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POSTED UNDER MiXto Laser REVIEWS

I'm Really, Really Happy with my Mixto Results for Blotchy Face and Hands - El Cerrito, CA

ORIGINAL POST

As a formerly super-freckled kid with large pores...

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SF1951August 30, 2009
WORTH IT$3,720

As a formerly super-freckled kid with large pores (my dermatologist told me they're like large feet...you either have 'em or you don't!), I was noticing some real blotchiness on my face and hands at age 57. I had dark sun spots, thinning skin and prominent veins on my hands and my jawline was getting saggy and crowsfeet were getting deeper and deeper.

I had thought about laser resurfacing for awhile but when my husband went in for Lasik eye surgery I noticed that the clinic did laser skin treatments as well. Boom! A week later I was getting my face, neck and hands done...all at once.

The stinging sensation of the laser was more intense than I had imagined. I did notice a rhythm to each pass of the laser and I could anticipate how long the zing! would last (6 seconds). That helped me endure. I also kept telling myself I would soon be gorgeous. Fortunately, that was my result.

Immediately after the procedure I was bright red and had amazingly dark freckles all over my face. The second and third days my skin was crusty, bright red and hot, hot hot. I followed my Dr.'s treatment plan to the letter -- water gel and spritzer, anti-inflammatory cream (Cicalfate), and Aquaphor. I also took a couple of Tylenol before bed. The fourth day, the freckles started to wash off!! New, bright pink skin was revealed with every face washing and after just one week I was completely transformed. My pores had shrunk, the age spots were done, I have a nice, natural blush to my cheeks and my neck is completely smooth. Everyone who sees me thinks I'm using a new, fresh makeup BUT...I'm not wearing makeup!

I'm going back tomorrow (5 weeks post-op) for a checkup and possibly Juvederm around my lips. (But I have been amazed at how much the Mixto CO2 has eliminated the feathering of my lipstick already.) My doctor has taken extensive Before and After photos and will be posting them online. I have fair skin and am a good candidate for this type of procedure. I've had no hyperpigmentation issues but I do have a little of the "itchy skin syndrome." I just apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to alleviate it. I hope this helps someone.

SF1951's provider

Dr. Sandra Cardona/Ellis Laser Eye Center

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Replies (7)

Bugjune
October 31, 2009
You look absolutely stunning and awesome - thanks for sharing the photos! But how did you go from being so bright red and crusty on day 2 and 3 to such a smooth, even color on day 4? That seems like a pretty quick recovery! Was Tylenol all you needed for pain? How do they do the eyelids without damaging the eyeballs? Did you get any blisters? And which area was the most painful to do: face, neck or hands? Thanks for your replies!
Bugjune
October 31, 2009
You look absolutely stunning and awesome - thanks for sharing the photos! But how did you go from being so bright red and crusty on day 2 and 3 to such a smooth, even color on day 4? That seems like a pretty quick recovery! Was Tylenol all you needed for pain? How do they do the eyelids without damaging the eyeballs? Did you get any blisters? And which area was the most painful to do: face, neck or hands? Thanks for your replies!
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SF1951
October 31, 2009
It really does seem like "magic," right? On the 4th day the dry and crusty skin started to slide off with normal (NOT vigorous scrubbing!)washing with lukewarm water and Cetaphil. The freckles and age spots slid off with the other skin. I could not believe it myself. Your skin will be very sensitive to heat/sunlight and will sting a bit while exposed to either for awhile. Sunscreen on everything, even my hands, is part of my daily routine now. The discomfort wasn't really "pain" per se. It was like a torture technique where a constant sensation is applied to the same area over and over again. During the treatment I started to twitch a little from the zinging effect. I think that taking a squeezy ball into the procedure with you would help release some tension. My only residual pain was a sunburn effect. I didn't even take Tylenol after the second day. Nothing more than Tylenol was needed during the procedure, either. I think the neck treatment was the most sensitive, but the hands came in a close second. Since my face was my very top priority I kept thinking happy thoughts about the outcome and that carried me through. It may sound icky (a technical term!)but the smell of the lasered skin was a little off-putting. Be prepared. Eyelid protection is placed over your eyes. The laser can come very close to your lower lashes and the browbone area is completely lasered, but right on top of the eye itself is not treated. I had no blisters, no cold sores, no negative effects. Collagen production has been stimulated and my jawline is firmer. The results should get even better over the next few months and the new skin texture should be evident for several years. I highly recommend the procedure if you are light-skinned like I am. We tend to have the very best results. Thanks for your kind words! SF1951
Bugjune
November 1, 2009
Thanks for your detailed reply! I now know much more what I'd be in for. My PS said that he WOULD do the upper eyelids tho ... I wonder HOW?! Cuz they are crepey, and I told him they'd detract from the rest of my face if that was all smooth. Geez. I think I'd actually LIKE some kind of "twilight sedation" ... I thought that IPL was pretty zingy and stingy when I got that on my face back in '03. Well, it is inspiring to see your before 'n afters! Keep on glowing!
jh2468
January 18, 2010
You really do look amazing!! I am on day 3 after doing the Mixto. I really appreciate everyone who posted day to day pictures because they are hard to come by. This is not an instant fix. It reqires days of recovery- I would not be caught dead out in public. My doctor and his staff are the absolute best. You had a really fast recovery. I would bet it is not typical. At day 3, I am still looking like I have a terrible sunburn. I am not in pain. I have kept the aquafor and Skin Medica ointment(my DR. gave me a whole post laser packet of Skin Medica products) all over my face and re-apply several times a day. Still patting my face with a mix of a little vinegar and water applied with gauze. I would be happy to answer anyones questions- I know I certainly had a lot. Thanks again for posting your pictures.
laserlover
June 28, 2010
SF1951 - Your results are amazing, just what I'm looking for! Can you please share your pre and post-treatment regimen in detail? I am concerned with reports of infection and want to do this procedure but want to be proactive about preventing any problems. Were you given any oral antibiotics or antivirals? Any anti-inflammatory medications? You said that you used "water gel and spritzer, anti-inflammatory cream (Cicalfate)", can you expand on the protocol? I've been reading about how vinegar soaks help, did they have you do that or just apply aquaphor? Also did you itch? I've been reading a lot about itching too. Any info would help. jh2468 - your experience would help too, looks like you did use the vinegar soaks. How long after the did the crusting begin and how long did it take to peel off? Thanks so much!!
UPDATED FROM SF1951

September 30, 2010 I'm still thrilled with my...

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SF1951September 30, 2010
September 30, 2010 I'm still thrilled with my Mixto results. With or without makeup I look young, have a natural glow, and feel very self-confident. Of course, I'm one of those nuts who exercises, eats her veggies and practices positive thinking. I think it's all tied together!

Replies (2)

citlally
July 3, 2013
Wow! Pretty amazing. I wouldn't peg you for 59. If anything I would have thought 40!
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SF1951
July 5, 2013
Thank you. I'm 61 now and my skin still looks terrific (for a woman 61!!). My new doctor said to me during our initial meeting, "Have you had any surgeries? You don't have very many wrinkles!" It's the laser, AND sunscreen!!
UPDATED FROM SF1951

May, 2013

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SF1951July 5, 2013
This is me at 61...4 years after my laser treatment. Obviously it was worth it for me.

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