POSTED UNDER Vbeam REVIEWS
V-Beam Major Laser Damage. Portland, OR
ORIGINAL POST
In January 2014 I had one V-Beam procedure...
johnny1671July 6, 2015
In January 2014 I had one V-Beam procedure performed by Dr. Anna Barr of OHSU Hospital. I went in to only get one thread vein treated and possibly have a test spot done. Dr. Barr convinced me to do the procedure because a test spot would not be free and cost me $75 or whatever it was at the time and I could get my entire cheeks and midface treated for a little more than that. Like an idiot I opted to do the entire mid face not just the tiny thread vein I went there to be treated for. Now ive had photoderm done in the past which was one of the first IPL's out about 7--8 years prior to this and that felt like a rubber band snapping. This however felt like hot grease being poured all over my face. After the procedure I went home and noticed that parts of my face had swollen. I did my best to ice them and keep out of the sun. After about 3 days the swelling went down and I noticed that immediately after the procedure I had lost fat under my eyes and in my cheeks. Then the nightmare really began at about 2-3 weeks after the procedure I looked my best and my skin was healthy and slightly pink. Then the next day a crease started to form under my eye and hyperpigmentation began, then texture issues began with lines, open pores, scarring, indents, lines, and huge amounts of fat loss. and, and redness that persisted for months. My entire right cheek has lost fat from the eye down to the buccal / malar area. Nobody is ever symmetrical in their face but now I am very asymmetrical way more than I was before. This procedure has robbed me of my life and turned me into a hermit. I no longer socialize or go out and constantly try and find ways to fix the damage that has been done. In that time some of the texture has improved but not the fat loss. My face is completely unbalanced now and what hurts the most is the doctors lies. She tried to blame it on Rosacea or pretend she didn't see anything. I was informed of the risks of scarring, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation but not fat loss. Now I could opt for a fat transfer but that has its own inherit risks and that transferred fat since it comes from the body weighs more than facial fat and in a number of cases as a person has aged has caused their face to weigh down and sometimes migrate to other parts of the face. That's if it doesn't cause contour irregularities, lumps, reabsorption, etc... Fat transfer btw is not permanent so don't let anyone tell you that it is. After a year ive finally decided to post pictures because I want to help people from making the same mistake I did. I wish I could do a better job of capturing the texture issues but my camera isn't the greatest. Please don't do laser. I wish I never had and learned to love my old face more. The most comical thing about this entire experience is with all the damage that she caused she never did manage to get rid of the thread vein. One other thing to note Dr. Anna Barr told me she had performed this procedure a hundred times including on herself and had never had any problems. She did refund me my money but refused to accept or acknowledge the damage that she caused instead of blaming it on Rosacea or something else.
Replies (31)
July 8, 2015
Listen, I know what it's like for people downplaying one's damage. I go through it every day. But Johhny, man this isn't bad. I really don't think you need to go to extreme measures like a FG. maybe some filler to even things out.
July 8, 2015
The camera was set to beauty mode on those last few pics so the indentation above the mustache area and the mid face deficiency on the right as well as the cheeks and the texture issues are hard to pick up but I appreciate your comment and sensitivity thank you.
September 25, 2015
I get vbeam done by OHSU once a year. The vbeam is such a gently laser that I have melasma and it has not made it worse. It would be extremely unusual for that laser to cause fat loss. It only targets vessels and not the fat. I would have another derm take a look they will probably tell you the same thing. Sometimes we just start staring at our face so much looking for stuff that we are bound to see things we didn't see before.
September 25, 2015
All lasers cause fat loss and confronting a derm about it is no use. Of course they (most of them) will tell him the same thing, they all support one another in this laser industry. I have experienced it first hand and so has everyone else on this forum. If Johnny was the only one who noticed fat loss from Vbeam, then maybe I would say "ok, maybe its not plausible"....but hes not. There are many others---vbeam, Ipl, Fraxel (The main culprit), Co2, thermage. All lasers have the ability of ruining your life. Using them for solely cosmetic purposes should be on the same class as using an assault weapon.
September 25, 2015
Are you kidding me? Take a look at the other reviews on here. Like I've stated numerous times my left side has retained all of its fat and is undamaged except for some hypo, hyperpigmentation, and atrophic scars yet my right side now has lines, enlarged pores, fat loss, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. The procedure was anything but gentle. To this day my right side feels like it's on fire. My face was blistered and swollen for 3 weeks and very red for 3 months after. I was told by Dr. Barr that it was rosacea. For the next 3 months i saw the fat from under my right eye all the way down to my cheeks dissolve. Ive spoken to two dermatologists who acknowledged the laser damage. In fact Dr. Barrs own assistant could see the damage I pointed out but when shown to Dr. Barr she claimed to see nothing and later just attributed It to Rosacea. Ive spoken to two plastic surgeons. The plastic surgeons stated they could see the fat loss on the right and they've seen similar cases with lasers. Trusting OHSU and especially Dr. Barr was a mistake of epic proportions. Just because you haven't experienced any damage doesn't give you the right to try and dismiss mine.
September 26, 2015
I am not trying to dismiss yours. I have been doing laser treatments for years. All different kinds of lasers. I am just saying it doesn't seem plausible that a laser that they use on babies and that is mostly surface related would cause fat loss. If you indeed have laser damage then seek a lawyer. If it is found to be true by two separate individuals then you probably have a case. I have been burned by a laser and suffered third degree burns. My case settled on my side. Though raised hypertrophic scarring is a little hard not to see. Go seek counsel if you really feel that they misused the laser. I myself had a great experience with Heather Onoday at OHSU. I am also pretty scared of lasers because of my extensive burns, but trust OHSU.
September 26, 2015
I've already seeked counsel.and that's an entirely separate issue. Why don't you look up the user "healingheart", "laser56", "startrekvoyager", etc... Google fat loss ipl and see that there are now even studies that show fat loss occuring. I have no idea what settings Dr. Barr used but the right side of my face felt like hot grease was being poured on it and to this day it burns. There are many people on here experiencing the same thing with cameras and photos better then mine. If you're not convinced by the mountain of evidence out there then I don't know what to tell you.
September 27, 2015
I am jumping in here to get this conversation back on track. :) Please keep in mind when posting your comments that everyone has different experiences and results with their treatment and RealSelf is a safe place to share and help others in a supportive way. We don't want comments to turn into a "who is right and wrong" conversation, it's simply based on individual experiences and whether they think the treatment was worth it or not. If you have any questions please let me know, you can also review our Community Guidelines.
Thanks all!
September 27, 2015
Again they're used to treat different things v-beam dual sheer rosacea and hair removal and different wave length of light which I mentioned already before. At the core they operate the same way using light. It's not like laser co2 which glides across your skin. Like ipl vbeam used light and is supposed to feel like a rubber band snapping across your face with the added benefit of cool spray. I did not experience that sensation. Let me ask you something why are you trying so hard to discount my experience? Like I said were in the same state I'm m ore than willing to meet I'm person to show youm
September 28, 2015
I am not trying to discount your experience. I just had a good experience with them and that's why I originally commented. This is something I know a lot about because I have suffered third degree burns from lasers and because of an OBGYN mistake I now have a skin disorder where I can't go outside. I have to research every treatment I have to no end before I can trust it on my extremely photo sensitive skin. I guess it's just hard for me think that someone's face has fat loss by something that didn't even make my skin hyperpigment, and by the same doctors, when even setting foot outside makes my skin react. So this doesn't drag out...you don't have to prove anything to me. If you feel damaged, then you feel damaged. Sorry if I offended you.
September 28, 2015
I had a horrible experience with one VBeam procedure too. Similar to Johnnie's. Scarring, hyperpigmentation, dents etc. All kinds of nasty side effects. I even have a few half circle scars from the laser on my left cheek. I assume their from the hand piece. This was done to me in a highly rated hospital dermatology office. When I went back to show them the damage they said they saw nothing and blew me off. It's very obvious if you look at my face close up. It's embarrassing that I paid someone to do this to me. Shame on them. No laser is safe. Some people seem to get lucky. But if your one of the unlucky ones this is a life sentence.
September 28, 2015
You didn't offend me. I understand it's hard to tell from my photos as i dont have the best camera thays why I offered to meet in person so you could see for yourself. I'm glad you had a positive experience though.
September 26, 2015
Maybe I am confused...are you blaming IPL or Vbeam?
September 26, 2015
I had the V-Beam dual sheer laser performed on me which is a type of IPL.
September 26, 2015
I had photos er also a type of ipl done 10 years ago and suffered no problems and that felt like a rubber band snapping against my skin the vbeam experience felt nothing like that. The only difference between what is now known as "IPL Vbeam" is its a different wavelength of light and vbeam is used to target dilated blood vessels vs general overall redness but the V-Beam and ipl essentially work the same way.
September 26, 2015
Excuse me meant to say "photoderm" done 10 years ago with no unwanted side effects.
September 26, 2015
Anyhow I can see this turning into a circuitous argument. You obviously don't believe it or don't want to believe it which is fine. No point in commenting on here. Feel free to contact Dr. Marten in San Francisco who treats people who have suffered fat loss from all sorts of lasers i.e. vbeam, fractional co2, etc... and he can enlighten you. You can also look up jikai83 who had the same thing happen to her. I could go on and name 50 other people or you can actually do some research on your own rather than just saying "my experience was great. I don't find it plausible"
September 27, 2015
I don't need to do research. I have had it done by the place you are claiming damaged you. I see no damage. If you want to see damage I can show you third degree burns left by a laser. Vbeam is not IPL and vice versa. Those are two totally different wave lengths and lights vs lasers. "V-Beam and IPL are different devices that can achieve similar results. The V-Beam is a single wavelength device ( a LASER ) with wavelengths in the range of 585 nm to 600 nm. It includesonly ONE wavelength of light within each pulse emitted. It absorbs hemoglobin (its target within blood vessels) and destroys capillaries and other small vessels. The IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light and it includes MULTIPLE light wavelengths within the same pulse emitted. There are many different ranges utilized. The IPL Green Spectrum most closely resembles the V-Beam because it contains a group of wavelengths that is also selectively absorbed by hemoglobin within blood vessels."
~Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD
~Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD
September 27, 2015
I know what it stands for and I know what they're used for. I could care less whether or not you can see the damage. The fact is I can, other users on here can, Teo dermatologists could, two plastic surgeons could, as well as Dr. Barr assistant. Not only is V-Beam used for Rosacea but hair removal as well which is another reason I had it done. Since you're in Astoria I happen to be going there as well next weekend for a function. If you'd like to meet i can show you the damage in person. My cameras not the best due to it being a camera phone but it's no problem for me to meet you for coffee and show you the damage. It's difficult to capture in warm lighting but under a wood lamp or yellow lighting its apparent as day.
UPDATED FROM johnny1671
1 year post
My skin
johnny1671July 6, 2015
Just a quick update as I've been getting messages saying my skin looks good. Yes in the photos I took with the camera set on beauty mode it looks perfectly clear. I will update with another pic today from 3 months ago shoeing the hyperpigmentation atrophic scars on the left nasolabial area and fat loss underneath right nostril going past the nasolabial area to above the mouth as well as hopefully now you'll better be able to see the asymmetry.
Replies (4)
September 28, 2015
I have had v beam several times and it made my skin look better than a facelift did. I'm surprised you had bad results. I'm getting it again next week. Sorry you weren't happy. Red and swollen yes but also great results for me.
September 29, 2015
Yeah I wish that were the case for me but I had 3 large blisters and was red for 3 months then experienced what many on her3 have described fat loss, lines, indentwtions, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, atrophic scarring, waxy white skin, etc.. most of the damage is confined to the right side of my face. Having V-Beam done was the worst mistake of my life. I'd give anything to go back in time and stop myself from going through with it.
October 18, 2017
hi, how is your skin now please and just to confirm, was it IPL or vbeam that you had? you mention both. V beam us the one that gives the dark bruising. thanks
UPDATED FROM johnny1671
1 year post
New Pics
johnny1671July 6, 2015
Okay the pic with the yellow lighting showing my hair is me about a month after the laser damage as you look at my right cheek (you the viewers left) you'll see how I haven't lost any fat in it quite yet and it looks the same as it did right before the IPL. This very day btw is when the texture issues began. If you zoom in under the yellow lighting you'll notice rough skin and weird lines. To this day the left side of my face has lost very little fat. My cheeks were never indented prior to the ipl and you can see that both cheeks are now. In addition the left side suffered hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and atrophic scarring along the nasolabial lines. Now if you look at the second pic with me in a shower cap partially under white lighting you can see both cheeks indented now, the hyperpigmentation below my right eye, atrophic scarring with hyperpigmentation, along my nasolabial line, the wrinkly poor texture can't be captured with that camera and lighting but it's there on the right and now again I you compare left lower cheek to right you should be able to see the asymmetry.
Replies (1)
September 25, 2015
Thank you for sharing, it will give those of us that may think of having this procedure more reason to do plenty of research.
Thank you for openly sharing your experience with us and we appreciate you sharing your photos.