“Results Not As Good As Expected - Newport Beach, CA”

I am 47 and have a lot of wrinkles and sun damage. I felt that my face looked old and haggard, while the rest of me looked and felt young. I consulted with four different doctors (3 dermatologists, one oculoplastic surgeon) and all said I was a great candidate. I went with one of the derms.

While my wrinkles, sun spots and laxity are reduced, I don't look as good as I expected. I still have a lot of lines around my mouth ("smokers lines"). Some friends have suggested I get fillers, but the whole point of the Total FX was so I wouldn't need a little of this, a little of that and endless spending on it. I also got Botox one week prior to the procedure on the doctor's recommendation so that my lines would be less pronounced during healing. I am now due for another Botox as the lines are returning, and frankly I think I had more improvement from the Botox than from the Total FX.

I also had a fairly uncommon side effect from the procedure, a bit of hyperpigmentation. You can still (3+ months later) see faint lines on my cheeks from the laser. This is not at all the doctor's fault, but is simply one risk and make-up has been able to cover it.