POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser Reviews
SmartXide Deka Laser Resurface Done by MD - Broomfield, CO
UPDATED FROM FaithsFace
1 year post
13 MONTHS POST
$1,495
OVERALL--- WOW DID I LOOK YOUNG for a short while. I am one year post and I am sad to say I think a lot of the pigmentation has returned. WIthin another year it may look identical to how it did before laser.
I use obagi -- religiously... day and night... retina... lotsa sunscreen...hats and a UV mask in summer---- the freckles are coming back.
Considering IPL and realizing it will be a neverending process of IPL every three months... and I may not be happy with that!
I am not letting it go back.. I just havent figured out what to do about it.
I also have found out since then that I am ALLERGIC to the topical that was used for my procedure. This may explain why I had so much pain and burning after the procedure.
I do plan to do my eyes again within the next few months. The yes seem to have the largest impact and I have watched them return to wrinkley over the last 6 months.
I use obagi -- religiously... day and night... retina... lotsa sunscreen...hats and a UV mask in summer---- the freckles are coming back.
Considering IPL and realizing it will be a neverending process of IPL every three months... and I may not be happy with that!
I am not letting it go back.. I just havent figured out what to do about it.
I also have found out since then that I am ALLERGIC to the topical that was used for my procedure. This may explain why I had so much pain and burning after the procedure.
I do plan to do my eyes again within the next few months. The yes seem to have the largest impact and I have watched them return to wrinkley over the last 6 months.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM FaithsFace
28 days post
Looking good
My grandma says I look 26 since I had my "facelift". Obviously I was right and my face is much tighter than before. The texture may be evening out. Its too soon to tell. I ordered emu oil fromI amazon and after reading up on it I feel foolish for not having it from the start.
Replies (4)
EG
January 8, 2014
Wonderful results :) you are glowing! Do you have a before photo you could share with us?
F
January 8, 2014
Thanks Eva. SONEWHERE in the 500 pics I posted are two before shots. One looks like a mug shot from jail but I am wearing an orange shirt and it was taken with no makeup on at the Dr.s office before the procedure. I am pretty amazed by how much different it looks.
EG
January 8, 2014
Ok, I will look again, sorry I I missed it :) Would be great to see a side by side if you can.
D
January 12, 2014
Do you mind if I ask your age? You looked young in the before photos, and even younger now. But am curious as to your actual age. I suspect that I'm quite a bit older than you, LOL. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
F
January 13, 2014
I just turned 40. Can you tell me if you would have guessed older or younger? I want an honest opinion. I will say I have never been as self conscious of my age as I have been since this birthday passed.
D
January 13, 2014
When I look at your "before" photos, what I *don't* see (forehead wrinkles, wrinkles & depressions under eyes, deep nasal labial fold lines, hollowness in cheek area) is what made me think you were likely in your early thirties. You have none of the wrinkles or the beginnings of disappearing facial volume that one would expect at your age. So, you looked young for your age even before the laser peel.
And now that your skin is glowing, it adds even more to your youthful look. I think your skin makes your face look like someone in her late 20's. You look fabulous. I do hope, though, that the "pores" continue to even out and eventually go away. They are still obvious in the "after" photos, but they don't detract from your overall youthful look and beauty. BTW - You have gorgeous eyes/eyebrows. :) Alas, at my age, my poor eyebrows have all but disappeared, LOL.
Thanks again for keeping up with your posts, and for answering such a sensitive question. Most ladies don't like revealing their age. :)
F
January 14, 2014
Oh how I love you. ;) Thank you so much for the feedback. I do hope it all evens out and will post a new photo with makeup and without very soon. Thanks also for the eye/brow compliment. Somehow all the attention to what I do and don't like in my results has made me very critical of myself. :)
D
January 14, 2014
We're women... sadly, it's in our nature to be self-critical. Why else would we be torturing ourselves like this, LOL. :)
H
February 1, 2014
Hey there,
It's so great that you're sharing you're journey with everyone.
How do you feel a month after?
Are your track marks improving and are you still breaking out post procedure?
Thanks a bunch.
J
March 3, 2014
If you look at safety and side effects, it is noted that Tramadol should not be mixed with Xanax or any tranquilizer because it can cause depressed respiratory problems (difficulty breathing). You should always check out medication side effects before blindly taking something. Unfortunately doctors do not always have this information.
UPDATED FROM FaithsFace
21 days post
Rough texture and a gauze look
Ok.. so I look good. But I hate the large pore like laser holes I still see. My skin looks rough and red. As long as it continues to improve I will be ok. I am still nervous. But it does look really good in a lot of ways. I look younger and really tighter all over. I was hoping for more in treatment of discoloration but I cant even really say that yet because I am so red.
Replies (1)
D
January 2, 2014
Firstly, thanks so much for continuing to post photos and comments. It's really appreciated by those of us who are considering this same procedure. I will be extremely interested in finding out how much tighter you think you skin is once you're fully healed, as well as whether or not the "pore-like" holes disappear.
I had researched the procedure a couple of years ago, but was really afraid of doing it due to all the reviews that said that they also ended up with the holes and track marks on their face. But most of those people never followed up after they had completely healed, so I don't know what the end results were. So, I opted for a TCA peel. My skin was truly amazing after that. It's been two years and only the slightest signs of freckling is returning to my cheeks. But, as fabulous as my skin looked (and still looks), the problem with the peel is that it does not tighten the skin. I'm 51, so am on the hunt for something to tighten my facial skin w/out having to go the route of a facelift.
Anyway, thanks again for continuing to post.
F
January 13, 2014
I do think I am more happy with the tightening than the color change (I hadn't realized anything was loose until I did this! ) the spots that seemed so porous may be getting better. I am noticing people looking at my face longer and more directly when I speak to them. Maybe cause I look good ...maybe cause they are looking at me funny! I am thinking you will enjoy the resukts if uouvare looking for tightening. The area around my eyes is much more youthful
D
January 13, 2014
Well, maybe when you're fully healed you can try a TCA peel. I had a ton of freckles, sun damage, etc. and my skin looked like a baby's behind after the peel. Zero freckles, sun spots, etc. It's been two years, and only the faintest of freckling has begun to return. Hands down, the best thing I ever did to improve my overall look. I had never, ever had spot-free skin in my life before the TCA peel. I'll probably do it again in another year, just to keep the spots/freckles at bay. But, I'll definitely go back to a professional to get it done. I've read the horror stories of the DIY'ers who burned themselves, etc. Just not worth the risk, IMO.
F
January 14, 2014
I am so happy to hear that your results were so positive with the TCA. I do think that would be great for me when this is all done. I will see my doctor tomorrow and post the pics his office takes.
Thanks for coming back to update on your long term results, so helpful for others! Do you find that Retin A is helping? What strength are you using? Since you are considering IPL I thought I would share this video with you, and be sure to check out IPL reviews here on the site.
IPL videos from RealSelf doctors