Active FX Resurfacing -- Those "Not-so-fine" Lines -- GONE!

The Dr. who did my FX Laser Resurfacing is Stephen Jepson, M.D., of Murray, Utah. You can visit his website at www.utahlasermd.com. Very personable, professional and cool. I had the procedure done at the end of last summer, which was good timing, in that I enjoy hanging out in the sun. So the procedure released the outer tanned layers and evened out the tone nicely. The before and after pictures were actually quite impressive. Good luck! Stay in touch if you need encouragement. D.C.

Funny, I am thinking of going to {edited}. I am just doing my research between Active FX and Fraxel CO2 resurfacing. I am 41 w/ brown spots and wrinkles. I have had botox from {edited} a few times but, more than anything, would love some help w/ my brown spots Editor note To share this information you must contact the user privately. To contact another user click on their username.

Hi Anumi! I am thinking about going to {edited} for resurfacing for acne scars. I was wondering if your results are holding up well, and if you would be willing to share you before and after with me. I am really nervous about the procedure, but would love to enjoy the results of the procedure. Did you experience any discoloring of your skin at all? Thanks for sharing! Alice Editor note: You must contact users privately to share this information. To contact a user privately click on their username.

Did you have dr jepson do the surgery?

I am thinking of using dr. jepson ....could you email me....also would love to see those before and after photos.....I sure hope I hear from you.

did u have dr jepson do work on you and if so what and what do you think of the results

I am having the fx laser resurfacing by Dr. Jepson tomorrow. I am a bundle of nerves tonight. I am so afraid of scaring or pigment problems. I think I am going to have a panic attack.

Don't be nervous. For the first 4 or 5 days, you will wonder "what the heck." Just be patient and observe the changes your lasered skin goes through. On the morning of the 4th or 5th day, you will step into the shower and all the itchy, dead skin will gently float away, revealing a fresh, new layer of pink skin. The hardest part is being stuck at home for those 5 days, but it's worth it. My brown spots are gone, the texture is nice, and there are no deep lines. I am 65, but told I look 42. I get this done twice a year. Dr. Jepson is very professional and experienced. I never take their meds beforehand, however. Just relax and know that our bodies are renewing cells everywhere all the time, anyway, and having a a calm, positive attitude about the outcome will get you there. It's a good time to get in touch with our bodies innate ability to heal itself. All we have to do is to quiet the "worry wort" mind, and know there will be an MBO (most benevolent outcome) in the end. You'll be fine!

Hi, I see you get it done twice a year. Is it necessary to get it done twice a year? I thought it was a one time procedure. I am on my 4th day and still swollen so can't see results yet. It is my best day so far.

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After the first resurfacing I was offered a follow-up touch-up for $200 an area, so I chose the eyes and mouth area for $400. I thought that was a pretty good deal and had it done about 4 months later. I once opted for a less expensive resurfacing, but you get what you pay for and results weren't as notable. I also went to American Laser for 6 sessions over 6 months, and although they helped, scheduling appointments became tedious, so I went back to the "one-time" approach of Active Fx. Better to get the "Big Daddy" and live with the down-time, than a series of less-effective sessions, with minimal downtime. So by now you should be entering the "molting" stage. After that happens, you will notice the pink freshness. It will still be a bit puffy, which pushes out the lines and creases, but I kind of liked that stage, because after that, as the fluid retention settles down, a bit of the original "crease" lines still remain. They're just not as pronounced as before, and stand a good chance of filling in with collagen over the coming months. I guess that's why I keep going back for a full-face session once a year to remove sun effects. (I refuse to give up the sun and am outdoors a lot). And with the touch-ups, I hope to keep the collagen forming. Not necessary, of course, but this Ol' Wrinkle Warrior is not going down without a fight! Active FX really is the way to go if you want the best results with the least amount of scheduling time involved. Hang in there. You should be popping out of the tunnel any day now, but don't spend too much time in the sun, or saunas, or use anything with vitamin C or lactic acid in them. Your skin will be pretty sensitive for a few days.

Hi, Well most of the dead skin is gone but I am etremely blotchy (red and white). I am kind of worried about that. The white is my normal skin color but some of my face is extremely red. Is this normal. I hope i am not going to have pigment problems. It is the 4th day. What do you think?

Did you go to Dr. Jepson?

Did you have your procedure done? How did it turn out?

Did u ever go to dr. jepson ....if so....what were your results?

I had fraxel. To be specific I had fractionated CO2 Laser.

Thank you so much!!! We should meet for lunch some day after I am healed. I would luv to meet you. I live in Garden Park in South Jordan ( a retirement community). I guess I have already said that I am 63 and I think you are 65. I can tell you this, "I am not going to look 45."

Oh, I don't know if I look 42 or not. Maybe my friend was just "blowing smoke up my skirt," when he told me that. . Good idea to meet for lunch sometime when you're ready. I have some anti-aging ideas and practices I can share with you. Something must be working because I feel pretty darn good for 65. (Doesn't seem like my number, but I guess I better own it.). Take care.

I will let you know when I am ready and we can plan something. I am thinking i will probably have to have lines around mouth and eyes done again. I hope he offers me your deal. I hope to see you soon and I am so glad I met you on here.

Hi, I hope I am not pestering you to death! Today is day 5 and I am still so red. I am very red in some spots and normal skin color in others. I don't think by Monday this red is going to be gone (Monday will be day 7). How long before my skin evens out and the red goes away? Were you like this? Thanks so much. You have been so very helpful. Oh you mentioned something I want to ask you about. I use organic coconut oil as a moisturizer. Could I use that at this point instead of that barrier cream. That barrier cream makes me itch.

I don't recall being too worried about the more red areas. Some parts of the face respond to the laser heat in different ways, depending on thickness, and in time the inflammation will reduce as new cells form and come to the surface. You're only on day 5 and I think you're doing great. I started using the coconut cream when I ran out of the barrier cream and all the dead skin had sloughed off. The itchiness is actually a good sign, in that it shows your skin Is actively regenerating new cells, making collagen and forming new nerve pathways. Just let it "churn away," but resist scratching with your fingers. All that will pass too. I think by Monday, you'll be over the hump and confident that it will get even better in week 2. My issue after 7 days was that my friend noticed I was still a bit puffy, and I thought that part had already passed. So it is a gradual process and patience is the key. Day 5. Wow. You're doing great!

Thank you. You are such a sweet lady. I appreciate all your help. I had quite a bit of anxiety about getting this procedure from the horror stories you see about scarring or pigment problems. So I am having a lot of anxiety now. I was expecting to be all even skin colored by day 7 from so many of the photos on here during the process. I am really looking forward to seeing the doctor on Monday. I am also getting sick of staying in the house and I really am quite unsightly. My daughter got tickets for the Sundance Film Festival for tomorrow evening and I don't think I can go looking like this without a lot of stares. I am thinking I have another week in the house. Thanks again for everything. I will let you know how things go.

How are you feeling today? Have you decided to go to Sundance? You probably don't look as bad as you think you do. Truth is most people are so caught up in their own game to notice the details. It's nothing a little liquid foundation and powder can't fix. When I went to the gym the first time out, I was sure people were wondering "what's with the pink-faced lady." I ducked my head and went anyway. It probably would do you good to get out on a beautiful day like today with your daughter and enjoy the sights and sounds of Sundance. Cabin fever got to me too. Wishing you the best.

Hi, Yes I did go and we went out to dinner and had a wonderful evening. I put some mineral powder on (my mineral powder gives good coverage) and I looked pretty darn good. I met with Dr. Jepson today for my consultation and he said I am healing nicely. I did not wear any makeup but lipstick and I wore the suncreen he provided me with. I wanted him to be able to see my skin. I am still red in some places. He said I am healing nicely and to keep my skin moisturized because that procedure really dehydrates your skin. I use organic coconut oil. He said to be sure and wear sunscreen every day over the moisturizer. In three weeks i go for a microdermabrassion to remove any dead skin that remains. He said collagen will form for the next several months. I am very optimistic. I could probably meet you over the weekend ...what do you think?

I'm so glad things are looking up for you and that you were able to enjoy Sundance. I, too, went back to Dr. j without any make-up so we could have a fair comparison. I'm Interested in the mineral powder you use that gives good coverage. Maybe we can talk about that and other things over lunch on Saturday. Do you have a favorite place somewhere? Let me know and I will meet you there ----- 12:30? Two Wrinkle Warriors sharing notes!

OK, Is there a way I can private message you. I will give you my email address. I don't know where you live but I live in South Jordan. To be fair I don't want you to have to drive all the way to South Jordan if you live Downtown. We could meet somewhere in the middle. I like all kinds of food so really any place is cool with me. What do you feel like? I want to email you my photos. Do you know how I can private message you my email address.

How about the Saffron Valley Indian Restaurant in South Jordan? Look up SaffronValley.com. Location info is all there. I'll just meet you there at 12:30 Saturday, because I don't know how to get around that "private contact info" issue either. Saffron Valley has won many awards. Awesome food.

I love Indian food. That will be wonderful. I will see you at 12:30 Saturday. I am looking forward to it.

Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow at 12:30 at the Saffron Valley Indian Restaurant.

Yes, tomorrow is our day. (I'll be there with a little "war paint" on.) How are you doing almost two weeks out?

I am pretty well all healed and peeled. Today is my best day so far and with a little makeup on I look pretty good. I can still see the lines I wanted eradicated...LMAO!!!! Dr. Jepson says they will get better and I do have a free treatment in 6 months. He had told me they would not be completely gone. Are your lines completely gone? I may be wanting to much at 63. I do think my skin looks better. Really excited to meet you!!!

Glad to hear you healed well!!

Thank you so much!!! Very kind of you.