Laser Resurfacing Reviews

I had a series of 6 Smoothbeam laser treatments done for mild acne scarring on my chin with recurring acne. The Smoothbeam laser did NOTHING for the scarring or the recurring acne. It was painful and expensive, but most importantly I was left with hyperpigmentation on my Mediteranean skin type from the cryogen (cooling spray which sprays prior to each laser pulse) burns. This cost $1,300. They told me the hyperpigmentation (brown patches) would disappear in a few months. It's been a year and they're still there despite all the extra expense I've gone to eliminate them with creams. Don't get Smoothbeam, it's a rip-off.

I had co2 and erbium done to my face about 5 years ago. Dr. Stern in Bellevue, WA did erbium for most of my face except the jaw area - he used the co2 because it was stronger and he said it would give me a lift. I did get a lift but my skin was ruined with scar like ridges along the lower cheek and jaw area. The co2 area also took out the pigment. So you can see where the erbium areas are and where the co2 areas are. It was a big mistake to do this to my Asian skin. Before this, I only had some discoloration and not much wrinkling. I should have left my face alone. Now I have scarring plus uneven skin color!

First off, let me start be saying that scars do not just go away. Scars are permanenet. Until you all realize this, you are all deceiving yourself. Depending on a particuliar type of scar and it's depth determines the outcome. If a scar is, let's say a boxcar type and the depth is not too deep, then it is possible to make it smoother to it's surrounding skin, however don't be fooled that the scar is gone...it's never gone, it's just not visible to the naked eye. And that is the best result that one can acheive. For all types of acne scars i truly recommend dermabrasion, but fopr icepick scars, it's probably best ot go with subsicision or punch technique, i'm not to sure since i'm more of a dermabrasion expert. i've posted some messages that i believe can help some of you in the dermabrasion message board.

Hi :) here JUL again.. now i`m 6 months after full face CO2 laser resurfacing.. never in my life thought i might be in such a big prob.. so many scars and red vertical lines.. asked clinic for a compensation but the answer was no.. now TV made a reportage and showed all my story on TV.. this is only the beginning.. ministery of health, courts... my suggestion NEVER ever try CO2 laser :( if any questions or comments [email address removed]

Hi people, just writing to say: don't try erbium laser, it just doesn't work, scars don't go away, but your money actually does.

I have laser resurfacing in about 5 months ago. I cant really tell if i should be happy with the results or not because i can still see my scars but i duno if its cause i dwell on it so much. I was told that it takes about a year after the laser resurfacing procedue to get your final results. Hopefully this is true, if someone can give me some insight on what to expect after the full year

I am having Fraxel (mild laser) treatments done for my acne scars. so far I've had 2 treatments. even when I have already paid for 2 more, I think I will just cut my loses and skip them. First, the procedure is EXTREMELY painful. Even with numbing cream + several painful shots of local anestesia, it burns like hell. I can see some minor improvement in my acne scars, but I have quite a few newer scars from each of the laser treatments themselves! And this is supposed to be a very good doctor. I had dermabrasion done 10 years ago and it very dramatically improved my scars. This time I bought into the idea that the newer laser techniques are much better. Big mistake. Newer has not been better at all for me. I will for dermabration again as soon as I can get a 2 week vacation for the worse of the healing process.

i would just like to express my views on laser resurfacing. My skin was scarred extremly bad and i tryed a treatment called roaccratane, from the dermatology unit. This improved my acne and my scars, but not completely. This is were i come to laser resurfacing- i tryed it three times and to be honest it improved my scaring very slightly. Overall the treatment from my dermatology clinic had the best results.
My advice to any one, try natural herbal remedies before any chemical treatment- is your looks worth more then you wasting your money or putting your life at risk goin under the knife?

Wow! I am so sorry to hear so many sad stories. I had a chemical peel about a year ago. Extremely painful and long recovery - I looked scary for the first ten days. Did nothing for scarring or pore size, but did make overall skin smoother and did make noticeable change in deep wrinkles. Recently I had two Smoothbeam treatments ($150 each, 3 weeks apart at Dermatologist office). I am very pleased. It's not painful, there is no down time and have noticed that pores and scar's are significantly softened. A nice plus is wrinkles are also softened and skin is firmer. Active cystic acne has also improved - although the brochure says that activity can resume in six months and "touch-up's are required every six months. However,I am concered about the past entry that Smoothbeam kills oil glands - I'll need to check that out. I also use a 30% solution of Alpha Hydroxy (Doctor's prescription) once a week and am extremely pleased about the skin smoothing and fine line reduction. My doctor is trying to talk me into the Erbium laser to minimize lines and some scarring, but now I am afraid after all the previous entries. I will do more homework. Has anyone ever tried the Derma-K laser? Regarding ice pick scar's - I have been told the only way to minimize these types of scar's is to have them "punched" out by a plastic surgeon, which will leave somewhat of a softened depression. Not sure if lasers will address the results. Recently I discovered a product by Clinique - "Pore Minimizer". I use the tinted version under my make-up and am amazed at the cosmetic results. Good luck to all!

hello when you have scars everyone needs something to believe in and you must keep beliveing that the lasers will work ive had laser and its great .dont lets other peoples experiences put you off trying it foryourself.dont give up.