14 replies to this topic

[iWantSmoothSkinPlease]

Hello, I'm new hear, please forgive me if I wasn't suppose to post hear but since this is the laser area, I thought it would be the best place to post.

I don't have bad acne, just mild cases every now and then. My main problem is LARGE PORES and some scaring on my cheeks. I do realize that my scaring may not be as severe as some others but for my everyday life, I do feel old and haggard. My mother and sisters all have perfect skin and I'm the odd one out. When compared to the rest of my family, I really feel ashamed about my skin condition, so much that it does effect my self esteem (a lot).

My problem...

1. HUGE pores that you can see from space!
2. some scaring from acne
3. small wrinkles starting to appear around lips and eyes
4. skin elasticity is GONE!
5. Sun damage
6. redness on cheeks

What I'd like to achieve...

1. the appearance of pore-less skin (perfect skin)
2. less noticeable scars
3. wrinkles gone
4. BABY FRESH SKIN that has bounce and elasticity
5. clear complexion/even tone skin
6. redness gone

What have I tried...
Light chemical peels, microdermabrasion treatments, and one laser treatment. I forgot which laser it was, but it was a really light laser, no down time at all.

my thoughts...

Well, I have been researching plastic surgery (just a personal hobby) for several years now.
Also, I did train to become an astitician so, I do know a little bit about some things.
I feel the light treatments that I have done in the past are good exfoliaters but not anything to change the look or condition of my skin. I'm thinking that a medium strength (only a couple days of down time) laser might erase some of the edges around my large pores and scars, there for making them appear less noticeable.

My concerns....

I have read some bad reviews about some lasers that are suspose to "tighten" skin. I have read that the laser destroys the natural fat/collagen under the skin and so the skin wrinkles up. I want the opposite, I want MORE collagen/fat under my skin to look more plump and youthful.

I have had several laser treatments to remove a tattoo and it left me scarred.
The scars look almost like keloid scars. I do not have any keloid scars and my skin doesn't scar this way. The laser treatments left big blisters that had to be bandaged up for several days, I was told that this was "normal".

I went to a different doctor (not the one who did the tattoo removal) and showed him my scars and he told me that the previous doctor messed up and used the wrong kind of laser. Then, he gave me a free treatment and with this one treatment, it removed more ink in one treatment with NO SCARRING and NO BLISTERS, then that previous doctor did in 3 treatments.


Also, I went to see a plastic surgeon for a consultation about a procedure that I was wanting more information about. When I walked into his office, his nurse came in the room with him. During the consultation, I couldn't help but notice that his nurse had been "worked on", presumably by him.

Her skin looked smooth but in a weird kind of way. Kind of like the new skin under a scab. What I mean is, it seemed as though she may have gotten some laser treatments (fried off a couple layers of skin, then healed back) and that may have smoothed out some wrinkles but it didn't look "good" or "baby fresh" to me. (the kind of skin I want) Her face was a smooth but her neck was very aged and very sun damaged. (like beef jerky) I could tell she didn't do anything to her neck. (big give away sign)

So, at a different place (a medi-spa) I spoke with an astitician, and her skin was like porcelain. It was youthful and "baby fresh". It was smooth and almost pore-less. It didn't look like it had been fried by lasers and healed back up. I'm thinking she may have had light to medium laser treatments but nothing super heavy. (weeks of down time)

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, out of all my research, I'm not quite sure which laser to go with. I don't want anything that's going to scar my skin, but I do want great results. I do know that there is a risk you take when dealing with lasers. So, if anyone can be of help, please let me know what your opinions are. Thank you, please help, I'm tried of looking HAGGARD!

PS. I have included some pictures of my skin in different light and angles so you can get the idea of where I'm coming from....

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Edited by iWantSmoothSkinPlease, 10 December 2010 - 11:21 PM.

[jackiey]

Oh do I know how you feel
The good news is that your skin looks good. Its not perfect but you still have good skin
The bad news is that I dont think theres anything out there thats going to make your skin porcelain like(without pores)

[iWantSmoothSkinPlease]

Oh do I know how you feel
The good news is that your skin looks good. Its not perfect but you still have good skin
The bad news is that I dont think theres anything out there thats going to make your skin porcelain like(without pores)

Darn it! I cant give up hope, I seen some celebrity's with 'ok' skin but then later on, they have great skin. I'm thinking that they have had some medium/light laser treatments. What do you guys think about Megan Foxes skin?

[pokemonster]

idk much about lasers and plastic surgeons stuff, but hey maybe dont hurry yet to do them, uknow how some ppl totally screw up themselves (celebs) and they just look uglier or yea like someone who took a surgeon (fake) in the end? :/
whats your diet and regimen? maybe start with doing things more healthy and natural for a beginning (so that body could improve its health and regenerative healing abilities?) and then from there decide on your further steps if it didnt worked in a way u would wanted to?

idk but i just think u should maybe try out diff things before u decide to do something critical, just in case, uknow :/ and your pores arent thaat big actually lol

[jackiey]

I dont want you to give up hope but No laser is going to make your pores less noticable in the long run. Maybe short term while there is some swelling but they will reappear. And laser can cause damage. I wouldnt risk that with your skin..I think your best option is retin-a at night , a good anti-oxidant in the morning with a really good sunscreen and moisturizer. After some time you will see some nice improvements in texture and clarity.
As far as Megan Foxes skin I really dont see anything wrong with her skin. Her skin looks normal to me. Its not 100% perfect but it doesnt look bad.
Some people naturally have great skin while others have to work at it. Your esthtician is probably one of those who naturally has great skin.

[iWantSmoothSkinPlease]

Thanks for the replies! What will retin-A do? it will take some discolouration out a little bit right? 1st my skin will turn red though right? What about pore appearance?

[chunkylard]

I'm sure most people here, including myself, would sell our soul to the devil to have your skin. You're seriously overreacting. Your pores are normal, your acne scars are barely visible, and your skin texture is good. Just apply a good moisturizer.

Edited by chunkylard, 12 December 2010 - 08:57 AM.

[softly_softly]

Your skin is normal.

[Cameron Sane]

Yep, I would definitely kill someone for your skin.

[Idolator]

I would also kill someone to have your skin...

[EaglesGirl]

I'm sure most people here, including myself, would sell our soul to the devil to have your skin. You're seriously overreacting. Your pores are normal, your acne scars are barely visible, and your skin texture is good. Just apply a good moisturizer.

I 2nd this

Yes, I would sell my soul to the devil to get your skin -.-

[Darla123]

You really don't look HAGGARD! Your skin looks fine. If you want, try exfoliating, that might help a bit over time. Seriously, I agree with the other people on this board- there's nothing wrong with your skin.

[scott24]

I have the same problem, but to a more severe extent. Rarely any acne (thanks to accutane) but my pores have always been huge (especially the T-zone), and I have very sensitive, red, blotchy, tight skin. Some areas even get inflamed slightly (T-zone) and throughout most of the day I look like a raccoon because the only skin that is "white" is the skin around my eyes and I HATE it. It sucks because the rare times it isn't like that, I look so much better and so much younger. Some days I am 27 and look 19, and some days I am 27 and look 45.

Believe me, I am thankful the acne is gone because for 15 years I suffered from both problems (and my acne was severe) but I'd rather have some moderate acne with an overall better complexion than to have it so red and blotchy. I know the pictures don't always bring it out so it's easy for others to say "it's fine". I've taken photos myself and it's hard to tell, but I know exactly what you mean when you see yourself in a mirror.

[Thatgirl78]

I work for a medical spa so here are my recommendations


1. HUGE pores that you can see from space! THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR PORES. YOU CAN GET A MICROLASER PEEL BUT THAT IS ONLY GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.
2. some scaring from acne - YOU NEED A MICROLASER PEEL OR A PROFRACTIONAL
3. small wrinkles starting to appear around lips and eyes - BOTOX OR FILLER
4. skin elasticity is GONE! - THERE IS A PROCEDURE CALLED SKINTYTE. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK THOUGH AND IT REQUIRES QUITE A FEW TREATMENTS
5. Sun damage - BBL/PHOTOREJUVINATION (BROAD BAND LIGHT) IT HELPS GET RID OF RED AND BROWN SPOTS FROM SUNDAMAGE
6. redness on cheeks - SAME AS #5

hope that helps!

Edited by Thatgirl78, 29 January 2011 - 05:19 PM.

[hope 4 the future]

I'm sorry to say this but you have very unrealistic expectations! Most plastic surgeons/skin specialists would be wary of treating someone with expectations such as yours.HOWEVER I do knw how u feel,as I have very large pores and unfortunately for me I have severe acne scarring ASWELL as the large pores! At age 30 I'm no spring chicken either (not sure how old u are).Try dermaroller & collagen injections.AVOID microdermabrasion - it actually made my pores look even bigger than before.