I was considering miradry and when I read Dr. Skandamis’s wonderful reviews I felt comfortable scheduling with him. This treatment is life changing!! There was no pain during the treatment and mild discomfort after. The results were immediate. I no longer need to wear deodorant and have stopped sweating. This procedure was worth the cost and I would encourage anyone considering it, to get it done!
People... Anyone... Please help. I need advice, comfort, positive outcomes anything right now. I am devastated after suffering damage from a Gemini laser procedure that was only meant to clear up some facial redness and broken capillaries. The doctor jacked up my settings and after 2 months things are not good. The texture of my skin has been completely compromised and where it was once beautiful and smooth it is now scratched up and scarred and crepey and dry and makeup only enhances the weird texture. I don't know what to do. I am still red and inflamed and can see the laser track marks all over my cheeks. I have never been so depressed in my life. I have read so many reviews of people in the same boat as me but none who had the Gemini laser as I did. Is there anyone who has advice for me? I have told no one because I am so ashamed of myself. I only wanted to fix minor imperfections now I don't recognize myself. Updated on 4 May 2016: As I mentioned I am extremely disturbed by the situation I have found myself in. But at this point I have to learn to accept that what's done is done and thinking about everything that was great in my life pre laser is only going to hinder my healing. So I am deciding to take a step forward and begin what I hope is a healing process. I have ordered the Psoria gold ultra which has been said to improve laser damage some, minimally if anything, but I'll take it. At 10 weeks out I am not going to do anything drastic as the skin is still in the injury and recovery stage. I will begin with the Psoria as soon as it gets here and will update on how it does for me. If anyone has anything to say about their experience with it, please share. They say that it must be used within 6 months of damage so I am still in that window. Updated on 7 May 2016: Interesting how no doc answers questions about the damage incurred after a botched laser procedure. Going through the many questions people have asked, I notice the majority, including mine, remain unanswered. And so we are on our own. Amazing to me that individuals who have studied the skin extensively (all these doctors) have no clue what is happening to the skin after these procedures. Nor what can be done, perhaps because nothing can be done. Maybe they just are too ashamed to admit that they destroyed someone's face and ultimately their lives and they can't live with the guilt. So they avoid it altogether. I know when I went back to my derm after the procedure he blew off my damage and said the huge red welts would subside in a few days and that it was normal healing. Well 2 months later they subsided somewhat only to reveal more disturbing damage. So yea thanks Doctor. You really know what you're talking about. Then he says I can prob blend in the blotchiness with a tan!! A dermatologist!' Telling me I could make my horribly injured skin look better by causing more injury. What in gods name is wrong with this dude. What a situation to be in. Updated on 7 May 2016: This is immediately after procedure. Doc said it was normal histamine response. Lies...I've had this done before and never experienced this. I knew something was very wrong. This was my skin being burnt from inside out. Updated on 8 May 2016: This pic hardly shows the texture damage but it's a glimpse. My skin was impeccably smooth prior to the procedure. I cannot emphasize how devastating this is. Looking in the mirror everyday is a punch to the gut and makes me physically nauseous. Please someone tell me if they have had any success? Someone has to know something. Updated on 18 May 2016: I just want everyone who is considering a laser to consider that it can go horribly wrong, and if it does the cost does not end at the treatment itself. My treatment may have been $400 but what I have spent has way exceeded that. Money spent on aftercare products, better makeup products to hide damage, oils, creams, and what I will spend in future treatments to fix this as well as doctors fees as I now have to consult with other specialists and am now going to see a psychiatrist to deal with the emotional cost and possible medications to get me through the days. Let's also remember the cost of losing the life you once had. Not being able to enjoy the sunshine with your children or enjoy going out with Friends. The cost of relationships and friendships and the cost of your health becAuse of stress and anxiety. This is not a joke. The cost of suffering laser damage is endless and devastating. Please think twice people. Updated on 10 Jun 2016: Updated on 27 Jun 2016: My face is officially scarred all over. Just at a complete loss for words. Wtf. That's all I got Man. Life over. Updated on 20 Jul 2016: I have been having such a difficult time dealing with the outcome of what has happened to me. It has changed me, my lifestyle, and sent me into a depression deeper than ever I've known. I am still trying to accept thing so I can begin to move in with my life. I have never been a deeply religious person, but I am a Christian and so I am looking to the greater being now for spiritual healing. The page in this picture has given me a different way to look at things. Thought I would share Updated on 25 Sep 2016: Hey all, Today marks my 7 month laser anniversary.. Ugh. Hard to believe it's been going on that long. But here I am. I wish I could say I am healed, that is not the case unfortunately. I would say my only improvement has come in the form of minor redness reduction, the texture however and the liney wavy pattern on my skin are another story. I have not sought out any additional treatments yet, although I may in time. I've been practicing very gentle skin care, including application of glycerin and rosehip. I am not giving up my face though. We all know 7 months in laser damage world is in fact not long at all. Even if it feels like an eternity. I am going to work on healing from the inside. I have committed myself to a fitness regimen and completely clean diet. If I can't have my face, by golly, I will get the body I have always wanted!! And hopefully my skin will follow suit. If I can get rid of this inflammation perhaps my skin will begin to repair. Well that's it for now. Hopefully the next post will be good news. Updated on 8 Apr 2017: Hi everyone, I am here to provide an update on what came to be the worst experience of my life. And I say that sincerely, as many of you with laser damage already know. When I first came to the realization that my face was altered for the worse due to a procedure that was supposed to improve my flaws, I sank into a deep deep depression. I spent everyday crying, yelling, praying, throwing things, laying in bed, hiding out, taking pictures every 5 seconds to see if it had gotten better, living in the mirror, analyzing, internet searching trying to figure out how and why and who else and what to do and mostly just utterly hating myself for my god awful decision to try and fix something that wasn't broken. So here I am almost 14 months later. And I can finally say that I have some good news. No, my skin is not back to what it was prelaser and I don't know if it ever will be, BUT, I can say things have improved. Which is incredible. Because in laser damage world, every little improvement should be celebrated. As we know, sometimes it gets worse with time. My main issues after the laser became extreme inflammation/redness, laser marks/tracks, and an altered texture visibly different from where the laser did not touch my skin. Overall, a disaster in which cannot fully be captured in pictures. After being damaged, I decided to take the gentle route, scared to death to further damage my skin. I first tried psoria gold, which for me did nothing. Then I started using rosehip oil and pure glycerin religiously around 4 months. At 6 months I incorporated dermologicas hydrating serum. At around 9 months when I thought I could handle it, I began using skinceuticals CE ferulic acid and have been using that since. And just two weeks ago I began using drunk elephant glycolic serum nightly followed by coconut oil. And so far I absolutely love it and would highly recommend anyone with sensitive skin, which is me. The other thing I have done is change my lifestyle completely. Adopted a gluten, sugar and dairy free diet as well as a consistent and intense exercise regimen. Not easy but worth it, whether or not it's helping my skin I don't know. But I feel mentally like a different person and I am no longer depressed. Slimming down is just a bonus. A year ago I was wishing I was dead- now I'm learning to love myself and appreciate what I have. And have learned my lesson the hard way to be thankful for what god has given us. No needling, no retin a, no peels no other lasers even though I considered every option. I am just too gunshy for needling and peels at this time so maybe in the future, or maybe not- but absolutely never will put another laser on my skin. The good news i want to report is that I have seen a great decrease in the redness/inflammation experienced. Which actually makes everything look better overall. Makeup looks better when on and not as uneven in color. As for texture I have not seen any mentionable improvements there but I will continue taking baby steps to heal my skin. And if anything changes I will be sure to update with what worked/didn't work. I would love to hear about anyone who has seen their own improvements so please share! Updated on 25 Feb 2018: Hey everyone- Well I can't believe it's been a year since I updated, it's gone so fast. However, this day (2/25) will always stick out for me as the day that I made the worst decision of my life. I am in a much better place today and I think my skin is continuing to improve- hoping by 5 years this laser ordeal will just be a distant memory. I just want to say to anyone considering laser- don't do it. It's not worth being one of the few who have long term physical changes and emotional stress that can take you to the darkest place you've ever been. I am so happy to report that I am in such a good place in my life now. I just focus on my career, my son, fitness and healthy eating and not on my skin anymore. It's impossible not to think about it everyday as I look in the mirror or put makeup on but it doesn't affect me like it used to and I celebrate tiny victories. Im sure that's partly because it has gotten so much better than where it was in the year following the procedure. Who knows maybe year 3 will be the year i can say it's like nothing ever happened- god willing! Much love and peace :) new photo taken today- right under the bathroom lighting so it Actually looks more even than this in regular setting. Updated on 20 Feb 2020: Gosh.. here I am 4 years later. I truly wish I was going to write this with nothing but happiness and good news. But I’m not. Am I living my life and trying to move on? Yes I am. But the fact of the matter remains that I will NEVER have the skin I had pre laser. I just won’t. My skin was forever destroyed and it’s extremely disheartening. I’ve been feeling like I’ve regressed lately and I can feel myself slipping into that dark place I was in for so long so I am trying with all my might to fight it and continue living as I was. But lately I feel my skin is looking worse and I just don’t why. My inflammation seems to be back and it’s just terrifying because I cannot go through this again. My texture is a complete nightmare as it has been since the procedure. That will never prove and I’ve accepted that but I’d like the inflammation to calm down again because when my skin is red and Angry all the laser tracks are visible and it makes me sick to my stomach. Like a never ending reminder of the most devastating moment of my life. And it continues to haunt me. It’s just not ok when it’s your face. Your very identity. I hope I can report good news in a few months. Im starting my old drunk elephant regimen tonight. How’s everyone else doing? Updated on 20 Feb 2020: Pic from this week of how awful things are when inflamed. Just the absolute worst feeling in the world Updated on 28 Feb 2020: Guys I don’t know how to describe the anguish I feel right now. I feel that my skin is worse than ever 4 years later and I’m regressing and seeing new damage years later. I don’t know what to do. I don’t even want to live anymore. I have nothing. I’ve been numb. A shell of me. The laser marks that zig and zag across my face make me nauseous and I just want to hide forever. No will to live anymore. The one thing I had was taken from me and I’ll never be the same. At this point only living for my kid. Nothing else brings me joy. Updated on 4 Mar 2020: I’m baffled that 4 years later new laser tracks and pattens still emerge.. how is this possible.. and how long can that go on? I’d really just like to understand what’s going on under my skin but no one has the answers. we are basically just guinea pigs and experiments. The latest shape is the flying saucer on my face. Wonder if it is just passing through or here to stay?? Updated on 12 Mar 2020: Working really hard to get this inflammation down. I got off Keto which I think the dairy and high fat were contributing. Maintaining my gentle skin care regimen and have done 3 sessions with my LED mask altering between red, green and amber. I feel like I’m starting to see some level of calming. I will continue on this program and update soon.
Those indents are called tear troughs caused by loss of volume under the skin. This can be corrected by using a filler like hyaluronic acid. Restylane L is a good option for this area as it’s not too thick. Find a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with experience injecting this delicate area.
It sounds like you have lipoatrophy at the sites of injections. The steroids are the most likely injection to cause this.
These fordyce bumps are benign growths that do not need to be treated. If you still wish to cosmetically treat these bumps on the penis, I have successfuly used Co2 LASER to remove them from this sensitive skin location in the genitalia.
Hi thanks for your question. Laser hair removal does cause perifollicular redness and swelling when the follicle has been successfully treated. There are many reasons for not seeing the appropriate response to treatment. There are different lasers and power settings that can be adjusted during your treatments to get the best response to therapy. Make sure you are seeing an experienced board certified dermatologist for your treatments that have the ability to use different lasers and settings to get you the best treatment results. The 1064nm laser is good for dark skin people, but often takes many more treatments than a person who can use an Alexandrite or Diode laser.
I would consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon or Dermatologist to evaluate your face and bone structure to decide what is best for you. There are implants and also more temporary fillers to consider, but your surgeon would be able to give you the best advice on treatment.
