Pearl Fractional Laser face and neck

I’m a 48yr old Caucasian female and a life long sun bunny. I couldn’t stand my skins dark sun spots, bumpy texture and wrinkles so I came in for a treatment. I wanted an aggressive one-and-done but am afraid of general anesthesia so I opted for the Pearl Fractional laser. The day of my appointment I was told to eat a good meal beforehand. I arrived and we took photos, discussed my treatment, aftercare and downtime. Then I was given a Vicodin and a Valium (at my request) and had a numbing gel applied to my face and neck. I waited 45 minutes and then she got started.

I marked "not sure yet" on Worth It because I only had the procedure yesterday! So far, I can see a ton of brown sloughing off and I know it's going to be amazing. I'm a 48yr old caucasian female with fair skin and some moles and freckles. I'm also a life-long sun bunny and I didn't start wearing sunscreen until a few years ago so obviously I had a ton of sun spots, wrinkles and all around yucky texture and visible pores in my T zone. About 8 years ago I had a Fractional C02 treatment on my face and loved the results, however it was extremely painful. I looked into doing a FC02 again; many local drs offer it with general anesthesia now, that's how painful it is, but I reserve general anesthesia for emergencies only so I opted for the Pearl Fractional Laser.

I had the procedure around 2pm. We took before photos a bit earlier and I started with a Vicodin and a Valium (at my request) and numbing cream on my face and neck. I took another Vicodin about 45 minutes after the first (again, my preference) and was feeling really, really good. The first pass was annoying but not painful, it felt like scraping on my skin but for me the popping noise of the machine was the worst part and I got used to that after a bit. After the second pass when she was going back to touch up the areas I asked her to get really well, I felt some pain but it wasn't unbearable and I never thought to myself I can't take this anymore or anything like that. It was less painful than I expected and much less painful than the Fractional C02 Laser treatment I got 8 years ago. I got a ride home from Seaside around 5pm. My face was hot for a few hours afterwards (and I looked like Freddy Krueger) but I slept fine that night without any additional medication. I woke up this am and it looks gross but doesn't hurt at all. My skin is tight and a tiny bit itchy around the edges. I'm keeping it layered with Aquaphor and doing the vinegar soaks about every 6 hours.

As for the ladies at Seaside Skin Care in San Clemente, everyone is awesome! RN Kristin Richmond did my procedure and she answered all of my questions. I love that several of the employees have had the procedure so they give you the whole truth. Kristin talked me through the procedure and let me know what she was doing and how it was going. We basically just chatted the entire time. Melanie Clark checked me in and also gave me a ton of before and after info, and she took the "During" pix for me. Everyone who works there is so helpful and knowledgeable! You can tell its a great place to work because the employees are happy!

I had the Pearl Fractional Laser procedure done on Saturday afternoon, this picture is from the following Wednesday morning. I have lots of peeling and sloughing, still a lot of redness and some swelling.