When I first had the procedure, I was not quite sure what to expect for recovery over the next few days. The doctor I went to did a phenominal job. First the ALA cream was applied and allowed to incubate for 1 hour. After that, a numbing cream was rubbed on my face which sat for 1/2 hour. The doctor then started the procedure. While the procedure was being done, the doctor applied utlrasound lotion to my skin before he applied any IPL light. I never felt heat or any pain. I would say the procedure was PAINLESS! I left the office slathered in sunscreen wearing a wide brim hat and stayed out of the sun completly for two days. My skin was quite red.
Over the next week my skin turned very red and resembled a dry creek bed. I will be honest and say I was very worried that I might look like a dry creek bed the rest of my life. I thought I had been burned by the IPL light.It appears I had a severe reaction to the ALA used in the procedure, but the doctor's office reassured me that all would turn out well. I had a tremendous amount of sun dammage and pre-cancers on my face.
My skin peeled excessively for about 18 days. When the peeling was done my new skin was reveled and I could not be happier. I constantly get comments on how clear my skin looks. All the pre-cancers are gone and so are the brown spots from sun damage. This is just from one treatment!
I am planning to have the sun dammage on my chest treated next. i wear sunscreen everyday now and wear a hat when I am outside in the sun for any amount of time. I want to keep my new skin looking beautiful.
Comments (10)
I can honestly say I see no difference in my skin. Everything that was "red" prior is still red; every "age-spot" is still there.
All I lost was money! I was really hoping to SEE some difference after all that! But nope.
Thanks for the great tips and suggestions Baxter. The community really appreciates it. How are you doing these days with your treatment?
Thanks,
-Britt
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Hi 4755,
Have you gone back to your doctor to see why nothing happened? Maybe the strength of the laser was to low. Please keep us updated.
Thanks,
-Britt
She did not offer to do the laser a second time, even though I said the first time made zero difference on any of my skin issues. And my home magnifying mirror tells me not one red-spot, not one age spot and not one broken capillary changed post laser.
I feel wasted my money; and she was a well respected demotoloisgt and laser specialist in Del Mar. Very expensive.
Hi 4755,
I'm sorry the procedure did not go as you hoped, but at least it sounds like it did not burn you or anything worse, it sucks how it was expensive though. Thanks for the update.
-Britt
procedure please. Thank you