10 hours ago, anon09299 said:As horrible as this pandemic has been one of the positives has been the ability to easily travel for treatments and not worry about the aftermath or downtime. That is something that stopped me before but with the cultural acceptance of masks even flying back after a treatment same day is easy.
I absolutely agree. To leave the doctors office looking like a horror scene has always been an issue for me, and Im a tough person when it comes to opinions and how people look at me but after a while it wears you down.
Wearing the mask(s)after a treatment is now normalized for me and its the perfect solution for the treatments that leave you bloody. I make sure to use a disposable mask or if not available, gauze pads, to reduce the chances ofinfection or any other bacterium that may pass from the wounds touching the surface of the fabric mask.
This is the second night after having the Erbium treatment on 3/18/2021. This is how my skin is healing (beware it is bloody).
I washed my face when I woke up this morning with hydrogen peroxide, cetaphil and water and I pretty much just dipped a gauze pad in the bowl mixture and then slowly and gently tapped my face with it repeating the motion and then moving it across my face without dragging or rubbing. The hydrogen peroxide is the star in this show because it starts to shed some of the old blood that crusts after day 1 and it also helps to shed the old skin on day 3. I usually get a new gauze pad because the first gauze pad simply removes the aquaphor layer. I don™t take more than 15 minutes to œwash my face. After the œwash, I re-apply aquaphor and pretty much let my skin heal.
The photos below is after another Aquaphor application. You can see that with the aquaphor on top, it breaks me out, but don™t worry because once the top layer sheds the little pimples go with it. One thing I will tell you is that my face does itch. It™s as if I can feel the pimples rising and it™s definitely distracting if you focus on it but I try not to. I™m about to lay in bed and fall asleep on my back.
While I realize that most of us are familiar with the healing process (as am I), I™m taking the time to explain it to someone who may not know what to expect and is reading this post. If this is you, I just want you to know that it™s not that bad and while it may look like I am in pain, I am not. The healing process is uncomfortable but it™s not unbearable. I have done this whole healing process close to 10 times and I™m going to do it 15 more times so don™t get frightened.
11 minutes ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:This is the second night after having the Erbium treatment on 3/18/2021. This is how my skin is healing (beware it is bloody).
I washedmy face when I woke up this morning with hydrogen peroxide, cetaphil and water and I pretty much just dipped a gauze pad in the bowl mixture and then slowly and gently tapped my face with it repeating the motion and then moving it across my face without dragging or rubbing. The hydrogen peroxide is the star in this show because it starts to shed some of the old blood that crusts after day 1and it also helps to shed theold skin on day 3. I usually get a new gauze pad because the first gauze pad simply removesthe aquaphorlayer. I dont take more than 15 minutes to wash my face. After the wash, I re-apply aquaphor and pretty much let my skin heal.
The photos belowis after another Aquaphor application.You can see that with the aquaphor on top, it breaks me out, but dont worry because oncethe top layer sheds the little pimples go with it. One thing I will tell you is that my face does itch. Its as ifI can feel the pimples rising and its definitely distracting if you focus on it but I try not to. Im about to lay inbed and fall asleep on my back.
While I realize that most of us are familiar with the healing process (as am I), Im taking the time to explain it to someone who may not know what to expect and is reading this post. If this is you, I just want you to know that its not that bad and while it may look like I am inpain, I am not. The healing process is uncomfortable but its not unbearable. I have done this wholehealing process close to 10times and Im going to do it 15more times so dont get frightened.
Which doctor did your treatment?
I've had several doctors perform Erbium but the treatments were so mild. This is why I gave up hope on Erbium and am only doing fractional CO2. I've mentioned to members here that Erbium isn't going to help much because most doctors aren't aggressive enough. I've only seen Dr. Lim and maybe one or two other doctors go deep enough where there's blood.
2 minutes ago, Amanda Hall said:Which doctor did your treatment?
I've had several doctors perform Erbium but the treatments were so mild. This is why I gave up hope on Erbium and am only doing fractional CO2. I've mentioned to members here that Erbium isn't going to help much because most doctors aren't aggressive enough. I've only seen Dr. Lim and maybe one or two other doctors go deep enough where there's blood.
The doctor is not well known. In fact, its a physicianassistant butknowledgeable and highly experienced.
Yes, same concern with me. But after doing 4 Infini treatments,I voiced that I wanted Co2 one pass and I had emailedmedical journals that illustrated the results on my skin type (ethnic) and the physicianagreed and suggested Erbium instead becauseCo2 was too risky for hyperpigmentation and probably because its less profit than the erbium laser.
Im moving to another metropolitan area and will have to find a new specialist to do the exact same treatment or alternative in a few months. Ill probably walk in with my medical journals and explain it all over again and see if the specialist will do it but also within my budget. I am hopeful.
1 hour ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:The doctor is not well known. In fact, its a physicianassistant butknowledgeable and highly experienced.
Yes, same concern with me. But after doing 4 Infini treatments,I voiced that I wanted Co2 one pass and I had emailedmedical journals that illustrated the results on my skin type (ethnic) and the physicianagreed and suggested Erbium instead becauseCo2 was too risky for hyperpigmentation and probably because its less profit than the erbium laser.
Im moving to another metropolitan area and will have to find a new specialist to do the exact same treatment or alternative in a few months. Ill probably walk in with my medical journals and explain it all over again and see if the specialist will do it but also within my budget. I am hopeful.
I got PIH and PIE from CO2. PIE is worse. But the doctor said that the more aggressive the more improvement. That's fine with me as I don't have time for a thousand Erbium treatments.I was hoping that during an Erbium treatment I would get blood but I didn't so fractional CO2 is going to be my choice.
Wish u good luck with recovery and get improvement u wish , btw how long after such aggresive treatment redness can persist ?
6 hours ago, Amanda Hall said:I got PIH and PIE from CO2. PIE is worse. But the doctor said that the more aggressive the more improvement. That's fine with me as I don't have time for a thousand Erbium treatments.I was hoping that during an Erbium treatment I would get blood but I didn't so fractional CO2 is going to be my choice.
Whats the diff between PIH and PIE ?
6 hours ago, Amanda Hall said:I got PIH and PIE from CO2. PIE is worse. But the doctor said that the more aggressive the more improvement. That's fine with me as I don't have time for a thousand Erbium treatments.I was hoping that during an Erbium treatment I would get blood but I didn't so fractional CO2 is going to be my choice.
I agree with you. When is your treatment?
4 minutes ago, Miro said:Wish u good luck with recovery and get improvement u wish , btw how long after such aggresive treatment redness can persist ?
Thank you. Redness lasted perhaps 1-2 months.I was told to use a lightening agent on checks for one month after treatment.
When the skin is pink, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure to prevent hyperpigmentation. In my case, I wear a large hat, spf, and even large mask when out in the sun.
1 hour ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:I agree with you. When is your treatment?
Thank you. Redness lasted perhaps 1-2 months. I was told to use a lightening agent on checks for one month after treatment.
When the skin is pink, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure to prevent hyperpigmentation. In my case, I wear a large hat, spf, and even large mask when out in the sun.
Something like me ?
20 minutes ago, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:Haha, yes! For my sake, I wear a bigger hat just to be extra careful, however, your hat is fine if youre one who doesnt fancy hats in the first place. Thank you for the photo.
Lol now i red your name correctly, I thought it was Dont give up its only cars, ok, gl with healing
13 hours ago, Miro said:Wish u good luck with recovery and get improvement u wish , btw how long after such aggresive treatment redness can persist ?
Whats the diff between PIH and PIE ?
PIH is when your skin looks brown. PIE is redness - on some days it just comes out more. PIH goes away much more easily (2 months) than PIE (2-4+ months) for me.
11 hours ago, Miro said:Something like me ?
I wouldn't go so far as to get arrested when going out. 
I've gone out in the sun without sunscreen (FORGOT!!!) weeks after getting CO2 and I was okay. Just don't sunbathe.
25 minutes ago, Amanda Hall said:PIH is when your skin looks brown. PIE is redness - on some days it just comes out more. PIH goes away much more easily (2 months) than PIE (2-4+ months) for me.
I wouldn't go so far as to get arrested when going out.
I've gone out in the sun without sunscreen (FORGOT!!!) weeks after getting CO2 and I was okay. Just don't sunbathe.
Thnx for explaining to me , i Serious Lee used this œoutfit when driving cars up to 3 months after CO2 , driving car on sunny day is dangerous after CO2
On 3/20/2021 at 10:39 PM, Amanda Hall said:PIH is when your skin looks brown. PIE is redness - on some days it just comes out more. PIH goes away much more easily (2 months) than PIE (2-4+ months) for me.
I wouldn't go so far as to get arrested when going out.
I've gone out in the sun without sunscreen (FORGOT!!!) weeks after getting CO2 and I was okay. Just don't sunbathe.
You are probably right in your approach to going out after a laser treatment. For myself, I like to make sure that I™m getting as little sun on my fresh face as possible and yes, you can say it™s a bit overkill.
These images are a bit late however this was the last bits of the crusting after having the erbium laser on March 18 2021. This photo was taken on March 21. As you can see, there is some acne. When it comes to aquaphor or Vaseline, I will break out. My face itched like crazy due to the clogged pores. I stopped putting aquaphor on my skin that did not have the crust (no aquaphor on the new skin) and only placed it on the crustings (the brown flakey skin). My skin was rather dry so I placed CerVe Moisturizing lotion on it and on the acne I placed my vitamin-a derivative (tazarotene) on the acne pimples to make sure it doesn™t scar and also so it goes away. After a few days, I then started the hydroquinone cream (the lightening agent to prevent hyperpigmentation) in the day and then tazarotene in the night on the whole face. The recovery was four days after the erbium laser, really a blimp on the radar in terms of how long it takes to return to normal.
Currently, I™m still red on my cheeks but not as red as this pic on March 21 (the pictures on this post). I continue to place the tazarotene at night but tend to skip the hydroquinone cream because it irritates my skin and breaks me out and only apply it every other day. On the days I don™t place the hydroquinone cream, I place ˜the ordinary vitamin c suspended in silicone™ and my regular skincare products with sunscreen as the last layer. I still wear a hat and a mask outside to avoid my new skin being exposed to the sun.
My skin is still inflamed but settle enough to still see where my scars are. What™s important to note is that your scars still return after procedures but it™s the results overtime that matter most. So let me stress to take pictures of your scars before and after procedures to truly see how far you come. It™s easy to look in the mirror and point out your scars and argue in your own mind that there was no improvement at all but when you compare the pictures, you start to see the real progress. Don™t give up. Three months is usually where you see how your skin responded. So three months from now (before pictures taken before the procedure on March 18th) I will take new pictures and assess my skin on here.
Hi i am going to get erbium laser. Not sure if if its ablative or non (doing with dr rullan so if you know about him then maybe you know what he uses). I called off work for about 7 days and am wondering if I will be fine to go in after 7 or how long it takes to "look normal". I will be wearing a mask and we do wear hats so I can prob for the most part cover but if its still scabbing and what not might be hard.
23 hours ago, johnchristoph said:Hi i am going to get erbium laser. Not sure if if its ablative or non (doing with dr rullan so if you know about him then maybe you know what he uses). I called off work for about 7 days and am wondering if I will be fine to go in after 7 or how long it takes to "look normal". I will be wearing a mask and we do wear hats so I can prob for the most part cover but if its still scabbing and what not might be hard.
On 4/3/2021 at 2:31 PM, Dontgiveupitsonlyscars said:These images are a bit late however this was the last bits of the crusting afterhaving the erbium laser on March 18 2021. This photo was taken on March 21. As you can see, there is some acne. When it comes to aquaphor or Vaseline, I will break out. My face itched like crazy due to the clogged pores. I stopped putting aquaphor on my skin that did not have the crust (no aquaphor on the newskin) and only placed it on the crustings (the brown flakey skin). My skin was rather dry so I placed CerVe Moisturizing lotion on it and on the acne I placed my vitamin-a derivative (tazarotene) on the acne pimples to make sure it doesnt scar and also so it goes away. After a few days, I then started the hydroquinone cream (the lightening agent to prevent hyperpigmentation) in the day and then tazarotenein the night on the whole face. The recovery was four days after the erbium laser, really a blimp on the radar in terms of how long it takes to return to normal.
Currently, Im still red on my cheeks but notas red as this pic on March 21 (the pictures on this post). I continue to place the tazarotene at night but tend to skip the hydroquinone cream because it irritates my skin and breaks me out and only apply it every other day. On the days I dont place the hydroquinonecream, I place the ordinary vitamin c suspended in silicone and my regular skincare products with sunscreen as the last layer. I still wear a hat and a mask outside to avoid my new skin being exposed to the skin.
My skin is still inflamed but settle enough to still see where my scars are. Whats important to note is that yours scars still return after procedures but its the results overtime that matter most. So let me stress to take pictures of your scars before and after procedures to truly see how far you come. Its easy to look in the mirror and point out your scars and argue in your own mind that there was no improvement at all but when you compare the pictures, you start to see the real progress. Dontgive up. Three months is usually where you see how your skin responded. So three months from now (before pictures taken before the procedure on March 18th) I will take new pictures and assess my skin on here.
Your breakouts aren't that bad. Those will go away easily - just don't pop them. Use non-comedogenic moisturizer on your non-scabbed skin.
23 hours ago, johnchristoph said:Hi i am going to get erbium laser. Not sure if if its ablative or non (doing with dr rullan so if you know about him then maybe you know what he uses). I called off work for about 7 days and am wondering if I will be fine to go in after 7 or how long it takes to "look normal". I will be wearing a mask and we do wear hats so I can prob for the most part cover but if its still scabbing and what not might be hard.
Dr. Rullan's Erbium laser treatment isn't that aggressive. You might just need 2-4 days off (or less if you take advantage of the weekend). You are not going to end up like in the pictures above. Taking time off work costs money which you could use towards another treatment.
On 4/3/2021 at 8:50 PM, johnchristoph said:Hi i am going to get erbium laser. Not sure if if its ablative or non (doing with dr rullan so if you know about him then maybe you know what he uses). I called off work for about 7 days and am wondering if I will be fine to go in after 7 or how long it takes to "look normal". I will be wearing a mask and we do wear hats so I can prob for the most part cover but if its still scabbing and what not might be hard.
It depends on the depth/density, how you heal andyour skin type. I am sure if you ask Dr. Rullan (or the specialist performing the procedure) they will give you a more accurate estimate of how many days it takes your skin to appear normal to the public (I.e. no blood, scabbing, peeling skin, severe redness). I would probably estimate that 7 days is the perfect time frame to return to work after laser. You mentioned wearing a mask at work so in that case even 5 days is also appropriate depending on the the three factors I mentioned earlier. For myself, the scabbing was mostly gone by the fourth day. Follow the instructions that your laser doctor or laser specialist lays out for you to benefit the most out of your healing process.
The instructions I was given wasaquaphor, hydration, and the cleansing method I mentioned earlier in the topic post such ashydrogen peroxidetwice a day in the shower to help the scabs fall off. I used hydrogen peroxide wipes from CVS in the shower (which I had no idea they made that, its brilliant)with a few squirts of the cetaphil cleanser on the wipe and then I held it in the shower to my scabs and pressed lightly. I visualized my Scabs reacting to the hydrogen peroxide and shriveling up little by little... Im weird.
Dont rub your face or take off the scabs on your own, you could scar you face or promote further damage. Be gentle and patient, treat your skin like a baby.
This was taken a few minutes ago on April 6th of 2021. The side with the most scars is the one I posted the photos from the first post on the 2017-2021 journey. You will recognize it when you see it. The other side of my cheek has less noticeable scars but one or two larger atrophic scarring.
These photos were posted in the sun. I have hydroquinone cream on and SPF. I had laser on March 18, so this is a little more than two weeks after and as you can see the redness is mostly gone. I took pictures of slightly different angles to showcase how my scars are visible depending on which angle. I took photos with my back camera on my phone because it takes the most detailed pictures, I never use the front camera for skin detail because it has a filter effects in my opinion.
Be advised that I am still somewhat puffy and it takes (according to most data on scar revision) three months for the scars to ˜improve™ or change. With that said, this is not meant to be measureable for scar improvement yet but mostly as a final documentation on how erbium laser went for me and perhaps it will give the viewer more information on how this type of treatment may go for them (factors being all equal).
let me know if you have any questions or comments.
*I am not a doctor
*I make frequent typos
On 4/6/2021 at 10:44 PM, GuyGaGa said:Looks really good!
How is your diet and are you taking any supplements for healing?
I eat high protein (salmon, chicken, tuna, steak, eggs). Goodfats such as avocado, olive oil,walnuts/nutsmix, butter, Mayoand I eat complex carbs such as oatmeal, potato, kidney beans and sprouted bread. I also eat strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, bananaseveryday. I mix lemon juice on to every dish. I also weight trainand try to walk minimum 10,000 steps a day. I purified water constantly.I wear sunscreen and a hat in the sunshine. All this contributes to good quality skin, according to the usual nutritionist and physicianconsensus.
I dont take supplements anymore. No real reason why, I just stopped buying them. I used to be a vitamin fiend, taking all kinds of vitamins like a chronicpill popper. Something about it just stopped marking sense for me. I dont know.I just stick to the food. I apply topical vitamins though such as vitamin c and vitamin e mixed with my mineral sunscreen, of course, before application I use glycolic acid toner to open to skin to become more absorbent to the products I place on it. I also use the ordinary lactic acid mask and the AHA mask thats red twice a week and then place products to absorb better.
sleeping habits: I sleep with a silk pillow case and I try my best to sleep on my back to prevent skin issues. I used to take melatonin because I had poor sleep but I found that spending a few minutes on the sun helps me sleep better, so I stopped taking melatonin about 3 months ago.
perhaps this is far more detailed than you requested but I find it better to over-explain than to under-explain to get a greater understanding.
I hope this helped.