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Ablative lasers shine an intense beam of light at the skin. The light completely removes (ablates) the entire epidermis. It also stimulates the underlying dermis to produce more collagen and elastin over time.
Used Ablative Non-fractional Lasers? Rate It:
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December 14, 2009
Cons:
Not for the faint hearted. Very messy afterwards - blood, gore etc. - and takes several days to heal, although after four days you should be through the worst. I had a general anaesthetic for procedure, although the aftermath was quite painful.
If you're feeling brave, and in a good frame of mind, go for it. The results are impressive, although if you have severe scarring or deep lines like myself you may well need two treatments to get the desired effect. It also has the side effect of making you look more youthful too! People have commented on this, which is kinda nice. However, I wouldn't recommend this treatment for people with minor wrinkles or lines, or minimal damage caused by acne. I would suggest something less invasive would be more appropriate, at least in the first instance.Find a dermatologist who is skilled and experienced in the use of lasers as opposed to a cosmetic surgeon who is less likely to be a specialist in this field. The immediate after effects look horrific-so be prepared for that-you will resemble something out of a horror movie-but looks worse than it feels, although there is some pain and discomfort, but heals quickly.Redness lasts for several weeks so use make-up - guys too!
September 27, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
I have a web of white scars on my cheeks on top of the old acne scars from laser burns.
I am posting this to warn others that this is serious surgery. I know you are unhappy with the scars but consider that it could be worse. The outer layer of your skin is taken off with this procedure. Remember just because a plastic surgeon is quoted in magazines, that doesn't mean he's good. Or that he did implants for a star. Or that he has an office in Beverly Hills. He could be one of the worst doctors around despite all appearances and this one was. Subsequent doctors were horrified at what he did to me. Bottom line is you can't trust doctors, you have to make an informed decision yourself. But don't trust what they tell you to make up your mind, think it through logically yourself. I've spent thousands of dollars to mitigate the damage but nothing has helped, I will include that in the price below. Don't trust anyone to do this to your face. The risks are too great. There are other treatments with less potentially devastating results to try.
July 27, 2009
Pros:
None so far
Cons:
Took longer to heal than expected. Broke out from the Aquaphor.
Painful during procedure.
No significant difference so far.
I had this procedure done 12 days ago to diminish fine lines around my upper lip. I was shown pictures of before and afters. I really thought I would look younger and smoother. I was told that I would be red, oozing and then the little dots would just flake off.
After 7 days of still looking like a monster, I noticed I was developing pustules all over my upper lip. I also got small red bumps randomly around my face. I had to go back to the Doctor and was put an an antibiotic. He gave me a cream which to me has been a miracle. Biafine. I was told I had a bad reaction to the aquaphor. Luckily after 2 days of doxycycline and the biafine. I completely cleared. Now 12 days later, I am completely healed, just a bit pink in some areas. Why they give a patient who has a history of acne, aquaphor is beyond me. I really wish the Doctor had given me a script for the Biafine in the first place. If you are considering this procedure and have a history of acne, DO NOT use aquaphor. Biafine only!
July 30, 2009
I totally agree with Sharon in Tampa FL from July 13, 2009. I had this procedure done in April 2007. Not only was the procedure very painful during, but the healing time was also very painful for the first 5 days and with nothing but an OTC pain reliever. I had deep-pitted scars, mainly on my cheeks. During the healing process my face was very swollen and when the bleeding and oozing and redness began to subside a little bit, I thought it had really worked, my skin was SO smooth, however, that was short-lived, when the swelling went down I was left with the same scars and a bright red/pink shiny face. I had problems with little whiteheads popping up all over from using the Aquaphor. The long-term results I think I received from this $5,000 procedure, I would say maybe, maybe 10% improvement, I also have brown spots and alot of broken little blood vessels. The doctor told me I could try this procedure again, but I don't have that kind of money, that was a one time thing.
May 22, 2009
Pros:
it works
Cons:
it's expensive, time consuming, and painful. It HAS to be done by a REALLY good doctor which makes it expensive.
DO NOT do this procedure if you have even the slightest doubt in your phsyician! It is not a mild procedure and it can make you look worse. The down time for this was a solid 5 days. You will be BEET red, hideous, and swollen, but if you follow the instructions EXACTLY you will like the results. I will post the day by day under the lasers forum.
May 28, 2011
Pros:
sadly none
Cons:
oozing after
crusting
downtime of a week
scabbing
left with more scars
redness for about a month
I am begging you with all of my heart not to get this treatment. I didn't want to get laser at first but my mother insisted and insisted and so i gave in. It was painful and very disgusting afterwards.I mean VERY disgusting. After all the peeling went away i was very pink and puffed .I had some hope since some scars went away, however after the swelling and the redness left i saw i had MORE scars. It is very painful to go throughout the day knowing i have so many more scars. (and i really do have a LOT more) Im really begging you not to get this treatment. I cry everything i have to look in the mirror now, with and without make-up.
July 13, 2009
Pros:
NONE Much worse
Cons:
NONE
I had erbium resurfacing done in 07 for acne scars. After surgery I was left with rolling scars, dents, brown spot & redness for over a year. Skin is sooo sensitive, it changed dramatically. I've gone through so many ipl treatments for the broken blood vessels & redness. Now I'm going for laser for all the scars it left including the dent & brown spot on my cheek. Ruined my life. Extreamly painful, didn't sleep for 5 nites. I would never ever recomend anything that takes off a layer of your skin. Only lasers that work underneth.
March 19, 2011
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
Latent damage 1-3yrs later...scarring, DNA damage, lines, cracks, etc, etc, etc
Costly and painful. Caused atrophic, rolling, ice pick, boxcar scars and hypertrophic scarring, damage down to the muscle, accelerated aging, discoloration, dna damage...I could go on and on and on.
All lasers are pure radiation to the skin and deeper in my personal experience.
Want to look disfigured, go for a laser. Don't want to look disfigured, don't go for laser treatments. Find something else, facials, natural lotions, vitamins...anything else.
June 20, 2009
Pros:
I had some scaring from large pores on the bottom part of both cheeks. I had the erbium laser twice in the last 10 months and my face looks worse than it did to start with. I am scarred now on all of my face from the laser. I never had acne until now
Cons:
I am so depressed now because after going through the pain twice, it has made my face worse. I can't stand to look in the mirror now. I thought I was doing something to help me out but only made things worse.
If anyone knows anything I can do for scarring from the laser, please let me know. I am so sad about this and it's taking over my life. Thank you.
March 19, 2009
Pros:
Works like a charm, get knocked out with general anesthesia- so it's painless
Cons:
Expensive, 14+ days of downtime
I've got great results from Co2 laser resurfacing. I just got it done a 2nd time (1 year apart) and the results are better and better. Evened up the skin tone and smoothed out the pitted scars.
Pros:
I've just undergone second laser C02 treatment, and would agree, better to have one or two big blasts than lots of small treatments. Very effective for lessening scarring. Strongly suggest, choose a dermatologist rather than cosmetic surgeon.