1870 replies to this topic

[stillhere]

Okay, check out these pics. The one I took right before I went in for SB, the second was taken just a few minutes ago. For the "before" pic, I had just a heavier foundation on, today I am wearing a lighter foundation and blush. I am not hallucinating since my skin does look better even with the same amount of sleep, almost the exact same diet, same time of day almost etc.. I am putting all vanity aside to show you these pics : )
The one on the left is the day of the treatment before my fifth SB with a heavier foundation on. The one on the right is today with a very light foundation on. A few days "after" The one on the right is a clearer pic and closer as well and my skin at least to me still looks better? I have no reason to try and mislead anyone but it really seems to work for my skin.

[stillhere]

Ps. The large area by my ear is just a shadow or something since I don't have any really large scars by my ear, just small ones.

[gbdavidx]

you have any pictures before your firt treatment?

[Enimrac]

Thanks tryingtoimprove!

Not to beat a dead horse, but it sounds like you are saying the improvement in the scars are ONLY due to the plumping, which i understand is only temporary. Once the plumping goes down and the tightening fades, DO THE SCARS RETURN BACK TO NORMAL? thats what i'm still not understanding in your posts.

I want permenant results. Like, i want to know if your scars actually fill in with collegen and stay that way. Can you please be alittle clearer on this. How much percent improvement in your scars did you see (approxamately) after your first round of sb, a few years ago? Then, fast foward a few years after your first round of sb, prior to your latest sb, and was the improvement in the scars still there, or did the improvement go away, the way the plumping and tightening does?

I dont want to spend the money on sb if all it does is tighten the skin, EVEN IF THAT TIGHTENING REDUCES THE APPEARENCE OF SCARS. That is only temporary. I notice my scars are much less noticable right after a peel, due to the initial tightening of the skin, but that only lasts a few days. to me, thats not worth it.

So can you please be alittle more clear on this. Just give it to us straight. we can take it. it sounds like your saying the only improvement in scars is due to the plumping.

Thanks again. I just want to be clear on these things. Ive been saving my money to get either sb or some other scar procedure, and i dont want to waste it if all its gonna due is plump my skin (even if that plumping helps the APPEARENCE of scars. I want to help get rid of the scars, you know). peace.

[stillhere]

Hi, do you have a pic of your skin or scars? A few years ago, doubt I would have posted any majorly unflattering pics but I'm not sure anyone has. If you have the option for Smoothbeam or Fraxel going by the fraxel thread, it seems I would choose fraxel at the same or slightly higher cost. I don't have that option available to me. The closest place is around 300 miles away that offers Fraxel. The pics of me are at the worst possible angle with the camera at the close up mode and no flash. I don't intend to persuade anyone to spend their hard earned savings on a laser treatment but it worked for me and if I had to choose between a smoothbeam session and a few new nike outfits, I'd probably go for the smoothbeam since it is our face. : )

ps I had to remove those pics.

[Enimrac]

Hi, do you have a pic of your skin or scars? A few years ago, doubt I would have posted any majorly unflattering pics but I'm not sure anyone has. If you have the option for Smoothbeam or Fraxel going by the fraxel thread, it seems I would choose fraxel at the same or slightly higher cost. I don't have that option available to me. The closest place is around 300 miles away that offers Fraxel. The pics of me are at the worst possible angle with the camera at the close up mode and no flash. I don't intend to persuade anyone to spend their hard earned savings on a laser treatment but it worked for me and if I had to choose between a smoothbeam session and a few new nike outfits, I'd probably go for the smoothbeam since it is our face. : )

ps I had to remove those pics.

can you PLEASE answer my questions in the above post. please just be more clear about the effects on scars, PLEASE!! if you could, just go through the post right above the one you just posted and answer each question as best as you can. i'd really really apprieciate it, because so far all the stuff i've read you say about the effects sb has on scars has been ambiguous.

thanks tryingtoimprove. peace.

[stillhere]

What kind of scars do YOU have?? Could you be specific?? Have you had any consultations?? Maybe you should. I don't intend to be ambiguous but I am not a professional in this field and don't want to mislead anyone since my post are VERY similar to others in that YES we think our skin, small scars look better but I am unsure or yes abiguous about how permanent the results are. I think I clearly stated before that SOME of the results I saw were long lasting and permanent but THIS IS MY OPINION. The plumping was long lasting and for the most part as permanent as you can get when you take in to consideration,(I think) the plumping lasted for a year or longer for me and some of the effects were still there as in INCREASED COLLAGEN and skin resillancy which in many cases affects scar appearance. I honestly don't compare this to an invasive procedure where you work at the top of the skin and raise blood or create scabbing. This is not the same in terms of collagen production on top of the skin as with topicals, dermabrasion or tca or glycolic acids. The collagen production you get is from UNDERNEATH the skin. [b]How could one possibly calibrate or measure a micro-millimeter??[/b][size=4] If I had the choice of getting one dermabrasion or several Smoothbeam sessions, I would take into the risks involved with dermabrasion (which I had), so I know what permanent results are. I personally would go another route since there are only a few minor risks with smoothbeam. I would choose Smoothbeam but my scars on the most part are small and shallow. If you want scientific studies, look somewhere else because I doubt you'll find them here. Not trying to be rude since I know you are a nice person but if you are serious you should actually have a consult with a Dr or professional. I have learned many things on these forums but in the end, it is your decision. If you want my opinion, don't do it since your expectations MAY BE TOO HIGH. Peace.

[ameliab]

I understand what you are trying to imply tryingtoimprove,

I'd like to ask you whether you suffered from any redness within your scarring? If so, how did SB work out for you then? I have (hard to describe) an overall "old" look about my skin. Saggin, especially along my laugh lines curving inwards to the rest of my cheek area because this is where the minor rolling scars are located. When I say minor, I mean extremely shallow. What bothers me the most is that there is red located at each epicenter. I know you are not a pro, but calibrating from your experience, how do you think SB performs on redness?

Sorry for the unending Q's. Were all trying to find answers and you seem to be our only SB scapegoat! It's really the only laser for the comparative poor! ~lol

Your next post I think, will definitely help me decide what I can expect from SB. I have an appointment this Thur. and my doc isn't exactly too specific.

Thanks for all your posts tryingtoimprove!

[stillhere]

Hi, it seems odd that alot of former Smoothbeam patients no longer frequent this forum. I didn't mean to sound rude in my prior post but many I think over-rate their results. I try to be careful and not "exaggerate" any results. I re-read about half of this thread from the beginning and remember one very suprising thing. I remember having a large "patch" of hyperpigmentation on my lower right cheek and after a few sessions of smooth beam, it just kind of peeled off. IT AMAZED ME AT THE TIME. since it had been there for years and a few professional 70% glycolic peels. I also remember my skin being majorly taught (I MEAN MAJORLY) at first and remaining taught for a very long time. It did not get saggier than when I began and retained some of the taughtness but not all. Keep in mind though, THIS WAS TWO YEARS LATER. OUR SKIN WILL NATURALLY AGE IN TWO YEARS. Just wanted to be clear on that. My first four sessions were much more intense than my last one. I actually got a few small blemishes under my skin but I'm sure this is because I strayed from my Clinique clarifying makeup. So far, no breakout attributed to smoothbeam. Ok, I still think my skin is looking MUCH better since my last Smoothbeam, just wish she would be as aggressive as the first operator. I shouldn't have mentioned the blistering from my first treatment. I am not avoiding the question about the redmarks, I just really don't know. I really don't have hardly if any very noticeable redmarks, just a few broken capillaries, so I'm unsure if it will help that. Like I mentioned in Prior posts, I think this laser is remarkable for plumping and firming the skin. This is not a short term plumping effect at least not for me and seemed to be more on the permanent side. But like with any procedure, time will take it's toll on us and it may be necessary to go in for occasional re-treatments. SHOP around for the best price if you choose to do this please... Also, again I don't think this is a quick fix for major scars but shallow scars, pores, overall skin rejuvenation and for me blemish control, I like or yes love it... I can honestly afford to get more at this point but am still cautious and monitoring my skin. I am normally analytical by nature but can't measure tiny scars in an exact way but yes I would say for me it most definetly helps small, shallow scars and I'm hoping it will help one larger one as well with a few more sessions. I hope my posts are of some help. I try to be honest and not speculate or exaggerate.
Peace.

Oh btw, for Enimrac, okay as straight as I can: YES I think the reduction in scar appearance is attributed mostly to the plumping of the skin. Not the same as temporary swelling since this actually makes the skin overall look smoother. Brings alot of the skin up to make it smoother with the surrounding skin. However, I don't think it's a "temporary plumping". Long term plumping which can promote collagen production on a more permanent level. I now understand what you were asking and yes I attribute alot the results to plumping but I do think it does more from underneath and when combined with some strong topical peels at a later date or inbetween smoothbeam could lead to some pretty remarkable results. I suppose I didn't quite understand your question.

[ameliab]

Oh btw, for Enimrac, okay as straight as I can: YES I think the reduction in scar appearance is attributed mostly to the plumping of the skin. Not the same as temporary swelling since this actually makes the skin overall look smoother. Brings alot of the skin up to make it smoother with the surrounding skin. However, I don't think it's a "temporary plumping". Long term plumping which can promote collagen production on a more permanent level. I now understand what you were asking and yes I attribute alot the results to plumping but I do think it does more from underneath and when combined with some strong topical peels at a later date or inbetween smoothbeam could lead to some pretty remarkable results. I suppose I didn't quite understand your question.

Yet again, THIS is why you have to keep treating your skin. Not necessarily another round of SB, but do a peel from time to time and you'll see the results. I am more confident about SB now and I am beginning to understand what I can expect and shouldn't expect. I know that there are a lot of ppl with bad experiences like Lexy's--her's is genuine, but I think that others tend to override reality or over expect results and when it doesn't happen, they shoot the laser down. At the same time I don't underestimate it, and that is why I am going to monitor my skin like you tryingtoimprove to make sure I don't get any more breakouts.

I'm only 22, but I'm already beginning to show wear and tear from years of treating with acne, tane, stress, and overall unhealthy lifestyle. I think that although SB will not likely erradicate my scars 100%, it will help me rejuvenate my skin from other imperfections and impurities and my scars will therefore look much much less noticeable. I'm also confident in microdermabrasion from the effects that I have seen from peeling with something as simple as bp and RetinA.

Again, THIS IS ONLY FOR SHALLOW SCARRING. Although mines are shallow they are still effective enough to give me an 'old and aging' adverse look on my face beginning from two arms-length away. But like tryingtoimprove says, this plumping from SB will eventually help my skin heal itself since it has been on 'stand-by.' It needs help rebuilding collagen. I am young and I have years ahead of myself, so the sooner I start with SB the better chances I have of eliminating my problems. That's the attitude I am hoping to get from my derm today when I see him.

I am tired of living in doubt.


Time to take the plunge...



Peace!~

[Enimrac]

Oh btw, for Enimrac, okay as straight as I can: YES I think the reduction in scar appearance is attributed mostly to the plumping of the skin. Not the same as temporary swelling since this actually makes the skin overall look smoother. Brings alot of the skin up to make it smoother with the surrounding skin. However, I don't think it's a "temporary plumping". Long term plumping which can promote collagen production on a more permanent level. I now understand what you were asking and yes I attribute alot the results to plumping but I do think it does more from underneath and when combined with some strong topical peels at a later date or inbetween smoothbeam could lead to some pretty remarkable results. I suppose I didn't quite understand your question.

Thanks. Yeah, thats what i wanted to know. would you say you feel the shallow scars started to "fill in" with collogen?

My scars arent too bad. I've gotten great improvments from TCA and Apeels. I definately want to get smoothbeam, based on what you and others on this thread have said. if anyone is interested, they should read through this whole thread, because there are some interesting stories. BUT, it should be noted that Niko, who posted on this thread a few years ago, and had nothing but positive things to say about sb, responded to a pm i wrote months ago, and actually said to save my money, which is odd....

anyway, anyone know of any good SB docs in the NY area? Who dont charge an arm and a leg? money is just really tight for me right now, but i really wanted to get a few rounds of sb in before the summer. anyway, if anyone can suggest NY docs, itd be great. peace.

[ameliab]

Enimarc,

Whats your budget on this whole thing if you don't mind. I mean, about how much are you willing to spend? You said Hatcher doesn't take your insurance, what insurance is that? Have you tried the Laser Institute of NYC? They have a whole list of insurance carriers they accept on their site. But if you don't think that Hatcher's prices are way too off and you work, then do it with him I guess, because I don't think it can happen for me right now.

[stillhere]

Hi, as far as filling in: I think some did fill in permanently toward my jaw area but the ones on the cheeks didn't seem to respond so well. I had some small scars toward my lower left jaw area which btw was the area I blistered in at my first treatment. The scars there are now miniscule and hard to detect but the ones on my cheek area ( with more fat) still seem obvious. I really like the Smoothbeam and plan on having a few more. My original operator (skin tech) is no longer there and the person who is now doing my treatments is not quite as aggressive and does alot less pulses overall but I just got my cheeks treated the last time. You know, the plumping and tightning is a big plus since if you look at alot of faces; it seems alot would benefit from the tightening alone and at first I almost considered this for me to be alot similar to a mini face lift to my surprise. Although I didn't have alot of sagging, it was VERY obvious and still is how well it tightens on a very long term/ more on the permanent side level. I imagine the more aggressive treatments will yield the best results but it's best to start off slow and work up so you don't get blisters. Peace.

[ameliab]

Hey tryingtoimprove,

What do you call blisters exactly? Is it more like small acne or some other type of lesion? How bad did you break out on these, was it because of the laser?

[sd_guy]

Hi, I am new to this forum and been reading a little bit about smoothbeam. I was wondering does the smoothbeam treatment make you breakout first and then it gets better?

[Lililu]

Hi, I just want to say that I did Smoothbeam for about a year and had AWESOME results. However, the acne does reappear after a while. I stopped doing it because it is so expensive, and I'm sorry I did. Once I have the money, I will def. continue the laser treatments.

And no, I didn't notice that my acne got worse before it got better. Some treatments helped more than others, though.

[stillhere]

After reading a few posts I made earlier this year, I concluded I must have been a bit defensive. I normally don't want to praise something which doesn't work but wanted to be clear that I really like Smoothbeam but for someone to go in with deep scars and expect alot of results just would not be realistic for this laser or probably any non-ablative laser. It is difficult to gauge results or measure small shallow scars. I do feel I had some results but this is the type of treatment that probably has to be kept up. Not a quick fix or anything like that. I had a dermabrasion many years ago and it was drastic and bloody but yielded quick results. I plan on having a few more Smoothbeams probably this winter. I hope they are more agressive than the last one I received which I think can make worlds of differnce.

[Lililu]

I've read on this thread that microdermabrasion in conjunction with Smoothbeam can help. Does anyone know what the typical schedule is for this approach? That is, should the microdermabrasion be done before, during, or after the Smoothbeam treatments?

I had my first five smoothbeam sessions over a year ago, and I have had a Smoothbeam treatment every six months or so since then. But I just started the microdermabrasion (my first one was Monday). Have I completely screwed up by waiting so long to start the microdermabrasion? Should I be doing Smoothbeam while I'm doing the microdermabrasion? Or is that overkill?