I have struggled with Melasma (dark blotches of pigmentation) on my face since experiencing a severe sunburn in my early 20's (I am now 39). I have tried a variety of lasers and skin lightening creams but nothing had a significant or long-lasting effect on the hyperpigmentation. I went in for a consult at the Bensimon Center after careful research regarding providers and outcomes. I was impressed with the professionalism of the staff (Hayley ultimately performed my treatment), the way they addressed my concerns and their honesty about the outcome I should expect. I noticed significant lightening of my pigment and overall brightness in my skin tone after the first session. After a series of four sessions, the texture of my skin is more smooth and my hyperpigmentation is gone. In addition to achieving the results I was hoping for, the Bensimon Center has a beautiful aesthetic and a calming atmosphere. This is a great place with great people.
For years now I've wanted to have something done about my stomach area. After having 3 children I wasn't happy with the appearance I was left with. I am 32 years old and wanted to gift myself a new start. I find Dr Bensimon here in PDX and I couldn't be happier with my results so far. He is amazing! Updated on 27 May 2016: Words can not describe the amazing feeling I felt when I looked in the mirror the day after. I spoke to Dr Bensimon and he gave me the go ahead to take the bandages off and I ran to the bathroom to see what was under them. Again, the difference is amazing and honestly, I couldn't ask for more. Updated on 28 May 2016: Well I have to say this was quiet the week, not too much pain really, and the results are amazing so I can't complain. I have waited so long for this that the minor pain and discomfort in feeling is nothing compared to my new found confidence. Updated on 29 May 2016: Once again the pain and discomfort is a lot less than I expected thankfully. This week I am completely off any pain Meds I needed. Just kept my walking to a minimum. My kids (bless their hearts) have been so kind and understanding of my condition. They are so happy for me, they see mommy happy and they can't help to celebrate with me. Updated on 30 May 2016: Well this week was much better, I forgot to mention in week two all the itching I felt. I've been putting coconut oil on my tummy (2-3 times a day) which helps a ton. As far as inches lost, I started at 35 inches the day after surgery. I was a bit swollen even though I didn't feel or look like I was. I am now at 33inches and the itching is complete gone. I feel a lot better as far as moving around goes. Haven't really left home though but that's because sitting up straight to drive seems like uncomfortable still. So far so good, loving the results! Updated on 23 Jun 2016: Well this week has been a lot easier than the last 3. I am able to sit for a longer period of time without much or any pain at all. I've been laying flat on my lounge chair mostly but that's also do to my knee injury. The changes I see are awesome, I couldn't be happier with my results so far! Updated on 30 Jun 2016: Well it's been a crazy ride since having my procedure. At about week 4 I finally felt pain free. I could move about and sit in a car without any discomfort. It's been 8 weeks since my procedure and I couldn't be happier. I've gone from a 35 inches waist (this is what I measured the day after my procedure) to now a 32 eight weeks after. I am blown away with how much improvement I've seen over the past 2 months. At my three week checkup the doctor told me to start massaging my belly area everyday for at least 5 mins. I put coconut oil on my stomach while I massage as coconut oil is great for skin. I still wear my compression band while I'm at home because it makes me feel more secure, and comfortable. Having loose clothing on and not binder feels kinda funny still. If I leave the house I'll wear Spanks and nothing else. Overall I am very happy and can't wait to see how my body keeps changing!
I had a full face Croton Oil Peel done by Dr. Richard Bensimon at the Bensimon Center in Portland, Oregon on 12/9/15. To begin, I’d like to say that I am very glad I was able to have had a face-to-face conversation with a Bensimon Center patient who had actually had just been through the BensiPeel (croton oil deep peel) and could assure me it was true that it was NOT painful before I scheduled my peel. And believe me, I am a big baby when it comes to pain – it was my biggest concern and far outweighed any worries about length of time for healing and recovery from ensuing redness. I am also very grateful that I live close to the Portland Metro area and have easy access to this doctor. He is a talented surgeon and a renowned expert and educator in the world of facial peels, is passionate about the stellar results he creates and he has done hundreds of deep peels over the years. I felt nothing during the peel (oral sedation), returned home in a very relaxed state the same morning and went right to sleep for several hours. I woke up in time have some soup and to go back to bed, which, after taking a pain pill to insure I didn’t wake up uncomfortable, I did. The first 2 days I was in a tape mask that seemed to help keep the swelling down. Dr. Bensimon removed the mask at the end of the 2 days and my face was coated in an iodine powder that stayed for another 5 days. I am so relieved this is the method the doctor used for the initial recovery – I would have gone nuts having to wash my face and reapply a thick coat of ointment several times a day like some on this site have described. As well as not being nearly as messy, I feel like not putting my hands on my face time and again every day kept me from feeling the urge to pick at my face or to try and help the pieces of peeled skin off before their time. Discomfort I had during the healing process was tightness and heat that, while not painful, was enough for me to use both the pain medication and the sleeping pills prescribed. The woman I mentioned above that had already been though the peel process with Dr. Bensimon the month before I spoke with her told me she didn’t use any of the medications available other than the Valtrex that everyone is given to help insure there are no virus outbreaks during the healing process. When I quizzed her as to why, she shared that the combination of her living alone and not having anyone around to oversee her after the first 48 hours she was home and her not being in what she considered pain made her feel that there was no need to take anything other than Advil. I however, had my husband as a live-in babysitter and chose to just not feel any discomfort. After the powder mask was removed, I was able to start using heavy duty moisturizer and let my skin finish its rebirth. At the two week mark, I had a consult with the nurse and the esthetician at the Bensimon Center and was shown how to use a post procedure foundation makeup to cover the redness on my face and was cleared by Dr. Bensimon to go back to my normal social and work routines. I am thrilled with the results of my peel. I am of Irish descent, have a very fair complexion, was exposed to way too much sun in my younger years and my facial skin was far more wrinkled than a typical 56 year old non-smoker, especially around my mouth and sides of my face. This is a medical procedure, not a beauty treatment and a person needs to approach the two-week commitment as such. However, I don’t think there is any other way to get such profound results and 14 days of sticking close to home and the minimal discomfort I had while healing were completely worth it to me. Updated on 12 Feb 2016: Updated on 12 Feb 2016: Updated on 12 Feb 2016: Updated on 23 Feb 2016: Updated on 5 May 2016:
I am a 54 year old female who had lived with a botched lipsuction result for 7 years before seeking out a way to fix my deformed arms (and the arms are not the only botched part of my body). I had a Portland Clinic who advertises ALOT on TV, convince me that doing thousands of dollars worth of lasers and ultrasound would fix the deformity. It didn't. 2 more years went by before I had the courage to try again. I consulted with several plastic surgeons and finally found Dr. Bensimon. I was scared, emotional, skeptical and tired of hiding my arms. The moment I met with Dr. Bensimon I felt at ease. He explained his fat transfer procedure and how it was different than others. He talked to me on his personal cell phone, after office hours, the night before the procedure and talked me off the ledge. He cared. He felt confident that 1 session would fix my issues. It has been a little over a year, and I am pleased with my results, but I still cannot show my arms. I am gathering up the courage to call his office for a follow up procedure. I trust that he can fill in the hollows and dips that remain. But I am scared and $7500 is not an option for me again, and so another year/summer will go by that I hide my arms. I highly recommend Dr. Bensimon and his staff. I would love to post my results, but at this time, they are not what I had hoped for and I hope one day to have a complete satisfactory result.