Literally had my first session an hour ago. Just from the pictures, there's a huge difference!! I'm scheduled for 2 more. As for the procedure, it was awkward. I did the outside and the inside. The girl that did it was very nice. Talked with me the whole time and made me feel comfortable. The awkward part was almost having a "happy" moment while having the outside done! Embarrassing! Whatever. They use a long flat narrow plastic piece and lube you up. She spent 15minues on the outside. It was warm and got warmer as I was able to handle it. Other than the "moment", it was easy. The inside was different. 15 minutes on the inside as well, but felt like cramps . Sometimes pretty bad cramps. Not at all what I was expecting. Was harder to handle. I had taken some fast acting tylonal about 30 minutes before too. But I managed to do the whole 30 minutes. I'm laying on the coolsculpt table right now getting some love removed from my love handles lol Will post about that too.
I have always suffered from Acne since I was a teen and still do, but when I got my acne in control I wanted to get rid of my acne scars. At that time I didn't do an extensive research and didn't know about real self, so I found the nearest local Medical Spa to perform fraxel and artifill. I found Allure Image Enhancement on yelp and online they advertised a special for 2 fraxel treatments. I called for a consultation and information. When I arrived, I was blown away how beautiful, clean and luxurious their office looks inside. The spa had massage chairs, a waterfall feature and with self serve coffee bar with a variety of drinks. The receptionist there aren't that friendly, they always have the resting b*ch face. The coordinator was friendly. She told me about the fraxel procedure, then called the Nurse Mina and Mina told her to tell me that they can give me a discount if I get 2 fraxel treatments and 1 artefill treatment. I though it was a good deal so booked my pre-op appoitment. I was excited because I though that I fill finally get rid of my scars once and for all not having to look at myself in the mirror and remember I had acne. On the Pre-laser surgery appointment, the Nurse gave me a couple of handouts about the before and after care of laser and artefill. she also told me about Minas Skin care (the nurse and owner)for acne. I decided to give it a try, maybe I will work on my acne. A blond lady walked me inside another room to take pictures of me of before the treatment. My laser treatment day, happened on a Saturday. I got my first laser treatment, then in a few months later i got artefill then another laser treatment. Mina the owner/nurse did my artifill, she was ok, but not that friendly either. Artefill hurt a lot, my teeth were grinding. The lasers was painful even with the numbing cream because the laser feels as if hot oil is splattering your skin. Also, the skin smells like burned. For the after treatment, I had to wake up several times at night to clean my skin with a vinegar wash because your skin is burned off and crusty. I had to attend a friends wedding days after, I moisturized it very well and applied mineral makeup on my face. The staff never followed up on me or not a single call to make sure my skin is healing or if I have any questions or concerns. At first I though that my skin was smooth and I though it made a difference, but it was only swelling from the skin that gives the illusion of smoothness. The swelling can last many months even a year to see the final results. I noticed that my left cheek lost volume and less fuller than my right cheek, my skin texture looks horrible, reddish and rough. This is after a year. Its been over two years now and I feel that I wasted a lot of money of their Fraxel treatments and artefill. Fraxel CO 2, didn't do anything of my acne scars. Her skin care also sucks, it never helped my acne, their medication is very weak compared to Retin A. I wish I could have saved my money and knew about real self and would have found an experienced Dermatologist instead. I've been treating my own skin with dermarolling at home. I found a kit that I bough and have done two tca cross peels on my ice pick scars. I occasionally do microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I am considering doing a stronger CO2 fractional laser resurfacing, erbium full resurfacing, FR treatments. I can't give up, beauty and self confidence is pain unfortunately. I don't recommend anyone to do this treatment here, you will not see any results.