Photofacial Reviews
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96 Reviews
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Average Photofacial Cost: $475

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“Photofacial 1st of 5 in Series - Las Vegas, NV”

Worth It
Spent: $250 in Las Vegas, NV

Comments (44)

Updated 12 Jun 2011

Posted 27 Apr 2011

I had my first Photofacial yesterday. To my surprise a few hours later I noticed a lot of dark spots on my face. I didn't see all of this pigmentation before because it was very light. I'm not happy with the dark spots but I know it's evidence of a good treatment so I am anxiously waiting for them to slough off.

I'm doing the recommended 5 treatments and I'll post a new photo after each of them.



Updated on 8 May 2011:
So it's been about 2 weeks since my first treatment and I wanted to post my face. The dark coffee ground look is gone now but I do have some spots that did not come up completely, I'm hoping those go away after my next treatment.

Updated on 12 Jun 2011:
This pic is the morning after my 2nd photo-facial. I am seeing result in that dark spots are rising to the surface after both treatments but I'll have to wait until the end to see how much overall help it's been. BTW: Trust me on this, if you go to this spa ask for Angie (I had Refirme there with anther girl and wasn't as happy, it seemed rushed and not at all pampered).

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

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F. Victor Rueckl, MD

My Doctor: F. Victor Rueckl, MD

My rating:

I went to the Dr. for Botox and to freeze a large age spot on my cheek. The SPA associated with him is next door and they did the Photofacial, I recommend both.

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Comments (44)

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BrittB 27 Apr 2011

Hi funny,

Welcome to the Photofacial community! How are you feeling today, how's your face? Did you have any pain from the procedure? Can't wait to hear how everything goes and see your pictures as you proceed. Thanks for the pictures and please keep us updated.

Thanks so much for the review,

-Britt

funnyjoni 28 Apr 2011
It wasn't painful, felt like a slight rubber band snap. I'm sure it was easier on me because they gave me some numbing cream and blew cold air on my face during the actual procedure.
BrittB 28 Apr 2011

Other community members have mentioned numbing cream and cooling helps a lot. I'm glad it wasn't that bad. Please keep us updated.

Thanks,

-Britt

medesthetics 26 Aug 2011
Topical numbers of the skin can not be used during this treatment, it is a vasodilator which constricts the vessels which you are treating which are another form of sun damage, rosacea and broken capillaries. If your office has advanced laser, then cryo is used to help cool area.
myr 28 Feb 2012

It depends which numbing cream you use - Ametop (tetracaine 4%) effectively numbs and doesn't cause vasoconstriction so should be fine to use pre-laser. EMLA cream (2.5% lignocaine, 2.5% prilocaine), however causes vasoconstriction (i.e. makes small capillaries / rosacea temporarily fade so will reduce the benefit of laser on these conditions).

LaserFX 5 May 2011
Thanks for posting a pic. It really helps to see what people are talking about. Keep us posted on your progress. How does everything look a week later?
AmberB 4 Jul 2011
To keep the age spots from coming back so quickly you must use a zinc oxide based sunscreen. If you don't, the spots come back fast. My first photofacial was March 2010 and I had my last photofacial in April of 2010. Only 2 treatments were needed. My next will be at the end of July 2011. I have used zinc oxide sunscreen on my face every single day. I had to ask about this. My dermatologist did not tell me. I hope this helps everyone!
Jilley 21 Sep 2011

What is the name of the zinc oxide sunscreen you use?

AmberB 31 Dec 2011
Hi Jilley, So sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I currently use Walgreens Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion spf 70. It's about $7-$9. I have also used Neutrogena Baby Pure & Free and Skinceuticals Physical Defense 30. I never had my photofacial back in July so it's been since April 2010 since my last one and I don't have many spots or dark spots like I did before I had this done the very first time. Zinc oxide/Titanium sunscreen every single day truly keeps them at bay.
kristi h 22 Sep 2011
Ill be going in for my first spot next week. Supposed to start carac cream as well... does anyone know if it'll be ok to do this along with photo facials
medesthetics 22 Sep 2011
You have to discontinue that cream 5 days prior to laser
kristi h 22 Sep 2011
Thank you. Then how soon after session may I start using the Caracas cream?
medesthetics 23 Sep 2011
Atleast 5 days
kristi h 29 Sep 2011
Went in for my first appt yesterday. I immediately had lots of dark spots show in my cheek and jaw line area. It was fairly painful, but didnt have numbing cream or fan... Felt almost as though my face was being tatooed. I iced last night, and this morning my cheek are swollen and more lighter spots are visible around my face. I have to wait about a month to start my 2 week carac cream treatment, then will go back early December for one more photo facial treatment.
Tuesday's child 27 Oct 2011
I had my first treatment today on my face and neck. Although the procedure was fairly painless, the post pain is what hurt the most. They explained to me it would feel like a bad sunburn for a couple of hours, it did. However, it's been 9 hours since my procedure and I still have moderate pain in my lower neck area. It is quite red and looks like a bad burn. I also have some mild discomfort on my upper lip, but don't know if this is because I had laser hair removal in that area roughly about 3 weeks ago. Already dark spots are appearing on my cheekbones and I also have burn marks on my forehead that seem the same shape as the fotofacial head that touches my skin, and that still has a moderate burn sensation going on. I purchased a package and have two more procedures to go. Not looking forward to them if the pain will be this uncomfortable. On a scale of 1-10 I would put it at a 3-4 right now.
Dollyvg 24 Apr 2012
Not an expert on this but I am an electrologist and a nurse and I have to say; having lasor 3 weeks before the photofacial might not have been a good idea. I'm sure it will enhance your burn reaction.. These things should be spred apart by several months.. I'm surprised the clinic you went to didn't mention this?..Hope that is useful info. :-)
kristi h 27 Oct 2011
I was also curious if the next procedures were going to feel the same? Ice packs help alot. The sunburn feeling only lasted a few days. And my dark spots faded almost completely within a week. Next appt is still a month away but am going to try a pain killer this time
medesthetics 27 Oct 2011
The neck is a much different skin than the face. Hopefully the settings were much lower. Your neck can bruise and can be much harder to heal. Aloe can soothe so use that. Hopefully you are happy with the results and feeling better today. Enjoy the results.
nbro 4 Nov 2011
are the results permanent??
medesthetics 5 Nov 2011
The results vary. If you get back out in the sun spots have a memory. It's good to have a series of 3 every other year to prevent aging. Rotation between that and chemical peels work amazingly.
kristi h 5 Nov 2011
According to my dermatologist as long as you take care of ur skin by using sunscreen and protecting it should be.
nbro 6 Nov 2011
Any idea as to how many sessions most people start off with and how often??
medesthetics 30 Dec 2011
You need a minimum of 3 but as many as 6. They are done 3 to 4 weeks apart. But some will treat in 1 to 2 for vessel reduction and treatment of rosacea.
medesthetics 6 Nov 2011
3 to 6 sessions is needed. Every 2 to 3 weeks apart.
cveroleyva 30 Dec 2011
is a photofacial the same thing as an ipl? ive been told they are interchangeable and are the same treatment, so wondering why there is one section for ipl and another for photofacial listed under different categories

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