POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser REVIEWS
30 Year Old Treated with Ultrapulse CO2 After 3 Attempt on Fractional CO2 - London, GB
ORIGINAL POST
I have suffered from acne like many of us here...
junelim2036May 2, 2015
WORTH IT$980
I have suffered from acne like many of us here since i was 8 year old. I thought that the scar will fade with time, unfortunately, my acne was pretty severe so the scarring remains. I did some research and decided to tried on CO2 laser. In the past, i have tried chemical peels, salicylic peels (which i believed is 50% and above), derma-roller, but the scar remains. I did more intensive research and came across CO2 laser. I had 3 session of Fractional CO2 but the scarring is still obvious. My doctor decided to try Ultrapulse co2 laser (125mj) this time on my skin. I took some pain killers as i my pain threshold is fairly low. I arrived an hour earlier as usual to have the anesthetic cream applied to the entire face. It was fairly painful and after the treatment (0-2 hours), it actually did not look too bad compared to the previous fractional co2 treatment that i have had . After several hours, my skin started looking raw red and was oozing and cluster of blisters developed. Yellow liquid was oozing from treated areas to form crusts. I tried not to scratch or pick at crusts as it can cause scarring.. I cleaned my face with tap water for several times throughout the day to keep it clean and prevent secondary infection. I am on antibiotic course for five days (ciprofloxacin 250mg twice daily). On second day, my skin started going dark red/brownish, looking like i had suffered from a severe sunburn. Skin feels tighter and still oozing and cover with blisters. I am now in my third day post-treatment, i was experiencing itching and stinging. I am drinking plenty of water, orange juice, consuming lots of greens (kale, spinach, goji) at the meantime, to help with the skin renewal process.
junelim2036's provider
UPDATED FROM junelim2036
3 days post
Day 4 post CO2 laser
junelim2036May 3, 2015
The itch intensity has increased and getting tighter so I am assuming that new skin is forming underneath. Not sure why I am feeling more tired than usual but I am consuming lots of warm lemon water and lots of fruits and green vegetables as they contain vitamins and minerals that are required for new cells formation. I have also applied a generous layer of MEbo ( a scarring ointment that contains sesame oil) on my top skin layer as advised by the consultant to keep the skin surface hydrated.
Replies (11)
May 3, 2015
Welcome to the community, thank you for sharing your journey with us. Sounds like you are taking really good care of yourself, if you're feel tired just allow yourself the extra rest. I used to feel tired for the first few days after laser tattoo removal - I think it's just our body working a little harder repairing the trauma to the skin. Do you notice much swelling in the treated area?
May 4, 2015
Thank you for keeping us updated. I am trying to decide between ultrapulse and deepfx also for an indented small scar. Is ultrapulse fully ablative?
May 4, 2015
Also I'm wondering what kind of fractional co2 machine was used on you that didn't work? Sounds very frustrating especially given that so many doctors seem to prefer fractional just to be safe. But the patient doesn't always have the money to spend playing trial and error.
May 4, 2015
Hi, you are welcome. I had a consultation with the doctor and i asked him for his opinion which treatment is subtle for the scarring thet i am suffering from. I believe that ultrapulse is fully ablative and so is DeepFX. You should check ( best thing to do) with the doctor eg the power intensity of the laser and the skin area that he will treat as well as which treatment is the most appropriate one for your skin and scar type. Hope this info helps.
May 4, 2015
I am not too sure about that sorry, but i can ask my doctor. My skin texture has improved but i am not sure if the ice-picked scar has improved. My doctor assesssed my skin and told me that he would like to try a ultrapulse this time as he thought that it would help with my acne scars. From my point of view, getting a good doctor is important. Laser is not 100% effective, it depends on many factors eg, how deep the laser managed to prnetrate through your skin, how fast your skin can heal and how quick your body can build new cells as well as whether sufficient blood supply was delivered to the treated/affected area. Of course, there are other factors that contributes to that too. You should book a free consultation with a doctor after you have done some research online. Hope this info helps.
May 4, 2015
And after intensive research and trying numerous type of procedure, i do believe that laser is the only treatment that you can expect 30%-60% improvemtns on scars. I will try to update and share my picture Here on daily/weekly/monthly basis up to 6 months.
May 4, 2015
Hi Eva, thank you. My face swell after 2 hours post treatment and it felt hot and look burnt too but it subsided within hours. I drank 1l of orange juice and 2 cups of green tea and ate lots of spinach and 2 apple in that evening. I personally think that consuming sufficient nutrients are essential in good skin healing process.
June 9, 2015
do you have before picture ? your current pic don't look like severe scar to me.
July 7, 2015
hi, sorry it took so long to reply, i was waiting for my consultant to get back to me as he was on holidays. I will upload some before treatment as requested that i have obtained from the consultant.
UPDATED FROM junelim2036
4 days post
Day 5 post laser
junelim2036May 4, 2015
My face is still itching and feeling tighter. Each time when i try to smile ( i went to work today) , i can feel the burnt skin underneath the ointment "cracks/peels off". I can see some new pink skin resurfacing so i am getting excited over it. I cleaned my face with simple skin wash and ate lots of fruits, nuts, and spinach and had fish and veg for dinner to ensure that my system is getting all the nutrients that is required, again for cell renewal. I also soaked a face towel in cold water and use it to clean my face three times a day to reduce the chances of bacteria accumulation on the skin surface that can lead to more blisters and secondary infection.
Replies (2)