4 replies to this topic

[eagle1]

Very interesting perspective on laser resurfacing from Dr. Richard Tholen on realself.com

http://www.realself....-lasers-devices

[DRaGZ]

To put it in context:

First, there was dermabrasion, which was literally rubbing off the top layer of your skin. This was a fully ablative procedure, and largely effective, but had many complications, and often resulted in hypopigmentation.

Then there was microdermabrasion. This was like a weaker version of dermabrasion. It barely did anything.

Then there was fully ablative lasers. This was basically another form of dermabrasion, with basically the same risks and efficacy.

Then there were fractional ablative lasers. These had much fewer risks, but the effects were weaker.

Then there were fractional non-ablative lasers. These had fewer risks still, but the effects were weaker still.

Also, one thing I'd like to point out, he claims "since each (fractional ablative) procedure lasers no more than 15-25% of the skin—a fraction of the entire skin surface." Most doctors don't do a single pass. They do multiple passes. And modern fractional ablative treatments actually cover around 30-40% of the skin with a single pass.

Also, note that he's not saying lasers don't work. On the contrary, he seems to be touting fully ablative lasers over fractional ablative lasers since they are generally more effective. And they are. But a large number of patients, like me, can't take those lasers due to hypopigmentation issues.

Edited by DRaGZ, 19 August 2012 - 11:50 AM.

[LZOMG]

i wish i was white enough to do fully Ablative Co2 laser lol.
I have a light natural tan but thats enough to scare the Doctors. And he is right about needing multiple Fractional CO2 laser treatments to see optimal results even though we are paying a little less for a fully ablative co2 laser. the only thing that scares me about fully ablative is that your face is red for about an entire month.

[DRaGZ]

i wish i was white enough to do fully Ablative Co2 laser lol.
I have a light natural tan but thats enough to scare the Doctors. And he is right about needing multiple Fractional CO2 laser treatments to see optimal results even though we are paying a little less for a fully ablative co2 laser. the only thing that scares me about fully ablative is that your face is red for about an entire month.

Your face is pretty red for about a month after a fractional ablative laser, too. It depends on the intensity of the laser when used. I'm still red right now after my last treatment.

[LZOMG]

i wish i was white enough to do fully Ablative Co2 laser lol.
I have a light natural tan but thats enough to scare the Doctors. And he is right about needing multiple Fractional CO2 laser treatments to see optimal results even though we are paying a little less for a fully ablative co2 laser. the only thing that scares me about fully ablative is that your face is red for about an entire month.

Your face is pretty red for about a month after a fractional ablative laser, too. It depends on the intensity of the laser when used. I'm still red right now after my last treatment.

lol wow, my redness completely went away by day 7, but then again I used weak sauce Active FX.
Im 90% sure im going to get the Deep FX this december and ill tell the Doctor to turn up the settings