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“IPL and Active FX Resurfacing - Chandler, AZ”

Not Worth It
Spent: $2,500 in Chandler, Arizona

Comments (21)

Posted 5 Aug 2011

I had IPL done about 3 times after my first pregnancy. I had it done for brown and red spots (sun damage) and for melasma. I was very happy with the results at first. My skin looked great and then over a period of about 4 months, I started loosing more and more fat from my cheek area which left me with saggy skin and fine lines all over, especially when smiling. The sagging got better with time, but no where near what it was before and the lines were there to stay. I tried chemical peels (mild to deep TCA) with no change, microderm with no change.

A few years after the IPL's, I decided to have the Active FX resurfacing done. This was fine, but did nothing for the fine lines. I did get rid of red marks left over from acne marks, but left me with a whole new set of problems. I have the same kind of holes on my face that Jaylyn posted plus enlarged pores and scarred pores. All over! Plus, I now have about 50 shallow ice pick scars over my cheek area. I know this because I am now taking a toothpick to apply a high concentration of copper peptides into the ice pick scars. It is a blue color so I was able to count them.

The texture, tone of my face has been destroyed by lasers. I am sure that a lot of people have good results, but it is definitely not for everyone! Wish I would have seen these pictures and postings before hand. Maybe I wouldn't be where I am now. I am praying that these copper peptides will help to fix some of the damage I have. Thanks and I will post this to everyone with pictures and keep you updated if I find something that helps.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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Comments (21)

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cveroleyva 8 Aug 2011
Hi Chrus,
Thanks a million for sharing your pics, I don't think people are understanding us when we talk about fat loss, crepy texture, and the loss of smooth texture. This is my exact experience and outcome as well. I don't think there is any predicatbility at all, healthy vs. smoker vs. anything else. Of course that's just my speculation, and I also speculate those treated who have skin changes don't realize it can be linked to ipl or lasers, because the damage can be latent. Again, thanks for posting and sharing the pics. Hope it helps people make informed choices by knowing all the variables.
chrus82101 8 Aug 2011
Hi Cveroleyva,

I am glad to share my story in the hopes that this will help others see what can happen from these lasers. Later tonight, I will post a before picture so you can see the difference!! It is unbelievable. I am currently using biafine, hydrolatum, castor oil, aloe vera, grape seed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, copper peptides, NIA24, retin A... think that's it. No more chemical peels.. I did a few glycolics on my face a month ago to see if it would help and it made things worse. What have you tried?
cveroleyva 8 Aug 2011
I'm at the basics...lol... I use castor oil packs that are warm when I'm in the mood, and emu oil to moisturize. That's good stuff, but will leave you looking like an oil slick. Right now, I am going to go through a series of monthly peels, I guess I pretty much signed up for the full year. Part of the regime for that is hyrdquoine at 6% (that rx has its own set of problems but at least I'm aware), wash with cetaphil and betadine (doc told me to), and scrub 5 minutes a day and in the pm before putting the rx on with a buff puff. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody yet, because I have tough skin, and I have no idea if I'm doing more damage than not. But this doc I do trust. And truthfully, I can't see how my texture can get any worse....lol.
KikiLisa (RealFriend) 8 Aug 2011
I'm super pleased those damaged are finally sharing pictures documenting the horrific outcomes IPL can cause! What I'm not pleased about is that this keeps happening. What will it take before practitioners realize more studies need to be done on the side effects these machines can cause? It is devastating. Thank you for sharing chrus.
BrittB 9 Aug 2011

Hi Chrus, 

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but very glad KikLisa and cveroleyva are her for support and advice. I also agree with Kiki on how it is important you have shared pictures. Please keep us updated. 

Thanks, 

-Britt

FSRB (RealFriend) 11 Dec 2011
Have you seen any improvements?
chrus82101 11 Dec 2011
Hi, FSRB,
yes... actually I have. I have been using retin A and copper peptides for about 6 months now... was seeing a little improvement. Then, two weeks ago I went had a TCA peel done at 25%, one layer, and have seen great improvements. As soon as I came home from getting the peel, I put copper peptides on it(more then they say to) and saturated my face with Biafine and sometimes Hydrolatum. I have had this TCA peel done several times before and never with these results. I most definitely attribute my skins improved texture and improvement in the appearance of my very shallow ice pick type scars to the combination of the TCA, copper, and biafine after the peel. I plan on going in every 2 months over the next 8 months to have this done.... I will post back again and let you know how it goes... and some after pictures, too... I mean, that's what we all want to see, right? Thanks for checking in and let me know if you have any other questions.
FSRB (RealFriend) 28 Dec 2011
AWESOME!! I think the retin a/copper peptides helped in preparing your skin for the peel. I am so happy for you!! One last question....how long before the peel did you stop the retin a? Some say you can use it up to the day before and some stay to stop a few days to a week before.

My skin is very similar to yours after a series of Fraxel restores so I am hopeful!

Thank you for sharing!!
KikiLisa (RealFriend) 12 Dec 2011
Chrus, I'm thrilled to hear you're having some success with your skin and thanks so much for sharing your method. Pictures would be great if you can post some up. You say that TCA peels didn't help you in the past, but now this one seems to have done the trick. Do you think the biafine afterward was a key factor in all of it?
imsorrynow2 7 Jan 2012
Had the exact same results with IPL on the fourth procedure. After the swelling and redness went away lines, creases and pick marks ( looks like chicken pox scars). My skin sinks when pressed no firmness left. Have started on Retin A since it is suppose to build collagen. A TCA peel is going to be done in three weeks by a RN. I hope it improves. It is amazing how many doctors say this can't happen. It does and I have the pictures to show the before, durning and after. I hope it gets better. This was all done by a doctor not a spa. What is biafine for?
cveroleyva 10 Jan 2012
Biafine is to help calm the inflammation and minimize scarring. It would be worth asking your derm or nurse about. I'm so sorry, I wish providers were more honest and descriptive about possible outcomes. It's bittersweet, but I'm glad you have the pics as proof.
imsorrynow2 12 Jan 2012
After looking at several photos and seeing many of the same thing on my own skin I have a theory. With IPL for age spots it is suppose react to darker pigmented areas. If you have black heads maybe it reads those black heads causing those areas to enlarge. I mean that explains the pores that look worse. The sunken areas and lines that were not there before I don't know. Has anyone brought before or after pictures to any medical person who admitted this could happen??Will fillers work on sunken check areas, if so what kind?
chrus82101 12 Jan 2012
Hey... I talked to two different doctors who said if the laser was too hot, it can cause fat atrophy and damage to the skin and everything underneath. I have a fat transfer procedure scheduled for Feb. 20th. Not sure if I am going to go through with it.... a lot of bad reviews on here, but these doctors seem to think I need to have fat put back into my face to help fix the texture problems. Who know.... I am so tired of reading and researching this stuff.... so confusing and stressful. After TCA peel in December, skin looked so much better for a few weeks after all peeling and then back to before... well, a little better then before. I am still going to try TCA every two months this year and see what happens with that. As long as it doesn't look worse then when I started, who care at this point. It's worth a try. Anyone know someone personally that has done the fat transfer?
Megan P (Community Manager) 13 Jan 2012

Just wanted to jump in and offer a link to our Fat Transfer community for anyone wanting to talk to some of the people over there who have had it. Like chrus82101 mentioned, a lot of mixed reviews, and hopefully some good info for anyone considering it.

dmsuarez 19 Jan 2012
Thank you for your pictures and stories. I'm 39 and have developed brown spots that I wanted to get rid as a present for my 40th birthday in July. After reading your comments, I decided I'd prefer the spots than potentially alter the texture and firmness of my face. You all probably saved my skin. Thank you.
imsorrynow2 19 Jan 2012
I am glad to hear that. Buy yourself some good skin products at your derms office. It may take a bit longer but it is cheaper and safer in the long run.
Good Luck
chrus82101 4 Apr 2012
Hi dmsuarez.... I am so glad you decided not to do it.... very wise decision.... I am always one of those who has to learn the hard way.

Everyone else, II went in on 2-20 for my first fat transfer and I have the second scheduled for 5-20. I figured I would go ahead and try it since it wasn't going to cost me any money. I was nervous about it but talked to the doc and his medical assistants constantly and I felt very reassured by the time I had it done. Some of it is starting to disolve... but it is better than before... the second time should do the trick. I still have texture issues, enlarged looking pores, some random ice pick scars, but I don't look like I am a "meth addict" anymore. All the fat was gone from my face after the laser so I am very happy that I have that back. My mother-in-law came in last week and said "what did you do, you look 15." And my husband said I looked young too, which I guess is nice, but I still wish I could find a solution for the texture stuff. I went and had TCA done and I thought wow this is going to be great, but after a little time it looked the same as it did before. Maybe I will try what you are doing and just go light with the peels and keep doing microderms. I am still using Retin-a, but stopped the copper. I am only using that immediately after the peels. My parents have my camera (they had a house fire and lost everything). So as soon as I get that back, I will take more pics for you to see.
chrus82101 4 Apr 2012
One more thing, I am going to go in and have a cheek lift after my second fat transfer.... it is going to cost $5000.00, but should help to smooth the skin out. I will post pics. Hope all of you are doing well!
imsorrynow2 4 Apr 2012
Does the doctor doing the transfer think it is fat that has "melted" from the laser? My P.A. said it appeared that it broke down the collagen and never recovered as it should. Just wonder why they think lasers can not go into the layer of fat? Look at the procedures that is suppose remove fat like lipo but is done with lasers what is the difference? I have scars all over my arms from Fraxel and a year later more are still appearing. Just horrible this happens.
imsorrynow2 4 Apr 2012
Did you go to Dr Lam in Texas website? He talks about that at about three months you may see it collapse some but it recovers again. It looks interesting but expensive. He has had good results, so who was your doctor?
FSRB (RealFriend) 5 Apr 2012
Thank you for coming back and telling your update. It gives hope to the rest of us. I pray this will provide a resolution.

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