Much As I Expected and Not Too Painful - Warrington, UK

I'd been researching resurfacing for a while and have had my hands done successfully 6 years ago with great and lasting results. I'm 39 and although always looked after skin I have had some discolouration and it just didn't look fresh. I had something done a year ago called RF Microneedling which I didn't like. It took ages to heal, was very painful and made no difference. So I decided to do SmartXide and was prepared for a week of down time, minimum. When I got to my doctor, he numbed me for around 30 minutes, explained that he would combine SmartXide with PRP therapy where he took blood from my arm, separated it and was going to use it after the laser. I was quite nervous but i have to say that it wasn't that painful with the laser. Less than I expected. I felt a little faint as I'd held my breath but it was very bearable and my doc decreased the intensity for sensitive areas such as upper lip, forehead and under eyes. I just had face and no neck done. It felt hot and tight. He then put my blood plasma over the treated area and injected what was left in to my cheeks. He said that would be the most painful part and it was. He then gave me a tube of Eumovate to smear on my skin and a box of Aciclovir for cold sores. I was a bit silly and drove the long journey home by myself which was too tiring and I wish I'd waited and rested. But the cold air from the car was quite soothing and I put the Eumovate straight on. I was surprisingly pretty tired that evening. I cleaned my face upon getting home with very mild micellar water and then started immediately with Avene Cicalfate. What a god send! I'd used it before for mild problems and it's amazing. For the first 2 days, I cleaned gently every 4-5 hours and then re-covered my face in Cicalfate. Nothing really seemed to happen and then on the third day the dark dots started to slough off. I'm at the end of my fourth day now and 95% of the dark areas have gone and my skin is a little pink and blotchy but very easily disguised with mineral make up. From the third day I put a layer of Skinceuticals Phyto-Corrective Gel and then the Cicalfate on top. The first is antiseptic and clears up redness, the latter repairs. They are both a little expensive but fab and I've had ZERO itching. I bet if i'd used just Vaseline, I would have. Will post photos up within days. I'm working this weekend (my fifth day) and not at all worried about being out in public but I will wear a hat and sunscreen. Will update in a few days. Happy so far. Definitely clearer, tighter and slightly lifted. I don't know how much of that is the SmartXide or the PRP.

A bit disappointed. I'm now healed and I can't see any discernable improvement. My brown spots are back, which was the primary reason for the treatment :). I'm also quite blotchy - like I'm cold (but it's warm outside). I don't look noticeably better. I didn't have any significant lines so I wasn't doing it for that reason so there isn't any change there. Pores look the same. No obvious lift now. My partner agrees that it's impossible to tell anything has changed. At first I was so hopeful as it felt tight afterwards and I healed quickly. I was a little fooled as I was every day looking better than the nasty aftermath but that was a bit misleading. I don't think I look worse but for the fees I'd hope to see some improvement. So that means the PRP facial and SmartXide haven't done much for me unless there is a dramatic change over the coming months. Will update if that's the case. Didn't hear anything from the clinic. No follow up in the way of an email or call or checking in on me? It was basically 'bye then'. I also left some clothing there and asked them to post as I live miles away but no sign yet :(