Long Road Back to Normal - Texas

It is now over 3 months since I had the procedure. I wish that I had never had it every single day, but I guess you get used to nearly anything. Where all the folliculitis was, now there is rosacea, which I never had before. The spot on my eyelid is not improving. I am thinking about having surgery to remove all the places. I think tiny scars are preferrable to the bumps. Some days, I just look in the mirror and cry. The dermatologist that I saw after this laser treatment has been wonderful to me. I can honestly say that I don't intend to do anything else unless he does it or refers me to a plastic surgeon. Whatever you do.....DO NOT USE any doctor who isn't board certified for this procedure. Being a medical doctor does not qualify a person to use lasers and redo your skin. I found out the hard way because I wanted to save money. My eyes do not look different except for the huge red knot on my eyelid. I now wear lots of makeup, whereas I didn't need to previously. I would tell anyone not to do it at all, but if a person feels strongly about it.....follow the advice above. I will be okay. I will not look like I used to, which is hard to deal with. I have a great support system and will make it through this. No amount of money could compensate all the confidence I lost, but I am slowly concentrating on other things in my life other than my appearance and aging. I recently became a grandmother, so that blessing is keeping me going. Life is really great.....just wish I could have my face back.

It has been two full months now. I stilll have to wear heavy makeup, but I am slowly improving. The blocked follicles on my eyelid are the worst but do not show unless I close my eyes. I may have red marks left by the folliculitis, but they can be treated in time with different products. I am beginning to accept what has happened. I know my doctor did not mean to hurt me in any way, and I have changed my review to reflect that. I am not damaged financially and there is a team of experts from the laser company reviewing my case. I know I will recover, but have basically lost my summer dealing with this. I doubt I will ever have anything done again. I will never do the laser for any reason. I have such a deeper compassion now for folks with skin disorders and acne. I want to go up to them and give them a pep talk. I cry more easily than I did before. I think it is because I have suffered a great deal with this "simple little procedure". I feel guilty about the vanity that made this all happen, but I feel that I am now a stronger person. Once I heal, I will hold my head up high and smile at everyone I meet.....especially people whose skin is far less than good or suffer from any type of disability. I have gotten reaquainted with who I am and what I care about. Wrinkles aren't fun and aging isn't for the faint of heart, but accepting the process with humor and grace makes a person remarkable. I will never take my health or my appearance for granted.

It has now been 6 weeks since my periorbital Pearl Laser resurfacing. I had great skin, but wanted to get rid of dark circles and some crepey skin. I bled and was so swollen that I couldn't see out of one eye. I have had to seek treatment from another physician due to an outbreak of folliculitis about 2 wks out of the procedure. Now, I have a chalazion cyst on one of my eyelids which will have to be removed by a plastic surgeon. I am also still red. All of this is because of the laser. I would give anything to go back in time. By the way, now I have horrible red bumps under an eye and STILL HAVE the dark circles.