51 replies to this topic

[fahqscars]

Does anybody know anything about laser surgery? If so, what are the most effective? I have use glycolic peels before but I need something strong any recomendations? I would probably rate my scars at a 5 out of 10? People tell me they arent that bad but i look at them everyday?

[GUS TOMATO]

I just got it done for the second time, and I'm really happy with the results. First time didn't do much though.

[SprintBaby6]

How much did one treatment cost? It's cosmetic, so insurances won't cover it...

[Raymondb]

Wow this lady had greeeeaaaat results with laser surgy.
http://www.colaser.com/acnescars.cfm
Thats the best results I have seen so far. I will go to Colorado if I have to!

[GUS TOMATO]

It cost me £1,500 Irish pounds, which is nearly $2,000 US dollars - but that was for two laser treatments.

[fahqscars]

There are many differnt types of laser surgery's. Next week i go in for the photo facial rejuvenation. It cost $450. Its a pulse laser light that rebuilds collagen makeing your skin heal and it eliminates the redness and all the discoloration. I saw the before and afters. Some lady got 2 of them done and it has completely changed her face.

[fahqscars]

There are many differnt types of laser surgery's. Next week i go in for the photo facial rejuvenation. It cost $450. Its a pulse laser light that rebuilds collagen makeing your skin heal and it eliminates the redness and all the discoloration. I saw the before and afters. Some lady got 2 of them done and it has completely changed her face. I will let you guys know how it does.

[BarBQLover]

Jumping Jellyfish, those were amazing results that women experienced with laser, Raymond!!!!!

I mean, she had some deep, very noticeable scars, and now.......she looks like a completely different woman!

Yes, definitely the best results I have ever seen with laser.

[ej]

Hey Gus,
I was just wondering if I could ask a few questions...
I go for consultation number two for laser resurfacing in a few weeks. I am still reluctant to go through with it as I am unsure if it will do more harm than good. It seems like there is a trade-off with laser- getting slightly to moderately better looking scars, but problems with color and texture. Did your scars seem shallower, yet wider after the first surgery? I guess I am just worried, let me know what you think.
-e

[GUS TOMATO]

Hi EJ

No my scars didn't seem wider. They are still there, just not as deep. I am really happy with the laser this time round - last time I didn't see that much of a difference.

My skin colour or texture hasn't been affected at all. Its very important to wear a sun-block on your skin afterwards.

And if you do go through with it - have your face well-covered in Vaseline afterwards - even if you have to wake-up in the middle of the night to do it - it is ESSENTIAL that your face doesn't dry out. And I drank plenty of water as well - the last thing you need is a spot breaking out on newly lasered skin.

Those pics do look great BarbQ - but I wonder did the age-old trick of different lighting come into play? - one the pics looks genuine - and WHAT an improvement - but I don't know about the other one.

[ej]

Thanks Gus-

Do you have any idea how many passes the doc did on your face? I wonder if he went deeper on the scarred areas? I am gald you are happy with your results, that gives me much encouragement.

[GUS TOMATO]

Go for it ej - its the best £1,500 I've ever spent in my life. And when I see the doc again next month, I'm gonna organise to get it done again next year.

I didn't get my whole face done - just the scarred areas, which were - my temples and cheeks. Next year I'm going to get under my jaw-line done as well.

How many passes - I really couldn't tell - maybe 3 times?

My skin was almost completely healed after just 1 week! First time I got it done, it took two weeks to heal - so I'm convinded he used a different laser - I'll ask when I see him next month.

[ej]

Just one more question for you Gus-
Do the areas on your face that were lasered look different than the skin that wasn't treated? Either with texture or color? I mean, is it obvious which part of the skin was lasered and which was not?
Thanks again.

[ej]

Just one more question for you Gus-
Do the areas on your face that were lasered look different than the skin that wasn't treated? Either with texture or color? I mean, is it obvious which part of the skin was lasered and which was not?
Thanks again.

[GUS TOMATO]

Good question - and a very important one too - and I'm delighted to say - NO!!! not at all - you could never tell.

I saw a programme on telly once about this woman who had laser done (wasn't for acne scars - it was for wrinkles, fine lines) - and the Doctor must have never done it before - coz he absolutely DESTROYED her face - the area he operated on - which was around her mouth - looked like it was bleached white - it was horrific to look at. Believe it or not, she went back to this guy and got her ENTIRE face done to match the bleached mouth that she had!!!!!

She now has to wear make-up 24/7 - and is understandably traumatised by it all.

So make sure you ask for examples of the Docs work. Don't let some hack at your face!

[ej]

Yes, good advice. I am pretty picky about my face, so I would only go to a skilled surgeon. It's the only face I have, so being picky is a good thing, right? Did you ever consider dermabrasion Gus?

[GUS TOMATO]

You know what ej - since my face started getting bad when I was about 14/15 (I'm now 28) I went to my local G.P. and he put me on Tatracycline, and he put me on this liquid antibiotic, he put me on this, put me on that - all of it was COMPLETE CRAP! - it was for mild acne! - not for what I had which was severe cystic acne. I should have been frog-marched into a dermatologist and put onto Roaccutane straigh tway - my face would never have been destroyed with acne scars. But I didn't know this aged 15 - didn't even know what a derm. was - so I naturally gave up on the G.P. - would you blame me? I though eventually it would clear up - it was hell to live with - but it would go away - didn't bank on acne scars though - never even knew of them!

When I went back a few years ago, and asked if he could put me on Roaccutane (had to read up on this) he calmy said "Oh, I can't prescribe that - I'll get you to a Dermatologist" - that son of a fu@%ing bitch!!!! I had to practically tell him what to do with me.

I t really pisses me off - I should have been on that drug 10 years prior to when I got!!

So coz I never even heard of a derm - I didn't know of dermabrasion. Health Care is a joke in Ireland anyway - going private is gradually getting more popular - wasn't 13 years ago.

[GUS TOMATO]

Don't know where that smliy face came from - but I'm 28.

[ej]

Man, I feel for you. Someone should have put you on the stuff long ago. Most of my immediate family has been on the drug, and I think it is the best thing that ever happened for those who suffer with acne. I was pretty uneducated about the scarring myself. I mean, I knew I had fairly bad acne, but never thought I would scar- I didn't even have cystic acne either. I guess that's just the way it goes. My husband has the poreless, flawless skin that I only dream of, but I can always keep trying.

[GUS TOMATO]

Hi ej - don't know why, but I thought you were a guy! - yeah, I'm still mad over it - I was angry at my parents for a while too - why couldn't they have done something, make me go back to the doctor, demand he do something about my skin - my face was....despicable - thats the only way to describe it - I hated myself, affected EVERYTHING! - has cost me friends, jobs (interviews - I just couldn't hold it together), can't talk to a woman unless I'm drunk! I find it hard to look people in the eye, I'm uncomfortable being outdoors in the daylight ....

Thank God!!! for the Laser - just today in work, I was sitting in a van, and I leaned over and took a look in the side mirror - and it felt so good to be able to look and not turn away in disgust. I could never do that before - this second laser session has really made a difference. I'm still afraid of my life to look in mirrors - I was nervous looking in the van mirror, even though I know my face is better. Its a psychological thing.