POSTED UNDER eMatrix Reviews
Ematrix nightmare:I Used to Have a Nice Complexion
UPDATED FROM goldenview
1 year post
1 1/2 years later and still have texture damage
goldenviewMay 3, 2018
$500
While the pigmentation issues have improved my texture is terrible. I have been using Retina A, skinceuticals C&E serum, HA moisturizers. Considering a mild peel because any heat related procedure terrifies me!
Replies (3)
November 2, 2018
I'm SO very sorry you had this experience. I think you still look very pretty but I understand the experience was really traumatic. Thank you for taking the time to post about the procedure and your results of the last eight months. I was curious about this procedure and now I won't try it. I'm sure it's little consolation but I'm sure you've helped many other people who were considering trying it as well. Christina
April 10, 2019
E-matrix is a nightmare. The same thing happened to me. Micro needling with prp and Isdin sunscreen are putting my face back together.
UPDATED FROM goldenview
7 months post
Collagen Destroyed
goldenviewJuly 21, 2017
It's been 8 months since my Ematrix procedure. While the hyperpigmintaton and texture has improved significantly very slowly the elasticity of my skin has deteriorated. It's like many others describe-a rapid aging of my skin.
I recently returned to the plastic surgeon I saw 3 months ago. He did not perform the Ematrix but is a laser expert and does not think much of the Ematrix.
He said I have improved by 75% since he saw me last and I'll know in thr next 3-6 months as to what will be permanent damage.
He put me through a VISIA exam and it showed all of the ultraviolet damage that was still in the deeper layers of my skin after the procedure. He explained that instead of the radio frequency stimulating collagen it has DESTROYED it! So there is damage
On the outer and deeper layers
Of the skin.
So the treatment plan for the next 3 months is the following (basically continuing what I've been doing for the last 3-4 months).
Morning:
Cetaphil hydrating cleanser
LIfeline Daily Defense Complex (alternating days with Vit c)
ZO Vit C serum (every other day)
Elta MD barrier repair
Coconut oil paste
Sunscreen
Primer
Makeup
Evening
LIfeline brightening cleanser
Refissa tretinoin 0.05% (every other night)
ELta MD barrier repair
Vit E oil
Glycerine based cream
I'll evaluate in October and next step recommended was a very mild SkinMedica peel. After building up to stronger peels maybe try PRP.
I recently returned to the plastic surgeon I saw 3 months ago. He did not perform the Ematrix but is a laser expert and does not think much of the Ematrix.
He said I have improved by 75% since he saw me last and I'll know in thr next 3-6 months as to what will be permanent damage.
He put me through a VISIA exam and it showed all of the ultraviolet damage that was still in the deeper layers of my skin after the procedure. He explained that instead of the radio frequency stimulating collagen it has DESTROYED it! So there is damage
On the outer and deeper layers
Of the skin.
So the treatment plan for the next 3 months is the following (basically continuing what I've been doing for the last 3-4 months).
Morning:
Cetaphil hydrating cleanser
LIfeline Daily Defense Complex (alternating days with Vit c)
ZO Vit C serum (every other day)
Elta MD barrier repair
Coconut oil paste
Sunscreen
Primer
Makeup
Evening
LIfeline brightening cleanser
Refissa tretinoin 0.05% (every other night)
ELta MD barrier repair
Vit E oil
Glycerine based cream
I'll evaluate in October and next step recommended was a very mild SkinMedica peel. After building up to stronger peels maybe try PRP.
Replies (4)
October 30, 2017
If your 7 months out and still have rosacea type symptoms... a peel of any kind could make it worse.... Based on my own experience ....
Next time you go to the Dr. (dermatologist) since your treatment triggered a "rosacea" like response and your skin barrier has been compromised (thinned). Things to consider that may help.
1. IPL (photofacial) or vascular lasers are non ablative treatments and work best for visible redness and vessels. (redness is a vascular internal dysfunction vs. surface)
2. PRP therapy - uses your own healing cells that stimulate collagen reformation (thicken skin barrier)
3 Barrier re-builders like hyaluronic acid and others that can be delivered through the skin barrier by ionization, like galvanic & ultrasound machines... etc. vs. just sitting on surface layer
3. led light therapy has helped many heal the redness too.. (red light)
4. Skin Care, avoid fragrances and ingredients in topicals that can further agitate your skin (while your in this state) think sensitive/calming/hypoalergenic skin products, don't scrub or use sloughing type devices, no hot water on face or in shower.
5. Manuka honey, oatmeal and other masks have helped with facial heat and healing.
While still red, inflamed experiencing facial heat. Avoid direct sunlight, follow a "rosacea friendly diet/lifestyle" try to minimize stress, extremes in temp. exposures, avoid spicy and high sugar foods (can cause redness) best yet, if some days your worse then others you may want to keep a journal, that way you can see what may be causing/triggering your redness, brakeouts ... with rosacea everyone has their own unique things that may cause a worsening of their condition... so journaling helps to identify what those are.
I know sounds like a pain but doing so can help you even if yours was treatment induced vs. a long chronic build up. You will get better... hang in there.
Next time you go to the Dr. (dermatologist) since your treatment triggered a "rosacea" like response and your skin barrier has been compromised (thinned). Things to consider that may help.
1. IPL (photofacial) or vascular lasers are non ablative treatments and work best for visible redness and vessels. (redness is a vascular internal dysfunction vs. surface)
2. PRP therapy - uses your own healing cells that stimulate collagen reformation (thicken skin barrier)
3 Barrier re-builders like hyaluronic acid and others that can be delivered through the skin barrier by ionization, like galvanic & ultrasound machines... etc. vs. just sitting on surface layer
3. led light therapy has helped many heal the redness too.. (red light)
4. Skin Care, avoid fragrances and ingredients in topicals that can further agitate your skin (while your in this state) think sensitive/calming/hypoalergenic skin products, don't scrub or use sloughing type devices, no hot water on face or in shower.
5. Manuka honey, oatmeal and other masks have helped with facial heat and healing.
While still red, inflamed experiencing facial heat. Avoid direct sunlight, follow a "rosacea friendly diet/lifestyle" try to minimize stress, extremes in temp. exposures, avoid spicy and high sugar foods (can cause redness) best yet, if some days your worse then others you may want to keep a journal, that way you can see what may be causing/triggering your redness, brakeouts ... with rosacea everyone has their own unique things that may cause a worsening of their condition... so journaling helps to identify what those are.
I know sounds like a pain but doing so can help you even if yours was treatment induced vs. a long chronic build up. You will get better... hang in there.
UPDATED FROM goldenview
4 months post
4 month update
goldenviewApril 15, 2017
I have been to another plastic surgeon and dermatologist to seek treatment plans and understanding of my skin. Both thought that the orange peel is from underlying inflammation that hasn't resolved yet. I have been put on a stronger retinol and skin brighter creams and they seem to help the hyperpigmintation. The dermatologist said it looks like a Roseca had been ignited and remarked that my skin was still holding on to the heat from the radio frequency device. My treatment plan is to wear lots of sunscreen, do the skin brightened and moisturize like crazy. Fingers crossed.
Replies (1)
May 22, 2017
I had ematrix done over 10 years ago and never fully recovered.. it looks like it brought out melasma that I never knew I had.. I will never do the ematrix again. I've used Obagi's Skin line with the hydroquinone to decrease the hyperpigmentation and that's worked --however, after not using it for about a year the hyperpigmentation starts to come back so it's a constant cycle of using the hydroquinone every 18 months to keep pigment down. The underlying redness and small broken capillaries have never disappeared they're always constantly there so I just have to wear make up every day to cover up.
May 22, 2017
You should ask your dermatologist if you can apply a steroid cream for 3 to 7 days onto your face to help with the underlying inflammation.. this really helped me recently when I had an aggressive microdermabrasion that left my skin looking like an orange peel...
July 21, 2017
Thank you! The inflammation has thankfully gotten progressively better. I live in Florida and I was terrified that the summer sun was going to be my enemy but it has gotten better.
I'm sorry you went through this with the ematrix. I'm actually a laser clinician in New York and I've been using lasers for about 10 years now. I'll be honest with you, the ematrix would never have been my first choice for your acne scars. I primarily use syneron Candela products and that includes the ematrix. From what I have found, the only thing that the ematrix is really good for is taking care of pudding and crepping skin around the eyes only. Aside to that the device is fairly useless. What I would recommend is a series of mild fraxel treatments using dual wavelength both the 1559 and the 1927 nanometer. That will help to tighten your skin as well as alleviate some of the hyperpigmentation. You don't want to be overly aggressive with the laser though and you definitely don't want to do it during the summer months. My suggestion would be wait until November or December and plan on two to three treatments at very light settings. The other option would be to try micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma. That tends to have a very High success rate for clearing hyperpigmentation as well as toning the skin. Let me know how it goes and good luck!