I'm 55 years old and have gotten annual IPL treatments for over a decade, in addition to 4 Fraxel Laser treatments 4 years ago, and a LaseMD treatment last year. Those have done a decent job of cutting down on the age spots and sun damage I've inflicted on my skin over the years (I love the sun). But lately, the wrinkles REALLY seem to be setting in, as well as some sagging and dimpling (or orange peel as some call it on the chin). After extensive research on what would be the best choice for me without going under the knife, I went with the recommendation of Dr. Zelken to do a face, neck and chest CO2 laser treatment- more aggressive than the Fraxels I had done previously. I can tell he thought the face and neck lift would give me more of the results I want, but I'm just not ready for that yet, so this seemed like the best choice. Based on what I've read and what the nurse explained to me, I expected the treatment to be more painful than it was. They gave me a little sedation, as well as a pain killer and numbed my skin twice. I felt less pain than I did with the Fraxel. But I didn't have a pain killer or sedative with the Fraxel so keep that in mind. Anyways, made it home where I scared my husband and kids because by that time it's starting to ooze and bleed. Since I didn't really know exactly what to expect, I thought others might appreciate somewhat of a blow by blow update series so you are more aware of the stages you go through with this procedure. The doctor did tell me I won't see the full results for at least 3 months because it takes that long for the natural collagen to build up from the treatment. And that I should be prepared to stay home for about a week at least, maybe more depending on how quickly the healing progresses. I was told I should stay out of the sun for about 2 months. Don't do this during the summer! What I learned is that the skin on the face is very different than on the neck, and on the chest. The face heals faster, then the neck, then the chest. Thank goodness masks are still required because I got one of those bandana style ones, put on some shades and a hat, and was able to make some public appearances within about 7 days. Several times a day, a vinegar solution (mixed with water) is applied to the skin carefully with gauze, which removes the oozing stuff. Then a layer of Aquaphor covers it all. FYI- don't wear or lay on anything you care about, and keep your hair pulled back with a cloth headband because that stuff gets EVERYWHERE. After the bleeding and oozing dies down a few days later, the scabbing sets in. When you do the vinegar washes, the scabs eventually start to rub off with the Aquaphor application. It's kind of a mess, but satisfying to watch it all start to slough off! The worst part of the whole ordeal (besides being stuck at home for a week), was not pain. It was itching! It hit me on night 2. My neck, and especially my chest, as soon as I laid down to sleep. It was so bad (and you can't itch it), I tried getting up and applying more aquaphor. That didn't help at all. I took benedryl. That didn't work either. I ended up using a wash cloth to kind of press on the skin to help alleviate the itch, and then eventually to wring in my hands to keep myself from scratching. I didn't sleep ONE minute that night. It was torture. But a call to my doctor the next morning got me a RX that took the itch down tremendously and helped me sleep again. So bottom line, when the scabs first came off, my skin looked really smooth. Many spots are gone. But over time, the swelling must have come down because it's not quite as smooth and plump as it was at that point. I'm hoping that at the 3 month mark, I'll see enough of a difference to make it worth it. I will post pics of the final result. I might need to do another treatment just around my mouth since that's my worst area right now. It's not letting me add my pictures for some reason which is really frustrating so I'll have to finish the post and try to add them afterward using my phone.
I had a really good experience, given this was my first time and I was nervous. I went to the same facility and same nurse that did my ViPeel a month ago. (We plan on doing a series of three ViPeels and 3 sessions of Microneedling staggered). Again, Miki patiently walked me through the whole process and what to expect at every step. She also knew the just the right times to make conversation and chat with me during the treatment to take my mind off of things and speed up the process. That being said, I chose to numb beforehand so it was mostly painless. It sounds like a tattoo gun, which was the most intimidating part but besides that it wasn't unbearable or uncomfortable. There were a few times she asked me if she could go deeper and with more intensity on areas I had lines or pock marks- which I happily agreed to because I'm results driven! I was stoked she asked and was willing to do that. Recovery is a piece of cake - I just had very slight peeling (and the weather happened to be super dry the days following so it was compound with that). Overall I think it's totally 100% worth it and again would highly recommend Miki shes amazing and so cute and sweet! Will post after photos soon.
This was my first peel ever and I was bit nervous. Miki, the nurse at the Zelken Institute, was the one who I saw and actually did the treatment on me. She walked me through the whole process beforehand, and addressed all of my questions and concerns. She really put me at ease and went into detail as to what to expect start to finish. I told her my goals (smoother skin, smaller pores, decrease acne scarring) and together we came up with a game plan of a series of ViPeels and Micro-Needling. The peel itself wasn't uncomfortable when it was first put on - it just has a really harsh smell. It just looks like a really bad spray tan immediately after. I left it on for five hours before washing it off that night at home. The care package they send you with is straightforward and helpful. I work closely to the office so I was able to pop in and visit with Miki so she could check progress and take pix. Day two the peeling around my mouth started. Days three and four were by far the worst. I had it done on a Tuesday afternoon. In hindsight, I would do it on a Wednesday or Thursday because the peeling is worse on the weekend (or whenever ur days off are) and you can just hibernate. The itching and discomfort are manageable, the peeling it a lot but that is to be expected... over all it is worth it. Day 8 my skin felt the best it has in as long as I can remember... smooth and plump and velvety. After day seven I started on products Miki recommend they sell in office called "Kaeli". I got a cleanser, a night repair cream and vitamin C serum. All amazing I will continue to use the line. Will post again after I do the micro-needling.