IPL: Stories
Write a ReviewI Trust Esana MedSpa - New Haven, CT
- Miss Clare CT
- posted 1 year ago
- updated 10 months ago
- Worth It
- Cost: $2,100
- Dr Davila (New Haven, CT)
I went in for my first IPL treatment today. I paid...
- 15 May 2012
I went in for my first IPL treatment today. I paid 1/3 of the cost of a set of three, because that's how they do it. The RN (Stephanie) explained that it will hurt, that I'll see my sun damage get darker and then about 7 days after the skin will fall off revealing perfect skin underneath.
I have been using SkinMedica Retinol about three times a week for about a year and I had Ultherapy over my midface and neck in December.
I read a lot of bad reviews of IPL, and I can guess, based my own experience and by what Dr Davila and the RN Stephanie said, that those with negative results were burned. Dr Davila and Stephanie tested my skin with various strengths (20, 21, 22 and 23) to see what my face and cheat could handle. They discussed the pain and the heat with me, and didn't rush me.
The procedure took about 45 minutes, it hurt quite a bit (they used a 23 on me) and I felt stingy and a bit tingly after. Now, 6 hours after the procedure, I still have some orange peel like skin on my chest, but not as much as before, and there is no more swelling on my face. There's no pain now, and I have put on moisturizer twice since 11 am.
I'll post again tomorrow morning.
Okay!! It's the third day, and all the orange peel...
- 17 May 2012
I'm still using the CalmPlex, although tonight it really stung when I rubbed it in!
More updates later.
Okay!! It's Day Six and I'm absolutely thrilled....
- 21 May 2012
My neck still isn't "dirt" speck free, nor is my chest, but I can cover those areas with concealer and clothing very easily. I suspect I'll need another blast on my neck and chest.
I was a lot more damaged than I thought. I'll have to post my Day Of photo, my Day Three photo and the ones from today so you all can see the results.
Bottom line: only have IPL done by an MD or a highly experienced RN. I am very, very happy with the results.
I just posted the pictures from my third IPL...
- 28 Aug 2012
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I love this MedSpa! I recommend them to all my friends.This was the second time I saw Dr Davila instead of Dr Pan. He is just as nice as she, and very professional, but with a sense of humor. He was careful to pick the right strength light for my skin, and kept his eye on Stephanie the first few times she hit me with the light.
Thought I'd add a different angle. I'm male and purchased a new professional machine a few years ago for personal usage largely for unwanted hair growth - I looked like a neanderthal. Also, underneath the hair I 'discovered' a number of browned spots. It has been a process of trial, error, pain and, very much success. I feel like a different person now. I would say to anyone with money and a patient disposition IPL is very effective and can permanently change your skin, if used properly. It's no gimmick but not a simple office visit either. It takes time and discomfort, especially so if thick hair growth is to be removed for good ;)
Good luck to all.
Oh yowza, blisters!! I'm so glad that things healed up & are looking so amazing now. Thank you for posting pictures of what it looked like right after treatment. Its great to be able to see that, and that thing then turned out great. I can imagine seeing blisters could cause a bit of a panic if you weren't expecting them.
I'm eager for results, but not impatient. Besides, I'd like the "package deal" discount!
That makes sense - so glad you feel so comfortable with your doctor! :)
That is great to hear you are loving the results!! You had mentioned you thought you would need another treatment, curious if you are planning to have that done soon, or just sometime in the future?
Glad to hear you are seeing some healing taking place. Looking forward to hearing how things look & feel in the next couple of days. Hopefully less stingy when you put the CalmPlex on!!
I'm glad to hear you felt well cared for at the office you went to. Did they tell you to use (or not use) any specific products on your face while it heals up?
Stephanie also said - no exfoliation, Retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids or fruit acids, and not to use my Shiseido face brush for at least a week. And to be hyper vigilant about using SPF. I plan on slathering on Lancôme Bienfait SPF 30 cream ($45).
Since the treatment, I have reapplied the Calm Plex twice and I'm not red at all. The sun spots have turned really, really dark already. I still have orange peel skin on my chest.
But I trust this group, and if they said I would be a good candidate, I believe them. I'm not worried by how icky I look now. I'm confident I'll be glowing in 5 to 10 days!!
Oh, they also quizzed me up on my ethnic background, because darker skins and Asian skins tend to burn, even if the ancestry is somewhat distant. Since it is my great-great grandmother who is my Chinese ancestor, Dr Davila decided I would be okay.