30 year old man having CO2 Traditional/Ablative Laser resurfacing for Face Scaring/ Large Pores - Milwaukee, WI

I joined and commented! Thanks for the invite Eva :)

There texture of my skin isn't smooth and youthful. I can mimic good textured skin with the Garnier 5 second blur cream and some wrinkle covertox10 finishing powder. But those products are minimal results at best. There are a good number of deep pock scars and the results of fractioned lasers are so minimal. I figured a full CO2 and my 'minor' scarred skin would result in flawless results!

Honestly, reading your expectations, I am concerned. If your goal coming out of this is flawless skin, I think you will be guaranteed to be disappointed. Honestly, I do not see any major skin issues, and this procedure is extremely aggressive and risky. I don't want to sound negative, but this is really reserved for the worst skin conditions. I think you should do more research and be prepared for how hard the downtime may be. I've had spot dermabrasion before for acne scars, and it helped, but the downtime was brutal and scary. In the end, I hope you get the results you want.

I brought up the tid bit about my dermabrasion, because both procedures take down 100% of the skin in the areas treated and are equally aggressive.

'Flawless' is in the eye of the beholder though, if my acne pocks, temple scar, and pore size, and bumpy textured skin is reduced greatly 60-70% then after healing I apply my creams, foundations, and finishing powders I can almost GUARANTEE to be amazed and happy of the improvements of my skin and feel 'flawless'. Research can be a bit confusing but I researched for months and the ablative CO2 is the gold standard producing the best results for scar removal and reduced pore size in one session but with the downtime increased which I am prepared to endure for the greater results. Fractional procedures have to be done multiple times sometimes to see legit results. All before and afters I have researched on Fraction are so disappointing! Spot dermabrasion for acne scars, is that different than resurfacing? Have you done ablative resurfacing or know another that has? Thanks for the heads up, I'm still weighing out my options but keep turning to ablative.

Also what is your age? Sex? Is the skin on your face thin or thick? Upon research, younger males with thicker facial skin heal faster, not to denounce anyone's definition of pain, but I'm sure everyone heals a little differently.

By big fear is white hyperpigmentation/ cosmetic complications over the pain

Spot dermabrasion is just traditional dermabrasion done to select areas, not the entire face. In my case, I only did the left cheek, where my deepest, and most prominent scars are located. In the procedure, a dremel like tool is used to basically sand down the skin to help smooth scars. The aftermath is something that resembles getting your knees skinned, but on your face. It's just a very traditional older resurfacing method, but can be effective in the right hands.

Yes I have also done fractional C02 laser resurfacing, specifically the Mixto C02 laser (just another brand of co2 laser). I wasn't too impressed with that.

I am male, in my early 30s, Asian skin type. I think the advantages for you is that you are Caucasian, which presents less pigmentation challenges than ethnic skin.

Looking at your new pic, I can see some pores and very minor acne scarring, but in general very minor issues. I think as a man, most people would not even register this as "problem skin." It looks like the skin of a typical guy.

Your results can be great, but I guess the question if the risks are worth it is something only you can answer. If you are prepared for the downtime and the doctor has shown you pics with good results, then you'll probably be fine.

Yeah the scars on my face are definitely the concern, a little upset realself uploaded my picture so small and somewhat blurry, my skin definitely looks like gravel when the light hits it a certain way. Ages the quality of my skin. Some acne scars; the pocks are pretty deep, something I know fractioned cant cure just in one procedure. The hyperpigmentation most definitely freaks me out! At the same time I think I'll always prefer to wear foundation on my face no matter how smooth my skin looks. But would hate to look at hyper-pigmented skin after a shower, brown spots or lines sound fixable overtime but when your skin turns white omg scary. My appointment is scheduled but I'm still on the fence. I'm laid off with pay every 7 weeks a year so I can afford to go through the extra downtime in the winter. Did you ever have ablative done personally? Did you get white pigmentation? Or are you suggesting the fractional over ablative just because that's the route you took from doctor warnings? I'm definitely preparing to experience a whole different type of skin. Spf for sure going forward! I asked the practitioner the cost for fractional just to keep options open.

Your results are amazing! That's why I have been aiming for the ablative, much better results. Yeah If I didn't get time paid off for 7 weeks out of the year I wouldn't have it done. But its all I will have to do for 2 weeks is take care of my face (and be in pain!) I'm confident this is going to give me the results I want for my skin. Thanks for the recovery tips those sound good. Were your on medicated pain killers or OTC meds? How were you after the 2nd week, that's when I would be returning to work (18 days) I sit at a desk though behind a phone so its not like ill get a lot of face time with people. I'm trying to mentally prepare for the pain but haven't had anything like this done before.

The doctor only gave me 600 mg Ibuprofen which was a joke. I had Hydrocodone and that really helped. I had this done on a Tuesday, missed church that Sunday(my husband is the pastor) and by Monday, day 7, I made the turn around. I had to go back to my doctor that day and the nurse cleansed my face to the point I looked almost normal. The after pictures are 3 weeks out. It is amazing how fast your face will heal. That picture is no makeup. I have tattoed eyeliner an eyebrows and since my eyes were still a bit bruised it looked like I had on eye shadow.

Did they recommend the 800 mg ibuprofen before hand or was that your personal choice? Ill be very vigilant on after care, I'm quite the perfectionist, thanks for your feedback!

By the way, it was not that painful( very uncomfortable but bearable) during the procedure and very little pain after but lots of wet, oozy skin and itchiness after the first week. All bearable. Go for it!

Thanks for the great post op news! I get even more excited when I read stories like these, if you got fractional, I can only imagine my procedure. It's so irritating I don't get acne anymore, but random 'pocks' are starting to appear on my skin crater lookin pores getting bigger and I have no idea why, even 'skin tags' that need to be froze are appearing under my nose/ upper lip. Its disgusting! Iv'e had it with my skin refusing to look healthy and smooth, and as a man, I'm tired of wearing makeup to try to mimic better skin. I am very prepared for the recovery process, im laid off for about 2 months. It will be an interesting winter, almost like I'm being reborn for the spring, something about cosmetic procedures where you have to disappear for awhile I like that feeling. Anyway THANKS for the encouragement, I haven't been getting that from everyone, no idea why, as resurfacing doesn't change the structure of your face or body, just skin improvement- which I need!!! Thanks.

Is it true now you wear SPF 50 everyday to avoid sun exposure- even after 5 years? Or after a resurfacing does skin EVENTUALLY become that tough barrier were used to again? I plan to SPF more now getting older, but how long does the 'Vampire' mentality continue with the new skin?

I don't see it as people not giving you encouragement. I see it as people who've gone through the process before telling you explicitly about the downtime and the very real risks involved. That to me is AS important or more important.

Yeah my doctor said It will improve my pores but stated large pores will 'come back' due to genetic reasons, it seems you can get rid of large pores but its more of preventative maintenance as they come back? Well see the pore results and how quick they emerge again. I have this weird skin effect where my pores and acne pocks look the same so I'm also interested to see what was actually acne when the new skin emerges. I'll def post afters pry end of Feb, keep checking in!