FX CO2 Laser - Day by Day Progression on 65 Year Old! Hermiston, WA

For some reason the photos would not load with the updated review. Here they are.

I would definitely have this done again. I have read some other's comments and I think perhaps they need to wait a while - at least 2 months before seeing better results.

At 2 months plus 1 week I still see some redness on my forehead and on the scar on my neck. HOWEVER it is disappearing and now I can go out WITHOUT FOUNDATION MAKEUP (sorry for caps!) and this is the first time in many years I can do that. Of course I always wear sunscreen - that is the secret to younger skin.

So I had my 2 month checkup and looked at the Dr's office taken close up photos which are a ton better than mine.

Before FX CO2 I had fine and deeper lines, a face full of lighter brown spots, 2 larger dark spots and sagging. I had a prominent white scar on my neck from spine surgery.

After FX CO2 many of my finer lines are gone and the deeper lines are 50% better. Most of the light brown spots are gone or very diminished, the two darker brown spots are 80% better. The scar on my neck - although it opened up after the procedure and Dr Flaize was worried I told him not to be....and it closed, healed and the scar is disappearing. I think it will almost totally.

Regarding sagging and the tightening effect of FX CO2. At one month post procedure I had some Restylane and Botera (sp?) - in upper cheekbones, lips a bit and under eyes in "pouches". THAT definitely made me look worse for about a month and yes it was Christmas (lol) but then the pouches under my eyes went away - thank goodness. So the upper cheekbone filler has a tightening affect of lifting the face so that has to have some effect to the whole overall look. However I see less saggy jowels, neck, eyes are tightening all the time and cheeks are tightening too. I have another 4 months of "changes" says Dr Flaize.

For the price of $2900 including all SkinMedica products I believe this was a really great price. I would do it again and recommend Dr Flaize and his office. I also recommend SkinMedica or another similar product as A MUST to ensure proper healing - don't skimp on that. In effect you are treating very burnt skin and it should be medically treated to heal properly.

I read that some people thought it was horrendously painful especially the eye shield insertion. I say get more meds! I took I believe 50 mil Valium and 50 mil Demerol. Believe me I felt no pain - loved it lol! You probably know your pain tolerance so make sure you are either "under" (some docs use a light anesthetic which adds a whole lot more to the price) or you get tranqs as above and make sure you say your pain tolerance is low! The other part to pain is that I did not EXPECT pain and never do...being a hypnotherapist helps but that is a whole other story.

Another comment is don't get too much filler and don't get it too soon after the procedure. I think 1 month was too soon! I see other testimonials from people who look way too overfilled - you can't expect to look 29 at 66. If I still get taken for a senior but am told I am "beautiful" (my guy), "cute" on my birthday by the local blues singer then I'm happy.....just don't want to dive into crone-hood just yet!

I can honestly say that the healing itching didn't really die down until last night - that is the night of Day 12. Here is a DON'T! Wine contains about (as far as I can see) 5 times the Histamines than Beer does. Drink beer NOT wine - lol! I had a terribly itchy night after 2 glasses of red and despite taking Benadryl hardly slept.

As regards the itching, one thing that seemed to help was vagisil - it contains Benzocaine. I don't know if this is a wise move or not but that is a numbing agent meant for a sensitive area and I tried it on my forehead and it worked. I suggest you ask your doctor about that!

The healing is progressing well. I had quite a few comments that I looked as though I had a sunburn on day 9 and 10 but was able, as the instructions in my SkinMedica kit say, able to use Mineral powder makeup. Unable to put eye makeup on until Day 11 when I went out all evening (and drank beer!). Not much itching and that evening used Arbonne Perfecting foundation which did not itch and I looked normal! My male escort on Saturday said I looked "great" and noticed a lot of fine lines gone and tightening of my neck and face. The photos tell the true story.

On day 10 I saw Dr Flaize. He said I was progressing well except for having had the 4 to 5" scar on my neck worked on by him with the deeper laser. He was a little worried that the scar had opened up and was not healing as it should (see photos). I used antibiotic cream as well as the Skin Medica because it looked raw. He warned me that I may have a scar worse than before. I said I would not as I am a Clinical Hypnotherapist and believe in the power of positive though and "expectation". The body responds to what you expect - if you are fearful and worried that something will turn out poorly then your immune system is compromised. That is the way the nervous system works - it wants you to be in a happy/safe place. If you are worried or anxious then you are more in the pain/danger zone. When towards that "zone", then one of the physiological things that happens is the immune system turns off or at the very least compromised! So be happy don't worry!

So as of Day 12...I have noticed the scar is healing well and I don't expect it to be worse than before!

I still appear to have two larger brown spots - although diminished. I mentioned this to Dr Flaize and he, of course, says everything is still working from the much deeper levels. I am still peeling a small amount - more like sloughing off and am keeping up with all the emollients.

As mentioned before this is a 6 month process.

I will update weekly from now on. Happy Holidays!