POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser Reviews
39 Years Old, Good Skin but Wanted to Get a Jump on Anti Aging. Centennail, CO
ORIGINAL POST
I had been thinking about having "something" done...
WORTH IT$299
I had been thinking about having "something" done for a couple of years. I wanted to get started with anti-aging procedures by my 40th birthday, in hopes of staving off aging as long as possible. I had my first Botox (11's) around 8 months ago, and was very happy with the results. So... I started looking into various procedures, and also searching Groupon for discounted Botox.
Around a month and a half ago, I came across a full face CO2 Laser Treatment in Centennial, CO, for $299.00. I had never really looked into the procedure, but immediately did some research and decided rather impulsively to purchase the deal. I then scheduled to have the procedure about two weeks after I purchased it. Upon further research I got scared, feared that a $299 CO2 treatment was too good to be true, and cancelled my appointment saying I would reschedule at a later date.
I then began looking into the "Doctor" who would be performing the treatment for me. Indeed, she is not a Doctor. Her title is Susan Davenport LPE, CLS. After reading some horror stories, I was really nervous. I called her and was very frank about my fears. I even asked her if she had ever been sued. She was very patient and spent a great deal of time thoroughly answering my questions. She had been doing these types of procedures for almost 15 years. After speaking with her I rescheduled. I had my procedure done five days ago. I am thrilled!
I live in Laramie, WY, three hours away from the clinic I would be going to. I had a close friend agree to drive me home after the procedure. Wow, am I glad I did! Immediately following the procedure I was in a great deal of pain! I can't imagine having to drive in that condition. A very nice thing about the long car ride, was that I was able to have my face directly in front of my air conditioning vents for 3 hours after the procedure. Miss Davenport told me I would love this, and she was right! She also advised me to bring water, frozen peas, and a blanket and sweater as my body would get cold while my face was on fire. She knew exactly what she was talking about. Her patient advise and gentle demeanor were invaluable to me in the aftermath of CO2 Laser resurfacing.
So... the procedure itself. I was prescribed an anti-viral medication for possible cold sores and a steroid for swelling. I started taking them the same day as the procedure. I had my CO2 done at 6pm, allowing me to drive home in the dark. When I entered the office a topical numbing cream was applied and allowed to sit for ample time, then the treatment began. I was NOT pain free, but it was not unbearable. As you can imagine, the normally tender spots were more painful i.e. around my nose, lips, and ears. There was PAIN, but as I stated it was not terrible.
After the treatment my face was covered in tiny white bumps (burnt skin and hair). Within 15 minutes the pain became intense, and I mean intense! Before leaving the office I purchased a lovely skin care regimen consisting of a Salicylic Acid cleanser, Retin A .05% cream, Hydroquinone 12% cream, and SPF 45 tinted moisturizer. Ms. Davenport recommended these upon my questions as to how she keep her skin so flawless. She did not try to "sell" me anything, but was very open and honest in response to my questions about her skin care habits. Ms. Davenport is truly beautiful and entirely natural looking. She is 45 (I hope she doesn't mind my saying so!), and looks like a natural 30. Amazing!
During the first evening I was in a great deal of pain. My face was on fire! I had some second thoughts as to what I had done to myself. This was my first real beauty procedure (other than Botox)! By the 2nd day all of my doubts had passed.
On the 1st full day I woke up with considerable swelling, particularly on my upper cheeks. Midway through the day my face started oozing a yellow substance. It was not a pretty sight! Ms. Davenport advised me to clean in the morning and evening with Cetaphil, followed by a thorough coat of Aquaphor. Due to the constant oozing I had to also wash in the afternoon. The oozing had stopped by late the evening of the 2nd Day. I also developed quite a bit of milia on my nose and chin on the 2nd full day. It had completely resolved itself by the end of Day 3.
On Day 3 I developed a thick layer of dried dead skin. It was very tight and there was some itchiness. By Day 3 I had only minor discomfort. There was still very slight pain upon washing. I will admit that I had a couple of minor panics worrying that I may have some bad effects. The healing was actually going perfectly!
One thing that caused me to worry was an awful smell that developed the 2nd Day. At first I blamed my boyfriend for stinking. lol. It was indeed my own face that I was smelling. It smelled faintly of gross feet and vinegar. For a bit I worried that I was smelling the beginnings of infection. The smell lasted approximately 40 or so hours. It was pretty disgusting, but resolved itself when the dead skin began to slough off.
On the 3rd full day I showered and then covered my face with a warm wet washcloth for around 5 minutes. This allowed much of the dead skin to soften and come loose from my face. What a relief! I was thrilled to see the skin underneath was beautifully smooth and soft, although quite red. At this point I became very excited and couldn't have been happier. I am already planning my second session! I intend to have this treatment done every year to every two years, which is what my techinician does. As I said, she has truly flawless skin!
Last night, the end of Day 4 I decided to give my face an herbal steam bath. This felt wonderful on my tight dry skin (there was still a great deal of skin which had not peeled). After the steam bath I washed twice with Cetaphil and covered again with Aquaphor. As I hoped, the steam bath loosened up a great deal of dead skin, and today (Day 5) I am almost completely peeled. There is still brown colored dead skin on my forehead and the edges of my face. These are the areas which have very little movement and are taking the longest to peel.
Today (Day 5) much of my redness has gone down and become a lighter pink. My skin feels so soft and I am really looking forward to the results I will see in the next 4 to 6 months! This is one of the most rewarding things I have done for myself and I recommend it to anyone who has skin that will react well to CO2 laser resurfacing.
Note: I have very fair skin with slightly red undertones. I have blond hair and green eyes. I have never had any real skin problems, other than the occasional breakout. I eat a very clean diet, sleep plenty at night, and workout daily. I am a Health and Fitness online Coach. You may find my face book page by searching Lickety Fit. I am also a Real Estate Agent and mother. I have recently met the love of my life. He has been very sweet in telling my I am beautiful through out this entire process.
I can not recommend Susan Davenport or Laser Aesthetics of Colorado more. I felt at all times like I was in the best hands. She texted me throughout my healing time and had me send her pictures. I followed her instructions to the tee and have had a wonderful outcome so far! I will not go to anyone for any beauty procedures as long as she is practicing! Perfect!
Around a month and a half ago, I came across a full face CO2 Laser Treatment in Centennial, CO, for $299.00. I had never really looked into the procedure, but immediately did some research and decided rather impulsively to purchase the deal. I then scheduled to have the procedure about two weeks after I purchased it. Upon further research I got scared, feared that a $299 CO2 treatment was too good to be true, and cancelled my appointment saying I would reschedule at a later date.
I then began looking into the "Doctor" who would be performing the treatment for me. Indeed, she is not a Doctor. Her title is Susan Davenport LPE, CLS. After reading some horror stories, I was really nervous. I called her and was very frank about my fears. I even asked her if she had ever been sued. She was very patient and spent a great deal of time thoroughly answering my questions. She had been doing these types of procedures for almost 15 years. After speaking with her I rescheduled. I had my procedure done five days ago. I am thrilled!
I live in Laramie, WY, three hours away from the clinic I would be going to. I had a close friend agree to drive me home after the procedure. Wow, am I glad I did! Immediately following the procedure I was in a great deal of pain! I can't imagine having to drive in that condition. A very nice thing about the long car ride, was that I was able to have my face directly in front of my air conditioning vents for 3 hours after the procedure. Miss Davenport told me I would love this, and she was right! She also advised me to bring water, frozen peas, and a blanket and sweater as my body would get cold while my face was on fire. She knew exactly what she was talking about. Her patient advise and gentle demeanor were invaluable to me in the aftermath of CO2 Laser resurfacing.
So... the procedure itself. I was prescribed an anti-viral medication for possible cold sores and a steroid for swelling. I started taking them the same day as the procedure. I had my CO2 done at 6pm, allowing me to drive home in the dark. When I entered the office a topical numbing cream was applied and allowed to sit for ample time, then the treatment began. I was NOT pain free, but it was not unbearable. As you can imagine, the normally tender spots were more painful i.e. around my nose, lips, and ears. There was PAIN, but as I stated it was not terrible.
After the treatment my face was covered in tiny white bumps (burnt skin and hair). Within 15 minutes the pain became intense, and I mean intense! Before leaving the office I purchased a lovely skin care regimen consisting of a Salicylic Acid cleanser, Retin A .05% cream, Hydroquinone 12% cream, and SPF 45 tinted moisturizer. Ms. Davenport recommended these upon my questions as to how she keep her skin so flawless. She did not try to "sell" me anything, but was very open and honest in response to my questions about her skin care habits. Ms. Davenport is truly beautiful and entirely natural looking. She is 45 (I hope she doesn't mind my saying so!), and looks like a natural 30. Amazing!
During the first evening I was in a great deal of pain. My face was on fire! I had some second thoughts as to what I had done to myself. This was my first real beauty procedure (other than Botox)! By the 2nd day all of my doubts had passed.
On the 1st full day I woke up with considerable swelling, particularly on my upper cheeks. Midway through the day my face started oozing a yellow substance. It was not a pretty sight! Ms. Davenport advised me to clean in the morning and evening with Cetaphil, followed by a thorough coat of Aquaphor. Due to the constant oozing I had to also wash in the afternoon. The oozing had stopped by late the evening of the 2nd Day. I also developed quite a bit of milia on my nose and chin on the 2nd full day. It had completely resolved itself by the end of Day 3.
On Day 3 I developed a thick layer of dried dead skin. It was very tight and there was some itchiness. By Day 3 I had only minor discomfort. There was still very slight pain upon washing. I will admit that I had a couple of minor panics worrying that I may have some bad effects. The healing was actually going perfectly!
One thing that caused me to worry was an awful smell that developed the 2nd Day. At first I blamed my boyfriend for stinking. lol. It was indeed my own face that I was smelling. It smelled faintly of gross feet and vinegar. For a bit I worried that I was smelling the beginnings of infection. The smell lasted approximately 40 or so hours. It was pretty disgusting, but resolved itself when the dead skin began to slough off.
On the 3rd full day I showered and then covered my face with a warm wet washcloth for around 5 minutes. This allowed much of the dead skin to soften and come loose from my face. What a relief! I was thrilled to see the skin underneath was beautifully smooth and soft, although quite red. At this point I became very excited and couldn't have been happier. I am already planning my second session! I intend to have this treatment done every year to every two years, which is what my techinician does. As I said, she has truly flawless skin!
Last night, the end of Day 4 I decided to give my face an herbal steam bath. This felt wonderful on my tight dry skin (there was still a great deal of skin which had not peeled). After the steam bath I washed twice with Cetaphil and covered again with Aquaphor. As I hoped, the steam bath loosened up a great deal of dead skin, and today (Day 5) I am almost completely peeled. There is still brown colored dead skin on my forehead and the edges of my face. These are the areas which have very little movement and are taking the longest to peel.
Today (Day 5) much of my redness has gone down and become a lighter pink. My skin feels so soft and I am really looking forward to the results I will see in the next 4 to 6 months! This is one of the most rewarding things I have done for myself and I recommend it to anyone who has skin that will react well to CO2 laser resurfacing.
Note: I have very fair skin with slightly red undertones. I have blond hair and green eyes. I have never had any real skin problems, other than the occasional breakout. I eat a very clean diet, sleep plenty at night, and workout daily. I am a Health and Fitness online Coach. You may find my face book page by searching Lickety Fit. I am also a Real Estate Agent and mother. I have recently met the love of my life. He has been very sweet in telling my I am beautiful through out this entire process.
I can not recommend Susan Davenport or Laser Aesthetics of Colorado more. I felt at all times like I was in the best hands. She texted me throughout my healing time and had me send her pictures. I followed her instructions to the tee and have had a wonderful outcome so far! I will not go to anyone for any beauty procedures as long as she is practicing! Perfect!
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