POSTED UNDER Laser Resurfacing REVIEWS
Fractional Ablative +Non Ablative Laser- Full Face - CT
ORIGINAL POST
I am in mid 50's and the lines around my eyes,...
Auntie MoMoMarch 22, 2012
$4,200
I am in mid 50's and the lines around my eyes, mouth and other places were getting deeper and deeper...Just had the double procedure yesterday--full face fractional ablative laser preceded by a full face non-ablative laser. Less painful than I expected. I did not have any pain meds and while uncomfortable, it was tolerable....but glad when it was over. Last night I just put a bunch of pillows in my bed and slept semi upright for a good 8-9 hours. I could see it started to heal overnight. Today my face is starting to swell up (which the told me it would). The feeling right after the procedure was like a bad sunburn but I didn't feel sick or anything more than that. By this morning the stinging was gone and I just have Crisco all over my face (they actually use real Crisco!) and am watching movies on Netflix. So, nothing to report yet on results but wanted to let folks know that it was not that bad pain wise both during and after (I was expecting it to be much worse and to feel much worse afterwards so this is happy.) I will post over the next few days and then again in a few weeks and in a few months.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Auntie MoMo
One week update...okay so to review...both...
Auntie MoMoMarch 28, 2012
One week update...okay so to review...both ablative and non-ablative somewhat uncomfortable but not bad enough that I wouldn't do it again...and frankly not even that bad...I was expecting it to be really awful and it was more just uncomfortable and glad to have it over..but definitely not writing in pain so don't be afraid of that...I was and was surprised it was bearable. Okay so I'm looking normal, still have a little flaking on my face...a lot of the sun damage came to surface and flaked off but it's not 100% so don't know if that will happen later or if my procedure (which was more about getting rid of fine lines and tightening) won't really get at the heavy sun damage. one of the people at my dermatologists office said that if you are all about discoloration and sun damage and spot that it's a different laser procedure that they do...so for those reading this who are having that...my procedure might have been somewhat different. So I went for my one week checkup yesterday...looked at before pictures and there is definitely a lot of tightening in my face...which is good...the crows feet are much softened and in general my skin looks a ton better. The one area that I'm still concerned about is the lines above my upper lip. I had those little lip lines forming and was hoping to get rid of them...I know my doctor really hit that area hard so it could be that it's still healing because right now it looks to me like it's a little worse than when I went in. My skin in general is pretty dry from the procedure so I'll see how it is in a week. They also told me yesterday that the full effects from the collagen production will not be really visible for 6 weeks. So that's the net net of the whole thing so far....I look better, wasn't too painful and the recovery was no biggie and I got to watch a lot of movies. I would also recommend that while they said I'd be up and out after 4 days...I certainly could have because I looked ok...if you can give yourself a week...you'll look much better. I work from home so it was no problem for me.....will try and update once a week for next 6 weeks...hoping my collagen kicks into high gear :)
Replies (11)
March 28, 2012
thank you for being so courageous and posting what's oning on with you dat to day. I am scheduled for a lazer resurfacing on tuesday. I'm a little scared and a lot anxious. I am in my 60's and hope to get a tightening of the skin and reduction of the brown spots from years of sun and aging. I'll be checking back with you on a daily basis. So keep the posts going.
thanks
thanks
March 28, 2012
Hi TomatoSoup, I just updated for you...I was scared and a lot anxious too about 10 days ago...my biggest fear was that the day after I would look in the mirror and think "what have I done all in the name of vanity?" but I didn't...everything was fine.
March 29, 2012
Today was the first day I put on makeup with the intention of actually trying to look attractive...before this I was just covering up stuff...I look fairly good but still waiting for 6 weeks before I decide if it was worth it. Good Luck on Tuesday...you'll be fine...make sure you post after you do it...email me and let me know how you are. Take care.
March 28, 2012
Thanks for such an informative update! I'm glad you are seeing some good results already, and appreciate you mentioning that sun damage wasn't the main reason for your treatment. Looking forward to hearing more from you!
April 10, 2012
Aunt MoMo, How are you doing. I had my very deep and mirco laser done last week and I'm still puffy and pink. I don't see allot of difference at this point and I was wondering if you saw much difference at the 1 week mark. Dr told me to wait that it takes time to see a difference. I'm thinking maybe filler injections is the only way to get rid of these deep lines around my mouth. As far as tightening, I'm wondering if a face lift was the better option for me. I know it's still early in my healing, and laser is not an "instant gratification" option. So how do you feel about your "work" you are about 2 weeks ahead of me as far as the healing goes.
Hope all is well...
Hope all is well...
April 11, 2012
I'm feeling the same way you do....not really sure if I see much change...I just was looking in the mirror 5 minutes ago...I'm 3 weeks in and I do see a little difference around my eyes but not in the upper lip area...frankly it looks a little worse but they say it takes at least 6 weeks so...let's hang tight and see how it goes...but I agree there is a little tightening but not the change that I thought I'd get based on the pictures that you see of results from this procedure.
May 5, 2012
I'm about to do this procedure with the same problem you had: wrinkles and lines around my mouth. How are you as of May 5, 2012?
May 6, 2012
Hi, ok so to be honest...overall texture is better and look of my skin but i don't think it improved my lines around my mouth at all. Did a little for my crows feet..but nothing significnant. Just saw my doctor this week and looked at before pictures. I could not see any change. Doctor said for the liplines...it is really about volume loss and that i should use filler...now they tell me! The liplines were one of the primary reasons I did it! So net net...if you are doing it to see vast improvement in lips...don't do it.
May 6, 2012
So how are you looking these days...i am 7 weeks post now and really don't see any significant change...tone is better...a lot of brown spots are gone but no significant change in lines and wrinkles...how did it go with you?
May 6, 2012
Hi MoMo, I'm now 5 weeks out and along with you the reduction of the brown spots are great. I'm still told that the results will come and to give it time. I have very deep marionette lines and because the skin tone is now looking good those lines look worse, even though they aren't. So I had Dr. inject Line Filler there and that was a dramatic difference in my appearance. I'm finally looking much younger because of that.
I do see that I don't have that crepy skin below my eyes and the fine lines are diminished all over my face because of the laser, shich give me hope.
Dr. wants to do the laser again in the fall/winter around my mouth (marionette lines) to make a more permanent fix rather than the line fillers which are temporary. He said that the next time will be ever deeper, 100% of the surface around that area. He will have to use a something different to help with the pain.
My friends say they see a huge difference in my appearance but I think it's because of the line filler. The few that saw me before the line filler still loved the new appearance of the skin tone and know that things will get better over time, having other friends that have had this procedure too.
To me it's like watching paint dry.
Let's still keep in touch.
I do see that I don't have that crepy skin below my eyes and the fine lines are diminished all over my face because of the laser, shich give me hope.
Dr. wants to do the laser again in the fall/winter around my mouth (marionette lines) to make a more permanent fix rather than the line fillers which are temporary. He said that the next time will be ever deeper, 100% of the surface around that area. He will have to use a something different to help with the pain.
My friends say they see a huge difference in my appearance but I think it's because of the line filler. The few that saw me before the line filler still loved the new appearance of the skin tone and know that things will get better over time, having other friends that have had this procedure too.
To me it's like watching paint dry.
Let's still keep in touch.
Thank you for starting your review right after you had the procedure done! It will be great to hear what is going on and how you are feeling during each step of your healing process.
I'm glad to hear you were able to tolerate the procedure alright without pain meds.
I've never heard of Crisco being used, so I'm really curious to hear how it works. I would be afraid of turning into one huge blemish, since my skin is prone to breakouts, but I'm assuming that isn't a concern with your skin type (lucky!!).
Please keep us posted on how you're doing! :)