Thread: Lipo Spinoff--Laser resurfacing?

I didn't want to hijack Angela's thread about lipo, but it made me think to ask the all-wise bhuz world about laser resurfacing. I'm thinking of doing it on my face to smooth out my skin and refine some lines and pores. I have a significant bday coming up this year (and no, it's not my 21st--LOL!), so this will be my birthday present to myself.

I've done some preliminary research, but know I have to do much much more before going through with the procedure. Just wondering if any bhuzzers have any experience with this? Any advice? Happy or not with the results?

I'm no help yet but would love to be certified as a RN to do botox and laser and work under a plastic surgeon :)

I went to my derm to see about this, and she recommended completely different things to try instead. It's best to speak to a couple of doctors who do this and describe what results you want, they may have whole other (less expensive and less invasive) ideas for you. But if you do get it done, report back!

I haven't had laser resurfacing done, but I had most of my face done a couple of years ago for rosacea. It was a horrific experience and I was bruised and swollen for 2 weeks. And I didn't see a hack for this; I actually went to the best of the best.

I might have just a bit less of the redness that was bothering me in the first place, but now instead I have brown spots just about everywhere the laser blasted away the blood vessels. I was told that it was a possibility (I am dark haired and of Mediteranean descent) but that it would fade away. It hasn't. I am not pleased! There's not enough makeup in the world to cover this crap up unless I want to look like Michael Jackson.

When I complained, they recommended a round of treatments with a different type of laser at an additional exhorbitant price. I haven't had this done yet, but the initial treatment has turned me off so much that I am scared to death of things getting even worse, no matter what they say.

Just be careful, read up a lot, be fully aware of the potential risk that you might be worse off than you were originally and consult with as many doctors as you can. And please... see a cosmetic surgeon! No shady back room deals!

I have my first treatment of FotoFirm Plus on March 14th (see below for description). There are 5 treatments, each spaced a month apart, but no downtime after treatment. It's a light-pulse laser treatment that will lift and tighten the skin and get rid of undereye crepe-ness and wrinkles around the mouth. I'm told the treatments take 1 to 1-1/2 hours each.

My 49th birthday is on Sunday, the 8th, so this is my "me" gift. I'll let you know how it works!

"FotoFirm™ Comprehensive Treatment
These treatments restore your skin's vitality along with a lifting and firming effect. Includes FotoFacial RF for complexion improvements, MatrixIR Wrinkle Treatment around the eyes and mouth for wrinkle reduction, and Refirme for a lifting effect. With FotoFirm Plus, you can add the exfoliating effects of microdermabrasion to your FotoFirm package and enjoy a higher level of results."

Shibori:

Thank you so much for sharing your exprience with us.

I was thinking of having some laser resurfacing as well, but now I have second thoughts.

I know it wasn't easy for you to post, but I appreciate it very much.

Azeeza

Zyzzyva:

Do keep us posted. I'd like to hear your results.

;-),

Azeeza

I forgot! My mother just had several sessions of IPL, and she is really happy. She doesn't look like she got a face-lift, but it really improved the texture of her skin. She said it was NOT pleasant, but did not have any after effects. And it took several sessions. Again, talk to dermatologists that do these procedures, more than one if you can. Aren't you in N. Cal? If you want my derm in the East Bay, pm me.

Originally Posted by Azeeza

Shibori:

Thank you so much for sharing your exprience with us.

I was thinking of having some laser resurfacing as well, but now I have second thoughts.

I know it wasn't easy for you to post, but I appreciate it very much.

Azeeza

You're very sweet. It is indeed at bit difficult to talk about. It's our face for life, we are vain whether we like it or not, and the first thing that greets the world.

I didn't want to scare anybody off, but they should be well aware of the possibilities. And did I mention that I have to wear SPF 40 at all times? Winter, summer, rain or shine!

~Dar

Originally Posted by shibori-borealis

You're very sweet. It is indeed at bit difficult to talk about. It's our face for life, we are vain whether we like it or not, and the first thing that greets the world.

I didn't want to scare anybody off, but they should be well aware of the possibilities. And did I mention that I have to wear SPF 40 at all times? Winter, summer, rain or shine!

~Dar

I think it's good you post what can go wrong. I'm sorry this happened to you.

I've had IPL for removing sun spots and it worked FANTASTICALLY for me - didn't hurt and the results where instant. It has the added bonus of refining the look of your skin as well (something about it stimulates collagen).

For me, it was fabbo but I do have very pale skin, generally they do NOT recommend it for people with darker skin tones.

I think the resurfacing you are speaking of is the more intense laser work though, not the IPL I had.

If you have lighter coloured skin you should be using high factor sunscreen throughout the year - it helps stop the damage in the first place.

Thanks all for sharing. This is very helpful. Like I said, I've just started to look into the different procedures, and will talk to a lot of doctors before I go under the laser. Shibori, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I know that any elective procedure has its risks, which is why I want to research all about it first. I have light olive skin, but it's fairly pale on my face. I know that problems can sometimes happen for people with darker skin, so I will definitely talk to my doctor about whether this would be a good procedure for me or not.

I saw one of the medical shows (on plastic surgery...I watch a lot of them) and one of the docs did say that nothing can change the size of the pores, but tightening the skin minimizes their appearance.

I have rosacea and can't get dermabrasion or any abrasive treatment. I only recently found out I had it...kept wondering to my doc why I kept getting these awful HUGE zits???? she took a look and said "rosacea". I want to have something done to tighten and re-energize the collagen (I look tired) but might end up getting fillers only-I have huge furrows between my brows and they make me look very angry. Right now I'm using Neutrogena Anti-wrinkly twice a day and so far (it's been one month) I'm pleased with the results...thinking of using it on my slightly wrinkly tummy LOL!

Shibori-thanks so much for sharing, I'm sorry for your bad experience and hope you are able to get it corrected. Please keep up posted! ((((HUGS))))

OK, I had my first session. I certainly DON'T recommend this for wimps! It took almost an hour and a half, which was expected. I have to admit that some of the "zaps" made me wince a bit. I had to giggle to myself a little when I realized, "Hey, I'm PAYING for this to be done to me!"

Anyway, it wasn't fun, but it wasn't horrible either. It will take 9 months to see the final outcome and I'm fine with that. If I can look 10 years younger in 9 months, I can stand this a few more times over the next few months!

Glad to hear you survived your 1st session! Reminds me of when I took my 12-year old daughter in for laser hair removal...she had a VERY HAIRY MOUSTACHE!! She was very brave and took it like a champ!

Keep us posted on your continued improvement-did you keep a "before" picture to compare to in about 2-3 months? When do you go back for a checkup or review?