Total FX: Stories

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Total FX. 28 Y/o Acne Scars -

MissPS
posted 3 months ago
updated 2 months ago

Worth It
Cost: $1,700
West Des Moines, IA

Hello, I Just got Total Fx done a Day ago. I have...

15 Feb 2013

Hello, I Just got Total Fx done a Day ago. I have acne since I was a kid and finally got on Accutane a year or so ago. I have always been self consious about my scars and couldn't wait till the year was up after Accutane to be able to do something about it. I was told I would need 2 treatments to see full results. They advised me the pain would be there but managable. I took a Valium and 2 Vicoden before the laser and had numbing cream placed on my face for about 30 minutes. The pain was quite intense. I cried through the entire laser and for about an hour after. After the laser your face will burn for a hour or two. Once that ends the pain is mostly gone. I did have quite a bit of bleeding but the Dr. and staff were very nice and sympathetic to my pain. Day one I slept most of it away due to the pain meds. Day two which is today, I woke up very swollen but no pain. I really couldn't find a lot of helpful posts when I researching how to heal acne scars, so I hope this helps.

Day 2. My face only stung a little when I washed...

15 Feb 2013

Day 2. My face only stung a little when I washed it this morning. Have to watch 3 times a day. I bled a lot from it so the dried blood hurts on the skin. My skin feels tight but i am very swollen. My eyes are only about half open and my cheeks are huge!!

Day 3 Hello, when I woke up on day 3 after Total...

17 Feb 2013

Day 3 Hello, when I woke up on day 3 after Total FX, my face was quite swollen still just as it was on day 2. There wasn't much change to my face. I would say maybe just a little less red. By the end of day 3, I did start getting itchy and I could tell that my face was drying up and getting ready to start peeling. I took some Benadryll. The itching wasn't too bad but more just annoying because you can't itch your face. I also have been applying the lotion(grease) they gave me quite often. If feels like Crisco on your face. I have noticed a few white bumps on my face but hopefully those go away.
Day 4 This morning, my face looks like icky scab. Looks as if the peeling has really started but that is a good thing. One step closer to healing. I am still swollen. I Have been trying to use ice packs on my face once in a while to help but I think it's going down. Added day 3 and 4 pictures.

So today is day 5 since the laser. I'm going to...

18 Feb 2013

So today is day 5 since the laser. I'm going to add some side by sides of the progress so far. Seeing a big difference and hope it just keeps getting better over the next few months like they said. Most of the dark scabs are gone. Face is just peeling like a bad sunburn now.

Hello, I am close to about two weeks out from the...

26 Feb 2013

Hello, I am close to about two weeks out from the laser. Seeing awesome results so far. Can't wait to get the next one done!

Hello, I am about 6-7 weeks out now..still very...

31 Mar 2013

Hello, I am about 6-7 weeks out now..still very red. Went for a follow up the other day and Dr. Perscribed Obagi bleaching cream. Said I had lot of hyperpigmitation..crossing my fingers this helps.

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Comments (17)

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dolvid 2 May 2013

I had the Total Fx done 4 or 5 yrs ago. It does make your skin smoother and a little more plump. Some shallow scaring will look better, but deeper scars or pitting, will not be helped by this procedure. I had one deep pit surgically removed 2 years after having the Total Fx done, because it did nothing for it. The scar from that surgery is much better to deal with, than the pit that I had. I was told that having Total Fx done, are similar results to using Retin A for about 5+ years. Also, after about a few months after having the Total Fx done, it seemed as if some of my pores were actually bigger, which made me freak out a little bit. It's like the skin being thicker before and then it peeling,made the pores, which are glands, seem wider. I've been told this is called a wine glass effect. Smaller diameter on top and the farther down you go, the pore can be wider. It did take away some pigmentation problems and even out my skin tone, but still had to go back and have one spot treated again. I do use sunscreen, because I believe hyperpigmentation can happen more so after having this done (and I am talking 4 yrs later). My skin wasn't horrible before though. My main reasons for having it done were for pigment issues, some enlarged pores and some acne scarring (mainly a few pitted areas). Not all of the pigment went away, nor did the pitting. I had to have both issues treated again. Which I do believe I could have addressed those issues the same way I did, without having the Total Fx. I'm sure people have different results after having this done, some good and some bad. It's been close to 5 years now, and I have been told that my skin looks good and I look a little younger for my age. But my personal opinion in regards to scaring, it does make your skin more smooth and evens out the texture, but anything deep, I don't think it helps much. Anyone that has this done, should use Retin A when your Dr. gives you the go ahead, to keep up the results.

dolvid 2 May 2013

You can't go by the results within the first few weeks after having this procedure done. A lot of the pits and scars will look great initially, but most of that is because of the swelling.

questionmark1 20 Mar 2013

Firstly the improvements are enormous and it looks much better. Do you think about going a second time to get it done? I have some similar scars which I would like to get same results done with. However going to Canada would be really expensive. Hopefully I can find someone in Europe with the same equipment and make such a great result on me as well.

MissPS 31 Mar 2013

Thank you! Yes I plan to get a 2nd and hopefully final one in September. Dealing with the redness now that is getting better but still very noticable even with makeup. I would recommend it. Hopefully you will have wonderful results as well!

Jjaa1818 12 Mar 2013

Are you still seeing as much improvement as you did initially?

MissPS 12 Mar 2013

I'm kind of at a stand still. .still look about the same as last pictures..still can see the laser marks. People tell me it looks good but hard to tell on yourself. Did you decide to get it done?

Jjaa1818 4 Mar 2013

Are you still happy with your results? Your before and afters are great! I had a consultation and am seriously considering it

MissPS 5 Mar 2013

Thank you..I am really happy with the results and looking forward to the results from the 2nd..I went into it trying to keep my expectations low. Any little bit makes a world of difference..

MissPS 26 Feb 2013

Just added some newer ones. Very happy with it so far

Jjaa1818 26 Feb 2013

Jjaa1818 22 Feb 2013

How is your progress coming along?

Jjaa1818 18 Feb 2013

Wow the side by sides are great!

Jjaa1818 16 Feb 2013

Keep us updated!!

MissPS 17 Feb 2013

Just added more pictures of day 3 and 4

Jjaa1818 17 Feb 2013

It looks like your healing well! Im thinking about having this done in may when I have some time off so I am interested in your progress! I'll keep u in my prayers ;)

MissPS 17 Feb 2013

Thank you! I'll try to keep adding daily pictures. I had a hard time finding results of acne scars that were like mine, so I just wanted other people to see. Even though these pictures are bad but hoping this is all worth it!

Jjaa1818 17 Feb 2013

I hope it is for you too!! I know first hand how upsetting acne scars can be, but at least there is hope!