POSTED UNDER YAG Laser REVIEWS
"So...you're over 35, Right?" Houston, TX
ORIGINAL POST
Yag destroyed my face. I really wouldn't recommend...
cupcake0526March 4, 2016
$1,200
Yag destroyed my face. I really wouldn't recommend this laser. I went in to get rid of melasma, and left with uneven skin texture, scars, way worse hyperpigmentation, and micro holes. I'm not sure what went wrong. I do know that on day 5 of healing my face got super itchy, burned, and was quite painful for a week. Infection? Contact dermatitis (what I got diagnosed with)? My body starting to scar??
I'm severely depressed over this. My life hasn't been the same since I've had this done. At first I thought my cheeks lost fat or something and that it was giving me wrinkles on my cheeks, but when I went to have a consultation for fillers the doctor asked me if I was going to correct my texture problem. I went home confused and started looking more in the mirror.....and yeah. I definitely have a texture problem. I have columns (and patches) of skin that are raised/lowered than the rest of my skin giving the appearance of a bunch of little wrinkles.
Has anyone successfully improved their faces with this kind of damage?? I need to do something, I can't keep living like this. My entire life turned upside down. I went from the happiest person I know, to someone who is too embarrassed to be seen.
I was hoping it wasn't *that* bad, and I'm the only one who sees it, but...
I went to the store to pick up beer for my husband. I pulled out my ID to give to the cashier and she looks at me, confused, and said, "So...you're over 35, right? I don't need that.".
I'm 25.
I'm so broken by this.
I'm severely depressed over this. My life hasn't been the same since I've had this done. At first I thought my cheeks lost fat or something and that it was giving me wrinkles on my cheeks, but when I went to have a consultation for fillers the doctor asked me if I was going to correct my texture problem. I went home confused and started looking more in the mirror.....and yeah. I definitely have a texture problem. I have columns (and patches) of skin that are raised/lowered than the rest of my skin giving the appearance of a bunch of little wrinkles.
Has anyone successfully improved their faces with this kind of damage?? I need to do something, I can't keep living like this. My entire life turned upside down. I went from the happiest person I know, to someone who is too embarrassed to be seen.
I was hoping it wasn't *that* bad, and I'm the only one who sees it, but...
I went to the store to pick up beer for my husband. I pulled out my ID to give to the cashier and she looks at me, confused, and said, "So...you're over 35, right? I don't need that.".
I'm 25.
I'm so broken by this.
Replies (50)
March 5, 2016
I don't know how i stumbled upon this review, maybe it was through your profile lol. If not, have a look https://www.realself.com/review/tampa-fl-Yag-laser-Scars-Dents-and-Redness-left-from-laser-surgery-months-even-yrs-later# microneedling looks like your best option.
March 5, 2016
Thank you!! Sats is the reason I started looking into microneedling. I'm going to buy derma rollers as soon as I get the "Okay" from a few doctors. I feel awful she's going through damage as well. :,(
July 2, 2017
If I were you, I'd let a professional with experience do it at least the first few times. I'm going to get a roller for my arms and décolletage area, but I'm letting a very highly experienced esthetician do my micro needling. She is very very skilled and has been doing it for many years.
The good news about micro needing is that even if you use a dermatologist, it's a lot less than lasers.
I have not used PRP with micro needling. There is a a huge thread on that in the review section.
I've used Biopelle Ampoules and stem cell derived from plants with my MN sessions. I'm pleased so far, and it's downright affordable comp;ared to lasers.
After all the things I have seen on here, I am not too keen onlookers or Thermage.
The good news about micro needing is that even if you use a dermatologist, it's a lot less than lasers.
I have not used PRP with micro needling. There is a a huge thread on that in the review section.
I've used Biopelle Ampoules and stem cell derived from plants with my MN sessions. I'm pleased so far, and it's downright affordable comp;ared to lasers.
After all the things I have seen on here, I am not too keen onlookers or Thermage.
March 7, 2016
I have an appointment with someone who has light therapy, so this will be my starting place. Thank you so much for your time!!
March 7, 2016
Hi, I was the one who recommended the Ematrix and peels. Yes, my texture was bad - I had tiny holes that looked like pores but I never had pores before - these were definitely caused by the CO2 laser. The Ematrix helped with them and the texture improved significantly after the very first Ematrix session. Then, I had 2 more Ematrix sessions. After I finished the Ematrix 3 sessions, I had 1 VI PEEl, then about 5 months later I had another peel called The Perfect Peel (same chemicals as the VI Peel, but with added other ingredients for additional benefits). Also, it's very important to use 1% Retin A and you can get a prescription from your dermatologist to have a compounding pharmacy make it for you, or just use a regular prescription one. I had dents from the lasers in addition to the small holes, and I also had some burn marks t=from the horrible first plastic surgeon, that the second doctor removed with his CO2 laser that caused the holes that I had subsequently. I would NOT recommend using any additional lasers because each time you have a laser treatment you are running the risk of causing additional damage, whereas the Ematrix is much safer and is specifically for correcting texture issues. Also, the peels are extremely safe and after you peel, the skin continues to correct the indented areas and surface because the acid goes through several layers of the skin and new collagen forms. After you peel from the peels, you should start using the Retin A cream. The peels can be used about 3 times a year, or maybe 4 for you because you're younger. But really best not to do any more laser treatments. Also, I'm extremely wary about micro-needling, as that puts tiny holes into your skin, which you are actually trying to get rid of - so I would definitely stay away from that.
March 10, 2016
Thank you again for your time. I think I've decided on doing nothing for now. I'm so scared I'm going to make it worse. I really couldn't handle it. I will keep everything you said in my head for down the road. My face is still pink and inflamed, so I think I need to let that calm down before I do anything else. With that being said, your approach makes sense!!
March 14, 2016
If your still red it might mean you are still healing and can use vbeam. Its working for me. Microneedling makes holes the same as laser but without heat so its safer - no fat atrophy. It should gradually fill in textural differences. I'd be looking at this once a doctor says your skin has heeled enough!
July 2, 2017
I completely agree. When her skin is completely calmed down, no more inflammation and she is ready, a micro needling session with growth serums (or the snail serums, lol, I know). Micro needling is safe and effective. Lasers scare me badly. No fat atrophy problems with micro needling. And the tiny punctures are made by needles that are thinner than human hair. I have not even had peeling from my micro needling. One day of feeling and looking like I got a bit of sun and that's it.
March 10, 2016
Do not use retin-a. I tried that to help my texture problems caused by burns years ago and then morons who made it worse playing games with my face. What I got from retin-a is hypopigmentation , yes , big white patches , probably permanent . I went from bad to much worse . Don't do it. Many derms will say retin a can't cause that but it did and does, my derm didn't bother reporting it so that's why it never gets recorded although it was observed during clinical tells and hey admit it. Must derms don't admit it though . Do not use retin a. Don't take advice from most pf the Drs on here either , they all just love lasers and I've heard too many horror stories to count . I tried it once and have a weird of meat patch where it was used , that wa a decade ago. Do not use any other laser, ever, I don't care what lie these charlatans offer. Stay away from retin a until this is all resolved or just stay away. The upside is you are young , your skin is still healing . I would say don't do anything to it at all. Gather information and honestly , I know of one good derm in NYC , Ellen Marmur, that's it. I know some good ones in Seattle . Not sure if you are looking to travel for this but best to take your time really thinking this through. Don't start trying to fix it in a panic , you'll make it worse like I did to my face. Did you consult anyone else about this ?
March 10, 2016
Thank you for preventing me from freaking out and running out doing more damage. I think I may just take my time before making any decisions, and let my face calm down before trying anything.
I'm very sorry you're dealing with damage, as well. I'm hoping you'll heal with time.
I have a consult next Tuesday. I just need opinions on what to do and what exactly is wrong with my face. Then I can make decisions from there. I'm not sure if I want another laser, bc I have indentions from the headpiece used. I'm terrified of it making it worse. I like the idea of peels later on
I'm very sorry you're dealing with damage, as well. I'm hoping you'll heal with time.
I have a consult next Tuesday. I just need opinions on what to do and what exactly is wrong with my face. Then I can make decisions from there. I'm not sure if I want another laser, bc I have indentions from the headpiece used. I'm terrified of it making it worse. I like the idea of peels later on
November 26, 2017
I disagree about Retin-A. It increases cell turnover so your skin heals itself quicker. I've used .05% for 35 years and it has always helped heal small scratches or light acne overnight! And it has also allowed me to avoid wrinkles that I would normally have at 60. You need to ALWAYS use a sunscreen with it or you will develop melasma in your late 50's or early 60's, perhaps sooner depending on skin type. But cupcake has the perfect skin tone for .05% or less Retin-A. She doesn't need anything stronger. It will only help her heal quicker and avoid wrinkling as she ages which from her photos will be a quarter of a century from now.
I am 60 and recently underwent a CO2 fractional laser around my mouth and chin five months ago. Another horror story that left me with scars on my upper lip and chin. My chin scars look like horrible wrinkles and my upper lip looks like I've been slashed with a boxcutter every which way. My skin now looks like it is slowly trying to heal but the redness from scarring is still manifest. I cope because I'm older but it still bothers me when I see young people being hurt.
I think you are a beautiful young women with gorgeous skin. After recently discovering that I am of English/Irish decent, I was just thinking yesterday why I couldn't have inherited your beautiful dark hair, blue eyes and light creamy skin tone known as the "black Irish." You might not be of Irish decent but they are beautiful features. Then again, I've also wished that I had a black skintone for as long as I can remember. Black skin is the most beautiful skin tone that I've ever seen.
I am 60 and recently underwent a CO2 fractional laser around my mouth and chin five months ago. Another horror story that left me with scars on my upper lip and chin. My chin scars look like horrible wrinkles and my upper lip looks like I've been slashed with a boxcutter every which way. My skin now looks like it is slowly trying to heal but the redness from scarring is still manifest. I cope because I'm older but it still bothers me when I see young people being hurt.
I think you are a beautiful young women with gorgeous skin. After recently discovering that I am of English/Irish decent, I was just thinking yesterday why I couldn't have inherited your beautiful dark hair, blue eyes and light creamy skin tone known as the "black Irish." You might not be of Irish decent but they are beautiful features. Then again, I've also wished that I had a black skintone for as long as I can remember. Black skin is the most beautiful skin tone that I've ever seen.
Replies (3)
September 5, 2016
YAG didn't destroy your face - an idiot who had no idea of how to use it did
April 30, 2017
I actually don't think your skin looks ad at all...a few minor flaws, sure, we all have some. If you feel your texture is worse since the Yag, maybe try a dermaroller, or a LED light. Both of which you can buy and use at home. Also, you are young and your skin will probably still heal more. I think you look young and pretty. Definitely not 35!
January 4, 2018
I think you look young girl and that’s only after 8 days... idk wht your skin looked like before, that you would need to have it done but I think besides discoloration it looks good and improved each picture... I’ll be honest I would of freaked out, I did and it not on me after seeing 1st pictures but felt so much better as the pictures progressed... good luck, your a beautiful girl.
Replies (27)
March 5, 2016
Theres no way on this earth you look over 35.
You look approx 27-28 years old.
What sort of yag laser was it you had done?
I had Revlite Q Switched nd:Yag laser done and my face looked nothing like that after-just a slight redness!
It looks like she burnt you maybe?
You look approx 27-28 years old.
What sort of yag laser was it you had done?
I had Revlite Q Switched nd:Yag laser done and my face looked nothing like that after-just a slight redness!
It looks like she burnt you maybe?
March 5, 2016
Thank you so much. 28 is way better than "over 35". That comment has had me down for quite a while now. I mean, if I look over 35 now, how old will I look in ten years when I'm really 35?? So scary.
I e-mailed her asking which one, but got no response. I'll e-mail again and update asap.
I have nooooo idea what happened. She said she went 150 on one pass, 200 on a second, and she did a 3rd pass on my cheeks/chin/temples (where the scarring is). Idk what the strength was on the 3rd pass. And idk what the numbers represent. I was extremely ignorant through this entire process.
I e-mailed her asking which one, but got no response. I'll e-mail again and update asap.
I have nooooo idea what happened. She said she went 150 on one pass, 200 on a second, and she did a 3rd pass on my cheeks/chin/temples (where the scarring is). Idk what the strength was on the 3rd pass. And idk what the numbers represent. I was extremely ignorant through this entire process.
March 7, 2016
I also had laser damage by two different doctors, the second one was trying to correct the scars, burns and indented areas from the other doctor, but he used a CO2 laser without telling me and that left tiny holes. It is definitely a horrible nightmare. I then had 3 Ematrix sessions that really improved the texture and then I've had 2 peels - a VI Peel, and a Perfect Peel and I have seen a great improvement. I also use 1% Retin A that I have formulated by a compounding pharmacy. I have seen a great deal of improvement and I highly recommend a series of peels to improve the texture and holes left by the lasers. It will also go back to normal slowly with the peels. Also, the Ematrix was very helpful prior to the peels.
March 7, 2016
Thank you so much for taking time to give me suggestions. I've never heard of Ematrix, but am definitely extensively looking into now.
Was your texture anything like mine?? I know mine is pretty hardcore, but was it similar in any way??
If I decide to go this route, I'll do the peels with it. THANK YOU!!
Was your texture anything like mine?? I know mine is pretty hardcore, but was it similar in any way??
If I decide to go this route, I'll do the peels with it. THANK YOU!!
March 22, 2016
My skin went through the same thing after i had fraxel done. Have you found an answer to help fix this texture issue?
March 22, 2016
yep me too. same "texture irregularties" as doctors try to put it... but in reality its all over shallow scarring!! :-( 3 plus years and still searching for a solution.
March 22, 2016
"Texture irregularities" is what they tell me, too.
So, I'll make an update about what my new doctor wants to do.
So, I'll make an update about what my new doctor wants to do.
March 22, 2016
lol- just a say to not call it by its real name-scars. i read ur update...dermaplanning with a light peel is the first thing i did too...and i also had the voluma. facial shaving is good for the skin anyway, thats why men age better. and dont worry about it growing thicker it wont! its vellous hair only the terminal hair grows back thick and darker. please keep us updated on your treatments and hopefully we can all find the solution to this ongoing nightmare.
March 22, 2016
Well, I'm hoping the V beam will make the scars look better. There's a woman on here who got scarred around the eyes and the V beam helped. Then again, I think hers were hypertrophic.....but whatever. I'm still hoping. I'm hoping that of I can get uniform in color it would help things not stand out so much.
How did you like Voluma? Did it help make you feel even a little better?
And thanks for the reassurance! I didn't have much of a choice. I couldn't wear make up bc of the hair. It was insane!
I'll update every step of the way.
How did you like Voluma? Did it help make you feel even a little better?
And thanks for the reassurance! I didn't have much of a choice. I couldn't wear make up bc of the hair. It was insane!
I'll update every step of the way.
March 22, 2016
every little thing u do will make u feel better. i liked the voluma, ive also tried restylane... lasers and now on to microneedling. i try to alternate between peels and needling every month. just take it one day at a time...and dont beat yourself up. denial is what these doctors do when it goes wrong.
March 23, 2016
It's ridiculous how we pay for a procedure and end up with more damage. On top of it after the fraxel I ended up with dermatitis and they just sent me home with aveeno. Ever since I have been dealing with nonsense.
March 23, 2016
Ohh you're talking about me. ;) Yes vbeam is for flattening hypertrophic scars and getting rid of redness. By getting rid of redness it "speeds up" scar formation so I guess its also good for any kind of scar
March 23, 2016
msfigure- you got dermatitis, too???????????
Dude, I'm going to message you tomorrow and I'm going to tell you the events that happened before, during, and after the dermatitis to see if there's any link on what happened. It'd be so much easier to deal with if we knew what went wrong.
Dude, I'm going to message you tomorrow and I'm going to tell you the events that happened before, during, and after the dermatitis to see if there's any link on what happened. It'd be so much easier to deal with if we knew what went wrong.
March 23, 2016
yes i did! i had the mixto twice from a highly skilled practioner. they were light treatments and yes the overall look of my skin has improved but the scarring from the laser is still there. i understand when u describe your skin. uneven texture...in my review u can see that i was describing is as uneven skin levels (all of the while going back and forth from the doctor as he was buying time so i could sue) mine is scarring. superficial shallow scarring from where the laser hit. and in different light can look completely different. some days are better some days are worse. ive consulted so many doctors realize im doing all i can do. in my opinion a real informed consent to these procedures is that nothing... no science... no technology can put back ur skin to how it was prior to these procedures. maybe the constant exfoliation will help us in the long run age better than our peers. and while i know how liberating it is for someone to say yes! i see what u see...please know that how we see it in the mirror is never as bad as people seeing us face to face. its that two dimensional perspective. i really do wish u the best of luck with ur treatments. please keep us updated and i will do the same.
March 23, 2016
Do you think if you did mixto consistently for a year or two you'd see a difference in the texture?
I'm really curious what my derm has in store for me. Idk what the right route is in order to see results. Slow and steady? Aggressive? Hmmm. And you're absolutely correct about perspective. But I'd really like to like what I see in the mirror. As I get improvements it'll get better and better for me. I really enjoy your input on all of this.
I'm really curious what my derm has in store for me. Idk what the right route is in order to see results. Slow and steady? Aggressive? Hmmm. And you're absolutely correct about perspective. But I'd really like to like what I see in the mirror. As I get improvements it'll get better and better for me. I really enjoy your input on all of this.
March 23, 2016
I wont do anything aggressive again, nor will i do the mixto again. it just puts me into high anxiety and emotionally i cant do that to myself. studies have shown that microneedling is just as effective as lasers but dont carry the risk. That heat from those devices cant be good for the tissue. In the future maybe ill ask to have some spot treatments with ipl in some areas that are still clearly burned...but slow, steady and consistent is how im going. i just dont want to risk it. I appreciate your imput as well. when this happened to me I was 28...not much older than and that age matters because its horrific at any age...but these are supposed to be our best years and it just shouldnt be like this. :-(
March 23, 2016
i meant... not than age matters. sorry for the typos. i think faster than i can type. :-p
March 24, 2016
:( :( :( :( I know. I'm so sorry you're going through this, too. :( :( :( We all just want our lives back. Nobody should go through these sort of emotions. Normal, every day life has become very hard. I really hate it.
March 25, 2016
You are being too hard on yourself. When I look at your face once it has cleared up you look fine. I wouldn't think that you have bad skin. Don't be so hard on yourself. You look great!
July 28, 2016
Who did you go too?? I wanted to get it done...
just for uneven tone and sunspots. but they burned ur face. they didnt know what they were doing! Im so sorry! U look great tho. I was headed to a skincare salon today bit I will definitely think twice !!
just for uneven tone and sunspots. but they burned ur face. they didnt know what they were doing! Im so sorry! U look great tho. I was headed to a skincare salon today bit I will definitely think twice !!
July 29, 2016
Are you from the Houston area? I will only let my dermatologist (Paul Friedman) touch me with lasers, now. Be careful where you go. You can't hide your face.
Thanks for the recommendations. I'm looking into all of it now. Would you happen to know the proper time line before trying different treatments?