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POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser Reviews

CO2 Fractional Laser 12 weeks Out - HMA Rating: 0 (or how about -5)

UPDATED FROM Kim Ann
4 months post

19 weeks out

$3,000

4 IPL treatments later, I have a teeny bit of scarring on my chest and the texture of my face is a little rough but I'm happy to be about back to normal. The fractional CO2 was a mistake and I do not recommend it unless you have super bad acne scarring or enlarged pores (orange peel skin) and there's not a lot else you can do. It did nothing for my crepey neck skin so I am about back to square one no (except $5,000 poorer). You can keep up with battle against the neck skin. I will not give up!!

Kim Ann's provider

Michelle Cabret, MD, DDS

Michelle Cabret, MD, DDS

Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Replies (5)

Thanks a lot for your sharing. I was ready for Co 2. But no more! this is the first time I write a comment. Bcs I really appreciate your detail posting. It saved me. Thanks.

Aww Man! A lot of Doctors are mad at me now I'm sure!! What were you thinking of trying it for? Maybe there's something else I can suggest.

I wouldn't let her results deter you. I have seen lots and actually went in with two friends when they had their CO2 laser done and never seen any post results like that. That looks like the settings were not right, there should not be blistering or intense pain... It all depends on who is doing it, what machine they use and what settings they use. This lady is a dentist?.... possibly why ? I would suggest at least a Medical Doctor not a doctor of dentistry and or an NP or PA or even RN who specializes in Derm
I would like to try some light peels but not what u had. Thanks for ur posts.

What are you trying to change? Maybe I can point you in the right direction?

thank you sooooo much for your in depth chronology of your laser experience! i signed up for your posts on hidemyage.com - hope to hear about what you decide to do next (if anything!)

Oh I will! I will prevail! No more turkey neck for me!

Hi neighbor! Well sort of, I'm in Gilbert! :-) Thanks for sharing your journey and very honest feedback about the C02 laser procedure you had. I'm considering having it done in about 3 months, and after watching your experience I'm definitely going to weigh all options carefully! I do see the area of your neck that you were bothered by wasn't really much better after all was said and done..but you are gorgeous nonetheless! I'm hoping to get rid of some under eye bags/dark circles/puffiness with the C02... or any other procedures. Any suggestions you have would be so much appreciated! Thanks! Anna
I had CO2 laser done back in 2007, under my eyes for the loose skin I had.
The skin never really improved that much, I had a lot of discomfort and redness.
What did change was under one eye in particular, I have a very visible blue shadow that I never had before.
The laser can thin the skin so much, that the under- eye shadows (caused by the veins we have that area) become a lot more visible!
Did you get a refund? or correction at their expense? I have had 4 family members get c02 laser done on them and no one ended up looking worse than when they started. I am sorry you had that experience ....did they have you doing vinegar soaks post procedure and were you on antibiotics? what brand CO 2 LASER WAS THAT? Maybe they did not have you prep your skin before? There are protocols for these things to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation. I was gonna jump on the family band wagon and get it done so I researched extensively how to avoid hyperpigmentation post c02 laser. http://www.uvm.edu/medicine/surgery/documents/SkinResurfacing1.pdf
UPDATED FROM Kim Ann
2 months post

Neck 12 weeks after C02

No different from before except now I have hyperpigmentation.

Replies (5)

The results are pretty disappointing. Have you thought about a necklift of the use of the Precision?
What is precision??
It is a laser/lipo treatment in one that tightens the jowls and the neck. Not to the extent that a lift does, but if there is not a lot of loose skin and the ski is not all wrinkly it appears to work well. It is the Precision tx. The downtime is about a week+, with swelling and bruising. I had lipo done on my neck and jawline 2x, once in my lae 30's and again 5 years ago. Now, at 58, I still look pretty good, but need some firming. I am debating between the laser and the lift but leaning toward the laser. Cost for the Precision tx is going to cost me $3500. Going to go for a couple of consults for a neck lift.
Precision tx is more aggressive aka supposed to work better than the Thermi procedures.
Kudos to you for your detailed review complete with pictures. Sorry you did not end up w/ the results you were hoping for. I think your review is important in letting people know that these procedures are not a walk in the park. They are serious, heavy duty procedures, they are expensive, and there are times when they do not give you the outcome you paid for. You look like you've recovered very well, considering what you went through, but I am sure you are not happy that you spent that much money for the results you got. I had one IPL and it was a disaster for me. I know my skin will never be completely the same (see my Review on that!). It was sold to me as a "no down time" "easy lunch time procedure" that was extremely low risk, and it turned out to be anything but! I think the medical profession hasn't completely worked out all the variables on some of this technology, and they cannot entirely predict how the tx's will affect each individual, and they are lacking in the knowledge as to how to really fix many complications. What's worse, they are not being as upfront w/ patients about the risks and the limitations as they should be. In my opinion, the doctors who are super confident are the most dangerous, because they are not smart enough to question themselves or humble enough to acknowledge problems. I wish I had stuck w/ the skin I had - it was much better than what I ended up w/.
So sorry about your neck journey! I gave the same problem my husband spend so much money on treatments that las November he told me is shipper for me that you have surgery on your face and neck and I will see the results, so he talk me into the nip and tuck, God bless my husband!
I have the same experience.
have you tried profhilo?? it looks promising I tried it on the face honestly the results are good heard on the neck it works too.
UPDATED FROM Kim Ann
2 months post

11 weeks post C02

Yesterday was 11 weeks. I've had two IPL treatments to help get rid of the hyperpigmentation on my neck and chest (and shoulders?) caused by the C02 and the flushed skin on my face. My face is a lot better although I still flush for no particular reason sometimes and also when I'm angry (like a cartoon!) and always when I exercise. A blister formed on my right shoulder/chest area and popped, the skin peeled off so now I have a small scar that I know will go away after time. My pigmentation is the same on my neck and chest but it could still be healing from the IPL as it can sometimes take a couple of weeks as you can see in my IPL experience in September. It's hard to tell if the C02 at least dealt with the original issue which was crepey lines on my neck because the pigmentation makes the lines look more obvious. I will know once I get rid of the lines. I have a couple events to go to but I plan to have my normal IPL place do a hard core neck and chest IPL in early march. Frustrating. At this point I would never recommend the C02 laser but it's only been 11 weeks so...

Replies (2)

You poor thing, you have been through so much and still not healed. I am at 5 weeks and barely have any redness at all. I wish you well!!

WOW! Lucky girl!

Kim, hang in there. Flushing went on and off for me for a few years. Maddening, then rather suddenly stopped. My CO2 treatment left me with very little pigment on the sides of my upper and lower face. I correct it with makeup, but lately, let it all hang the way it is. Outcomes are not predictable, and after all the money spent, being unhappy with the results seems inevitable. Like everyone says, you are beautiful, period. But us perfectionists continue to fret at our own reflections. It wasn't supposed to have been so problematic.

My face also becomes an orange rind when it's cold. But that would be cool if I had ASKED to do my face like that. :( I'm posting more pics.

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