POSTED UNDER Laser Genesis REVIEWS
Horrible Damage from Laser Genesis (8 Treatments over a Year)
ORIGINAL POST
Horrible Damage from Laser Genesis (8 Treatments over a Year)
1anonismythMarch 30, 2020
$4,000
32, Male, South Asian, Medium tan skin. I went to the Kur Skin Lab because I thought laser genesis could help with:
1. primary issue of one acne scar (found out after the first procedure that this moderate treatment would do nothing to fix an acne scar)
2. secondary issue of some light sun damage--basically my skin was dry and just bit tanned/red from being out in the sun for one season, and I thought the laser could rejuvenate it--I ended up using this reason as an excuse to justify continued procedures even though I was truly ever concerned about that acne scar.
Before Photos:
I don't have any high quality BEFORE photos on my phone that clearly show previous blemishes, I don't take much selfies or photos to begin with and the ones I do don't zoom on my face), but I've asked a friend to send me wedding photos which I suspect will show my previous dryness as it was taken during the summer just 2 months prior to the procedure; so please be patient while I get them from him.
The tech, Kevin, took a look of before photos and promised he would send them to me (I've asked for them many times but never received them; at this point I wouldn't trust them to send me unaltered photos). He also performed the treatment. It took maybe 30-40 minutes, I had to shave beforehand because he said that it was necessary to do the beard area. I won't lie,the tech was very informative and seemed very caring, but also promised that there was no possibility of side-effects. If that was the case, I would have never signed a waiver when I came in during one of the following treatments: they asked me to sign for previous treatments as well. They were pretty tricky and I didn't realize until now why they did that. I think, but I can't be certain, that they didn't want to scare me with a waiver during my first treatment and that the time between my first few treatments was too short for me to start seeing the bad side effects.
So I kept coming back even though I started noting some small things bothering me. I would notice increased sensitivity, redness, and even fine lines cropping up. After the 4th treatment I saw scars! Actual noticeable scars. I mentioned this and they said it wasn't the laser. I was depressed but I didn't say anything and they said the laser would fix it. Yes, I'm an idiot for continuing further treatment and expecting different results. Those scars became a lot worse. The pictures I posted don't clearly show the scars enough but I will try to post better pictures. They do a pretty good job of showing what is basically an "orange peel texture", huge pores (I had moderate pores on my cheek to begin with), and small fine lines everywhere. The skin is also bumpy and has a rough texture, and I've even noticed some very minimal but true fat loss. The orange peel also looks like someone stamped my face, or imprinted it. It's really strange to describe. Most of the damage is on the cheeks and between the cheeks and nose. My family and friends have commented on my appearance and it is quite depressing to think about.
Here are some things I learned:
1. If you're trying any sort of moderate treatment like laser or even microneedling make sure its the right treatment for your skin. See a reputable dermatologist--not a spa! Even then, seek a second opinion, please!
2. Be clear about your concerns and don't let the dermatologist or spa tell you what your concerns are.
3. The dermatologist or spa tech may tell you that the treatment is working wonderfully for you after having you look in the mirror immediately after a treatment. What I learned later from several other dermatologists is that this is because of SWELLING immediately after any sort of treatment like this which will subside. To properly assess the results, wait at least ONE MONTH if not longer. If you returned to baseline, MAYBE try 1 more time, cautiously. But if you notice something small that doesn't seem right, STOP! Don't try it again.
4.If you ever go to one of these treatments and they promise no side effects, REFUSE to sign any waiver.
5. take you own CLEAR BEFORE PHOTOS with a high quality camera, preferably while you are in the spa/dermatologist/cosmetic surgeons office. If they take pictures of you, ask them to immediately send them to your phone BEFORE they start treatment. The last time I went to a dermatologist to correct my problems, I would not let him start the procedure until I had the before photos in my phone. While they may seem to have the interest of the client in mind, there is no one more interested in your care than you!
FYI: My last treatment was in Nov 2019. My dermatologist is advising me to wait and let my skin heal on its own (clean diet, sunscreen, moisturizer, that's it; avoid complicated skin regimens). fyi: He corrected my fat loss with filler why is also why you won't see the acne scar for which I originally sought treatment; the filler fixed that too (it was my first time doing filler and this time I did my research).
1. primary issue of one acne scar (found out after the first procedure that this moderate treatment would do nothing to fix an acne scar)
2. secondary issue of some light sun damage--basically my skin was dry and just bit tanned/red from being out in the sun for one season, and I thought the laser could rejuvenate it--I ended up using this reason as an excuse to justify continued procedures even though I was truly ever concerned about that acne scar.
Before Photos:
I don't have any high quality BEFORE photos on my phone that clearly show previous blemishes, I don't take much selfies or photos to begin with and the ones I do don't zoom on my face), but I've asked a friend to send me wedding photos which I suspect will show my previous dryness as it was taken during the summer just 2 months prior to the procedure; so please be patient while I get them from him.
The tech, Kevin, took a look of before photos and promised he would send them to me (I've asked for them many times but never received them; at this point I wouldn't trust them to send me unaltered photos). He also performed the treatment. It took maybe 30-40 minutes, I had to shave beforehand because he said that it was necessary to do the beard area. I won't lie,the tech was very informative and seemed very caring, but also promised that there was no possibility of side-effects. If that was the case, I would have never signed a waiver when I came in during one of the following treatments: they asked me to sign for previous treatments as well. They were pretty tricky and I didn't realize until now why they did that. I think, but I can't be certain, that they didn't want to scare me with a waiver during my first treatment and that the time between my first few treatments was too short for me to start seeing the bad side effects.
So I kept coming back even though I started noting some small things bothering me. I would notice increased sensitivity, redness, and even fine lines cropping up. After the 4th treatment I saw scars! Actual noticeable scars. I mentioned this and they said it wasn't the laser. I was depressed but I didn't say anything and they said the laser would fix it. Yes, I'm an idiot for continuing further treatment and expecting different results. Those scars became a lot worse. The pictures I posted don't clearly show the scars enough but I will try to post better pictures. They do a pretty good job of showing what is basically an "orange peel texture", huge pores (I had moderate pores on my cheek to begin with), and small fine lines everywhere. The skin is also bumpy and has a rough texture, and I've even noticed some very minimal but true fat loss. The orange peel also looks like someone stamped my face, or imprinted it. It's really strange to describe. Most of the damage is on the cheeks and between the cheeks and nose. My family and friends have commented on my appearance and it is quite depressing to think about.
Here are some things I learned:
1. If you're trying any sort of moderate treatment like laser or even microneedling make sure its the right treatment for your skin. See a reputable dermatologist--not a spa! Even then, seek a second opinion, please!
2. Be clear about your concerns and don't let the dermatologist or spa tell you what your concerns are.
3. The dermatologist or spa tech may tell you that the treatment is working wonderfully for you after having you look in the mirror immediately after a treatment. What I learned later from several other dermatologists is that this is because of SWELLING immediately after any sort of treatment like this which will subside. To properly assess the results, wait at least ONE MONTH if not longer. If you returned to baseline, MAYBE try 1 more time, cautiously. But if you notice something small that doesn't seem right, STOP! Don't try it again.
4.If you ever go to one of these treatments and they promise no side effects, REFUSE to sign any waiver.
5. take you own CLEAR BEFORE PHOTOS with a high quality camera, preferably while you are in the spa/dermatologist/cosmetic surgeons office. If they take pictures of you, ask them to immediately send them to your phone BEFORE they start treatment. The last time I went to a dermatologist to correct my problems, I would not let him start the procedure until I had the before photos in my phone. While they may seem to have the interest of the client in mind, there is no one more interested in your care than you!
FYI: My last treatment was in Nov 2019. My dermatologist is advising me to wait and let my skin heal on its own (clean diet, sunscreen, moisturizer, that's it; avoid complicated skin regimens). fyi: He corrected my fat loss with filler why is also why you won't see the acne scar for which I originally sought treatment; the filler fixed that too (it was my first time doing filler and this time I did my research).
Replies (9)
My skin looked amazing due to the swelling making the pores seemed refined. I noticed a indent line down my face (that later went in a month or two). At that point I had had seven or nine treatments in roughly 12 months. When the indent turned up, I realized that my face sagging was due to the laser and I guess collagen damage. And I stopped treatments. Reflecting on it, I had a little fat loss and facial reshaping from the second treatment.
3-4 months after stopping my skin became very orange peel textured and some pore enlargement, that I didn't have prior to treatment. I can only guess that there was some benefit from the treatment because my skin was smoother from it but also damage that had caused bad facial fat loss (change in beauty in face) and without continued treatment I had underlying issues of already damaged collagen leading to orange peel skin that never went away (4 years later).
I had a somewhat straight line/ indent down my cheek that was obvious in light casting a shadow. I let the person know who had performed the procedure and they pretended like they couldn't see it. It was obvious and it was there for a few short weeks. It was my tip off that the laser was the cause of the sagging. And then I did research and saw others with similar issues.
The changes didn't get better with time. There is no reversing the damage done. It acclerates some type of skin aging in some. I have very sensitive skin. It may work well for others.
I agree. Take this treatment slowly if you choose to use it. It may work well for some. But take it slowly.
If only I knew.
If it does cause volume loss it will be much more noticeable on a thinner face.
Also a number of these people reporting facial fat loss seem to be going through menopause or post menopausal. Lack of estrogen is going to cause volume loss. You also have bone loss as you age. Many people say "But I didn't look this way last year!" It might even seem like it happens overnight. It doesn't really. It just seems that way. But that doesn't mean it was necessarily caused by any skin treatment.
Another issue is if you look at the profile of several of the people that have left negative reviews you'll see they've done other kinds of treatments. So you don't know what actually caused the fat loss.
And people should be posting if they are going to actual surgeons or 'med spas'. I wouldn't ever let anyone but a surgeon touch my face whether that be with a scalpel or laser.
Also there's an article written by a plastic surgeon on how lasers cause fat loss. He states that he does fat grafting and almost all of his patients are 45+.