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POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser Reviews

CO2 Laser Resurfacing with Fat Transfer to Under Eye Area - Chattanooga, TN

UPDATED FROM Skin girl

Updated Pic 9 months after CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treatment

Skin girl
WORTH IT$4,800
Yes, I can still agree that this was a successful procedure for me. I think I still have benefits from collagen production, even 9 months out, as this picture was taken Aug 2012. I have started routine SkinMedical peels and I use SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex faithfully.

Skin girl's provider

James E. White, MD

James E. White, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon

Skin girl rating for Dr. White:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
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Replies (4)

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September 25, 2013

You look amazing, what wonderful results! I am so happy for you! Vinegar & water compresses, never heard of that before, thanks for the tip!

October 25, 2013
Hi Skin girl, As everyone has stated, you look fantastic! I had the peri oral CO2 laser around my mouth 22 days ago. It took forever for all the dead skin to flake off, but, now, my skin is a dark pink in the treated area. I started applying makeup, a few days ago, but, you can still see the "ring", where I had the procedure. I'm going to call my surgeon later today, but, the girls in his office assured me (before I had the procedure), that, with makeup, you would not be able to notice the discoloration. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
April 2, 2014
Yes, make-up was critical to help with discoloration. I have read that it is very difficult to avoid the demarcation line from "new" skin to the untreated skin, hoping this issue has resolved for you. Let us know which make up line you are most comfortable with at this point in your recovery. It's an interesting issue and one that many women notice. Thanks for your comments.
April 5, 2014
Well, I was one of the candidates that did not respond well to the CO2 laser. Because I tan easily, 6 months after the procedure, I still have a dark ring around the treated area. I am not pleased with the fact that my surgeon did not inform me that hyperpigmentation is quite common with the CO2 laser procedure for olive skinned people (I am half Sicilian). My dermatologist stated that he was quite surprised that the surgeon would perform this procedure on me because of my skin type. Foundation does NOT completely conceal the ring around the treated area, and I also use a green concealer under my makeup ( I think it is Dermablend). My surgeon and his staff have not been very empathetic, stating it is just a minor complication and that it will eventually go away. In my humble opinion, this will take 5 years to completely get back to normal. I fear a drop of sunlight on my face will tell my cells to tan, and the area will get dark again. It HAS lightened slowly since October, but, not much. My advice to anyone who tans easily, or has Type 4 skin, take a less aggressive procedure. This bump in the road has been mortifying.
November 8, 2013
Thank you so much for your post! I am 57 years old and just had this procedure a little over 2 days ago and I am a mess and a bundle of nerves, can't even eat. Reading your post gives me light at the end of the tunnel.
April 2, 2014
Yes!, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Hoping and praying that you are well and healing has progressed and you are thrilled with your results.
December 9, 2013
Your posts are so helpful. Thanks, I am on day 3 and just want to knock myself out. Looking forward to day 10. You look fabulous.
April 2, 2014
Thank you and rest assured, I know what you mean, but hopefully, you are thrilled with your results, healing is over & you are happy with your results.
UPDATED FROM Skin girl

Day 55 post CO2 Laser Resurfacing Life is...

Skin girl
Day 55 post CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Life is better!, Much Better. I have posted New Years Eve pic for comparison sake.

I am currently feeling much more confident about my skin these days. Less redness and able to wear makeup without the speciality yellow tinted redness remedy product which is an improvement. My face still is red out of the shower or after exercise, but the "track marks" are less noticeable now, it has almost been 2 months since my procedure.

A huge concern for me with my "new" skin was the best method of skin care and I must say, I have tried to change a few things to improve my skin appearance. Starting with learning to sleep on my back! Yikes!, this was hard to do, so I enlisted the aid of a mini-travel pillow with a very smooth satin cover which has been great.

In addition to drinking lots of water,
I am in a daily routine of skin care which includes:
AM Routine
SimplySkinRx Foaming cleanser
20% Vitamin C Serum
SkinMedica TNS Serum
Elta MD Sunscreen SPF 46
SimplySkinRx Day Lotion- antioxidants

Bare Minerals Brightening Primer
Bare Minerals Makeup

PM
Cleanser
SimplySkinRx Night lotion-glycolics
Renova
Weekly mask with SimplySkinRx (feels great & tightens pores)
Occasional use of the Emu oil for addl moisture and Aquafor under my eyes as a barrier

I can now say I am looking forward to protecting my investment and taking care of my skin. I have experimented with a ton of products and would love to see what others are using that has been helpful.

Hope this story helps any of you considering CO2 Laser Resurfacing and good luck to all in the quest for great skin!

Replies (5)

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January 2, 2012
Just reviewed every photo and word ... thank you for your generosity and honesty. You look wonderful. This is what I'll do, setting aside three weeks of absolute down time and a few more of oops time. My cosmetic doctor uses the CO2 exclusively for laser work and only selectively recommends it; he does a lot of needle work along with surgery. He is very honest about this being the gold standard with often spectacular results for skin rejuvenation but along with that is considerable work/supervision/office visits/time.

You are so wonderful to have given the day to day on this.

Can't wait.
January 2, 2012
Good luck Beautyland! Sounds like you have had a good conversation with your physician and have understanding of the procedure. Keep us updated and I hope you love your results! Thanks for your encouragement!
May 29, 2012
Hi Skin Girl,
I appreciate all the information and before and after pictures. I too have considered the CO2 but was a little concerned with the complications of some. You looked great before and after. Did the CO2 accomplish all that you had hoped for? I am your age and want to avoid a face lift if I can. Was there any lasting skin tightening? Sorry for all the questions but I live in the Chattanooga area also and had a consult with Dr White. Thanks so much!
bjt27
May 29, 2012
Hi, there,
thanks for your comments. Yes, I would do this procedure again with Dr. White. I have had good results and am very pleased with the diminished fine lines & tightening of my skin. I probably will consider a facelift in the future, but this has definitely given me results that have helped stave it off. It took a while to heal as you can see from my pics, so be prepared & know what you are getting into as I have friends who were appalled by the after pics. Plan your time and committ to the aftercare as that part is major. I have had botox once since the laser in Nov. I appreciated Dr. White's care. He was very good with me. I love Toni Ryan, his nurse practitioner & have also used Dr. Gardner as well for my last botox. Good luck!
March 22, 2013
Hı skın girl. I had this laser 3 weeks ago for my chest. And it is still red and brown.ıs it normal ? I am tried when Will not go redness and brown . Thanks
March 23, 2013
Had you any cream for your chest after co2 laser?
UPDATED FROM Skin girl

I have updated a picture of my results on Day 24....

Skin girl
I have updated a picture of my results on Day 24. I have on Bare Minerals makeup, with a redness remedy underneath the foundation. These products are less expensive that Jane Iredale and I am experimenting with the best look.

My face is still somewhat red, but I am comfortable covering it with makeup and have resumed my normal schedule at the point. I have a follow up appt. with my surgeon tomorrow.

Replies (2)

December 6, 2011
This is my 12Th day after my deep cos laser. i had my appointment today and doctor touched my skin and said that my skin healed pretty good . But the brown spots from the lasers are still there. (little much clear but still ugly. I bought different kinds of make up but it does not cover the brown spots completely.Doctor told me it will take a little bit more to clear because he did really deep in those areas. I went to dillards today to get my new make up. The lady helped me but the make up did not work. I was horrible with that make up. The lady said that was worry for skin that it will get damage for the laser. (maybe she got scared for the way i still looked), she then said that some doctors dont care about the treatment they just want money. The lady was very negative about my skin. I told her that i chose the right doctor. Then i did not buy anything because i did not like the make up. I went better to ulta but i dont know if is the make up or my skin????//
December 27, 2011
Hi Skin Girl. First of all let me thank you for so generously taking the time to document your story. It is brave and very helpful to those of us considering treatments. I am seriously contemplating having the COS Laser Resurfacing. What are your results now that has been a month and a half? I have had a bad reaction to Aquafor in the past as well by the way. It actually sort of burned and stung my face. Anyway- thanks for the valuable info and would love to hear any further updates and how your results are. Thanks and happy holidays.

AJ in NC
December 27, 2011
Hi AJ,
As I look back and consider the entire process, yes, I would have the CO2 Laser again. Make sure you have lots of time to heal and anticipate the entire recovery period. My skin has a better texture overall now with smaller pores noted. I am religious with my current skincare regimen. I know it will take up to 6 mos to see the actual finished results, as laser stimulates collagen production and it takes a while to determine how much fat transfer actually "takes" as it is grafting. You can certainly benefit from CO2 lasering without any fat transfer. I also had a syringe of juvederm & restalyne to fill in the chin area & plump the lips, but this is hardly noticeable to me.

Without makeup, I continue to have 2 linear marks near my mouth that appear red where he really worked on some lines that I wanted treated. I also have subtle lines/redness on my forehead that can be easily covered with makeup.

The fat transfer that was placed at my temples look good and help with crows feet lines. I love the fuller look under my eyes and think it has made a significant difference in eliminating that "hollowed look" under my eye area.

It is not a decision to make lightly and I encourage you to do lots of research. My physician used the Lutronic CO2 laser and is a board certified general surgeon & cosmetic surgeon. I was given IV sedation and don't recall a thing about the procedure, so there was no pain at all during the procedure. I would never consider doing this without sedation.

And, if I had to do over, I would ask to speak to actual patients that he had done the same procedure on within the past 6 mos. Since privacy is a huge deal, I was allowed to see a few pictures of previous patients that had given consent to show pics. That's why this website is so helpful.

Good luck to you & have a fabulous new year. I will post recent pictures after I clean up all this crazy Christmas stuff!

Rhonda