POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser REVIEWS
Laser for Face. Clinton Township, MI
ORIGINAL POST
I had the CO2 laser treatment on my face today to...
jend123January 8, 2016
$1,750
I had the CO2 laser treatment on my face today to treat fine lines, dark spots and to help collagen growth. I am not sure exactly which laser was used, but I will find out so everyone can know.
I had it done at Spa43 in Clinton Township by Dr. Cukrowski and Carol. I arrived at 9:45 am and signed forms, paid and then the fun began. Dr.C came in to look at my face and discuss with Carol how they would proceed with the treatment and then Carol (who is amazing) gave me a dose of Valium (thank God!!!) and then inserted metal disks in my eyes for protection...really not as bad as I expected. Next, she covered my face in numbing cream and then I waited. After about an hour the doc came in and gave me numbing shots in my gums (just like at the dentist) and numbing shots around my eyes, just the lower part. None of these shots were bad at all....really just kind of what you would expect. These shots really numbed me a lot and I am very glad. Then after about 5-10 minutes the doc came back in and began the treatment.
There were three separate steps taken. First, an overall laser on my face for a deep treatment to stimulate the collagen. In all honesty, this was extremely painful. I think it lasted just a few minutes...I'm not really sure though. Second, there was a treatment to my eyes that was more intensive, BUT because of the extra numbing it was much more tolerable with the exception of the upper eyelids because there was not any extra numbing there at all(there really is not a way for numbing to be injected into the eyelid so it just is what it is....super awful, but hopefully good results). Then finally there was another overall laser to the whole face to treat dark spots and stuff like that. I don't want to admit this, but I feel as though it may help someone else, I was literally writhing on the table at certain points, I even tried to back away from the laser a few times (not that I was going anywhere). It was just extremely painful during times and at specific spots on my face. The doc kept going (which she should do) and did not lower the intensity of the laser (which I am definitely thankful for because I want to have a good outcome)... But overall, this procedure was really, really painful. I just hope it was worth it!
During the entire procedure Carol used a cooling air on my face to help with the burning sensation which made things much more tolerable. Both Carol and Dr. C were very encouraging during the treatment and kept telling me things like "Ok, one more line across here"' or "This is the last laser and we're almost done" , stuff like that....which also helped.
Afterwards my face burned like it was on fire...when I was home I put cold compresses on it and the burning subsided after about an hour and then I coated my face with aquaphor and tried to relax. It is not too painful right now but starting to ooze which is fairly gross...but part of the process.
Here are some after thoughts...I was under the impression that my entire face would be numbed with injectable numbing meds...that would have helped A LOT....I'm not sure why it is not done at this office, but if I do this again then I will be sue to get more numbing treatment prior....even if I have to go to a different doc. And, they don't give any pain meds for the first day when you get home. I think that would have helped with those first few hours after the treatment. My PS for the TT said he gives pain meds to his patients after he does laser treatments....he is just too far away from me to get this type of treatment done at his office.
While the treatment was extremely painful I feel okay right now, so I'm glad for that. I am hoping for good results from the treatment and then it will be worth it.
I do have before pics and pics from today and I will post them tomorrow. I will keep up with daily progress pics as well.
Anyhow, Carol said that tomorrow I will look somewhat "monster-like".....ugh!!!! As long as I look amazing in about 2-3 weeks then all is well! :-)
I had it done at Spa43 in Clinton Township by Dr. Cukrowski and Carol. I arrived at 9:45 am and signed forms, paid and then the fun began. Dr.C came in to look at my face and discuss with Carol how they would proceed with the treatment and then Carol (who is amazing) gave me a dose of Valium (thank God!!!) and then inserted metal disks in my eyes for protection...really not as bad as I expected. Next, she covered my face in numbing cream and then I waited. After about an hour the doc came in and gave me numbing shots in my gums (just like at the dentist) and numbing shots around my eyes, just the lower part. None of these shots were bad at all....really just kind of what you would expect. These shots really numbed me a lot and I am very glad. Then after about 5-10 minutes the doc came back in and began the treatment.
There were three separate steps taken. First, an overall laser on my face for a deep treatment to stimulate the collagen. In all honesty, this was extremely painful. I think it lasted just a few minutes...I'm not really sure though. Second, there was a treatment to my eyes that was more intensive, BUT because of the extra numbing it was much more tolerable with the exception of the upper eyelids because there was not any extra numbing there at all(there really is not a way for numbing to be injected into the eyelid so it just is what it is....super awful, but hopefully good results). Then finally there was another overall laser to the whole face to treat dark spots and stuff like that. I don't want to admit this, but I feel as though it may help someone else, I was literally writhing on the table at certain points, I even tried to back away from the laser a few times (not that I was going anywhere). It was just extremely painful during times and at specific spots on my face. The doc kept going (which she should do) and did not lower the intensity of the laser (which I am definitely thankful for because I want to have a good outcome)... But overall, this procedure was really, really painful. I just hope it was worth it!
During the entire procedure Carol used a cooling air on my face to help with the burning sensation which made things much more tolerable. Both Carol and Dr. C were very encouraging during the treatment and kept telling me things like "Ok, one more line across here"' or "This is the last laser and we're almost done" , stuff like that....which also helped.
Afterwards my face burned like it was on fire...when I was home I put cold compresses on it and the burning subsided after about an hour and then I coated my face with aquaphor and tried to relax. It is not too painful right now but starting to ooze which is fairly gross...but part of the process.
Here are some after thoughts...I was under the impression that my entire face would be numbed with injectable numbing meds...that would have helped A LOT....I'm not sure why it is not done at this office, but if I do this again then I will be sue to get more numbing treatment prior....even if I have to go to a different doc. And, they don't give any pain meds for the first day when you get home. I think that would have helped with those first few hours after the treatment. My PS for the TT said he gives pain meds to his patients after he does laser treatments....he is just too far away from me to get this type of treatment done at his office.
While the treatment was extremely painful I feel okay right now, so I'm glad for that. I am hoping for good results from the treatment and then it will be worth it.
I do have before pics and pics from today and I will post them tomorrow. I will keep up with daily progress pics as well.
Anyhow, Carol said that tomorrow I will look somewhat "monster-like".....ugh!!!! As long as I look amazing in about 2-3 weeks then all is well! :-)
Replies (4)
January 10, 2016
Hi, poor u having 2 cope with all that pain during laser! I had 8 injections for just my chin and cheek area. Those I found extremely painful, but then my laser was fine, except for one spot that hurt like hell. So in my opinion they didn't give u enough freezing, and that's why u were in so much pain.
Now the trouble with my 8 injections, is that it made my heart race and I was literally shaking from the epinephrine.
After my laser I didn't feel any pain, until I splashed cold water on my face every 3 hrs. Then it seemed to re awaken the pain where I had the 8 injections and my teeth ached terribly. I sort of felt like I was suffering from post traumatic syndrome.
My results were wonderful, and I'm even going back and having my forehead done :-)
Hang in there, your discomfort will go away and you will LUV the results
Suzy Skin
Now the trouble with my 8 injections, is that it made my heart race and I was literally shaking from the epinephrine.
After my laser I didn't feel any pain, until I splashed cold water on my face every 3 hrs. Then it seemed to re awaken the pain where I had the 8 injections and my teeth ached terribly. I sort of felt like I was suffering from post traumatic syndrome.
My results were wonderful, and I'm even going back and having my forehead done :-)
Hang in there, your discomfort will go away and you will LUV the results
Suzy Skin
January 10, 2016
I read your review before I had my laser done...your results are great! I hope my results are as good as yours.
January 15, 2016
I had mine done two weeks ago. They put me to sleep, my doctor said it's too painful. I had to pay for it but I was sure it was worth it.
Replies (3)
January 9, 2016
I had a lazier peel about 20 years ago. It was under locaal anastesia. I remeber I had to pay the anestesiologist directly. Thnk God for that because I did not feel the procedure BUT the after discomfort was the worst thing I ever went thru. I don't now low long I was home but it was for a long time and for days and days I was in terrible pain. The results however were wonderful. Every little line was pretty muh erased. Aroun my mouth and between my eyes. The face lift was completly painless and by the 2nd day I was good to go but this peel was some kind of torture. The results were a 10 however. Would I do it again? Never but I would do a face lift in a heart beat
UPDATED FROM jend123
16 days post
Texture on face
jend123January 23, 2016
About a week ago I noticed that I had developed a texture on my face that looks as though I pressed my face on a mesh screen. I made an appointment to see Carol to discuss this as well as the fact that I did not peel and had zero improvement in my dark spots. I am upset about all of these things but wanted to discuss the matter calmly to solve the problems. Carol began by somewhat making light of my concerns and saying I need to give it time, it had only been a little over one week, etc. I continued to press her on the mesh like texture and no improvement in darks spots and no peeling. She said she had seen this kind of texture before and it has always gone away with time (I hope she is right because it looks bad). Regarding the dark spots and peeling she agreed that I should have had improvement in the dark spots and admitted that I had no change and I should have peeled so I am scheduled to see Dr. Cucrowski on February 11th to discuss all of this. I believe they will work with me to give me the results I wanted, but I'm losing confidence in our ability to communicate. Also, not sure if anything can be done if this texturing does not resolve on its own.
I am not sure what the final outcome will be, but I am definitely concerned. It seems like my skin is still healing so I am hopeful I will not have this texture permanently.
I am not sure what the final outcome will be, but I am definitely concerned. It seems like my skin is still healing so I am hopeful I will not have this texture permanently.
Replies (2)

January 24, 2016
Thank you for sharing your experience. People have mentioned before on this website that lasers have given them an "orange peel" texture. I've had an IPL treatment done on my face before but I don't think it has done any damage. It did improve my dark spots, however. You can also try a combination of Hydroquinone 4% and Tretinoin 0.025% (both Rx only) to improve dark spots. Keep us updated and stay positive :)
January 24, 2016
I had C02 on December 1, 2015. Still have some of the "mesh" appearance from the laser, but it is gradually going away as the continues to regenerate. However, I DID peel . Not really many dark spots. Going back this week for laser treatment on the little "spidees veins" on my cheeks.
Thank you for joining us and sharing your journey, my fingers are crossed that you get the results you're hoping for. I look forward to your photo updates -- good luck!