88 replies to this topic

[CherrySoda08]

Original post updated...

Just took a look at your updated original post. Wow! Great photos. You've done an amazing job capturing your skin's progress during the procedure.

How is the scabbing now? I'm guessing it is all but gone...

You're looking good TokyoGirl. Do you still plan on continuing with another total fx treatment in the future? I think you might diminish those scars even further to the point where they are barely noticeable. Also, how many weeks did you take off work to recover? I plan on having mine next year but don't know how many weeks I would need to take off to let my skin heal.
Also, I've recently quit smoking. How long do you think I should wait until I get the treatment?
Good luck.

Hi Alex,

I was wondering what happened to you. I am really happy to see you're still around, and haven't given up hope.

I may do another Total FX treatment. I am going to re-evaluate in 6 months and make my decision at that time.

I used to have a couple businesses online and worked from home in Japan. I took a break from that about 1.5 years ago, and started my scar treatment journey. As a result, I have the luxury of not worrying about returning to work right now. If I was working in an environment with coworkers, I would probably return after 2 weeks.

Congratulations on quitting!! My doctor told me to quit two weeks prior to my procedure. Well, I'm still struggling with that a bit but I am seriously trying!

Thank you for the luck! Best of luck to you as well.

Best of luck with quitting, *Inspired*! If I can leave the ciggies behind, then anyone can!

Edited by CherrySoda08, 15 December 2012 - 12:30 AM.

[*Inspired*]

Original post updated...

Just took a look at your updated original post. Wow! Great photos. You've done an amazing job capturing your skin's progress during the procedure.

How is the scabbing now? I'm guessing it is all but gone...

Hey CherySoda,

The scabbing was all clear by day 8. I discussed this with my doctor during my post-op, and was told that it's normal after Active FX. That's why I didn't experience it previously when I only had Deep FX.

Unfortunately, hyperpigmentation has officially kicked in on my cheeks with a noticeable block pattern where Deep FX was used. I experienced this last time, but it is more severe this time because my treatment was more aggressive.

I have absolutely no hyperpigmentation forming where just Active FX was used. My skin has returned to normal in those areas.

I will update my original post regarding the above and my post-op appointment in a few days.

[CherrySoda08]

Original post updated...

Just took a look at your updated original post. Wow! Great photos. You've done an amazing job capturing your skin's progress during the procedure.

How is the scabbing now? I'm guessing it is all but gone...

Hey CherySoda,

The scabbing was all clear by day 8. I discussed this with my doctor during my post-op, and was told that it's normal after Active FX. That's why I didn't experience it previously when I only had Deep FX.

Unfortunately, hyperpigmentation has officially kicked in on my cheeks with a noticeable block pattern where Deep FX was used. I experienced this last time, but it is more severe this time because my treatment was more aggressive.

I have absolutely no hyperpigmentation forming where just Active FX was used. My skin has returned to normal in those areas.

I will update my original post regarding the above and my post-op appointment in a few days.

Looking forward to more updates from you. So, what do you do about the hyperpigmented areas? Wait it out until they fade?

[*Inspired*]

Looking forward to more updates from you. So, what do you do about the hyperpigmented areas? Wait it out until they fade?

Thanks for the support, CherrySoda! I appreciate it.

I am currently using the Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream and will continue with that until the redness subsides.

I restart the pre-op creams with hydroquinone (Glytone SunVanish & Glytone Clarifying creams) tomorrow morning. I can't wait to start! The tan blocks that are now surfacing look ridiculous. Unfortunately, I can't use an exfoliant until it's been 30 days, so there's no speeding the cell turnover rate for another couple weeks. I definitely don't mind temporary hyperpigmentation though. I am hoping for permanent scar improvement!

[CherrySoda08]

Looking forward to more updates from you. So, what do you do about the hyperpigmented areas? Wait it out until they fade?

Thanks for the support, CherrySoda! I appreciate it.

I am currently using the Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream and will continue with that until the redness subsides.

I restart the pre-op creams with hydroquinone (Glytone SunVanish & Glytone Clarifying creams) tomorrow morning. I can't wait to start! The tan blocks that are now surfacing look ridiculous. Unfortunately, I can't use an exfoliant until it's been 30 days, so there's no speeding the cell turnover rate for another couple weeks. I definitely don't mind temporary hyperpigmentation though. I am hoping for permanent scar improvement!

Looking forward to more updates from you! Best of luck with your healing.

[*Inspired*]

Original post updated.

[jbird12]

Sorry to hear about your hyperpigmentation. I'm still dealing with some redness myself 4+ weeks out. Hang in there!

Edited by jbird12, 17 December 2012 - 04:25 PM.

[*Inspired*]

I bought Oxygenetix from my doctor's clinic today:
http://www.oxygenetix.com/index.php

Hoping this stuff really works as advertised. Unfortunately, my existing powder simply isn't cutting it as a concealer. I will post a review once I actually use the foundation. It's currently in the mail, and should be here in a couple days.

If anyone has used Oxygenetix and can offer me any tips, please share. Thanks!

[michi31]

Hey there. I've been following your thread and want to wish you the best of luck. So did the doctor say it is ok to wear makeup already? What do you use to take it off? I would suggest asking him about the makeup and they may have suggestions as well!

[*Inspired*]

Hey there. I've been following your thread and want to wish you the best of luck. So did the doctor say it is ok to wear makeup already? What do you use to take it off? I would suggest asking him about the makeup and they may have suggestions as well!

Thank you, michi31! I appreciate your support. I really do hope I get some additional improvement from this treatment.

My doctor recommended Oxygenetix. It is a foundation that's made for post-laser/post-surgery use. It supposedly promotes healing while also providing good coverage of scars and hyperpigmentation. I was hesitant to buy it at first because it's very expensive. Unfortunately, my hyperpigmentation is so obvious at this point that I need something to conceal it.

I went to my post-op appointment wearing Bare Minerals. Big mistake! I guess I shouldn't have been wearing mineral makeup at that point. It really irritated my skin, even though I only had it on for a couple hours. My doctor immediately removed it from my face using Cetaphil when I arrived. He seemed a bit annoyed that I was wearing makeup at my post-op because he couldn't examine my skin, and I was wearing a brand that was not recommended to me. I walked out of my post-op looking pretty silly with red and brown blocks all over my cheeks and scattered around my face. I wonder what the people in the lobby thought. Lol! I haven't worn any makeup since my appointment but am also doing my best to stay indoors, far from the public. Not a fun way to spend the holiday season. Wish I was out shopping!

I will call my doctor's assistant once I receive Oxygenetix and ask for advice. Thanks for the suggestion.

---------
I have to make a correction to what I previously said about my laser settings. I clarified the details during my post-op. My doctor used the following settings:
Deep FX - 15% density @ 20 mj
Active FX - Setting 3 which is 60% density. The maximum setting for Active FX is 6.
He was more aggressive with Deep FX than originally planned and used a moderate setting with Active FX. Overall, the settings are considered fairly aggressive for acne scar treatment. Hoping this means, I'll end up with even better results this time around.

[michi31]

Oh that's good that he recommended it! Don't worry what people think - usually they are too busy thinking about themselves to think about you for very long. It will all be worth it in the end. Did the doctor say how long you can expect the hyperpigmentation to last? It really doesn't look so bad in the pics - just like a peeling sunburn or something. Does your family know you had the laser done? Hopefully they will be supportive:)

[collegeboy84]

Hey Inspired, congrats on the treatment! Your results look awesome so far! I'm sure they'll just continue to get better.

I hate to get technical, but you mentioned you're hoping for plumping on your remaining scars. Is that to say some of the shallower ones have disappeared?
Many people say that their shallower scars are erased and then some also say that every scar remains but doesn't look as bad.
Just wondering! Don't want to get my hopes up too high when I start treatments.

I sure hope my results continue to improve, and appreciate your comment! Thank you

At the moment, I can barely see my large pores in some areas, as well as some of my shallow scars. However, it's too soon to judge results. It's only been 8 days. My skin still has micro-swelling. It's probably going to be a few more weeks before my skin settles and starts to show actual improvement. Based on my prior experience, I know it can take up to 3 months before my final results start to surface. Unfortunately, collagen really does take time to remodel/rebuild.

Every doctor has told me that I can only expect improvement, and my skin will never be smooth because my scars can't be erased. I did previously have some scars improve to a point that they no longer bother me, but they're definitely not erased. Those scars were treated again this time, so it will be interesting to see what happens with them. If I ever have a boxcar or ice pick vanish, I'll be sure to post about it!

@CollegeBoy & FruitBiscuits,
I will definitely be living like a vampire over the next couple weeks, and wearing good sunblock. I made the mistake of going out last night though. The sun was completely down. I didn't realize my skin would be sensitive to fresh air (well, as fresh as the air gets in Los Angeles). When I came home, I noticed my cheeks were bright pink where the laser hit the hardest. Unfortunately, as of this morning, they are still bright pink with a square pattern over just my cheeks. You can see the square pattern in my photos but it's a bit worse now. I'm not too sure what to make of this, but I regret leaving my house, at all. I don't think I'll leave again until my post-op appointment on Friday.
CollegeBoy, Was your skin extremely sensitive to just about everything?

My skin really has only been sensitive the first 10 days or so. I actually started applying differin gel and hydroquinone by week two with no side-effects.

[paradise456]

I had just gotten this procedure done on the 18th and right now my skin is very pink, but looking so good. I can't really even see the scars but then again my doctor said it will be swollen and that will go down so scars may look better, worse or the same (hopefully better) and then collagen will begin to fill it in.
Most of my skins peeled off, still some left on the outside. My face has just been really itchy but I haven't been scratching

[*Inspired*]

I had just gotten this procedure done on the 18th and right now my skin is very pink, but looking so good. I can't really even see the scars but then again my doctor said it will be swollen and that will go down so scars may look better, worse or the same (hopefully better) and then collagen will begin to fill it in.
Most of my skins peeled off, still some left on the outside. My face has just been really itchy but I haven't been scratching

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck with recovery. I hope you get the improvement you're after.

The outer edge of my face, especially along my hairline, took the longest to peel as well.

-----------------

At this point, I'm suffering from hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and various other spots where Deep FX was used. Compared to my first Deep FX treatment, it is much more severe this time around. I will update my original post with photos once I get my pigment issues under control.

On a positive note, I don't have a blemish, pimple or blackhead on my face right now. I really owe that to the pre/post-op care. I only took Doxycycline once a day for 5 days post-op. I don't think I even needed it.

I hope you all have an awesome holiday! I am truly grateful for the support I've received on this forum. Thank you to all who continue to return here and share your experiences, opinions and feedback.

Edited by *Inspired*, 23 December 2012 - 06:01 PM.

[austra]

Good luck with the healing! Everything seems to be going really well, even though the hyperpigmentation must be a pain (but at least it's just a temporary issue). Are you a Fitzgerald type 4 or lighter/darker, if you don't mind me asking? Looking forward to seeing your results.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

[paradise456]

I had just gotten this procedure done on the 18th and right now my skin is very pink, but looking so good. I can't really even see the scars but then again my doctor said it will be swollen and that will go down so scars may look better, worse or the same (hopefully better) and then collagen will begin to fill it in.
Most of my skins peeled off, still some left on the outside. My face has just been really itchy but I haven't been scratching

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck with recovery. I hope you get the improvement you're after.

The outer edge of my face, especially along my hairline, took the longest to peel as well.

-----------------

At this point, I'm suffering from hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and various other spots where Deep FX was used. Compared to my first Deep FX treatment, it is much more severe this time around. I will update my original post with photos once I get my pigment issues under control.

On a positive note, I don't have a blemish, pimple or blackhead on my face right now. I really owe that to the pre/post-op care. I only took Doxycycline once a day for 5 days post-op. I don't think I even needed it.

I hope you all have an awesome holiday! I am truly grateful for the support I've received on this forum. Thank you to all who continue to return here and share your experiences, opinions and feedback.

Thank you I like what I'm seeing right now but I know its still the microswelling, how long until that usually goes away?
hopefully ill be done peeling by tomorrow so I can go out, my doctor said not to put on any makeup until all skin is peeled and there's still a few pieces along the outer edges

By seeing your pictures, I can see a lot of improvement and I hope things are working out for you. I know with this procedure results are not to there full effect until like six months so its more and more to look forward to

[AlexWong]

I had just gotten this procedure done on the 18th and right now my skin is very pink, but looking so good. I can't really even see the scars but then again my doctor said it will be swollen and that will go down so scars may look better, worse or the same (hopefully better) and then collagen will begin to fill it in.
Most of my skins peeled off, still some left on the outside. My face has just been really itchy but I haven't been scratching

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck with recovery. I hope you get the improvement you're after.

The outer edge of my face, especially along my hairline, took the longest to peel as well.

-----------------

At this point, I'm suffering from hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and various other spots where Deep FX was used. Compared to my first Deep FX treatment, it is much more severe this time around. I will update my original post with photos once I get my pigment issues under control.

On a positive note, I don't have a blemish, pimple or blackhead on my face right now. I really owe that to the pre/post-op care. I only took Doxycycline once a day for 5 days post-op. I don't think I even needed it.

I hope you all have an awesome holiday! I am truly grateful for the support I've received on this forum. Thank you to all who continue to return here and share your experiences, opinions and feedback.

Your skin looks definitely more smooth. I'm really excited for you. I have to ask though. Did ANY scars disappear, even the tiniest ones? Also, how long did the doctor say the hyperpigmentation will last?

I wish you the best in your recovery.

[*Inspired*]

Happy new year to all!!

Good luck with the healing! Everything seems to be going really well, even though the hyperpigmentation must be a pain (but at least it's just a temporary issue). Are you a Fitzgerald type 4 or lighter/darker, if you don't mind me asking? Looking forward to seeing your results.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

I am Fitzpatrick type 3.

I hope you had a great Christmas!

Thank you I like what I'm seeing right now but I know its still the microswelling, how long until that usually goes away?
hopefully ill be done peeling by tomorrow so I can go out, my doctor said not to put on any makeup until all skin is peeled and there's still a few pieces along the outer edges

By seeing your pictures, I can see a lot of improvement and I hope things are working out for you. I know with this procedure results are not to there full effect until like six months so its more and more to look forward to

I think my microswelling faded about 2.5-3 weeks out. It's hard to say. All of my scars returned at around that time period. Some actually looked a bit worse. However, it is slowly improving. How are you doing at this point?

Your skin looks definitely more smooth. I'm really excited for you. I have to ask though. Did ANY scars disappear, even the tiniest ones? Also, how long did the doctor say the hyperpigmentation will last?

I wish you the best in your recovery.

Unfortunately, I can't say any of my scars have disappeared. I do not believe that's possible. Some look smoother at this point while others actually appear a bit worse. I am not sure if that's related to hyperpigmentation or the scar is just remodeling. It could also be a figment of my imagination. I don't normally study my face so closely.

I didn't ask my doctor how long the hyperpigmentation would last. I think that's unpredictable. As of now, it is still very noticeable and difficult to conceal. Considering it's already been a month since my procedure, I would estimate another 2-3 months for it to completely fade.

***

I was going to update my original post with new photos but I am not happy with the quality of the pictures. Taking clear photos in identical lighting & angle is extremely difficult, if not impossible for me to achieve. It's amazing how I can make my own scars look 1000% worse if I hit the light at the right angle. I can also make them nearly vanish. I will try to take photos again tomorrow when the sun is up in Los Angeles.

In terms of scar improvement, I have nothing exciting to report. I am still dealing with ugly hyperpigmentation. When I do get a deep tan, it can take an extended period of time to fade. Normally, that's a good thing, but not after Deep FX.

[*Inspired*]

Original post updated.

[paradise456]

happy new year! Well its three weeks after my procedure, all of my scars have returned and look exactly as they had before. its kind of really such a let down because the past two weeks i basically had clear skin and then everything reemerged within the past three days but my dermatologist did tell me this would happen and that results will not surface for awhile as the procedure works from the inside out and the collagen will build up to fill the holes. But still it was so nice to have nice skin for the holidays, im really hoping the results are similar to what it looked like swollen that would be amazing. As for redness, most of my redness is gone, funny that it went away for the most part before the swelling did