POSTED UNDER Fractional Laser REVIEWS
damaged my skin - Sydney, AU
ORIGINAL POST
I had light acne scars, 2 chicken pox scars. and...
sandy.sSeptember 28, 2013
$650
I had light acne scars, 2 chicken pox scars. and perfect clear skin apart from that the odd freckle etc. I underwent laser 4 months ago at a presumably reputable doctor in sydney that specialises in facial rejuvenation . paloma emege non ablative fractional laser . worst decision of my life . Im 23 and this has taken all the joy out of life. I have a young family , have moved into my dream home , was set to get married and this has destroyed all my happiness and confidence. 90% of my face is scarred with track marks in squares . The micro dots have caused deep ice pick scarring and I have new raised scars. I CAN NOT wear makeup as it sits deeply it the creases and scars and does not blend. my skin is highly sensitive and reactive. I do not yet know how this happened, wether it was the settings /the wrong type of laser or neglect. I am investigating what went so terribly wrong. I hope I can share my story and steer people (with no real problem in the first place) away from laser procedures. I hope I can find a treatment to repair the damage. If I do, I know I will be sharing with other laser victims. Please dont get laser! The doctor I went to was experienced and quite good my fillers were fine and other things never went so wrong. The problem is the lasers ! Its too risky and the side effects are not well documented . I was told being non ablative this WOULD NOT ruin my skin . THEY WERE WRONG ..... DONT DO IT ..
Replies (50)
November 5, 2013
Hi I'm in Sydney and am planning on going to a place in the city soon called cosmetic medical clinic for EXELO2 CO2 fractional laser resurfacing (which I think is more intense than what you got)
Hearing how things went for you scares me and seeing other posts on here is making me think twice..can u give more specific info about where you went, who you saw and what you got done?
I hope you sorted something out to improve the situation and thanks for posting.
November 17, 2013
I went to one of the most experienced doctors in Sydney . Not the clinic your looking at . My doctor could do nothing . I'm by myself . She suggested more laser on top !!!! Imagine if I had trusted her again . I prob would have committed suicide if it was worse . My laser was supposed to be a 5 day recovery , and you get one every two weeks . Pretty much it was marketed no down time . This laser was non ablative . I can't imagine if I had got an ablative one . I would have been even more scarred . All I can say is weigh up your options . If you feel your wouldn't be able to cope with a result like this don't do it. Some one in a laser clinic at bondi told me " your skin is not bad enough" and "laser damage is like cancer , it can happen to anyone" "laser reactions have been know to be unpredictable at some times . " how I wish I took her advice . The analogy of cancer is literally what my life is like . I don't see friends I'm depressed . I'm physically sick, don't work, in six months I've lost nearly all of what I've worked for . A scar can be hidden , your face can't . I'm a size 8 blonde always looked after my appearance , took care of myself was healthy vegetarian all that jazz . Laser ruined my life . Trust me I am not the only one ..
November 17, 2013
The laser was Palomer emerge non ablative , minimal down time /no blood /no destroyed skin. Etc..... What a joke .....
January 9, 2014
Thay is the same laser i had which ruined my skin. Orange peel all over now
November 17, 2013
Sandy, how are you doing? Are things getting any better? I truest feel for you. Did your doctor give you any help?
November 19, 2013
I'm 6 yrs out & still have problems from my laser treatment, I have scars all over my cheeks & a dent w/a brown spot where the laser hit. Lines too. I was red for months & had broken blood vessels. I went back for different kinds of lasers to help since I had nothing to lose. I was that bad. Now I'm sticking to needling. I got better results from doing that than with lasers, Don't let them talk you into it if you have good skin. I had scars I wanted to get rid of . It did nothing for them. I know others say it works for them but you might be one of the unlucky ones. Like Sandy said. Have a patch test done, My forehead was ok but my damage is on my cheeks. I was told I was a perfect candidate & they would help if anything went wrong. When they saw the damage they told me to see a psychiatrist & left me crying on the table.. Other doctors don't want to touch you to help when they see what happen..Check out IPL & the laser damage boards or here on RS, My life was ruined. You can't hide scars & dents. I've been living like a hermit ever since. Think twice before having any laser done.
November 26, 2013
I was left in a mess !! They told me I had to see a psychologist too !!!! Um no !!!! It's not me it's the damage you left me with an denied !!!! They play absolute games with your head .
November 26, 2013
I had Erbium laser in 07 for a few scars. Derms wouldn't touch me when they saw the damage It has taken my life from me. My only hope is needleing but I gave up on any miracles happening. I have panic attacks every day & I shake when I get up thinking what my face will look like that day. If anyone has nice skin & is just looking to make it look better stick to creams or needling. My skin is so dry & flaky from the oil glads not working anymore. Nothing sinks in to moistureize. I'm happy for the people it worked for but we're all not the same. Don't take the risk. It's so not worth it. I am so sick of this, all I wanted is to be able to go out without showing a few scars. Now I wish I had them back.
November 27, 2013
Hey there, so sorry to hear you are going through this I wanted to bring a product to your attention, it called Tepezcohuite it has amazing healing properties, my family and I have been using it for years. I have acne scars that it helped reduce the look of and overall just great skin care. There are others on the site who have written about it...just a thought.Â
December 3, 2013
I had fractional laser under my eyes last year that left pinholes. After about 2 months I went and had 2 medium TCA peels back to back (2weeks apart). I was a little red for a few weeks after, but it cleared it all up.
December 4, 2013
How long after laser you had the peel ? Was it just you under eyes that laser damaged? I have holes all over my face and the entire skin texture has changed for orangepeel.
December 4, 2013
I only had the laser under my eyes, so that is where the pinhole texture was. I waited 2 months or so before having the peels- cleared it up nicely for 1/3 the price of the laser. TCA peels are old school, but cheaper and more effective than lasers. I went to a dermatologic plastic surgeon who still prefers peels. He was pretty aggressive with them, and I was pink for a while, but it literally cleared everything up and made me forget that I ever even had a problem there.
December 4, 2013
Wow that sounds Like what I need . To forget about the problem and get my life back . Seriously considering it . I would have to get a test patch to be sure and be conservative .
December 4, 2013
Did you have any photos Clare? Or even if you posted you skin currently , I would love to see the results :) only if you feel comfortable .
December 5, 2013
Hey Clare -- good to hear you fixed that pinhole texture with peels. I have them all over my face (deep and thus more noticeable in cheeks and nose) and am in the process of the peels. I hope they help and this helps me keep going. Thank you for sharing.
December 5, 2013
Do you think waiting only 2 months to fix it played a role in how you healed well? May I ask what % were your TCA peels? Thanks!!!
December 5, 2013
One last question, do you think doing the peels back to back vs waiting a few weeks in between made a difference in the peels being more effective?
December 5, 2013
I'm glad it help you but I fear my holes are deeper and bigger, thus peels would only be ineffective.
December 5, 2013
Peels were medium- approx. 30%- I am not sure if waiting 2 months played a part. I had problems with filler under the eyes, and the laser was an attempt to fix problem. It did not really help issue, and left me with the weird texture. The texture problem was really secondary to my filler problem, so I probably would have left it alone, but after dissolvin filler, then trying to refill a few times to even out contour, my eyes were a complete mess. I was mostly trying to smoothe out the skin after all the dissolvin/swelling left my eyes wrinkly. The peels helped with that and smoothed out the orange peel texture from the laser. I am not sure if having them so close together helped or not, but that is what the doc recommended and at that point, if someone would have told me to have surgery on my face I probably would have. I was that desperate.
December 5, 2013
I really want to take action to fix the laser damage but I am so immobilised by fear . Every time i try to research peels , horror story's come up and I am so worried sick of making my situation worse . Yet I'm so desperate to fix it. I hear of scarring from tca and some even say they get orange peel texture just like laser !? It's freaking me out . I'm wondering if you read anything in the guide to chemical peels . ? I'm also thinking the only thing people say works tk fix laser damge is tca . I swear there is a conspiracy for laser company's . They say they r so good . But there r so many bad reviews . I really am wondering if doctors choose laser because Of profits . . Maybe tca is the way to go .
It's been around Longer . I would certainly get a test patch first . I wish there was something with no risk :( one lady made a point Ibe been thinking about and said deep resurfacing brings up scarring and makes skjn worse . But then I think hold on , it's a grid from a laser . I'm so confused . Information overload . Thank goodness for all you ladies that post honest reviews ... What do you think ? Or should I wait another 6 months ?
December 5, 2013
The key is to understand what has happened to cause it , is it tissue removed too deep or was there another reason holes didn't close, if they are superficial the peels might help but if they go too deep then nothing will fix it, they are like deep icepick scars.
Some think they are enlarged pores and some think it's loss of collagen, hard to tear if you don't know what you are dealing with. Laser docs of course knows what causes this but are never going to admit it
December 6, 2013
OMG thats what they told me... stupid doctors they should be send in jail and punished for distroing our lifes.
December 7, 2013
Clare3343 you are amazing for giving us advice from your own experience. thank you
December 7, 2013
Mandy12 it doest look like you have lost of collagen its just open pores thats all, try rosewater spryy its natural and closes pores
UPDATED FROM sandy.s
5 months post
Horrendous life changing damage
sandy.sNovember 23, 2013
I was treated by one of the best* doctors in Sydney . I still walked away with damage . Don't do it .
A list of my current damage -
Texture changed ( rash texture )
Lines indents
Burnt holes
Grids
Tracks
Fat loss
Sagging skin
Slow recovery
Damaged DNA of skin
Damaged under eyes
Broken capillaries
Red marks
Pigmentation
Scars
Off shade skin
New ice pick scars
New surface damage
Dermal damage
Shallow sunken patches
Pitts
Fine lines
New merged wrinkles
Orange peel skin
Lifeless skin
Emotion damage
Severe depression
No interest in life
No joy in activities
Social phobias
Don't want to get out of bed
Can't wear makeup as it looks worse and sits in deep holes from tracks
Severe phycological damage
Pretty much I am ruined.
I am 24 years old , was told this laser was safe ( Palomer emerge non ablative ) and it ruined my life . I cannot believe the way my life turned around so quickly. do not ever underestimate the effects of even the safest lasers . I would honestly give up my home to be happy and healthy again. This is a terrible fate . I never thought this would happen to me . I researched picked a good doctor and had 2-3 consults . Choose not to get laser . Then was talked into a new safe* laser.
Well it wasn't safe . And my life is over .
Whatever you do think carefully about laser and so anything else first , fillers , needling, whatever . Laser is dangerous . My story is backed up by lots of other cases on real self with the exact same symptoms . Your lively charismatic doctor will dump your ass as soon as you have a problem . Trust me .
Don't do fraxel ( fractional laser )
Don't let your friends do fraxel
Don't let your children do fraxel
Do not let your mother do fraxel
Do not let a greedy doc talk you into it .
Don't do any kind of fractional laser non ablative / ablative / fraxel / whatever do not get any kind of gridded - tracked laser !!!!!!!!
A list of my current damage -
Texture changed ( rash texture )
Lines indents
Burnt holes
Grids
Tracks
Fat loss
Sagging skin
Slow recovery
Damaged DNA of skin
Damaged under eyes
Broken capillaries
Red marks
Pigmentation
Scars
Off shade skin
New ice pick scars
New surface damage
Dermal damage
Shallow sunken patches
Pitts
Fine lines
New merged wrinkles
Orange peel skin
Lifeless skin
Emotion damage
Severe depression
No interest in life
No joy in activities
Social phobias
Don't want to get out of bed
Can't wear makeup as it looks worse and sits in deep holes from tracks
Severe phycological damage
Pretty much I am ruined.
I am 24 years old , was told this laser was safe ( Palomer emerge non ablative ) and it ruined my life . I cannot believe the way my life turned around so quickly. do not ever underestimate the effects of even the safest lasers . I would honestly give up my home to be happy and healthy again. This is a terrible fate . I never thought this would happen to me . I researched picked a good doctor and had 2-3 consults . Choose not to get laser . Then was talked into a new safe* laser.
Well it wasn't safe . And my life is over .
Whatever you do think carefully about laser and so anything else first , fillers , needling, whatever . Laser is dangerous . My story is backed up by lots of other cases on real self with the exact same symptoms . Your lively charismatic doctor will dump your ass as soon as you have a problem . Trust me .
Don't do fraxel ( fractional laser )
Don't let your friends do fraxel
Don't let your children do fraxel
Do not let your mother do fraxel
Do not let a greedy doc talk you into it .
Don't do any kind of fractional laser non ablative / ablative / fraxel / whatever do not get any kind of gridded - tracked laser !!!!!!!!
Replies (10)
April 13, 2015
A could not agree with you more. Like yourself, I have experienced a checklist of issues and know how devastating it is... Just wanted to send you my warmest regards and hope you can keep a chin up.
October 26, 2015
How long ago did you have this procedure? I had it four years ago and I have many of the things you talk about. Sad to see it doesn't get better. I didnt start to see the damage until about 2 years out, lately getting progressively worse almost daily. I'm in Richmond, VA. Where are you?
December 21, 2015
I have exact same skin texture from my botched treatments. It's shiny because it's burn scarring, the holes are so deep abd nothing camouglages the mutilated skin. I suffer everyday from this, it has taken my life away from me. People stare at my skin when they speak to me. I can't stand looking at my own reflection anymore it's so awful seeing your own face that has been forever changed. Life that I enjoyed has become drudgery. Everyday I have to wake up and live with my worst nightmare that is actually now my reality. All this horror so that a clinic could make few grand of me. They lied about safety and I was lamb going for a slaughter, they know it's bad for the skin and still perform these procedures. It cooks your tissue and they downplay everything as safe, no problems easy treatment.
" Your skin will love it!"I was told . Now fraxel website states textural changes as possible side-effect because it happens so much. Textural changes -fancy name for scarring. I have to talk myself to get out the door and face the world. I keep my head down as i walk to avoid people seeing my skin. Acne scars Werent awesome but i never felt shame and grief like this , laser damage will destroy your life and affects every relationship you have in awful way. There are so many with laser damage and the feelings of utter despair and grief are experienced by everyone affected. I hope things are better for you Sandy. I am 3.5 years out and it's been horrible horrible life since then,I fake myself to the world as happy strong person that I used to be, I'm exact opposite now and so tired of faking it. for me things won't improve either so I'm very stuck and have to think what next. For anyone thinking laser or ipl- dont do it. It's not worth it. You can end up with so much worse scarring and it's permanent. I was petrified of more scarring to my face but I was told it can't do that , so I stupidly trusted them. I ended up with so much worse skin you guys have no idea. Don't gamble your life away, try needling or something less invasive than laser. It gave me a shiny burn scar with a texture that looks like I skidded on asphalt. Love your face , live in peace xx
" Your skin will love it!"I was told . Now fraxel website states textural changes as possible side-effect because it happens so much. Textural changes -fancy name for scarring. I have to talk myself to get out the door and face the world. I keep my head down as i walk to avoid people seeing my skin. Acne scars Werent awesome but i never felt shame and grief like this , laser damage will destroy your life and affects every relationship you have in awful way. There are so many with laser damage and the feelings of utter despair and grief are experienced by everyone affected. I hope things are better for you Sandy. I am 3.5 years out and it's been horrible horrible life since then,I fake myself to the world as happy strong person that I used to be, I'm exact opposite now and so tired of faking it. for me things won't improve either so I'm very stuck and have to think what next. For anyone thinking laser or ipl- dont do it. It's not worth it. You can end up with so much worse scarring and it's permanent. I was petrified of more scarring to my face but I was told it can't do that , so I stupidly trusted them. I ended up with so much worse skin you guys have no idea. Don't gamble your life away, try needling or something less invasive than laser. It gave me a shiny burn scar with a texture that looks like I skidded on asphalt. Love your face , live in peace xx
December 24, 2015
Hi there, you recommended Dr Rawlins to me sometime ago and I actually went to see him in Perth back in October. I do think Recell would help you, I'm currently aiming to have the treatment at the end of next year. PM if you have any questions, it sounds like you're going through a really hard time and I still think there is hope for you xx
December 24, 2015
I have been aching to go and see Rawlins however it will be awhile until I can do that, wish I could do it straight away! I am on holidays at moment and was thinking of seeing him but I don't think I'll get a chance to do that until next year perhaps. For procedure wise my healing is not good at all , my body doesn't heal properly and tiny abrasions stay behind for months and months. I'm b12 deficient and need testing after holidays why exactly. After I get levels back up I want to see if it kickstarts the healing for me and if it does I'll consider recell as its only thing giving me hope of normal skin. Not perfect skin by far that's not what I'm after, just normal acceptable skin. Can you pm me I'd like to keep in touch with you and hear about the recell. I write with a girl who has done it twice now for laser damage she has had positive results in terms of skin health and scarring has levelled a little. My skin seems to worsen and it's consuming my thoughts as I can feel burning and tingling all the time. It looks terrible and friends scan my face when they talk to me. Be never experienced anything like this with acne because it was only temporary issue. Scarring this bad catches light and people can't help but look. I can't still comprehend the damage done it's unnatural in appearance and hard to accept.
October 28, 2017
Ok, I'm VERY interested! What have been some positives that your friends have had with recell?
August 6, 2017
my doctor insists that I need a second of three planner treatments of profractional laser (erbium). My skin still burns and I swell in the sun after 2 1/2 months. He told me that I'm fine. The nurse told me that I am overthinking things when I explained that my lips felt tight, numb at times raw and painful about 2 weeks after the treatment, She insists this is a separate issue. I have many of the symptoms you are speaking of and I am really depressed. I am so confused and afraid to do another treatment as the doctor insists I will lose all the benefits of three treatments and I need to wait after that for the full healing and benefit. I feel so alone and frightened.
UPDATED FROM sandy.s
6 months post
6 months post laser damage update
sandy.sDecember 4, 2013
Still have damage . After speaking to a couple of ladies on real self and having advice from a couple of real self doctors , I think I will try the tca peel or derma needling next . I'm not sure which option to take , but I will absolutely not touch another fractional ( grid ) laser . I also know the only way to fix broken capillaries under eyes and across the bridge on nose is bbl laser . I have had 7 sessions of bbl in the past and no reaction . So I am confident the fraction method is to blame for all my troubles . I am currently using glycic acid 30 percent and retin a 1 percent . This is to help smooth out blemishes and help with the textural issues , also to prep the skin for tca peels if I still am confident to do so once my active acne has cleared. Still angry and damaged that this laser caused so much damage .
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Fractional Laser, I am terribly sorry to hear that your procedure left you with scarring and not a good end result as well as left you feeling a mess emotionally. Â You mention you are investigating what went wrong, will you be meeting with the doctor soon for a follow up? Â Is it possible that you are just in the healing stages and the problems will resolve as you heal?Â