I am 40 yrs. old, fair skin, blue eyes and fit. I spent many years in FL and CA, and while for the most part I didn't sunbathe very often, I also went about most of my life without sunscreen. I do not, and have never smoked.
I get botox in my forehead for the horizontal creases, although I never do the glabella (sp?) --I like to be able to frown at my kids!! ha.
I have been annoyed with the dark circles and lines under my eyes for a few years. Always look tired and older than I ought to. Went for a consult once for blepharoplasty and the PS said no. Had restylene injected under the eyes in '06, and while it plumped them up nicely, it created a weirdly bluish cast whenever I was lit from overhead (most of the time--ugh!). That lasted a year.
I had Active FX on my face on 11/06/08, to minimize crows feet, fine lines under the eyes and brown/sun spots all over. We debated whether or not use the eye shields and go right up to the lash line, but I chickened out. The doc suggested perhaps I could get improvement without going very close to the lashes. He said we could go back and do just the eyes later for free if I wanted.
Overall results are FANTASTIC!!! I LOVE IT. I was out in public on the 5th day--still a bit pink, but no one noticed. I started using Mineral makeup and within a week felt that my skin was too dry. Not sure if it was the makeup or the procedure. At 2 weeks went back to my usual make up.
Within 6 weeks everyone has been complimenting my skin--even people who don't know I had the procedure and people who have never met me before. Very cool. I have NEVER had anyone compliment my skin in my life. Also, I traveled overseas at about 8 weeks, and I had at least 3 comments by officials checking my passport that they were shocked by my birthdate. Yay!
However, due to avoiding the eye lid area, the lines there looked more pronounced than ever iin comparison with the rest of my face.
So I went back yesterday 1/8/09 to have the eyes done, and also decided to do the neck ( I am slim and have loose skin "turkey neck", and the chest. My chest has extreme sun damage from sun poisoning when I was 14--many dark spots (as large as pencil erasers and freckling), as well as deep lines/wrinkles uncharacteristic of the rest of my skin.
Doc had me use hydroquinone (Obagi) twice daily before both procedures to minimize or eliminate post-treatment dark spots. I could not tolerate the cream on my neck or chest--severe outbreak, but no problems on the face. 1 month after the first procedure, doc recommended using the Obagi once daily, ongoing to prevent future darkening. Also, of course, use sunscreen all the time (I am not good at that)
BTW, if anyone can recommend a brand of sunscreen that is not greasy I would appreciate it!
I took Valtrex for the face procedure, but not for the eyes/neck/chest.
I went in 90 min. early for both procedures; they gave me Ativan and Vicodin. The procedure on the face HURT A LOT! They gave me another Ativan about halfway in. True it only took 30 minutes, but it was a stressful 30 minutes. I had to ask for several breaks.
Yesterday, they gave me both Ativan, 30 minutes apart before starting the procedure. It was still painful around the eyelids, but not nearly as bad as the first time. The neck and chest were a piece of cake. They turn the laser way down, and evidently you don't feel as much there anyway.
From this 2nd procedure, I am hoping that my eyes will look as good as the rest of my facial skin. Also I hope it will reduce/remove the pigmentation & wrinkles on my chest, and I hope to get a good amount of tightening of my turkey neck, although I know it won't be as good as a neck lift would be. But a neck lift is $8K with significant downtime, and DH is not inclined to pay for it now. ha! I keep reminding him of the importance of maintenance, to which he rolls his eyes.
After both procedures, the skin burned like a severe sunburn for about 90 minutes. The docs office gave me a lovely tube that blows cold air, and when I went home I lay down with a cold air blower aimed at my face. Both times I fell asleep quickly and woke later without any burning sensation.
I was told to use Cetaphil to wash gently (it burns to wash the first day or so), pat dry, and use Elta gel the first day and Elta lotion for the rest of the days. I did not care for the Elta lotion--felt like it caused burning, and on the 3rd day tried my own creams "Soothe" by Rodan & Fields, and MD Forte Replenish Hydrating Cream. Doc said it was ok to use my creams.
After my first procedure, I used a wet wash cloth & Cetaphil on the 3rd evening and 4th and 5th days to gently buff off the peelies in small circular motions. I think technically you are not supposed to do this. Ahem. But anyway I did. I did not experience any adverse affects, but this is not to say someone else wouldn't. Take your doc's advice over mine, please!
Anyway, I was very pleased with this procedure the first time, and hope to be pleased this second time too.
BTW, I paid $2000 for the face (products included). This was as a sample patient, and doc said he would be charging about $5k for it in general. However, not sure after reading here that I really got a good deal.
$1500 for neck and chest. Eyes were free.
Even if I didn't get as great a discount as I thought, I am VERY pleased so far with results.
Best of luck to all here.
Blessings!
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Posted to New skin resurfacing technology: ActiveFX laser on 9 Jan 2009