POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser Reviews
I Think I May Be Permanently Disfigured. (Procedure From Aura Laser in Kirkland is Provider)
UPDATED FROM b7507503
4 months post
Latest photos - almost 5 months
$2,500
Have had Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kim (Eterna Vein) say the treatment was overly agressive. Some may fade more but will likely need IPL to get rid of hyperpigmentation from too agressive treatment.
Gina Fragione, PA-C - Pacific Dermatology 7-11-2017 - too aggressive of treatment. The darker spots will probably never fade.
Dr. Corie Sandall MD - Franciscan Health Care 9/21/17 - skin turns over pretty quickly. Most likely they will not fade.
Hannah L. 2 days ago (9/23/2017)
As a REAL laser tech, they completely burned you. The settings they used on you were incorrect, and that hyperpigmentation will not go away any time soon. Find a lawyer, have a consultation with a real doctor on how to fix the damage. Aura should have to pay for it and for the emotional trauma they have caused you.
Gina Fragione, PA-C - Pacific Dermatology 7-11-2017 - too aggressive of treatment. The darker spots will probably never fade.
Dr. Corie Sandall MD - Franciscan Health Care 9/21/17 - skin turns over pretty quickly. Most likely they will not fade.
Hannah L. 2 days ago (9/23/2017)
As a REAL laser tech, they completely burned you. The settings they used on you were incorrect, and that hyperpigmentation will not go away any time soon. Find a lawyer, have a consultation with a real doctor on how to fix the damage. Aura should have to pay for it and for the emotional trauma they have caused you.
b7507503's provider
ORIGINAL POST
I originally purchased a facial CO2 laser...
I originally purchased a facial CO2 laser treatment off of Groupon at Aura Laser in Kirkland WA. Scheduled for 3 months later when I would have 7-10 days of downtime. After meeting with them, I purchased neck, decollete, arms and hands. I had a lot of sun damage from being a lifeguard as a kid.
A week before, they cancelled my doctor and wanted me to use a different doctor. After doing more research (Groupon overstated their % of good reviews), I tried to cancel and disputed but lost the case because of a signed contract. (Truly my bad)
Anyway, Groupon let me cancel the face portion.
So almost a year later I had the procedure done. I think a lot of it has to do with the poor practice (Look at review on Yelp - Good lord wished I would have)
I waited for an hour after my appointment time and the 2 hours in a freezing cold room waiting to have the procedure done.
It's been over 2 months and three second opinions have told me this much "hyper pigmentation" is not normal for my extremely fair skin and the quality of the doctor must not have been poor given the stripes on my arms and the lack of feathering into the non-treated area.
I am using Skinceuticals epidermal repair ($181 / 8 oz) Vitamin C Serum from another cosmetic surgery location ($120) and just ordered some retinol to try to combat. Also using a circulation simulator to see if I can lessen the appearance.
Aother problem is the age spots on my hands have not only not disappeared but I now have more than before.
When going back for a checkup, the lady at the front desk who is an RN who assisted with procedure said "I don't know why he was so aggressive"
Anyway, I would not do it again and should have trusted my instincts and just lost the money and not gone back.
A week before, they cancelled my doctor and wanted me to use a different doctor. After doing more research (Groupon overstated their % of good reviews), I tried to cancel and disputed but lost the case because of a signed contract. (Truly my bad)
Anyway, Groupon let me cancel the face portion.
So almost a year later I had the procedure done. I think a lot of it has to do with the poor practice (Look at review on Yelp - Good lord wished I would have)
I waited for an hour after my appointment time and the 2 hours in a freezing cold room waiting to have the procedure done.
It's been over 2 months and three second opinions have told me this much "hyper pigmentation" is not normal for my extremely fair skin and the quality of the doctor must not have been poor given the stripes on my arms and the lack of feathering into the non-treated area.
I am using Skinceuticals epidermal repair ($181 / 8 oz) Vitamin C Serum from another cosmetic surgery location ($120) and just ordered some retinol to try to combat. Also using a circulation simulator to see if I can lessen the appearance.
Aother problem is the age spots on my hands have not only not disappeared but I now have more than before.
When going back for a checkup, the lady at the front desk who is an RN who assisted with procedure said "I don't know why he was so aggressive"
Anyway, I would not do it again and should have trusted my instincts and just lost the money and not gone back.
Replies (5)
July 16, 2017
This is very similar to what happened to me! I'm very fair as well, and I got CO2 to remove scars on my forearms and upper thighs. Its been 6 months, and my skin is finally starting to improve. Then again, this is after getting 2 IPL treatments, microderm, microneedling, and collagen injections. Worst decision ever. I'm so sorry you're going through the same thing! I would recommend getting some strong prescription bleaching cream for the darkness, I've been through 2 bottles and it seems to be helping a bit.
July 17, 2017
Though I am so very sorry for it, your experience has educated me. I hope your skin can get back to a nice look, sooner rather than later of course.
July 29, 2017
I have the feeling that alot of damage after co2 laser comes from cream use. I myself experienced damage to the co2 fractional laser area after applying creams.
I hope doing another laser treatment and not using anything on the sensitive skin, not even touching it, will help heal the damaged skin.
I hope doing another laser treatment and not using anything on the sensitive skin, not even touching it, will help heal the damaged skin.
August 8, 2017
I certainly wouldn't advise another laser treatment. And it would have to be a very aggressive cream that would cost damage like that, with that said I don't believe it was the cream, but I guess anything is possible.
September 25, 2017
Used Aquaphor like they suggested. Used for 2 weeks. Had to use antibiotic ointment on a couple places that the skin was bleeding and cracking 7 days out.
January 30, 2018
Don't even dream about doing another procedure , I hope you didn't . Yes the creams make it worse while in the healing phase even for non ablative lasers , it keeps the indksmmstuin going and the skin closes off to protect itself and in sets the orange peel and thin waxy skin . The creams suck and the dr's should tell us to use nothing and not wash our faces for a few weeks for simple ipl . I think no one should get ipl. Or any laser , i risked it for my lip brown patches but was blasted allover the face. Anyways , I noticed anything I used cream I would get worse but they tell you moisturize so you think
It's imperative and it is just the opppsute . Once that initial 6-8 weeks ends , it's done . I kept thinking to stop the creams but she told me dryness was causing the hypopigmentation which of course is s lie but I was out of my mind . Also HA is horrible after you hsve laser damage . People are using cerave . I used it and my entire face burned and blood came under the skin and then pin point drops came out . I now have no barrier or epidermis . Anyways , it's horrifying what happens .
It's imperative and it is just the opppsute . Once that initial 6-8 weeks ends , it's done . I kept thinking to stop the creams but she told me dryness was causing the hypopigmentation which of course is s lie but I was out of my mind . Also HA is horrible after you hsve laser damage . People are using cerave . I used it and my entire face burned and blood came under the skin and then pin point drops came out . I now have no barrier or epidermis . Anyways , it's horrifying what happens .
January 30, 2018
With all that said , for ablative lasers I'm pretty sure you hsve to use something , just don't do it . Don't
July 30, 2017
So sorry to see this... and thank you for sharing your story and photos. Had I not seen stoties like this, I probably would have jumped right in to have this done to my face. Hoping you recover fully with no scars or evidence of this proceedure.
Replies (4)