Skin Care Review: Laser Skin Resurfacing

Rating
Excellent

Benefits
Even skin, freckles and pigmentation gone, fine lines improved. SO WORTH IT!

Drawbacks
Procedure and recovery painful. Skin dry afterwards. Does nothing for wrinkles. Expensive.

Details
I am a 37 year old mother of two. I was your typical red-headed freckled child with white skin when I was little and I have hated my freckles my whole life. Additionally, I was never taught to stay out of the sun, so I spent 20 years under the sun without sunscreen. My skin looked old, full of freckles and the pigmentation was awful. I specially disliked the pigmentation over my upper lip (looked like a mustache) and on the sides of my cheeks (looked almost like a beard) I did not have any birthmarks or liver spots; it was all sun damage. I had laser skin resurfacing and now my skin is freckle free and very even. Not only that but it seems healthier and younger than I can remember (of course I am religiously using my Obagi products after what I went through with the procedure) The procedure was relatively short (about 30-40 minutes) but the anesthetic cream wore off and it was painful. The smell of the burned skin and the loud sound of the laser were also very uncomfortable. After the procedure I felt like I had had the ABOSOLUTE WORST sunburn of my entire life - times three!!! I went home "burning" on my face. I had to use cold compresses for two days and apply a very thick lotion to keep the face moisturized. The first night was OK, but I had to sleep in a 45 degree angle. The second night I couldn't sleep at all because my face was oozing a clear liquid and it itched a lot. Since it was all raw and tender I couldn't even scratch (nor did I want to due to the risk of scarring) After the second night I started water and vinegar soaks and it all was well again. The vinegar stopped the oozing and the face started to peel. And underneath all that redness and peeling was my skin free of freckles or pigmentation, something incredible!!! The next few days the skin was pink and dry. I moisturized a lot, and within a week I could wear make up again (but I wouldn't dream of wearing foundation as I love my new skin, even though it is a little bit pinkier than before) There are a couple of spots where I still have freckles (according to the doctor those areas must be retreated) So I am going for another peel, this time with a less intense laser, and possibly a third one afterwards. All spaced within a month of each other. Fine lines have improved, but wrinkles have not. If your concern is wrinkles, don't waste your money on laser resurfacing. However, if pigmentation is your problem, I totally recommend it. It is expensive but worth it, and the best part is that you see the results within a week (instead of having lots of megapeels and only see a little improvement after many months)

Conclusions
Great on freckles and pigmentation but not on wrinkles. Better and faster than megapeels.

Price (paid by reviewer)
$1700

Where to find it
Plastic Surgeon