Ablative Non-fractional Lasers
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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...

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.

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Done
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!
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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.
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February 7, 2009

Pros:

The procedure hasn't shown any results yet. It has only been 1 month since CO2 laser resurfacing.

Cons:

downtime, pain, redness.

I don't think I am seeing the kind of result that I had expected. My face is now blistering (water filled and blood) and breaking out. Doctor told me to put some cortisone on the blisters, but not helping yet. I will need to have Restylene injections done for the deep scars, so maybe that will help.
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November 18, 2007

Pros:

No noticeable gains, definately not worth the cost. Scars are at the smile lines on the cheeks. Deep scarring from childhood acne.

Cons:

Long downtime, redness, swollen face for a week.

Was done (3) years ago. A lot of hoopla, a lot of money, and definately not worth it. Don't make your dematologist rich using this. The lasers are a scam. Consumer protection agency should look into this false advertising.
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October 10, 2007

Pros:

The smoothness right after the swelling, which is fleeting of course. So enjoy it while it lasts!

Cons:

The most recent procedure after 10 yrs of skincare frustrations. The erbium laser, $5000 for nothing. I had it done in april of this year. I have talked to my dr. since and he seems insensitive about my distress.

My surgeon and his entire staff glorified the procedure. As soon as i let them know i was unhappy, they made me feel like one of those people who expect miracles in plastic surgery. I know i am not, i have had other surgeries in which i still enjoy the results. I guess my thoughts are that the procedure is too expensive for what results people seem to be getting. Scarring makes you self concious. And i think it is hard for people to understand that. I can think of many things to do with five grand, but the fact is when you have bad skin you will pay anything for improvement....and they know it.
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August 10, 2007

Pros:

had CO2 laser done about 1.5 yrs ago. very painful, bleeding, swelling. i now have these white spots on my face and the Dr. kept giving me bleaching cream and retin A...its obvious that Dr.Pozner went to deep, i now have permanet blotchiness

Cons:

all of it.

Dr. Pozner was supposed to be the best....??? He just kept giving me bleach and retin A. People ask me all the time what happened to my face.....
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