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My Total Fx Diary - Procedure Scheduled For 12/04/12 - Updates To Follow

 
MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 11/24/2012 5:32 pm

After searching all over Los Angeles and Orange County for a year, I finally picked a doctor. I am confident, I found the best doctor using the most effective laser for my kind of scars. I have decided to document my journey so that others know what to expect.

 

My laser treatment is scheduled for Dec. 4th. I had my pre-op today. The doctor was nice enough to make a special trip to his LA clinic on Thanksgiving weekend just to deliver my pre-op kit and meet with me. His laser clinic is actually located a couple hours outside of LA. Starting my pre-op regimen today will allow me to prep my skin for nearly 2-weeks while also giving me 3-weeks of healing time by Christmas. I made this request at the last minute before Thanksgiving, and am happy he was flexible and able to accommodate my needs.

 

My pre-op kit includes six items:

* Morning routine *

Glytone Cream Wash - Gentle Cleanser

Glytone Tone - Essential Prep Toner w/Salicylic Acid

Glytone SunVanish - Skin Bleaching 4% Hydroquinone with Sunscreen

Glytone Sunblock SPF 40 - Mineral based w/Micronized Zinc Oxide

* Evening routine *

Glytone Cream Wash - Gentle Cleanser

Glytone Tone - Essential Prep Toner w/Salicylic Acid

Glytone Clarifying Cream - Skin Bleaching 4% Hydroquinone

Glytone Enhance Night Renewal Cream- 0.05% Retinaldehyde + 5.5% Free Glycolic Acid

A picture of the kit:

post-176820-0-31008700-1353795232_thumb.

 

 

For my procedure, he will use the Total FX "multi-layer" approach for acne scars. First, he will hit each scar hard/deep at 20mj/15% density with Deep FX. He will then pass over each scar again at nearly full ablation with Active FX. Finally, he will do a pass over my entire face with Active FX at a lower density.

 

Starting one or two days (need to confirm the exact timing) before my procedure, I will start taking an antibiotic and an antiviral medication.

 

On the day of the procedure, I will be given a Xanax, a topical numbing cream, dermerol shots, and a painkiller (either vicodin or percocet) to ensure my comfort during the procedure.

 

I am excited and can't wait until Dec. 4th! I will update this thread as I learn more and following my procedure. I can't promise too many detailed pictures though.

 

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Dec 3 Update:

 

Met with my doctor a couple days ago to pick up my prescriptions. I've been given the following:

Doxycycline - Antibiotic to prevent infection - Started yesterday

Acyclovir - Antiviral to prevent cold sores - Started yesterday

Xanax - For anxiety - Will start 1 hour before procedure and then every 6 hours afterwards, as needed

Percocet - For pain & swelling - Will start 1 hour before procedure and then every 6 hours afterwards, as needed

 

I am not sure I'll need the Xanax or Percocet after treatment, but I have them just in case. I've never taken either. I Googled them and they appear to be pretty strong drugs. I had Deep FX in February, and wasn't given anything for pain or anxiety. I walked into the laser room shaking with fear, and experienced incredible pain from just treatment of my scars. I'm glad this doctor cares about my comfort. I will also be given demerol shots & numbing cream one hour before my procedure. Compared to last time, I'm hoping this will be a breeze to tolerate.

 

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Dec 6 Update:

 

I had the procedure on Dec 4. I took a Percocet and Xanax about one hour before the procedure when they applied the first layer of numbing cream. I was then given a Demerol shot (painkiller) in the arm and 6-8 Lidocaine shots in my face & mouth. After the shots, a second layer of numbing cream was applied. About 30 minutes later, the doctor came in and started with Deep FX. Deep FX was tolerable. I barely felt any pain. He went over my scars only with Deep FX at a setting of 20mj/15% density (I think - am pretty sure). He then followed that up with Active FX on setting 3. I believe the maximum setting is 4 (I don't know why I think this, so it could be wrong. I also have no idea what setting 3 or 4 mean in terms of density, mj, etc.). Active FX has to be the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life. If you have a low tolerance for pain, you may not be able to tolerate Active FX very well. I actually thought I had a high tolerance for pain, but this was EXTREMELY painful. I couldn't hold my body still during the procedure, and fear I may have forced him to be less aggressive. I am going to ask him about that during my post-op appointment next week. If I had a patient react like me during a procedure, I probably would have finished up as quickly as possible.

 

For post-op care, I was given a kit by Avene called SOS Post Procedure Recovery kit. A photo is below:

post-176820-0-16266800-1354836474_thumb.

 

I apply the following a few times a day:

1. Thermal Spring Water Gel

2. Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray

3. Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream

4. Antirougeurs CALM Smoothing Repair Mask (I'm actually using this one, once a day)

 

I am not using Aquaphor/Vaseline at this point. I will use those if I run out of the Thermal Spring Water Gel before I heal.

 

I am looking very scary at this point. I have attached one photo below and plan to delete it in the near future. I just can't leave an image of myself looking like this on the Internet! I actually look ten times worse in real life than the photo reflects. My skin is also cracking at this point with some flaking, and is extremely itchy. The dark areas in the picture are more like the color of a dark red scab right now. The reflection of the light also makes some areas appear normal color when they are actually red & brown too.

Photo of left cheek (this is my worst side in terms of scarring):

post-176820-0-81989200-1354836757_thumb.

 

As of now, I can still see my scars but they are shallower. My scars on my right cheek are the hardest to see, so there's no point in posting a picture.

 

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Dec 7 Update:

 

My skin is extremely itchy and covered in small purplish scabs. Sleeping with itchy skin has been difficult. I ended up scratching my face in my sleep, and have since cut off my nails, which were very long. I wish I had thought of this sooner, and bought soft mittens. A little too late now.

 

Add-on

I am also now using Avene Tolerance Extreme cream for hydration as part of my regimen.

http://www.dermstore...CFcN_Qgodi1QA_w

 

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Dec 9 Update:

 

Over half my scabs have fallen off at this point. Below is a picture of what I mean by scabs:

post-176820-0-93442100-1355085520_thumb.

 

I've written a bit more on this in a post further down this thread.

 

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Dec 11 Update:

 

I've added current photos below, and have tried to keep them as realistic as possible. My left cheek is my worst cheek in terms of wide, indented scars. They're closer to the outside of my cheek, and bother me the most. I have Asian cheekbones. They look awful when I smile. I used to have much deeper scars on both cheeks. If you look at my gallery, you can see I've come a long way after two laser treatments. Hopefully, collagen rebuilding over the next few months will plump my remaining scars some more. I did experience that with most of my scars after my first Deep FX treatment.

 

Right side:

Looks a little smoother so far but I still have scars.

post-176820-0-68705400-1355258234_thumb.post-176820-0-55698000-1355258243_thumb.

 

Left side:

The scabs and lighting are exaggerating the depth of the indents on my outer cheek in the second picture. I am doing that intentionally because I was having trouble picking up the indents. The indents are hard to see at most angles. They don't look nearly as bad in person as they do in the picture, and the scab in the base of my largest indent is making it look deeper. These wider indents were caused by TCA Cross, not acne. I used to only have boxcar and ice pick scarring. Some of my TCA Cross indents seem to have vanished, and others have shrunk in diameter. I'm extremely happy to see that. I will likely have to just settle for a filler on these in the future. I'm not convinced laser will improve them much more.

 

post-176820-0-24970200-1355258220_thumb. post-176820-0-60275300-1355258229_thumb.

 

Looking closely at the second pic of my left cheek, you can actually see where my deeper ice picks used to be in the deeper indent. The ice picks are still there but they're shallower. Sadly, the skin just caved around them a few weeks after TCA Cross. It's like I'm going through a process of reversing damage with the hope of getting some of my original acne scars back.

 

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Dec 17 Update:

 

Just a quick update. I am now dealing with hyperpigmentation. It's very difficult to capture the lovely, multi-colored pattern on my cheeks in a photo. The varying colors make my scars & skin texture look significantly worse. I look absolutely ridiculous in person. smile.png

 

post-176820-0-92743000-1355779539_thumb.

 

As of this morning, I am using the following to treat my pigment issues:

Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream for the redness

Glytone SunVanish Skin Bleaching 4% Hydroquinone with Sunscreen

Glytone Clarifying Cream Skin Bleaching 4% Hydroquinone

 

Unfortunately, I can't use any exfoliants to speed cell turnover until I hit the 30-day point. This is going to take time to fade. I am flying out this weekend to meet with family for the holidays and am dreading that at this point. I can only imagine the comments I'm going to get.

 

Other than the hyperpigmentation where Deep FX was used, my skin looks great at this point!

 

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Jan 6 2013 Update:

 

Just a quick update. I am not noticing much improvement to my scars at this point. I started using Retin-a a few days ago, and it has opened up my pores again. sad.png I was enjoying the smaller pores. I am still dealing with hyperpigmentation, and am not noticing much improvement to that either. The photos do not give the discoloration and funny blocked pattern on my face justice.

 

Right side:

post-176820-0-28732400-1357510230_thumb.

Left side:

post-176820-0-29370900-1357510249_thumb.

 

I was pretty disappointed one month after my first Deep FX treatment. I am trying to remain positive about this treatment, and hope to see much more improvement over the next few weeks. Once I get the hyperpigmentation under control, I will be able to take clearer photos of my scars.

 

More to follow later...

post-176820-0-31008700-1353795232_thumb.

post-176820-0-16266800-1354836474_thumb.

post-176820-0-81989200-1354836757_thumb.

post-176820-0-93442100-1355085520_thumb.

post-176820-0-24970200-1355258220_thumb.

post-176820-0-60275300-1355258229_thumb.

post-176820-0-68705400-1355258234_thumb.

post-176820-0-55698000-1355258243_thumb.

post-176820-0-92743000-1355779539_thumb.

post-176820-0-28732400-1357510230_thumb.

post-176820-0-29370900-1357510249_thumb.

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MemberMember
39
(@michelle-reece)

Posted : 11/24/2012 5:43 pm

I'd like to see the results. Do you have a realself.com account, too? It'd be a good idea to post results there.

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MemberMember
24
(@cherrysoda08)

Posted : 11/24/2012 11:55 pm

Hey there!

 

Really excited to see your results. Best of luck! rolleyes.gif

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MemberMember
16
(@pursuit-of-happyness)

Posted : 11/25/2012 7:17 am

i hope you see the best results,also the way of "multi-layer" approach looks so good..

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 11/25/2012 11:21 am

I'd like to see the results. Do you have a realself.com account, too? It'd be a good idea to post results there.

 

Results won't be apparent for a 2-3 months. I definitely plan to share my experience and results with this forum.

I do have realself account. If the procedure goes well, I will post a review there.

Hey there!

Really excited to see your results. Best of luck! rolleyes.gif

 

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement you've given me. :)

i hope you see the best results,also the way of "multi-layer" approach looks so good..

 

Thank you! I am hoping for the best. I really believe in the "multi-layer" technique. I was pleasantly surprised when my doctor explained how he planned to attack my scars. He was quite surprised when I actually understood what he was saying. I guess patients don't normally understand lasers that well.

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MemberMember
21
(@austra)

Posted : 11/26/2012 5:45 pm

I'll be following this very keenly. All the best with the treatment! I bet your skin is going to look great afterwards. :)

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/03/2012 6:10 am

I'll be following this very keenly. All the best with the treatment! I bet your skin is going to look great afterwards. smile.png

 

Thank you, Austra!

37 more hours to go... I am anxious and a bit scared. I'm questioning my sanity right now. I am actually paying someone $1000s to vaporize my face. LOL! The things we do to "improve" our scars.

I have to admit, I'm not too excited about posting detailed pics of my recovery on the Internet. We'll see how I feel about that later.

Hoping for the best and some rest! I can't seem to sleep right now and imagine tomorrow will be worse. Will keep you guys updated.

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/06/2012 6:45 pm

Original post updated...

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MemberMember
0
(@dgan)

Posted : 12/06/2012 8:20 pm

just want to wish you fast recovery with nice results

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/07/2012 2:38 pm

just want to wish you fast recovery with nice results

 

Thank you, dgan! I really appreciate it! The recovery is not easy. I am feeling a bit down right now, but am trying to stay positive.

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MemberMember
21
(@austra)

Posted : 12/07/2012 3:11 pm

I've always found the downtime for treatments really challenging. Best if you can keep yourself occupied with work, movies, games etc and not look too much in the mirror. It will be worth it. :)

 

I'm quite surprised by the intensity of the pain! I don't know how well I could take it, but right now I feel so tempted to take the same route as you have when I get the chance.

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MemberMember
39
(@michelle-reece)

Posted : 12/07/2012 4:21 pm

Hang in there, Inspired! Hope you get fantastic results at the end of this! :)

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MemberMember
16
(@pursuit-of-happyness)

Posted : 12/07/2012 8:55 pm

i feel under these scabs ,there is good result,i don't know why i feel that,but i feel it and hope it will happen,for you ,me and also everyone here smile.png

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MemberMember
2
(@fruitbiscuits)

Posted : 12/07/2012 11:03 pm

Hope you'll recover asap and get an amazing result!

 

Remember, downtime is just a temporary thing, so hang in there! And after your recovery, I really hope you'll be so happy!

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/09/2012 3:10 pm

Thanks to ALL for the well wishes! I am now on day 5 and am recovering slowly. Half of my face is still covered in scabs. The scabs were unexpected, and remind me of the dark, thin scabbing I experienced with TCA Cross. I thought I would peel from Active FX, and I am kind of peeling/flaking in some areas, but my skin has mainly scabbed. I wonder if this is actually what they call "crusting" after Active FX. I also wonder if this is caused by the post-op regimen and the fact that I was told not to use vinegar soaks to help my skin peel faster. I haven't even taken a hot shower yet because I was told to avoid any kind of steam or heat on my face during the healing stage.

 

As of now, my skin looks amazing where the scabs have fallen off. I will try to get a good picture of them today and update my original post with it. I tried to take pictures yesterday but the photos were simply not detailed enough to capture what I mean by scabs.

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/09/2012 3:43 pm

ADD-ON

 

Photo of scabs posted to my original post. It's not very clear and the lighting is different. However, it pretty much shows what I'm experiencing. I don't have any topicals on my face in the photo. It's normally moist compared to what you're seeing in the picture. It's still extremely itchy.

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MemberMember
19
(@tricia)

Posted : 12/09/2012 4:06 pm

Looks good so far! Maybe you should take benadryl for the itching, I've read that helps!

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MemberMember
4
(@acnescar123)

Posted : 12/09/2012 5:37 pm

The scabs were unexpected, and remind me of the dark, thin scabbing I experienced with TCA Cross. I thought I would peel from Active FX, and I am kind of peeling/flaking in some areas, but my skin has mainly scabbed. I wonder if this is actually what they call "crusting" after Active FX. I also wonder if this is caused by the post-op regimen and the fact that I was told not to use vinegar soaks to help my skin peel faster.

 

Fairly sure scabbing like that isn't normal and is a result of not using Aquaphor - the skin drys up and thus scabs form whereas usually the Aquaphor retains moisture and scabs don't form. Nevertheless, good luck in your recovery.

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/09/2012 6:02 pm

Fairly sure scabbing like that isn't normal and is a result of not using Aquaphor - the skin drys up and thus scabs form whereas usually the Aquaphor retains moisture and scabs don't form. Nevertheless, good luck in your recovery.

 

You might be right but my skin is actually very moist. I had just washed my face and let it completely dry before I took that photo. It's now covered in two different cremes, Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream and Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream for deep hydration. I had the same sort of scabs from TCA Cross and my skin was covered in Aquaphor, which also caused me to breakout. So far, I don't have a single pimple and my skin looks absolutely smooth & healthy where the scabs have flaked off. Do you think scabbing is bad? I don't necessarily see it as a bad thing but I could be wrong. They're not deep, and are only on the surface.

Looks good so far! Maybe you should take benadryl for the itching, I've read that helps!

 

I agree with you. I wish I had thought of benadryl before the procedure. There's no way I'm leaving the house for it now. Ugh

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/09/2012 6:32 pm

Looking at the picture again, I have to admit, the scabs look bad and thick in some spots. The photo is actually a bit blurry on my cheek. The scabs are actually ready to flake off, and are lightly attached to my skin. They're not nearly as thick as they look in the photo. They're very thin. Much finer than what I experienced with Cross. My skin is moist though, and I absolutely love the Avene Post-op kit. I used Aquaphor after both TCA Cross and Deep FX, and neither were pleasant experiences.

 

I really think I would have scabbed whether I used Aquaphor or not. I would also be breaking out if I used Aquaphor. Now, I am going to try not to stress over the scabbing... ;)

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MemberMember
5
(@rentedname)

Posted : 12/10/2012 3:19 am

many thanks for documenting your experience. it seriously means a lot to get some real stories here...

 

can you describe why you decided not to use the aquaphor? do you think that will have an effect on your results? also, are the antibiotics required for your treatment or can you safely forego them?

 

good luck. we are all rooting for your success :)

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/10/2012 4:20 am

many thanks for documenting your experience. it seriously means a lot to get some real stories here...

can you describe why you decided not to use the aquaphor? do you think that will have an effect on your results? also, are the antibiotics required for your treatment or can you safely forego them?

good luck. we are all rooting for your success smile.png

 

It's not that I decided not to use Aquaphor. I am following my Facial Plastic Surgeon's post-op regimen. I am actually using most of the items in this kit, plus a free mask that was included with my kit:

http://www.dermstore...y Kit_36053.htm

I am not using the facial cleanser. Instead, I am using Cetaphil.

I posted about this in my original thread. If I run out of the Thermal Spring Water Gel & Thermal Spring Water Spray, then I was actually told to use Vaseline (not Aquaphor). I only mentioned Aquaphor because I know most people use it and I've used it in the past.

In terms of recovery, my skin actually looks amazing where it's peeled and the scabs have flaked off. Looking closer at the "scabs", they're probably not scabs, but more like dead skin that's getting darker with time. I was told not to speed the exfoliation process and let my skin heal/peel naturally, so the dead skin is probably lingering much longer than most people experience.

When I had Deep FX done in February, my skin turned a very dark red with pinpoint bleeding for 24 hours. The dark color eventually faded to lighter red and then developed into hyperpigmentation. For a few days, I also had small reddish, brown dots from where the laser hit. As of right now, I don't see any signs of hyperpigmentation. There are no dots, at all, and I actually didn't experience pinpoint bleeding this time. My skin is a little pink, but I think I'm going to get lucky with the pre/post regimens this time because my skin really does look fresh where it has completely peeled so far.

My treatment was much more aggressive this time. The darker "scabs" have formed where he hit it hard with Deep FX and then went over it with Active FX. So far, aside from the downtime, I'm very pleased with my results. Of course, it's too early to say if my results will stay. I didn't feel this positive after Deep FX.

I did take Doxycycline for 7 days. I started 2 days prior to my treatment. I'm already done with that. I took Doxycycline prior to Deep FX and TCA Cross, as well. The Aquaphor really aggravated my skin despite the antibiotics.

I also took Acyclovir for 7 days to prevent cold sores. Previously, I was given Valtrex, which made me really sick. I thought it was the Doxycycline that made me sick but have since discovered it was the Valtrex. I puked several times while taking Valtrex, so he prescribed Acyclovir.

Thanks for the luck. As of today, I'm once again feeling positive!

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MemberMember
2
(@fruitbiscuits)

Posted : 12/10/2012 4:14 pm

Great! Stay positive, worries aren't good for your recovery. Good luck girl :)

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MemberMember
46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 12/10/2012 6:00 pm

Great! Stay positive, worries aren't good for your recovery. Good luck girl smile.png

 

Thank you, FruitBiscuits! :)

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MemberMember
1
(@pumpkin21)

Posted : 12/10/2012 7:00 pm

whats the downtime for deep fx for you?

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