POSTED UNDER Cellfina Reviews
Dark Skin Beware of Cellfina
UPDATED FROM Cara2019
5 months post
Photos
Cara2019October 6, 2019
$3,500
I’ve added photos from two weeks up to four months post Cellfina. I’m going on 5 months and still struggling with residual hyperpigmentation. My cellulite wasn’t severe to begin with, so having to cover up and agonize every day over these dark spots is too high a price to bear. Coupled with this is the anxiety of not knowing when the rest of these spots will fade. I cannot emphasize enough, this is not worth it. If you have skin of color (any color) don’t it. I’m tired of crying myself at night every night and having to apply hydroquinone multiple times a day. So, not worth it!!
ORIGINAL POST
Dark Skin Beware of Cellfina
Cara2019September 23, 2019
I have Fitzpatrick IV skin and had mild cellulite. Had cellfina in late May 2019. I was severely bruised immediately after the procedure and in pain for 2 weeks after the procedure. The compression garments made it difficult for me to use the toilet and I was pretty much bed-ridden.
Two weeks later, I went back for a follow up and was still very much bruised. I had purple/blue spots at the incision points that made it look like I had a strange skin infection. Someone asked me if they were bed bug bites. All through summer, I had to hide. This took a toll on me emotionally.
I went back to see the doctor 2.5 months after the procedure and he prescribed bleaching creams. I'm going on 4 months and some of the spots have lightened but the ones in front of my legs are still dark and have bruise stains (hemosiderin). I went to see the doctor last Friday and he applied PicoSure Focus on one of the bruises and it made it worse. It actually crusted on site and now I have symmetrical rectangles.
Never in a million years would I have imagined that a procedure that's advertised as "safe," minimally invasive and claims that bruising is "temporary" would have left me so mutilated. I'd take back my cellulite in a second rather than living like I have for the past 4 months! I have not gone to the gym, a pool, worn shorts, or even dated. I paid thousands of dollars to have to cover my once beautiful legs. I don't know if this is permanent.
Unless you're white think twice before having this procedure. Cellfina is NOT safe on skin of color. I'm scared this is permanent and I feel my legs have been ruined.
Two weeks later, I went back for a follow up and was still very much bruised. I had purple/blue spots at the incision points that made it look like I had a strange skin infection. Someone asked me if they were bed bug bites. All through summer, I had to hide. This took a toll on me emotionally.
I went back to see the doctor 2.5 months after the procedure and he prescribed bleaching creams. I'm going on 4 months and some of the spots have lightened but the ones in front of my legs are still dark and have bruise stains (hemosiderin). I went to see the doctor last Friday and he applied PicoSure Focus on one of the bruises and it made it worse. It actually crusted on site and now I have symmetrical rectangles.
Never in a million years would I have imagined that a procedure that's advertised as "safe," minimally invasive and claims that bruising is "temporary" would have left me so mutilated. I'd take back my cellulite in a second rather than living like I have for the past 4 months! I have not gone to the gym, a pool, worn shorts, or even dated. I paid thousands of dollars to have to cover my once beautiful legs. I don't know if this is permanent.
Unless you're white think twice before having this procedure. Cellfina is NOT safe on skin of color. I'm scared this is permanent and I feel my legs have been ruined.
Replies (2)
October 10, 2019
Omg!!! Thank,you and you have blessed me!!! I,was thinking about having this procedure done. Im,black and I'm just going to continue to workout and eat right. I,pray that you heal and your scars fade. Thank,you so much for helping me make my decision!!!!!
October 15, 2019
I'm so glad you found my review helpful. In retrospect, I wish I had opted for velashape, a 30-min, zero downtime procedure that uses infrared technology. It requires more than one session, but I have not come across any side effects on dark skin.
Basically, anything that entails skin cutting (which cellfina does), burning (most lasers, pulse lights, and medium peels), or severe bruising is bad for ethnic skin. That's because dark skin reacts aggressively to injury producing excess melanin (stubborn hyperpigmentation) and hypertrophic scars. Unfortunately, a lot of these technologies are thoroughly tested on skin of color and many providers are ignorant to the fact that skin of color is way more sensitive than caucasian skin, contrary to popular belief. That is why we have to be extra careful and resign ourselves to pay more, have more treatment sessions, etc., to achieve results that more aggressive treatments can produce in shorter time. Trust me, I wish I could go back in time and not have cellfina.
Basically, anything that entails skin cutting (which cellfina does), burning (most lasers, pulse lights, and medium peels), or severe bruising is bad for ethnic skin. That's because dark skin reacts aggressively to injury producing excess melanin (stubborn hyperpigmentation) and hypertrophic scars. Unfortunately, a lot of these technologies are thoroughly tested on skin of color and many providers are ignorant to the fact that skin of color is way more sensitive than caucasian skin, contrary to popular belief. That is why we have to be extra careful and resign ourselves to pay more, have more treatment sessions, etc., to achieve results that more aggressive treatments can produce in shorter time. Trust me, I wish I could go back in time and not have cellfina.
October 15, 2019
"A lot of these technologies are NOT thoroughly tested on skin of color" is what I meant to say.
Replies (3)
I find it irresponsible for the manufacturer to advertise Cellfina as safe or minimally invasive, at least not on dark skin.
In my experience, laser makes it worse. What has produced moderate results is retin A and hydroquinone applied 3x/day.