session; my doctor pretty much targets most, if not all, of my skin concerns without having to switch machines.Multixel is indeed multifunctional and I'm happy to receive two modes of fractionalized CO2 laser therapy for my skin in one go, without having to pay extra. Speaking of extra payments, did you know that in the U.K., the different modes of Fraxel charge differently? Refine ranges from £500-£800; Restore at £600 to £1000; and Repair costs a whopping £1800 and £3000 (source)!. If there's a good thing about living in a developing country, beauty-wise, it's having access to beauty treatments like these at a way lower price!
Hi! I was just wondering kung alam mo kung ilang millijoules yung setting na ginamit sayo? I had my first session at 45mj and I wish to go higher sa mga susunod. I had very little improvement and was kind of discouraged but I believe my skin will continue to heal itself hopefully with the new collagen produced.
It hurts like hell (para akong sinampal ng 300 times after) and it's so pricey pero I have to try right? I want to improve my acne scars badly. I'm planning to have 2-3 more sessions.
Hi! Thanks for visiting.
Yes, it hurts like hell immediately after treatment but dies down gradually the next few days.
I'm not sure about mJ, but the settings in my fraxel treatment utilizes Watts which ranged from 300-500W. The very first treatment used 300W, 1 pass > 400W, 1-2 passes depending on the area. The succeeding treatments used 400 and 500W na, 2-3passes.
Don't fret, if you happen to have read my initial impression on fractional CO2 laser treatment HERE, I noticed that there was very little improvement, too. The succeeding sessions proved to bring better results. Kung kaya mo higher Energy, go for it. Sa fifth session ko nga lang narealize na dapat una palang nagtiis na ako sa mataas na setting para mas mabilis yung pag angat nung scars.
Hey thanks for the prompt reply! Will definitely go for higher settings next time para mas sulit. Tiis tiis nalang.
I just have one last question.. 2 weeks after the day of the procedure, I still have the tiny pin/track marks on my skin which is skin toned so hindi naman halata, was wondering if this happened to you too? Sabi naman ng doctor it should go away after a few weeks but i'm just worried na it might be permanent.
Thanks for all your answers! Continue to update us with your fraxel journey. :)
Yes, please go for higher settings if you are cleared for it. I always bring Dolfenal whenever I'm having the treatment and pop a pill after I wash off EMLA.
And yes, I notice that weeks after treatment, some pink pin marks are still there especially on the nasal area and on the sides of the face, I think 2 weeks na yung pinakamatagal bago sila nawala.
I'm posting photos this week so yes, i will be having updates of my treatments in this blog :) Thanks again for visiting!
hello! I am so interested with your journey din :) I too had 7 FC02 tx sa Aescultura. I had 3 subcisions too. I do not know kung hindi lang talaga responsive skin ko..but I did not see any improvement at all :( maybe ung pores on the sides of my nose got smaller. pero they got bigger uli :(
I am just wondering, how much does your doctor charge you per session? if its okay to divulge ha...thanks again.
Hi Leilani,
They tricky reality with fraxel is that the true effects of the treatment are seen months after.
Fraxel with Dr. Six Foronda costs 10k. 7,500 if you have been under her care for quite some time already (and if you have been referred by the "old-timers"). HTH :)
Have yet to do this, will probably go to your doctor, I've seen their staff and the other doctors and they were very nice. Will probably just go for restore? or the one for the pores on the sides of my nose and a few fine lines. You think an annual procedure would be sufficient?
Rae, im not so sure this is cost-efficient for pores. I would suggest more than one treatment if you ever plan to go for it. I think pixel is more suited for your skin concerns as it is far more inexpensive.