6 replies to this topic

[NicholeKim]

A few days ago, I just got my first Laser acne scar treatment. As a female in my 20's, I have had cystic acne since I was a teen. I had tried every thing known and unknown to man to get rid of my acne. Eventually, 3 cycles of Accutane for 3 years did the trick and shrank my acne scars as well. Five years after Accutane, I decided to remove my acne scars more "permanently" (if that is even possible).

My first treatment involved a numbing cream for approximately 30 minutes and and then 30-40 minutes of the actual laser being run over my face several times. Although most people will tell you that it feels like needles pricking your skin or an elastic band, I found it to be extremely painful. I did cry and groan in pain in front of the doctor and the assistant. Mind you I don't have a high tolerance for pain.

My dermatologist adjusted the machine depending on the severity of the scars being treated and also took into consideration my natural olive/tanned skin tone.

Status:

7/22/11: 2 hours after the treatment, my cheeks were completely darkened and hurt immensely. There was oozing and my face was swollen. My face looked like burnt roasted chicken or just super brused.

7/23/2011: 1 day later: After washing my face with the special soap my doctor provided me, I dabbed my face dry. That caused some of the dusky skin to sloth off, revealing open scars.

7/24/2011: 2 days later: The swelling and dusky skin began to subside and the open scars are healing.

7/25/2011: 3 days later: My face is very very dry, but all the dark skin is disappearing and my face is reverting back to its normal state. But I still had to take a day off from work.


Do I recommend this treatment to anyone?

I am not an expert in making any recommendations to anyone about getting Fractional Laser treatment for acne scars. But I am an expert in my own experience. I hope that by posting my observations about my experience readers will thoroughly research laser treatments and other options before undergoing such a procedure.


Does your skin type matter? Yes.

Before undergoing this procedure, I read a lot about this treatment -its risks and benefits. I also took into consideration that not all lasers will work on all skin types. I am of Asian/Indian/White background. My skin is olive/tanned.

The first dermatologist I went to assist me with my acne scars refused to treat me with lasers. He pointed to his own skin tone and simply said... "we are both the same skin color... with our skin tones, we will scar". Most lasers are made for fair skinned individuals. I appreciated his honesty and waited another year before more advanced lasers were in the market - lasers that were better equipped for darker-skinned patients.

This brings me to the present day. I was referred to my current dermatologist by two other dermatologist I had been seeing for years. He recommended Fraxel laser for the ice-pick acne, and deep-pitted acne, and smoothbean as well.

Fraxel - full face - $800, cheeks - $300

Smoothbeam - cheeks - $300

I live in New York, so, it's a bit more pricey here.

The only recommendation I can make for readers is to make an informed decision. So far I had only one treatment of Fraxel - full face. It is too early to tell if it made a difference. My dermatologist has called me nearly every day since the treatment to check on my progress. He gave me his personal cell phone and we would chat 10-15 minutes per day about everything that concerns me - my observation, my fears, etc.

I have no idea what will happen - if this is a waste of my money, if I will look worse than before, if this was a scam, etc. A part of me is very nervous and yet, optimistic that maybe this will be worth it. Let's hope so.

Best,
Kim

[wicky]

Kim I am from New York as well and have been recently undergoing smoothbeam treatments..i am scheduled this week for my third and so far I have not see the results i was expecting. I have an orange peel texture and look to my skin. Large open pores on my nose and cheeks and some smaller ones in my chin area that clog so badly that I get these large sebum balls as i call them there. I have tried all the creams and retonoids and they have done nothing to alter the way my skin sheds or produces oil in this area. I also have rosacea and have received one VBeam treatment on my cheeks and nose. There was no change after one treatment so I know I wil need others. What did you get the smoothbeam for and have you seen any results? Also Who are you seeing in this area?

[Panic!!]

Kim I am from New York as well and have been recently undergoing smoothbeam treatments..i am scheduled this week for my third and so far I have not see the results i was expecting. I have an orange peel texture and look to my skin. Large open pores on my nose and cheeks and some smaller ones in my chin area that clog so badly that I get these large sebum balls as i call them there. I have tried all the creams and retonoids and they have done nothing to alter the way my skin sheds or produces oil in this area. I also have rosacea and have received one VBeam treatment on my cheeks and nose. There was no change after one treatment so I know I wil need others. What did you get the smoothbeam for and have you seen any results? Also Who are you seeing in this area?

You should do more research on different scar treatments. Do you have scars or just enlarged pores?

Smooth beam is considered dated technology, and only really effective for hyper pigmentation.

Let us know what kind of scars you have, or what skin condition your looking to fix. Then we can help you better.

[wicky]

(You should do more research on different scar treatments. Do you have scars or just enlarged pores?)

I have tremendous pores on nose and cheeks and slightly smaller but visible ones on chin area. I have no scars.

(Smooth beam is considered dated technology, and only really effective for hyper pigmentation.)

I was not aware of smoothbeam being outdated as several derms recommended it to me as a way to alter sebaceous glands and sebum output. It also has the capability to make pores appear smaller. I have had one done so far but am scheduled for another next week. I have read nothing indicating that is for hyper pigmentation only..What do you reccomend for pore size and slowly sebaceous activity?

Do you work in a spa or medical facility as you mentioned that you would be able to help me better?

thanks

[NicholeKim]

Hi Wicky,

Just to clarify, I have not tried smoothbeam treatment yet. As soon as my face is healed from the
Fraxel treatment, I will be going for smoothbeam at the end of August.

I was told by my dermatologist that smoothbeam lasers are very good for live acne and also scars. Most dermatologist do not recommend lasering acne scars off until all the live acne is gone for at least a few weeks. Using lasers on live acne can cause more scars.

Smoothbeam is very similar to Accutane in that it works to shrink the sebaceous glands that produces oils which clogs skin pores. And like Accutane, it takes a long time to work. I didn't see any effects of Accutane until after the 3rd month of treatment and it won't be for another 3 or 4 treatments until I will see the effects of lasers on my skin.

As I still have minor breakouts on my cheeks and smoothbeam is gentler on darker skin, I will be giving it a shot. Do you still have live acne? Or just acne scars?

I wouldn't expect to see any changes with lasers after 2 or 3 treatments. It's been a week since I got my first treatment with fraxel, and I notice only one scar that seems to be filling out.

My advice to you is to take a some pictures of your face during this process. I take a picture of my face every other day and that way I can see what the progress is. Frankly there isn't much change.

If you don't think smoothbeam is doing anything for you, voice that to your dermatologist. During my treatment with accutane, I recall how impatient I was to see the effects. And it worked eventually after 4 month in the fist cycle.

As there are different side effects with lasers, I am trying to be very patient. I would rather undergo laser treatment safely, under professional trained supervision than get a quickfix - and possibly ruin my face.

Will let you know how the smoothbeam went.

Best,
Kim

Kim I am from New York as well and have been recently undergoing smoothbeam treatments..i am scheduled this week for my third and so far I have not see the results i was expecting. I have an orange peel texture and look to my skin. Large open pores on my nose and cheeks and some smaller ones in my chin area that clog so badly that I get these large sebum balls as i call them there. I have tried all the creams and retonoids and they have done nothing to alter the way my skin sheds or produces oil in this area. I also have rosacea and have received one VBeam treatment on my cheeks and nose. There was no change after one treatment so I know I wil need others. What did you get the smoothbeam for and have you seen any results? Also Who are you seeing in this area?

[NicholeKim]

Wicky,

I'll let you know who I am seeing if I see any significant changes to my scars.

Best,
Kim

Kim I am from New York as well and have been recently undergoing smoothbeam treatments..i am scheduled this week for my third and so far I have not see the results i was expecting. I have an orange peel texture and look to my skin. Large open pores on my nose and cheeks and some smaller ones in my chin area that clog so badly that I get these large sebum balls as i call them there. I have tried all the creams and retonoids and they have done nothing to alter the way my skin sheds or produces oil in this area. I also have rosacea and have received one VBeam treatment on my cheeks and nose. There was no change after one treatment so I know I wil need others. What did you get the smoothbeam for and have you seen any results? Also Who are you seeing in this area?

[wicky]

thanks kim, ignore my last post on your post regarding todays update...I didnt realize you answered several of my questions in this post. Well, I had my second smoothbeam treatment and second Vbeam treatment today and I hoping it will shrink these digusting clogged pores I keep getting in my chin. I was only slightly red and not swollen at all this time.The first time I was swollen from the vbeam on the tops of my cheeks. I have no scars but the largest crators of large pores on my nose and cheeks that Ive ever seen on anyone. I hope to god it does something as i've already spent a boatload of money. Kim pm me and we can discuss who we went to for procedures.