Ivana2010

Non Ablative Laser Ruined my Skin!

Hi, 'HB162'- what an odd coincidence that you added a comment to THIS review (from 'Hudson')- because I ('Ivana 2010') actually sent YOU ('HB162') a private message a couple of weeks ago when I first started to look for answers on Realself.com !!! I had read some of your other posts, and it seemed like you knew a lot of "fix-it-derms" (you even offered another user to send her a list of some in New Jersey...), so I thought that you might know of some dermatologists and/or laser specialists in the NYC/Long Island (or even NJ) area who might be willing to look at someone who incurred damage- but sadly, you never responded to my message. I thought initially that you were ignoring me, too- but now I see that you are still posting and you seem very, very helpful and knowledgeable- so I'm wondering now if perhaps the message I sent you through "Realself" did not go through- or might have landed in your junk box or something... So let me try again: please- if you know of ANYone (whom you trust, of course) in the NY / LI / NJ area I'd VERY much appreciate it if you could mention their name(s)- it would spare me a lot of knocking on wrong doors... Thank you so much in advance !!! Ivana 2010.

(Correction to my previous comment) Hudson- I just realized you DID mention the type of laser you had in one of your updates...

Sorry for my delayed reply, Hudson. To answer your question: the laser they used on me was the Smoothbeam, which is non-ablative and not supposed to affect the outer layer of the skin- it allegedly targets & heats up water deep UNDER the skin, thereby promoting new collagen growth. However- my outer skin DID react in a bad way (almost as if it's allergic to something)- but other than that nothing else happened. In all fairness, though- I'm aware of the fact that just ONE treatment won't generate any results (as far as collagen growth or tightening), as you're supposed to get about 4-6 treatments (some may even need more)- so I'm not expecting anything good at this point since I cancelled all further treatments... The thing is- I would have been fine with NO results whatsoever, but what I find very hard to deal with is that my skin is now having problems I did NOT have before ! Although my skin was oily, my pores were not big and 'raised' before, and my skin texture was actually very nice. Well, not anymore. It now looks and feels like reddish sandpaper- very irritated, rough and super sensitive, to the point where I can't even tolerate the skin care products I used beforehand ! (By the way- you never mentioned which laser was used on you, Hudson. I'm not sure what a "laser facelift" entails...) Regarding Retin-A: why is it that some people seem to recommend using Retin-A after laser, yet others say NOT to use it ?? Unlike you, I've never used Retin-A beforehand, and I'm now so sensitive I cannot imagine that my skin would even be able to tolerate it... However- I would like to know what the final say is on this product: CAN it be used after a laser treatment, or should one stay away from it ? Is there anyone out there who knows the answer to this ? In the meantime- I wish both of us and ALL others who are equally affected that we'll find some kind of solution (product or treatment), or that somehow our skin will recover by itself... If you notice any changes for the better, or if you find out about a product that might be helpful, please post that here (and I shall do the same)- we can all use some hope !!!

One more question to you, Hudson- WHY do you say that you cannot use Retin-A anymore ? You've used it for 7 years prior to your laser treatment, so clearly your skin was able to tolerate it well beforehand. Is your skin too sensitive to handle it now, or were you told NOT to use it ?

I have noticed the same thing- not ONE doctor responded to my questions or review- even a NY (LI) dermatologist who has answered NUMEROUS miscellaneous questions on this site for everyone else has completely ignored me ! Next to this 'Realself' doctor's profile picture, there's a box that says: "Request info from this doctor". Well- I saw that he was located close to where I live and he HAD used the same laser that ruined my face for several years (he even wrote the following : "I have worked with this laser for 5 years now and am less than impressed" )- so knowing he was familiar with the exact laser that caused my problems, I contacted him via this 'Realself' box (I even made it quite clear that I was interested in making an appointment with him if he thought he could be of any help)- but I NEVER heard back from him !!! Meanwhile- he's posting replies to other people's GENERIC questions all over this site- people that don't seem to have BAD outcomes, just questions about procedures or treatments in general ! A simple "Thank you for your inquiry, but I don't think I can help you" would have been nice ! To be IGNORED by these doctors after we try to explain with great detail what happened to us, and even wanting to PAY them to see us in person is really rubbing salt into our wounds !!! I also contacted a well-known NYC laser specialist (not on this board) for a consultation, and when the receptionist asked what the reason for my wanting too see him was, she flat-out REFUSED to give me an appointment !!! She said they would ONLY see someone if the complication happened at THEIR office !!! I was stunned !!! Is there ANY doctor out there who is willing to see someone who was DAMAGED by (or had a bad reaction to) a laser ??? Here's a business idea to all you derms and doctors out there: some of you should actually SPECIALIZE in trying to help people that were left with adverse effects after laser treatments- I bet you could make a KILLING and your practice would BOOM !!!!!!