I had been wanting to do this procedure for a while, and finally made the time. I had acne scars from large cystic acne on both cheeks that were scarred down and white. I was always very self conscious about them, and they were very visible in the summer when I got any color at all. I also had fine lines around my eyes, a few old chicken pox scars (I had it when I was 26) and I was beginning to get that crepe like skin on my neck. My mother had to have her eyes done when she was 50, and I was definitely headed for that myself.
I opted for full face, eye area, and full neck laser treatment. Because I had the recovery time the doctor opted to be a bit more "aggressive" in her treatment than usual. I took this to mean more intense and deeper treatment, especially for the acne scars. My treatment really started many weeks before. The doctor wanted me to use a retinoid on my face and neck prior to treatment (I used "Tri-Luma") and be able to use it daily comfortably. I stopped that 2 days before the treatment. I started Valtrex the day before, and also filled Rx's for Percocet and Xanax. I took 2 percocet and 1 xanax once I got to the office, had any last questions answered, and signed my procedural consent. Then they spread the numbing goo all over my face- it worked really well. I brought a book to read until the sedation from the percocet and xanax kicked in, then I just e pabout fell asleep! They assigned one person to me for the prep, and she kept checking on me- she even turned out the lights and gave me a blanket!
The actual procedure started with the peeling off of the numbing goo. My face was almost completely numb- I could have used more around my eyes, I think. The Doctor put some drops in my eyes, and inserted the metal protective contact lens.
(Note: I read one posting where a patient did not have any eye protection- INSIST ON eye protection!! without it, the laser can permanently damage your vision!)
The only part of the procedure that was uncomfortable for me was around the eyes. The doctor treated almost down to the fold in my eyelid, and nearly to the corners of the eyes on both sides. She followed the bone of the socket below, so I'm really looking forward to NOT having an eye job.
I'm on day #5, and I'm still really red. I've very, very fair skinned, so it shows up. On treatment day (after I was driven home by a friend) my face felt warm and was starting to swell and get reddish. On the day after, which I'll call day #1, I got redder and redder, like the worst sunburn I'd ever had. I was using "Baby's Bottom", which is just a mix of Mineral oil and petroleum jelly. I washed my face 3 times a day, and put the BB on afterword, adding more when my skin felt tight. I also iced like crazy. Keep damp towels in the freezer, and those gel cold packs in the refrigerator (freezer was too cold). I was most uncomfortable the night of day 2 and the morning of day 3- bright scarlet, swollen, and really scary looking! The morning of the 4th day, I woke up to a new face- a large round swollen red balloon that had the eyes nearly swollen shut and a little tiny mouth that looked like a raisin in a snow bank! I had a lot of crusting from serous fluid leaking from the skin, which I carefully washed off. Day 4, yesterday, showed the most rapid improvement, though. I stared the day as a red balloon, and finished it with only moderate swelling. I slept much better that day. Today the Doctor gave me some steroid cream to begin to use, because I'm still really red. This has reduced the swelling and itching to almost nothing. I'm still puffy and red but comfortable. Lot of sloughing of the brown spots today, too. I'm still not presentable in public, but I think a day or two more and I'll be great! Lastly, I go back to the doctor on day 7 for another check and a medical grade exfoliation and skin treatment- sounds like a nice relaxing facial to me!!
My biggest suggestios for anyone having this procedure:
1) Have it- you love the results
2) Stock up on food- you won't feel like going out for at least 4 days
3) Have all your medications and post-treatment supplies before as well.
4) Insist on eye protection and enough ssedation for the procedure. There's no reason for pain. The spreadable numbing goo is great- injections can artificially inflate areas of your skin, and aren't fun, so use the oral and the topical only- Its a great combo that really works.
5) Get WRITTEN instructions one day by day post treatment care. You'll never remember everything once you're home.
I hope this helps everyone!
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