These were both take from this document found online: http://www.absolute.co.jp/modules/tinyd0/content/Pixcel16052006.doc.

The 49 dot Pixel has more energy per Pixel (24 mJ/Pixel) to penetrate deeper 81 dots Pixel has less energy per Pixel (13 mJ/Pixel) for shallower treatment.

In the first treatment use the 9x 9 matrix. For the subsequent treatments use the 7 x 7 matrix. When treating the chest area use a single pass, 2 passes on the neck area and 3 passes on the face area. Treatment intervals should be on average 2 weeks apart (1-4 weeks) depends on the treatment area and patient’s healing time.

Another link: http://www.danyoplasticsurgery.com/pdf/pixel-treatment-consent.pdf

I assume that the deeper the treatment the better the treatment for scarring. As long as there are 2-3 stacks so that enough areas are being treated.

Steph, the younger the scars are, the better the results will be, but if you are still dealing with loads of acne, then you will only get new scars after your treatments and in the end won't be happy anyways and will have spent a lot of money in the process. I recommend that you find a glycolic acid toner and go for glycolic acid peels with a dermatologist. I had a drastic decrease in my cystic acne when starting on a glycolic program. MD. Forte has a great glyolic line and is available online or in the states but is hard to find in Canada. I have recently found a product by NeoStrata, it is called Skin Renewal Peel Solution. It is a 10% glycolic and a 10% gluconolactone. http://well.ca/products/neostrata-skin-renewal-peel_6249.html I am in Canada, so I am not sure if it is available in the states, if that is where you are. Anyways, I have been using it for 2 1/2 weeks on a daily basis (My skin is very tough and is only just starting to become red or sensitive to it, I will use it every other day now for awhile instead. I have a friend in Australia who is also using this and LOVES it, but can only use it a couple of times a week, her skin is just more senstive to begin with) The instructions say you can use it 3-7 times a week. The Peel Solution is amazing, my skin was so rough and dull and the brown scar spots were plentiful. In just a week I noticed a huge difference, my makeup coverage is so much nicer and I am really pleased with it. I am half way through the bottle and have used it atleast 15 times... I am not sure about being on antibiotics and getting Pixel done, but you can't be tanned, and there are a few other restrictions.

Here's pictures of me today, I am wearing makeup but I still think you can see that there is an improvement of overall clarity if you want to call it that, and scaring. It is has been about a year now since my first Pixel, and I have had 4 treatments, I still have 2 more to do but I am loving the NeoStrata so much right now that I am going to continue with that before going for my next Pixel, maybe in May....

Trace, thank-you for the comments in your post. I am also in Alberta and recieved my treatments at Looking Good Cosemetics, here is their website: http://www.lookinggoodcosmetic.ca/

I do need to post a recent photo, I will try to do that soon. But I just wanted to post that I won't be having another treatment until early spring of 09. I was extremely busy in November and I don't want to do it this close to Christmas now, and in February we are going on vacation somewhere warm and figured I shouldn't expose myself to the higher UV's right after a treatment if I had it done in January, so I will probably go in March for my 5th treatment and then not again until June for my 6th and final, at that point it'll have been 15 months since I had my 1st. So I guess we'll see the results of large gaps between treatments, where as many people go as often as every two weeks x6. Anyways, I figured there may be a few people watching for an update so I didn't want anyone to think I'd disappeared!

4th Treatment

Okay, my goodness, it hurt this time. 1200 at 7by7, three stacks on my cheeks. I spent 30 minutes with the blow dryer on cool on my face when I got home, and I'm still hurting just about an hour later. I am hoping for some good peeling this time!!!! A light microdermabrasion is planned for next week, I'll take another photo a few weeks after that.

So here is my makeup free face prior to my fourth treatment. My right side is in a bit of a flare up, which I haven't had for a long time. The doctor today gave me some retinol A stuff to try to deal with it. Besides the acne flare, I do think there is an improvement in the texture of my skin. Atleast I hope it's a noticeable one.

Break Times Over

So I took a 6 month break from Pixel. And just now booked my fourth appointment for October 10th. I do think there has been changes in my skin in the last 6 months since my last treatment for the better, but I am still hoping for a more drastic change in my deeper scars, and hope that by the end of my 6th Pixel the shallower scars are almost gone....I guess we'll see.

I will post au' naturel pictures the day of my next treatment, so come back soon.