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Hello everyone!I have co2 laser treatment coming up but my doctor hasn't mentioned anything about me having a patch test done. He has felt my skin on my face every pre-appointment I have had to make sure it's "good enough", but never mentioned a patch test.Is it necessary to have one? Also, I have been told I am going to be having "C02 Laser Resurfacing", is that was you call ablative treatment or non-ablative ?
If it's ablative and you still want to do it, tell him to use low settings on the face first, then if that is tolerated, only then consider ramping up the settings. Ablative lasers on medium to high settings can cause all sorts of temporary and permanent complications, and I'm a victim of a few of those permanent ones including additional scarring and hypopigmentation. But it's your life, do whatever you think you have to do. Your skin may tolerate it well, if that's a risk you're willing to take...
If it's ablative and you still want to do it, tell him to use low settings on the face first, then if that is tolerated, only then consider ramping up the settings. Ablative lasers on medium to high settings can cause all sorts of temporary and permanent complications, and I'm a victim of a few of those permanent ones including additional scarring and hypopigmentation. But it's your life, do whatever you think you have to do. Your skin may tolerate it well, if that's a risk you're willing to take...
I will ask him to use a low setting first. How would I know if it's tolerated using a low setting? Would I be able to tell when he is doing it, or will I have to see the results after several days/weeks.
First you'll want to see observe long it takes your skin to heal (how long your skin stays red - hyperpigmentation). If your skin takes longer to heal than his estimates (or ones online), then your skin definitely reacts badly to it. Delayed healing will mean that you are at a much higher risk of scarring. This could mean that you'll get new laser induced scars of any variety of shapes and sizes, including the dreaded orange peel texture.
After about 2 months, you'll want to check to see if your skin has lightened (hypopigmentation). Hypopigmentation is *permanent*.
And ask him what brand laser he is using and check online if others tolerated that brand well. If it's Fraxel then you'll probably do just fine.
Hello everyone! I have co2 laser treatment coming up but my doctor hasn't mentioned anything about me having a patch test done. He has felt my skin on my face every pre-appointment I have had to make sure it's "good enough", but never mentioned a patch test. Is it necessary to have one? Also, I have been told I am going to be having "C02 Laser Resurfacing", is that was you call ablative treatment or non-ablative ?
I'm also from the UK and was considering CO2 but I have read so many bad reviews. It seems like a dangerous treatment.
Hello everyone! I have co2 laser treatment coming up but my doctor hasn't mentioned anything about me having a patch test done. He has felt my skin on my face every pre-appointment I have had to make sure it's "good enough", but never mentioned a patch test. Is it necessary to have one? Also, I have been told I am going to be having "C02 Laser Resurfacing", is that was you call ablative treatment or non-ablative ?
I'm also from the UK and was considering CO2 but I have read so many bad reviews. It seems like a dangerous treatment.
To be honest, I think it just carries risks like any other procedure, I am starting to ignore the bad reviews, are there are so many good reviews too.
I have a question actually for people to answer, would a dermatologist that is performing laser at a hospital generally be more qualified than someone doing it from a beauty spar etc? I would have thought getting Co2 laser at a hospital would be a safer option? What's your views?
C02 can be either non-ablative or ablative. I would suggest NOT going with an ablative laser first.
That is exactly the wrong advise!!!! Do not do non-ablative at all!
Your response would be exactly the right advice if only side-effects didn't exist. Just because you didn't experience them doesn't make it true for everyone!
c02 laser can ONLY be ablative because they will essentially leave an open wound that much be left to heal on its own. No such thing as a non-ablative C02 laser. A non-ablative laser would be something like Fraxel Restore, which just heats the dermis with the intent of causing damage and inducing collagen production and tightening. The superficial skin is left intact.
As for doing a test patch, i would highly encourage you to do a test patch to get a sense of how you heal. It also mentally prepares you for the aftermath, which involves a lot of wound aftercare and downtime.
C02 can be either non-ablative or ablative. I would suggest NOT going with an ablative laser first.
I wouldnt bother with fraxel. I had a few of them done and the improvement is very minor its not worth it. I tried many different lasers and I dont think any of them produce any sort of amazing results. I am going to do manual dermabrasion next on my scarring but if I almost think you can get better results with a series of medium depth chemical peels or subcision with filler.
I wouldnt bother with fraxel. I had a few of them done and the improvement is very minor its not worth it. I tried many different lasers and I dont think any of them produce any sort of amazing results. I am going to do manual dermabrasion next on my scarring but if I almost think you can get better results with a series of medium depth chemical peels or subcision with filler.
Thanks for your reply.
I get my treatment done free, I live in the UK. I think the treatment is 50/50 really, some people say it works, some people say it doesn't.
I guess giving it a go won't do no harm?
your welcome! i believe it helps more for pigment and some minor minor scarring but thats about it. the only scars i had that looked better were some real shallow ones near my left cheek but the improvement is so minor it wasnt even worth doing the procedure. just be careful because you can have issues if the settings are too high. i had my last fraxel done at almost the highest setting and it took a good 3 months for the redness on the one side of my face to look better. oh and it hurts like a bitch and i have a very high pain tolerance since i've had so many treatments done in my life.
i think its a total waste of your time but thats for you to decide. it took me 3 years of doing treatments to realize that its almost impossible to get rid of scarring but there are ways to improve it a bit i just dont think laser is the way to do it.
your welcome! i believe it helps more for pigment and some minor minor scarring but thats about it. the only scars i had that looked better were some real shallow ones near my left cheek but the improvement is so minor it wasnt even worth doing the procedure. just be careful because you can have issues if the settings are too high. i had my last fraxel done at almost the highest setting and it took a good 3 months for the redness on the one side of my face to look better. oh and it hurts like a bitch and i have a very high pain tolerance since i've had so many treatments done in my life.
i think its a total waste of your time but thats for you to decide. it took me 3 years of doing treatments to realize that its almost impossible to get rid of scarring but there are ways to improve it a bit i just dont think laser is the way to do it.
What is your opinion on lasers with regards to treating hyperpigmentation and un-even skin tone? Can lasers give you a clear complexion or are there better alternatives? Thanks
I've had a microlaser peel done with the erbium yag and ipl at same time and it worked really well for pigmentation and just overall brightening of my complexion but i've had just as good of results with ipl only. Ipl is not laser so i would try that first if you want quick results with pretty much no downtime. Peels do work if you go deep enough but the peeling part sucks. Post a pic so we can help you. I just hate to see people rushing into laser and then going through all that healing to be devastated when the skin goes back to how it was before. If you have the right type of indented scarring I do believe subcision and filler is the way to go.
The treatment I am having done is Fraxel, I heard that risks and downtime is lower with this treatment?
What percentage of improvement is usually expected for rolling scars using fraxel?
For Gods Sake, hasn't anybody heard me at all after all these years. You have non-ablative Fraxel Restore or Dual, and they are worthless. Then you have ablative Fraxel Repair that works.
The treatment I am having done is Fraxel, I heard that risks and downtime is lower with this treatment?
What percentage of improvement is usually expected for rolling scars using fraxel?
For Gods Sake, hasn't anybody heard me at all after all these years. You have non-ablative Fraxel Restore or Dual, and they are worthless. Then you have ablative Fraxel Repair that works.
I haven't been reading this forum for years....
Get over yourself you stupid old b@stard.
The treatment I am having done is Fraxel, I heard that risks and downtime is lower with this treatment?
What percentage of improvement is usually expected for rolling scars using fraxel?
For Gods Sake, hasn't anybody heard me at all after all these years. You have non-ablative Fraxel Restore or Dual, and they are worthless. Then you have ablative Fraxel Repair that works.
I haven't been reading this forum for years....
Get over yourself you stupid old b@stard.
MORON
Fraxel Restore is NON-ablative (does not leave an open wound, no crusting, no oozing)
Fraxel Repair is ABLATIVE (yes it will remove the top layer of skin, will cause oozing, and crusting)
Most people have very negative reviews of Restore. At this point, it's been pretty much settled that Restore is useless for true acne scar revision.
I highly encourage you to do a test spot in an inconspicuous area (hairline, sideburns). Laser is an aggressive option, and you need the peace of mind that you will heal okay and need to get a true idea of the downtime involved. I am still baffled that some people get laser done and cannot even tell you the name of the laser, the type of laser, or understand what is involved in the aftercare.