Matrix CO2 Laser Resurfacing - Norwell, MA

Thank you for your comment. I think sun worshippers like me need to have absolute clarity on the lifestyle implications of laser treatments.

Omg, I'm sorry it's that bad for you. I have seen a woman on the beach (I'm such a beach bum, this is really hard for me) with huge dark brown patches, kind of like I had in my worst photos here, but then even darker, probably like I would have today if I did nothing and went in the sun as I used to do.

Thank you so much. I can now go out without foundation - but the brown patches are not far from the surface and ready to come back if I should ever forget my hat and sunblock.

It's horrible. I am just planning my summer vacation in Italy and Greece and I will have to basically walk with a paper bag on my head on the beach. Ugh.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I have a medical condition that requires me to avoid the sun. Coolibar has some great products. Hats that completely cover your face and special sun umbrellas. I use them all the time and no one really pays attention. I highly recommend.

Also, I would not go near any laster treatment - and I would NEVER choose a fraxel treatment, whatever the new names they come up with. Read all the posts from someone on real self who suffered for years because of Fraxel and actually passed away. I think her name is Angela. Just google it and fraxel damage. Ladies - stay away from this treatment that disfigures many people. Also, only go to a fully certified plastic surgeon or doctor/dermatologist who has years of experience in administering IPL, CO2 etc.

I meant to write I would not go near any laser treatment from a Spa even if they do put medi in front of the name. Has to be a fully qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist with much experience in these procedures.

Please be sure to use sunblock for ever now. It's your only hope of not making this worse. Have your derm prescribe hydroquinone and stick with that for several months. My face is a mess but I'm still going to keep trying with the proven product (hydroquinone).

How are they going to fix it, they made the mess in the first place, so they obviously don't know what they are doing, and the problem is widespread: all providers who claim to cure sun damage with lasers are misrepresenting what lasers can do.

Well done for doing a thorough research. The reality is that there is not enough information on the long-term effects, and that is exactly where the problem lies. Long-term, these lasers are achieving the opposite of what they're supposed to do.

I could avoid the sun only if I never left the house. It's just not realistic, in my experience, to completely shield the skin from the sun, even with the highest SPFs.

Im doing it since 2 years but maybe it depends of your kind of life and where do you life. In my situation I live in a city with high buildongs so I always walk beetween the shadows (in London for example it wouldnt be as easy) In te first months (the most importants) I even put my hands in front of my face to cover myself in the sun areas. I also used a jacket with a Hood. I have the vantage that I work as driver so in the street I wear a helmet with big sunglases on it that cover all my face and I work mostly during the nights, (but I work some mornings aswell) If you cant do it due your work.. I dont know, take a free year, change your life style for a life that starts in tge afternoon or so. This is realistic if you make it realistic. It all depends of how this affect to you. In my case I would do it By the way you said laser made your hyperpigmentation worse, thats not true, Sun did. Sunscreen never block it 100%. If you stay in a dark room for a year after it you will have 0 pigmentation when you leave the room. Of course doing it is not realistic but what I said before It is. Just keep in mind that the sun is the devil and you need to avoid it for a long time after the procedure.

The laser made my skin more sensitive to the sun. If I had known the real cost of this treatment in terms of lifestyle change necessary to maintain the results I would never have done it! Especially since the results are so minimal as to be unnoticeable to anyone but me!

But the laser made your skin more sensitive to the sun the first months after the procedure. After a long time it will be recovered, but you have to wait that time (wich is not 1 or 2 months, is way more) and that means avoiding the sun during this time.

I avoid the sun by staying indoors between 9 a.m and 5 or 6 p.m, depending on the time of year. I very seldom have to break this rule, and when I do, I wear high spf water resistant sunscreen on face and hands, a straw hat with at least a 4" brim, and long sleeves, no matter how hot it is. The sun is poison !!!

You are right, Adam. That is the reality. I am like a vampire, must stay out of daylight or else.

There may be some things that can be done. I had some brown lines after a CO2 peel on my forehead and the doctor was able to use a different laser to absorb the color. It peeled off like a scab about 10 days later and was gone. I'm not sure which laser he used, as this was a long time ago, but there are many now that treat brown spots like IPL, Yag, etc. Another option may be a low strength chemical peel to remove the discoloration. A lot depends on how deep it is. If the brown is in the upper layers of skin, it will be easier to get rid of. I would consult some dermatologists who are experienced with lasers and get some opinions.

I have been able to get rid of most of it by now, using a combo of 8% hydroquinone, retin-A, vitamin E, and a vampirical fear of the sun. What I regret is the sun part. I love the sun and now it's forever out of my reach.

Try using vitamin C 20 or higher every morning with sunscreen. Cleanse with a 10% or higher glycolic wash every morning and Nite. Use retinol 1% every Nite . You can purchase all of these products thru Amazon. Make sure the retinol have anti aging ingredients. Give yourself 6 weeks and a transformation will happen. If you want instant gratification go for TCA peels. NO SUN after peels and try and keep out of sun. Always use a 40 sunscreen. Good luck. Let me know if things are improving. Gumboabgie

Thanks for your kind words. I look better in winter, so that's some consolation. But it's still heavy foundation for me for ever!