POSTED UNDER eMatrix REVIEWS
EMATRIX - JUST SAY NO! - California
ORIGINAL POST
I'm so over all these mystery machines and...
Good face gone badMarch 24, 2012
$3,000
I'm so over all these mystery machines and their claims to: a) magically rejuvenate skin with no downtime, b) tighten sagging skin, c) be safe for all skin types d) blah, blah, blah, blah.
I'm here to tell you that I've tried a lot of different things by qualified an (unfortunately) unqualified people and I've finally been hit over the head enough times to say, "Oh, that hurt and was really stupid." So here are a few thoughts:
1) I understand the government has a lot to do with the economy and all - so I propose that it simply admits that anything cosmetic is at your own risk and they really aren't paying any attention when they approve all this crap – or they are getting paid off by these companies.
2) Companies like Syneron (eMatrix) and other second-rate entities should have to admit that they allow anyone with the money - to buy their machines and administer treatment. If a monkey had the cash, they'd sell it and let the monkey brand your face with their grid (4 squares) hand piece.
3) These companies should have to admit that the standards for use of these machines are about as loose as my now sagging skin, and that any studies they provide are merely handpicked best case scenarios in controlled environments. The photos that don't turn out just end up in the shredder.
4) All centers offering treatments like eMATRIX or other non-gold standard products should have to write the word "SUCKER" on your invoice.
So let's look at eMatrix claims:
1) “Sublative Rejuvenation™ treatment may result in improvement of: (To be fair, they do say "may result")
Wrinkles – Wow. . . that’s a stretch as long as a football field.
Scars – HUH! I would love to have Syneron explain the squares on my face that look just like their hand piece. The four depressed squares that showed up in the middle of my brow two weeks after a treatment were particularly interesting. A little filler and 35% TCA is helping to fix that. Keep in mind, they claim that this technology does most of it's work below the skin and should have minimal if any impact on the top layer.
Textural irregularities - You betcha! My skin now appears to have a variety of interesting textures and patterns. I also ended up with some bizarre red rash and severe dryness that lasted for a month. I had not changed any products or experienced anything like this in my life.
2) Minimal downtime: This is pretty relative. If you do "A" treatment which won't do anything at all, you'll be able to go back to work. If you do the "C" treatment - which is the only level that could possibly do anything - you will have a face as red as a baboon's bottom for a few days and you have swelling. You can't go to work.
3) Safe for all skin types: Ok. . reality check. INFLAMMATION and injury to the skin cause hyperpigmentation. Ohhhh. . . I guess that's what would explain the hell I'm going through now to try to get rid of this blotchy mess!
4) Collagen building should continue for months after the series of procedures which should lead to skin tightening: Whatever!
3 months after I was done with this I have a picture that shows lifeless sagging skin. It was like an overnight drop. Let’s say for the sake of argument that I just rapidly aged and this treatment had nothing to do with it. Fine. . . At least there should be no debate that there was no visible benefit in the area of tightened skin. I will admit that I thought I liked this product after the first couple treatments. I'm now of the mindset that I might have just been swollen - or I was in such a state of desperation that I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on.
So, if you saw me post positively, it was early on in my treatment. Some of my discoveries were made with continuing procedures (that I should have stopped) and in the months following. I’m sure they will deny all claims, but - the squares don’t lie! If you are lucky enough to not have any damage. . . then the other side is that it doesn't do anything. It's just not worth it. TCA peels are less expensive and when administered by a doctor you can get great results. Not only are TCA peels currently cleaning up this mess for me, but my skin is improving beyond anything more that those 6 eMatrix procedures. Centers/offices make fortunes off these machines. That's why they use them. Also, once they invest in one - they have to use it whether it works or not. This is just my opinion. . . Everyone has to do what they think is best. Good luck!
Replies (23)
March 27, 2012
It's interesting that when I first looked into this procedure on RealSelf about 15 months ago there was a 100% satisfaction rating. It was so new, there were only a few reviews out there, and not many people had had enough sessions. Now it's down to 65%.
I was ok with it at first, but my concerns grew as I did more sessions. (I can't even explain why I continued. Chalk it up to losing my mind.) In my opinion, the fact that you can smell burnt skin during the procedure and the tech has to periodically wipe the hand piece to remove the skin that's on it - suggests this eMatrix does more skin injury/ablation than the marketing materials suggests. When you are zapping the skin like that with that much intensity, you are also risking hypo-pigmented marks - which I also have.
I think the real surprise came when I had another doctor do a much less inexpensive 35% TCA to start reversing the damage - and it improved my skin far more than the original 6 eMatrix treatments did.
To me that should tell you that this is no bang for your buck here.
I was ok with it at first, but my concerns grew as I did more sessions. (I can't even explain why I continued. Chalk it up to losing my mind.) In my opinion, the fact that you can smell burnt skin during the procedure and the tech has to periodically wipe the hand piece to remove the skin that's on it - suggests this eMatrix does more skin injury/ablation than the marketing materials suggests. When you are zapping the skin like that with that much intensity, you are also risking hypo-pigmented marks - which I also have.
I think the real surprise came when I had another doctor do a much less inexpensive 35% TCA to start reversing the damage - and it improved my skin far more than the original 6 eMatrix treatments did.
To me that should tell you that this is no bang for your buck here.
March 28, 2012
Yeah, sometimes the old tired & true methods (in this case chemical peels) are sometimes better than the new stuff. I'm very glad to hear you saw some positive changes from the peel!
March 30, 2012
I think its interesting you are blaming the maker of the laser and not the technician who did the treatment. If you were in a cab that ran a red light, would you blame the car or the driver?
March 30, 2012
You bring up a good point. I guess if something was wrong with the brakes - I would blame the cab. Or, If I was told that there were high performance brakes that handled well under all conditions and they were the cheap ones that skidded in snow. . .
I agree that the success of these machines is intertwined with the tech (not debating that). Even.when you go a a highly referred place, this stuff all boils down to buyer beware and do your homework.
I do think that at the least - the marketing of eMatrix borders on an inaccurate description of the experience and true results.
It's concerning that devices like these can even be set at heat levels that can do so much damage - that they have so much power and potential to cause harm the "wrong hands" - and that the consumer is not aware of the variables.
So - who monitors the technicians who are not using the machines correctly? Who is responsible for their training? Should eMatrix have a responsibility here at all. It's their reputation, too. Why are machines approved to go to reach heat levels that could result in damage? What are consumer rights?
eMatrix is marketed as a walk in the part procedure and it really isn't. Most people couldn't go back to work after right after it - unless they have the lowest level (A)
And if you have the lowest level - you might as well just save your money and incorporate much less expensive, higher concentrations of alpha hydroxy acid peels into your regime. Those can impact the collagen level too.
In addition, eMatrix is a relatively new solution with still an unproven track record and not a ton of real concrete information beyond the fluff. As I mentioned, in 15 months I've seen a 35% drop is positive points on this site.
Just opinion. . .. Some people will have a great experience and that's great. Others won't. Everyone has a right to know what can go wrong.
All most people see is the shiny brochure that promises no downtime and miraculously smooth skin after 3 sessions.
I agree that the success of these machines is intertwined with the tech (not debating that). Even.when you go a a highly referred place, this stuff all boils down to buyer beware and do your homework.
I do think that at the least - the marketing of eMatrix borders on an inaccurate description of the experience and true results.
It's concerning that devices like these can even be set at heat levels that can do so much damage - that they have so much power and potential to cause harm the "wrong hands" - and that the consumer is not aware of the variables.
So - who monitors the technicians who are not using the machines correctly? Who is responsible for their training? Should eMatrix have a responsibility here at all. It's their reputation, too. Why are machines approved to go to reach heat levels that could result in damage? What are consumer rights?
eMatrix is marketed as a walk in the part procedure and it really isn't. Most people couldn't go back to work after right after it - unless they have the lowest level (A)
And if you have the lowest level - you might as well just save your money and incorporate much less expensive, higher concentrations of alpha hydroxy acid peels into your regime. Those can impact the collagen level too.
In addition, eMatrix is a relatively new solution with still an unproven track record and not a ton of real concrete information beyond the fluff. As I mentioned, in 15 months I've seen a 35% drop is positive points on this site.
Just opinion. . .. Some people will have a great experience and that's great. Others won't. Everyone has a right to know what can go wrong.
All most people see is the shiny brochure that promises no downtime and miraculously smooth skin after 3 sessions.
May 8, 2012
GFGB:
How is your skin healing? Have you found any products that have made any correction? Are you still going TCA peels?
UPDATED FROM Good face gone bad
I just met with two different Laser doctors in...
Good face gone badMay 11, 2012
I just met with two different Laser doctors in SoCal to evaluate my skin. Both said that eMatrix is a piece of crap. One bought it and ended up selling it because he didn't see any results. The other one JUST SAID NO! after evaluating it. While I did have some damage, the thing that comes up the most with this machine is the lack of results, period. It's a pretty pricey thing to do without getting any benefit. I recommend going on a vacation or giving the money to charity - or throwing the cash out the window 'cause that's what you'll be doing anyway.
Replies (45)
June 15, 2012
I had a treatment with Syneron's EMAX machine. The bipolar radiofrequency is the same technology. I have major damage and look much older than before. This company needs to look into their technology and figure out why so many people are having adverse events with their machines.
June 15, 2012
Hi Ajapel,
So sorry you had an unhappy experience. Are you comfortable describing the specific damage? I'd be curious to hear what you are seeing. Did you just have one treatment or a series. What were your objectives is have the procedure.
Mine is textural and aging - In addition, I have square dents in the shape of the gridded handpiece. I literally have a dented grid in my glabella (the area between the brows). That doctor claimed they didn't exist. Frankly, I'm not convinced that RF, IPL, etc. don't cause fat loss because I lost forehead fat rapidly. I'm suggesting this because more and more large veins started showing with each month and my foreheads bones started becoming more prominent. It was slow - and then all of the sudden.everything dropped - all over the course of 6 months.
I agree that some of this is service provider's fault and the heat was too extreme and unmonitored. .but the fact that these adverse results are ignored, not addressed or even possible with the Syneron technology is frustrating.
The new doctor I'm working with is going to try some fractional CO2 to clean up the scarred areas. . . . I don't want to do anything because I"m so tired of it - but I trust this doctor and he's willing to do specific areas instead of full face. He'll do it when he does a different scar revision he's been workng on.
Thanks for sharing!
June 15, 2012
I have enlarged pores and a bumpy sort of texture. I have volume loss around my eyes and on the areas where the machine was turned up. It looks like crepey skin and just wrinkles all over (very quick aging). I also have a dent under my right eye and subsequent orbital fat prolapse (at age 38). I did a full review under IPL but my treatment combined IPL and radiofrequency.
Derms have explained that it is atrophy from thermal damage. Too much heat too deep caused dermal shrinking and fat loss. Unfortunately they treated too close to my eyes so I have eye damage as well. The bottom line is that many treaters do not report these adverse events to Syneron since that admits something went wrong. Syneron doesn't take reports from the patient. It is very sad. They need to know what is happening and take it seriously.
I would hesitate before doing another procedure. I saw many derms and some would suggest a different laser (the ones who haven't seen many damage cases) - but they all work the same way - they heat the skin and cause damage. The derms I saw from universities were adamint not to use more lasers as the skin had thinned too much already.
Good luck!
The studies done from these machines are usually from practitioners who are paid by the laser companies to do them - and they use very conservative settings. Essentially we are tossing dice as to how our outcome will be.
Derms have explained that it is atrophy from thermal damage. Too much heat too deep caused dermal shrinking and fat loss. Unfortunately they treated too close to my eyes so I have eye damage as well. The bottom line is that many treaters do not report these adverse events to Syneron since that admits something went wrong. Syneron doesn't take reports from the patient. It is very sad. They need to know what is happening and take it seriously.
I would hesitate before doing another procedure. I saw many derms and some would suggest a different laser (the ones who haven't seen many damage cases) - but they all work the same way - they heat the skin and cause damage. The derms I saw from universities were adamint not to use more lasers as the skin had thinned too much already.
Good luck!
The studies done from these machines are usually from practitioners who are paid by the laser companies to do them - and they use very conservative settings. Essentially we are tossing dice as to how our outcome will be.
June 15, 2012
You are 100% on target here - on ALL your points - and I can corroborate the experience! I hope more people do listen and realize that it's not coincidence when people don't know each other and live worlds apart have the same story!!!!! And, I went to a doctor who was recommended by 3 different people on three random occasions - and is well known in the laser community.
I actually agree with not doing laser again. I've been doing TCA peels which have helped. Babying your skin helps even more. That said, I've been working with this other surgeon for about a year and a half. He knows my history and he is so conservative and most importantly - will spot treat me. Most doctors will only do full face. I don't want full face even though I have damage throughout - I just want to get to some of the most distressing areas which have left me heartbroken.
I went to one of the developers of Fraxel and not only did he not recommend that product - he recommend the Erbium Yag (C03) full face for $4000 - knowing my history. Erbium Yag has a 20% approval on RealSelf. No thanks. Trust me. . . I don't recommend starting any of this to anyone - and wish I'd I'd been more grateful for what I had.
Keep us posted if you see any progress on your end and thanks for getting the word out!!!
I actually agree with not doing laser again. I've been doing TCA peels which have helped. Babying your skin helps even more. That said, I've been working with this other surgeon for about a year and a half. He knows my history and he is so conservative and most importantly - will spot treat me. Most doctors will only do full face. I don't want full face even though I have damage throughout - I just want to get to some of the most distressing areas which have left me heartbroken.
I went to one of the developers of Fraxel and not only did he not recommend that product - he recommend the Erbium Yag (C03) full face for $4000 - knowing my history. Erbium Yag has a 20% approval on RealSelf. No thanks. Trust me. . . I don't recommend starting any of this to anyone - and wish I'd I'd been more grateful for what I had.
Keep us posted if you see any progress on your end and thanks for getting the word out!!!
August 7, 2012
Save your money. It does not work as promised!! I had 5 treatments for acne scars. I was told that it would take time to see results. I waited a year and the center gave me another treatment. It has been 6 months since last treatment. I still have acne scars. Contact "The Doctors" tv show to have them publize that this doesn't work!!!
August 8, 2012
Scarsstillthere: I'm glad you didn't end up with more scars, fat loss, and problems like many of us. I'm thinking you are lucky and only ended up wasting money. Syneron should stop with these lasers that just seen to either not work, or cause damage on too many people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on EMatrix. I'm really sorry to hear you didn't see the results you were hoping for. It is always pretty disappointing when you spend the time & money on a procedure, but don't get the change you had hoped for.