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POSTED UNDER ActiveFX Reviews

Not Worth It - Skin is a Blotchy Mess

UPDATED FROM aperfectcircle

Photo Update

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aperfectcircleOctober 7, 2009
$1,800

aperfectcircle's provider

Antiage Institute- Dr. LeConey

Replies (5)

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aperfectcircle
October 7, 2009
Hello all, it has been a while since I have posted. I had the procedure done 13 months ago the first time. My doctor was generous enough to do it again (free) about 6 months ago. I think Dr LeCOney is a wonderful doc who will stand by his work. He is all about his patients being happy with the results which is hard to find in cosmetic docs. Sorry for not posting the second procedure. The second's procedures recovery was more of the same, except the downtine was longer. My skin took longer to peel, and I was extremely swollen for days. I would guess that the downtime doubled the second time around. Today my skin shows improvement, but I traded off some issues for others. I still have my hyperpigmentation issues that I had before procedures, and although they have lightened a bit, the problematic areas are also more widespread. I tanned with 85 SPF a bit this summer, and now my face is pretty blotchy with hyperpig marks in areas I did not have before (like around my jawline)... BUT the texture of my skin has definitely improved. My skin is softer, smoother looking. All in all, Active FX did not work for me like it was supposed to, and I believe that my heritage had alot to do with it...so all you Europeans and Asians..... heed the precautions. If you have problems with Hyperpigmentation before this procedure, this is not the procedure for you....
KellyC
June 8, 2010
Hi Can you please let me know how the results were months later, even now? I have many pot holes and want to no if Active FX helped these long term? Thanks Kelly
audrey spencer
June 24, 2011
just read your experience. you posted in 2008 correct? how does it look now? would you recommend this procedure? can you be outdoors and not have negetive results? thanks for you sharing, Zado
cherubca
July 30, 2012
This is a very old post. I've recently had FX CO2 and I believe my face is ruined. The texture is horrible. I'm so scared I'm practically going out of my mind. Can someone respond?
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Joseph M Perlman MD FACS
July 31, 2012
I would be happy to see you in my office. I have been using CO2 lasers for 20 years as well as Erbium and IPL.Call 281-655-8200 for a complimentary appt.
Joseph Perlman MD FACS
irish.1
October 24, 2013
Hi I hope your face has settled down I'm sure it has and you are delighted with the results. I had my second treatment done on Tuesday of this week the first in nov 2011 which I though was fab I am on 3 today still blotchy, swollen and starting to peel I expect to be totally peeled by Saturday let me know if anybody is freaking out ta
irish.1
October 24, 2013
Hi I had active fx done to my face and neck 2011 and I was thrilled with results I am now 56 and had it repeated on Tuesday I started taking an anti biotic two days prior to treatment and will continue for a further 6 days after - precaution against infection. I am at day 3 now and peeling away as explained to me, I rinse my false 5/6 time throughout the day and replenish my skin with Vaseline I am a little itchy and face is red and swollen but this is what was explained to me I am hoping by Saturday I will be able to return to my own daily skincare routine and were makeup to cover up on patchy parts will check back with you on Saturday bye for now Mary.r
UPDATED FROM aperfectcircle

Ready to update again.  Day 24.  Not...

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aperfectcircleSeptember 22, 2008

Ready to update again.  Day 24.  Not happy with results.  Since swelling has significantly decreased....  What I once thought was maybe some wrinkle reduction/acne scars improvement, has turned into my skin looked a bit plumper due to swelling.

 I would recommend that  IF you have this procedure done....DO NOT DO FILLERS WITH IT!  I almost got Botox when I was there...and  I would have had no idea what improvements were due to Active FX...

I have my old skin back.  My skin is a blotchy mess. Hyperpigmentation.... hypopigmentation... you name it..Stripes.... I've got it going on.  Remember the TV series "Alien Nation"....  That is what my skin looks like.  I can not be seen without makeup since I have a striped/blotched face.... I have parts that look like a honeycomb mainly around forehead...  Still have dark spots that I had before around eyes

OVer three weeks later... been using hydroquinine cream again...  see no improvement.  This procedure HAS NOT BEEN WORTH IT! Maybe if it cost $100 .... I could see paying for it... You have to think all that shedding got rid of something...  Maybe it would be worth it if in two/three months, my skin has a uniform color...  which I highly doubt.  I am VERY concerned that these problems I have are permanent.

An interesting thing to note...  I remember the doctor going over my skin ONE time.  He tried to go back over it again.....  I could not bear the pain.  He says he went over it two times, and he tried to go over it a third time.   Any doctors listening?  Is it possible he tried to go over skin a third time?

Anyway....  it is your decision... believe the posts with pics over the ones just gloriflying their doctor....  do not throw caution to the wind...this is a serious procedure with serious downtime.  3 weeks and counting... and for the first two....you are not in a good place...definitely not one where you want to be out in public.  DO NOT SCHEDULE anything importance for months after procedure....like weddings, vacations...etc...

Took pics outside... hoping the camera would pick up the extent of the issues....but it did not.  The redness is muted..  The red streaks, spots  should be darker...and I have dark spots that are not seen.... sorry. 


Replies (5)

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Sharon at RealSelf
September 23, 2008
I would like to echo the sentiments of others and thank you for posting the photo diary and keeping us updated. It's been very interesting following your progress to this point. After your last update it really sounded like things would get better for you; I'm so sorry to hear this didn't work out and you're still having problems! :( Do you have any more consults scheduled with your doc? Best of luck to you, --Sharon
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aperfectcircle
September 23, 2008
Thanks, Sharon... I actually sat down yesterday and read the entire post in one fell swoop. My first thought was geez, I sound insane.... one minute I am loving the procedure/ wanting to do it again and the next I am criticizing it... Your skin radically changes after ACTIVE FX...like minutes after.....you go through so many phases. The time when I felt the best about it was around 10 days after when my skin had a rosy glow and I still had significant swelling.. That was also the time when I noticed the stripes, etc...and my doctor assured me that they would quickly go away.... they have not... not even lightened... also starting to notice some more dark spots.....Doctor also advised me to do the procedure again for even better results.... Not going to happen unless in 3 months or so, my skin has a uniform color and I see some miraculous signs of improvement. (like the influx of collagen production that is supposed to occur) Right now, all the swelling is gone, so any improvement of acne scars or wrinkle reduction is also gone. ALso, these stripes/ "honeycomb" marks on my face are really unsightly. I must wear makeup to conceal it, and guess what?> there is no amount of makeup I can wear to conceal. I am literally caking on concealer. So, after spending $1800, putting my life on hold for almost a month...with no end in sight... I am just not happy. I went into this thinking after 5 days, I would have radiant, clear skin...and that is so far from the truth. I am sure my doctor will tell me to just be patient and let the hydroquoinine do its thing... but that is not what I signed up for. $1800 is ALOT of money to me, and I would rather of spent it on SOOOOOOO many other things that WORK! Like a vacation.. Again, this is my experience. For some people, it could be the be all-- end all.... It was not for me. So far it was a total waste of hard earned money and valuable time!
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kenai12
September 24, 2008
The information you shared regarding your docs initial procedures surprised me. My doc prescribed Valtrex beginning two days prior to the procedure and continuing for six days afterward. I was given one Ativan at the clinic about an hour before the procedure along with the numbing gel. I experienced almost no pain until the last two minutes of the procedure when things were wearing off. My doc did not use any Novocaine, although he had several syringes available if necessary. Your disappointment is apparent and you are correct, having a darker complexion can lead to discoloration. Has your doc offered you any reason as to why you are not recovering in the normal time line? I'm ten days post and look completely "normal." What ever that is... LOL. You may want to check out my provider's web site as well as his research. You may find beneficial information. http://www.med.umich.edu/derm/patient/patient.shtml Best wishes!!!
skier
September 28, 2008
Dear Kenai12, Thanks for your post. Not sure if you had any, but if so, did this procedure reduce any scars you may have had? I was treated by {doctor information edited} a couple of years ago, but he was not using this type of laser at the time. This new procedure sounds promising! Congrats on doing something nice for yourself! -- Editor note: To share doctor information, you must contact users privately or write a review. To contact another user click on their username, or write a treatment review and enter the provider or clinic name in the field provided.
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August Denton RN
October 1, 2008
Thanks so much for your post. I am a RN and our office just purchased this machine but I have used it a few times over the last 1.5 years. Of the patients I have done thus far the pain levels really vary from person to person but I am troubled that you were subjected to a "9" repeatedly! My patients faired quite will with only a "4-5" on the same scale with the machine cranked up, but you are so right that it is the second pass that hurts more. I am shocked that the office gave you Vivete (as it contains acids) which could irritate the skin CAUSING pigmentation! I hope your final outcome is good or at least no long term damage has been done. It is a great technology..... for the right condition.
bgpwilliford
June 30, 2012
What Office in Houston???
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aperfectcircle
October 2, 2008
Thanks August. I appreciate your post....that is exactly why I stopped using Vivete. It even says "exfoliant" on the bottle. I don't know how to read ingredients to tell what is an acid or could cause irritation, but I knew an exfoliant is not what I needed. You are right, the first pass does not hurt...well, bearably...it is the second pass...which makes me think he barely passed it a second time because I could not stand it. He is trying to say that he went over twice trying for third. Have you ever heard of a third pass? I remember only one full one. Thanks again for responding.. I went in yesterday, and they told me to start using Retin A and keep with the Hydroquonine. The "alien nation" spots around my forehead were classified as "wow, I have never seen that happen before".... Great! I am beyond distraught...I wear an exorbitant amount of makeup to conceal... going to the gym (without makeup) is downright embarrassing.. he told me it could take SIX MONTHS for this mess to clear up. I would never have signed up for this. He used a "3" on me ...one pass, I am sure...so that is why I see no improvement... AND I have this mess to deal with. ANd I wasted nearly $2K.
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August Denton RN
October 3, 2008
At the very least, you should be reimbursed! The treatment and the Doc did not do what they claimed they were going to - you have every right to get your money back. It sounds like your skin needs a break, Retin-A is an acid that could continue to irritate the skin and "maintain" the pigmentation. If I were you I would use some calming agents like Hydrocortisone and the most basic nonirritating moisturizers for 3 months and see if things calm down. No Sun, no scrubs, no peels, no acids. and find a Doc who can say, "yes I have seen this before, and this is what we are going to do because it works..." Best Wishes August
Allison37
October 8, 2008
Aperfectcircle, Your coloring looks very similar to my own. You actually look a lot like my sister. I have tried a couple of different lasers. I did five fraxel treatments that did not address a single one of my concerns and left me with dark pigmentation on my left side of my face and redness that never went away. This past June I tried the Smartxide CO2 fractionalized laser. Night and day in terms of pain level, downtime and results. I am pretty happy with the results I received. The pigment problem is gone. The redness is gone. No pain during the laser treatment. Very little downtime. Day four I was back at work and my skin looked normal. In the end I think I had about a 30% improvement of my acne scars. I plan on doing the treatment again to see if I can get a bit more improvement on those scars. The more I read the happier I am about my choice I made to try the Smartxide dot laser verus Active FX or Fraxel's latest CO2 fractional laser. Maybe I would have gotten a bigger improvement with one of these other lasers after one treatment but it seems like there is also more risk on olive toned skin like yours and mine. I am just grateful that the Smartxide worked for me with no negative results. I had track marks for over a year after my last fraxel treatment. It was hugely embarassing. I quit looking at myself as it was so upsetting. I quit going into a pool or going anywhere there was a chance I would be seen my someone I knew without make-up. Its upsetting to me to learn that other people are going through this psychic pain. You hope you are improving your life but are actually made worse off. My recommendation is to kid glove your skin for awhile. Stay away from anything harsh for a year. I would then consider trying a different doctor (get several opinions) and try a different treatment to correct the remaining problems from the Active FX treatment you had. Smartxide really helped me with pigment and the redness from Fraxel and I wasn't expecting it. I had resigned myself to a full make-up life. I had just been hoping for acne scar help and I got more than that. I hope they come out with non-company paid for comparison studies of these different fractional CO2 lasers. An unbiased report of their treatment pain levels, after pain levels, true downtime and real results. A big part of me suspects that doctors sell and use the laser they have invested in and ignore becoming educated about the different technology that may be safer, less painful and has a quicker equivalent or better result. I really would hate to find out the laser treatment I had was as good or better in result than all these other lasers that seem so painful. I strongly feel doctors should no longer suck into the fraxel treatments I had. $5,000 dollars worth of pain, over 50 days of downtime and NO RESUlTS and serious negatives. Good-luck to you and my heart really goes out to you. I unfortunately have been where you are right now and I know how painful in your heart that is. Allison
UPDATED FROM aperfectcircle

Today is Day 11.  I went to see my doctor...

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aperfectcircleSeptember 9, 2008

Today is Day 11.  I went to see my doctor again.  I stopped using the Acquafor about 5 days ago (per doc's instructions), and my skin really started to dry out.  I have tried a multitude of moisturizers.  I even bought one from the office called Vivete.  I did not like it.  I switched to Aveeno... then Eucerin (the one that "soothes redness").....  Nothing is moisturizing enough.  My skin is very dry/rough to the touch...to the point that if I wear makeup...it cakes...yucky.  The day I stopped using Acquafor, my skin was supple...  Makeup glided on, and I thought....wow, this was worth it....  I could cover up the redness with some concealer, and I was good to go.  Now, I prefer being without makeup which I really don't like doing.  I wasn't a big makeup wearer before... but,, I would at least like to cover up the dark circles under my eyes and the redness.   My skin is blotchy, too.  The doctor assured me that I was progressing beautifully, and once the redness went away, my skin would be the same uniform color.  I definitely see an improvement in my skin as far as it looking clearer...pore size smaller and darker spots gone.  Acne scars less noticeable...I think (hard to tell since I am stil swollen a bit).  Will probably have procedure done again in 6 months for further improvement.  Not sure about wrinkle reduction either.  The swelling is going down more and more everyday, and until that is complete, I won't know about the wrinkles either....which is the least of my worries.  So, we will see....  will keep posting.


Replies (3)

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Lucero
September 11, 2008
Is it possible you could send a before image, to make a comparison with the results? Thanks!!!
mommyof2
September 12, 2008
Yes, I would love that too! Thanks!
(unregistered guest)
September 16, 2008
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... for posting a photo diary of your results!!! So many do not, and I suppose I can not fault them. I always said when I have it done, I would do the same as you have. Photo's help us know what is good and what is not...like Thermage.
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