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POSTED UNDER Fractional Laser REVIEWS

Worst Decision I Have Ever Made for my Skin -Australia, AU

ORIGINAL POST

I had Emerge Fractional laser done about 6 months...

Melissa_May
$1,000
I had Emerge Fractional laser done about 6 months ago now to assist with Melasma (hormonal and sun damage). I had 2 sessions spaced 2 weeks part as recommended by the beautician doing the treatment.
I was very hesitant initially about any long term side effects that could permanently damage/scar my skin but was reassured that there is no way that this machine could do any damage and that it was extremely safe.
After the first treatment I was really happy with the outcome and thought the melasma had cleared slightly and my skin felt and looked smoother (I assume the swelling contributed to this). 2 weeks later I had my second treatment, again my skin felt much the same as after the first treatment until the swelling came down and I started to notice the tiny holes all over my face (everywhere the laser had tracked).
I started to panic slightly at this stage and spoke to the ladies and skin deep Mullaloo (perth) and asked what they thought about the orange peel texture that came up and they said to just wait and in 3 months as my skin is still healing and this should clear. After 2 months passed and things did not get any better I contacted skin deep again and the owner agreed to meet with me in regards to my worries. The only thing that came out of this meeting is that I am focusing on something that is not there and the laser has improved my skin. She said that my face is also still healing and to wait another 2 months and things should look better.
Once 4 months had passed and I was looking worse than ever and decided to email her pictures of damage the laser had caused due to her not looking at my skin during our meeting (even after 2 requests for her to do so, she would only look at my skin through the camera they use to do the before an after photos which did not show the orange peel texture I needed wanting clarification on).
As you can see from these pictures there is a clear orange peel texture there that I can assure you was not there before. Her response o this email was that I had enlarge pores and what did I need her to do about it. This made me furious that they blatantly refused to acknowledge any damage that the laser caused and that they are still using this treatment on other customers without advising of any long term effects such as mine and many other peoples outcomes from realself.
I beg anyone considering this treatment to find an alternative as there are many.
I have really great skin prior to this treatment (melasma being my only worry), now I am stuck with this pin hole, rough textured skin.
I am very self conscious and do not like being it any sunlight as it shows my skin at its worst ( I stay inside most of the time)
I used to be very athletic an love being out and abut, now I am too shy to and unmotivated to do many of the thing I used to love in life. I don't even let my partner look at me up close and fear being affectionate as I feel ugly.
I hope this post stops someone going through this Pure money making treatment for the salons as it has put a halt on many peoples lives from the stories I have read. I hope that anyone that has been damaged by this laser finds a solution to the damaged caused.

Melissa_May's provider

Skin Deep Mullaloo

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Very unhelpful and dismissive of my issues

Replies (86)

December 31, 2013
Hi I had palomar erbium non ablative fractional laser at Cosmedical skin solutions in Joondalup . I had 4 treatments 2weeks apart very depressed and devastated with results, orange peel, scarring,white track lines been back to them 3 times and sent emails and they make me feel like it's all in my mind. I ended up at the doctors because I was depressed. I am still on to them and awaiting a reply from an email. I have an apt in Joondalup next week at Argera to get a second opinion.
January 1, 2014
Hi Stacey, I am so sorry you are scarred also. How long ago did you have this done? isn't it horrible how they deny the laser caused this, I would think they would want to try desperately to try and help as they caused it. I was thinking of calling Argera too and getting an opinion on what could be done. I hear TCA peels help, have you tried this? don't know if it will help my deep track marks though.
January 2, 2014
It was 6 months ago. I haven't done anything to my skin scince except use vitamin a and c cream on alternate days and lots of moisturiser, I'm too scared to have anything else. I'm going to ask Dr Argie at Argera when I go what would be best. I have already had a consult with her and she said it can take a good year for the skin to completely heal and for collagen to fully develop. My worst area is my forehead and chin it looks like my pores have joined together to make huge pores.
January 2, 2014
They also took photos of me before and during, they got the pictures up when I went in with my concerns and said my skin looked better. What a load of rubbish. I watched a video on you tube yesterday it was channel 9 investigating laser because so many people have been damaged by it. I've e.mailed channel nine as they were asking people to. Skin Deep was one of the places they were looking at!!!
January 2, 2014
Go on you tube and type in med spa dangers the clip has a picture of a girls legs on its shocking.
January 2, 2014
Really?? Have there been a few more people from Skindeep that have had the same issues. I wrote reviews up on their business advertisments, you should maybe so the same? When was this on channel 9? current affair? Good luck at your appointment, please keep me updated.
January 2, 2014
Stacey, try taking collagen building suppliments, this may be effective. As the serums may not penetrate as well through to the dermis as maybe taking them orally would. I hear it is also hard to store Vit C Serum and the ingredients may become inactive. Try Omega 3 fatty acids, Vit C & E, and Lysine.
January 3, 2014
Not sure when it was on the T.V to be honest. I watched it again but it was skin deep in Como not Mullaloo. I've had a reply back from a dermatologist on this site he said the white lines I have are from being over treated and settings being too high I had a feeling that was the case. It does almost look like its been burnt.Thank you for your advise on what to take. Have you had any replies from doctors at all?
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January 3, 2014
Hi I'm also in Australia and was damaged in Sydney clinic , fraxel was the laser. I have pin holes covering my entire face and after year and a half it's not getting any better for me. I'm interested in emailing channel nine and add my story maybe they keep digging.
January 5, 2014
Are you going to try TCA peels Mandy? once I have my baby I am going to really think about it
January 10, 2014
Hi There its Stacey here Im now going to see Dr Argie on 24th Jan 14 to get her to have a good look at my face. Im hoping she will tell me exactly what has happened and more importantly if something can be done. Im hoping microdermabrasion will help with the texture. I really don't want to do chemical peels. I feel my skin has been through enough being burnt by the laser. What scares me the most is when I read people saying as time goes on there skin seems worse. I wake up everyday the first thing I do is look in the mirror to see if there is any further problems. Its no life. Ive still not heard from the Owner at Cos Medical Skin Solutions even though I asked her to call me asap. How are you? I don't know about you but some days I feel better than others, I have a 9 year old so that keeps me going I have to for her.
January 10, 2014
My little girl keeps me going too :-) im definately going to try tca after this pregnancy though. Its my only hope i think to try and help. Ive been doin microdermabrasion in the meantime. Things arent any better but i feel my skin might be smoother and less oily after them. I think its a good idea to keep exfoiating. The is a cream someone mentioned on a thread here for burns and she was successful from using it. Someone messaged in to janey44 from memory about 4 months ago. I wil try and find out again.
January 10, 2014
Where will you get that done? I will discuss tca with Dr Argie I know she does it. I'm at home on my own today daughter gone to her friends all I've done is look at my skin and go on the internet to try and find a solution I feel like I'm in this bubble. I've got all over my face like really fine silvery white lines from the laser head don't know if it's because it's healing or if it's permanent scarring.
January 10, 2014
Thats what occupies my time when if free too. Try visiting assure medi in subi. I might go there to have it done. Easy to book appt for free consult and someone can have a look and give you another opinion. Ask for marianne. She may prep you on obagi and recommendtca also, if you start with 15 percent and see how your skin tolerates it before going higher. And space them out so your skin gets a break so you dont make things worse. Either way, get a profesional opinion from them and see how you go, obviously my advise is just my own research. I have holes all over my skin so dont know if this is similar to your issues. X
January 10, 2014
My chin and sides of forehead are the worst, my cheeks are fine which makes me think it was being treated too aggressively. They always did more passes over these areas. Thank you for recommending them. Have you actually seen someone about your skin for them to look and say what's happened x
January 10, 2014
Yeah i have seen a derm, marianne at assure and a couple of other centres. Ive had a recommendation of more laser but no way thats going to happen. I am going to go with tca peels but need to wait until after bub is born. Really dont like waiting. yhe cheeks are the things thay bug me the most as you can see by the photos its very noticable. Do you have pics of damage
January 11, 2014
Hiya Ive made an apt to see Marianne on Tuesday and im going to see the owner at Cosmedical where I had it done on Monday she finally called me but didn't like her attitude. She basically said she will have a look but if she cant see anything then there is nothing else she can do. I know shes not going to admit to seeing anything . I got very upset on the phone the other day she just talks her way out of everthing she said it upsets her also but im not convinced. What did you think of Marianne? is that where you will get the tca done. My daughter told me tonight she could see holes all over my skin bless her she dosnt realise shes going to make me feel worse but it proves a point that its not in my mind. You know what children are like they say it as it is. I read a post on real Self and the girl had huge orange peel texture,she started using raw honey and Emu oil as a moisturiser and put before and after pics on a huge difference. My mom who still lives in UK as im originally from there said it is a big thing there and is supposed to be brilliant. She coming out for 6 weeks on the 20th Jan and is going to bring me some. It has affected my mom too as ive spent hours on the phone crying to her about my skin. I tried taking photos today but my camera is rubbish ill try again so I can post them. When is your baby due, hopefully that will help take your mind off things. I don't blame you not having anymore laser I would never ever have a laser near me again!!! Take care and ill let you know how I get on x
January 12, 2014
Stacey, I am getting some Emu oil today from Freo markets, did you have any? if not I can pick you up some and send it to you ? worth a try right?
January 12, 2014
Hiya sorry I've been to a friends all day only just seen your message so kind of you. Did you manage to get some. I'm going to Cos a Medical in the morning feeling very anxious because of her attitude. Whilst I was at my friends I asked her to be completely honest and tell me what she could see on my skin she said "Orange peel texture" but did say if you hadn't asked I wouldn't have thought anything. Apart from sunscreen I've not put anything on my skin today, not long got in washed my face with cesta phill and left it the griding in my skin is awful and loads of white lines everywhere. And the bad texture inside the laser head lines it seems to look worse. Tomorrow I'm going in with nothing on my skin lets see what she says hay! Any look with finding raw honey at all. It would be good to meet up sometime,I'm so glad to have someone to talk to in the same position. I was so down this morning felt better for going to my friends x
January 13, 2014
Hi Melissa went to Cosmedical Skin Solutions today. Was there for 2hours and she still said there's nothing wrong and she can't see anything . I pointed out every issue I had and she denied seeing anything,she then got my photos up and kept saying your skin looks good, I was so angry and said you can't see always on photos and said this is a waste of time. She told me stress can make you look older and affect your skin and hormone changes .Blamed it on everything but the laser. Told me the white lines from the laser was from sun damage, the dent in my head is my widows peak and bad orange peel was my pores. She'd even typed out a letter and asked me to sign it. It said I Stacey agree that my skin has improved. She listed all my skin issue but had written next to them pre existing. Also one of my pictures had definitely been photo shopped because I've got a dent in my chin but on the photo it was on the opposite side I commented on it but she went straight onto something else. Looking forward to see Marianne tomorrow I'm going to tell her what happened today I just hope she agrees she can see what I see. I'm going to ask her to do a report on my skin and take it in to Cos Medical x
January 13, 2014
Hi there Mandy had bad response from the place who damaged my face today denied everything blamed it on age and hormones and because I've been stressing it has aged me and caused the bad texture so so angry there was a lot more to the meeting but basically got nowhere. I'm going to fight this till the end I'm not going to let them get away with it.
January 13, 2014
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January 13, 2014
Stacey im so sorry, im sure that would have made you so upset. We should just stay possitive though. Things should heal and ger better. The skin is good at regenerating itself we just need to use the right methods that suit our skin types. In the mean time right a really bad review for them and hopefully we can have someone write a report for us blaming the laser and tell the truth about the damage they cause so we can sue them. The lady at skin deep did the exact same thing to me. Im going to try and do the natural remedy until bub is born and see how that goes.
January 14, 2014
Hi Melissa had amazing apt with Marianne told her you recommended them she made a note I think you get discount because of it. She's put my mind at rest and I do believe she can put my skin right. Got creams from her and start needling March and Microdemabrasion later in year.I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders x
February 24, 2014
Cosmedical Skin Solutions have told me they have not photoshopped any of my pictures, I therefore apologise for saying this may have been the case.
February 24, 2014
Sounds to me like they may be threatening you in some way Stacy? If they damaged your skin I hope you threaten them right back.
January 5, 2014
Hi. This is very similar to my experience. The only difference is that I had a VBeam procedure for broken capillaries on my nose and face. I'm 40 years old. They will NEVER admit to doing damage. In fact I was so angry that I went back to the hospital dermatology office to show her and she threw me out and said never to come back. We had a bit if a yelling match. The whole office was in pins and needles. I told her if she knew damage could happen then shame on her. I just don't want it to happen to someone else because they really do downplay any negative side effects from these lasers. It really makes me angry. I did file a report with the FDA here in the US and received a reply in the mail so I hope they follow up. Some days I look in the mirror and get so angry. I'm sorry, I know how you feel. Take care and chin up
January 9, 2014
Hi, i wrote a review on the advertisement sights stating the damage these lasers cause. I want them to advise people of the risks involved but they keep telling them its completely safe. So bad. Have you tried tca peels? What sort of damage do you have? Good job on trying to take things firther with fda
January 11, 2014
Hi forgot to say my mom was saying today that there are investigations going on at the moment in UK and they are looking toput in stronger laws in place to stop so many beauty clinics using lasers as so many peole are being damaged. Apparently all these beauticians need to do is attend a one day course SHOCKING!!!!!!!!! and then perform laser treatments .
February 24, 2014
The post I put on the 11th January about beauticians doing one day courses so they can use lasers was in no way directed at the staff of Cosmedical Skin Care solutions. This was a post that I thought would be helpful to anyone thinking of laser that they go to the correctly trained people.Staff at Cosmedical are trained correctly.
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January 5, 2014
No I won't do anything drastic I doubt I would heal well , I feel peels just might make my skin even worse. Ill give more time but maybe in future I might try very light peel I don't know. I don't trust any doctor to touch my face
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January 5, 2014
It's so horrible to suffer from laser damage it's a prison sentence to a person.
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January 11, 2014
Beware derms though they often have no clue how to treat laser damage and might give you bad advice. How far from laser damage are you? I would wait at least a year or two as that's when your skin should finally be settled, and you will know what you deal with. If you do peels or retin a too soon, your already damaged skin won't be able to take it, it has happened to few suffering from laser damage. If you are not too far from your damage , 1-6 months, Psoria gold may help to stop scarring process and inflammation under your skin. Also iplandlaserdamagesupport website has many people damaged by ipl and laser as well as retin a. Good luck and please keep us in the loop whatever you decide to do with your skin, hopefully one day we will find relief from this every day living hell.