Waiting for the 'Final Results' of CO2

I'm 55 years old and have gotten annual IPL treatments for over a decade, in addition to 4 Fraxel Laser treatments 4 years ago, and a LaseMD treatment last year. Those have done a decent job of cutting down on the age spots and sun damage I've inflicted on my skin over the years (I love the sun). But lately, the wrinkles REALLY seem to be setting in, as well as some sagging and dimpling (or orange peel as some call it on the chin). After extensive research on what would be the best choice for me without going under the knife, I went with the recommendation of Dr. Zelken to do a face, neck and chest CO2 laser treatment- more aggressive than the Fraxels I had done previously. I can tell he thought the face and neck lift would give me more of the results I want, but I'm just not ready for that yet, so this seemed like the best choice. Based on what I've read and what the nurse explained to me, I expected the treatment to be more painful than it was. They gave me a little sedation, as well as a pain killer and numbed my skin twice. I felt less pain than I did with the Fraxel. But I didn't have a pain killer or sedative with the Fraxel so keep that in mind. Anyways, made it home where I scared my husband and kids because by that time it's starting to ooze and bleed. Since I didn't really know exactly what to expect, I thought others might appreciate somewhat of a blow by blow update series so you are more aware of the stages you go through with this procedure. The doctor did tell me I won't see the full results for at least 3 months because it takes that long for the natural collagen to build up from the treatment. And that I should be prepared to stay home for about a week at least, maybe more depending on how quickly the healing progresses. I was told I should stay out of the sun for about 2 months. Don't do this during the summer! What I learned is that the skin on the face is very different than on the neck, and on the chest. The face heals faster, then the neck, then the chest. Thank goodness masks are still required because I got one of those bandana style ones, put on some shades and a hat, and was able to make some public appearances within about 7 days. Several times a day, a vinegar solution (mixed with water) is applied to the skin carefully with gauze, which removes the oozing stuff. Then a layer of Aquaphor covers it all. FYI- don't wear or lay on anything you care about, and keep your hair pulled back with a cloth headband because that stuff gets EVERYWHERE. After the bleeding and oozing dies down a few days later, the scabbing sets in. When you do the vinegar washes, the scabs eventually start to rub off with the Aquaphor application. It's kind of a mess, but satisfying to watch it all start to slough off! The worst part of the whole ordeal (besides being stuck at home for a week), was not pain. It was itching! It hit me on night 2. My neck, and especially my chest, as soon as I laid down to sleep. It was so bad (and you can't itch it), I tried getting up and applying more aquaphor. That didn't help at all. I took benedryl. That didn't work either. I ended up using a wash cloth to kind of press on the skin to help alleviate the itch, and then eventually to wring in my hands to keep myself from scratching. I didn't sleep ONE minute that night. It was torture. But a call to my doctor the next morning got me a RX that took the itch down tremendously and helped me sleep again. So bottom line, when the scabs first came off, my skin looked really smooth. Many spots are gone. But over time, the swelling must have come down because it's not quite as smooth and plump as it was at that point. I'm hoping that at the 3 month mark, I'll see enough of a difference to make it worth it. I will post pics of the final result. I might need to do another treatment just around my mouth since that's my worst area right now. It's not letting me add my pictures for some reason which is really frustrating so I'll have to finish the post and try to add them afterward using my phone.