Skin LASER RESURFACING: My One Year Recovery Journey Week by Week 

I dont mean to be rude or insulting at all I'm only asking for educational purposes. Your face and skin look absolutely beautiful now and great results. But the photos from when you were 50, were you ever a smoker and/or someone who never used SPF or spent a lot of time in tanning beds or the sun? Or had any kind of substance abuse problem? You just looked much older than 50 at that time and now you look much younger than you did at 50. It just always interests me the causes of some women's face aging faster than others. For example Angie Hot n Flashy is 60 and has less wrinkles than I have at 51. I had the CORE Laser and the procedure and recovery was painful, not sure if it was less invasive than your type of laser because they didn't have me wearing masks. And I was completely healed within 2 weeks.

@@SusieQ1971 No offense taken at all! I was shocked how fast I aged in my early 50s. I feel like it happened almost overnight. In my mid 40s I looked like myself. Once I hit menopause & through menopause it was like I aged 10 years in a year or two. I never smokeed. I drink socially & have zero history of drug use. I was average about my sunscreen use as a child of the 1960’s UV damage / sunscreen wasn’t on my radar. Nope no tanning beds, I was busy raising children during their popularity (no time or disposable income for that). Interestingly and what prompted my inquiry into cosmetic aesthetics was my stepsister - 10 years older than I - looked much much younger than I did 🤷🏼‍♀️. I’m assuming it was a combination of genetics, menopause & stress (in retrospect). At 50 I felt kind of devastated, surprised, confused, and I certainly didn’t feel like I looked as young as I felt. So I became determined to do something about it. I appreciate you commenting, asking the question and being curious. Thanks for watching & joining in the discussion💜

@@SusieQ1971 I got so busy answering your questions I forgot to ask how you like the outcome of your CORE laser results. I’m so jealous you healed up in two weeks. It took me forever! Is CORE laser, ablative, or a non-ablative laser resurfacing technique? Did you need to follow up with Botox or anything for volume loss after the CORE laser procedure?

@@beyond50skin Hi I don't think my laser was as invasive as yours. I looked like I had been set on fire but within 10 days I could wear makeup and be seen in public. I did not have that dark red skin for months. That's why I'm wondering if your laser was stronger. I got it done 5-6 years ago. They called it CO2E Laser or CO2 Core Laser Rejuvenation. The results I received was a drastic reduction if not elimination of hyperpigmentation. But never saw a difference in the wrinkles and crepeyness around my eyes and the lines at the corners of my mouth. Those were the wrinkles I wanted to get rid of. They also said I should get a series of 3 done a couple months apart from each other but the procedure was so expensive and painful and due to the lack of noticeable reduction of wrinkles I wasn't willing to keep putting myself through that. It seems like your procedure used a stronger laser. No I did not have volume loss as a result. By that point I had already spent money prior to the laser on Kybella, Pico laser for my dark circles (temporary results), juvederm for my smile lines and vertical upper lip lines, and botox for my crows feet. Juvederm lasts a long time. Botox just feels like a waste of money since it only lasts a few months. Kybella was painful, burning feeling inside my neck, looked like a bullfrog from the swelling, and now I'm left with a loose sagging neck. Not sure if that's due to Kybella or it would have done that anyways. I am 51 and haven't hit menopause yet but if that is going to cause my face to age by 10 years in one year I'm going to be extremely depressed since I'm too broke to afford anymore procedures. Thank you for answering my questions without taking offense.

@@SusieQ1971 Thank you for sharing your rejuvenation journey. You have taken many preemptive steps. I doubt you will age 10’years in one 🤣… I had been neglecting my skin so it was a double whammy after menopause. Wishing you all the best 💜 Thanks again for sharing

Wow, thank you!💜

Oh boy have I been there! Don't let yourself get too low. I found confiding in my family really helped. I too felt like isolating, but do try not to. I kinda had to shift my thinking and make fun of myself a bit... "the crazy lady who went and got her face blasted off". Do feel free to reach out any time... It REALLY DOES GET BETTER!! It's just a bumpy road. More for some of us than others. Day 17 is very early on. Take heart and know I'm here if you want to chat. 💜Cindy

Thank you so much for your kind response Cindy. You don't understand how much I needed the reassurance that things will indeed get better. ❤ I will try my best to follow your advice and embrace the redness and spend some much needed time with friends and family. X

This most assuredly was an endurance!! Fully ablative laser is a HUGE commitment of time, finances, and not unassociated risks. If I’d known….. However, I’m hearing via the grapevine there are newer, ablative procedures that are less invasive (spare tissue) provide similar benefits to ablative procedures (ie removing deeper lines, wrinkles, and pigment) and less time in recovery , and less costly than multiple Fraxel treatments …, definitely wait as long as you can!!! … technology is always evolving! Appreciate your comments and feedback as always 💕💜💕

Everyone is different. I had C02 and took 2 weeks off work. Went back to work the 3rd week, though it was uncomfortable.

@@eccomiatsf3676 💯 Excellent point. Healing is definitely individual. It also depends on the depth of the treatment that was performed and skill of the provider. Thanks for sharing your Co2 experience 🥰💕💜💕

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you watching. Yes, WOW!!....they are not going to tell you, you wont love your skin until a year later... We'd all run for the hills! Now I know some have shared wonderful experiences/easy recoveries; but I suspect their treatments were not as deep, despite having an ablative laser treatment. Wishing you a fabulous week 💜

@@choney8125 Yout very kind to say so but if I knew now, what I didn’t know then I probably wouldn’t have done it 😳

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed this video. So glad you’re here💜

Your’s was one of the first videos I watched during my weeks of laser recovery. There were so few! You were also my inspiration to post my own story; but it took me a long, long while to be this vulnerable. Thank you so much for being so brave & giving me the courage to share so we can help other women traveling their pro-aging journey.

This is such a fantastic 👏👏👏👏👏idea. If this had been done I would have known a lot more about my unique healing process,it would’ve have also informed my my provider so the could have taylored my erbium yag treatment especially for my skin tolerance. Thank you so much for joining the conversation and bringing up this suggestion💜

Hi Debbie,.I agree 💯 % The “over 50” years are a time for personal exploration, living and finding our own path as mature women over 50 without loosing who we are & navigating vs succumbing to current “beauty standards”. I feel I’ve navigated this path (balancing the process of pro-aging and acceptance). My hope is to encourage others on their own journey over 50. Thank you for joining in this conversation and for your positive & supportive comments💜

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience. So true! The results & outcome are truly in the hands of the provider & their knowledge and expertise with the laser (any laser) they are using. Unfortunately I did not know until after my treatment that a resident would be doing my treatment with my treating doctor supervising. It’s critical to ask lots of questions. Good luck to anyone choosing laser treatment. I do like my results! It was just a very long journey. 💜💕💜🥰

Hello, I’m so glad you found this video helpful. I was also extremely surprised about the length of downtime too.🙃… definitely not what I expected!! Wishing you a wonderful day💜

Hi Tina, I Think I was a little atypical regarding the downtime. I wish I had asked “what is the LONGEST expected recovery time?” I have had filler but not around/in my lips. I think the laser tightened the skin above the lip slightly, creating a shorter distance between the nose and the top of the upper vermilion border. Ironically soon after I had the laser procedure my dad asked the same question, lol. But in a more accusatory tone 🙄…. Dads 🤷🏼‍♀️ “have you done that lip thing?!” Thank you for your lovely and supportive comments. Wishing you a very happy day💜

@@beyond50skin haha "lip thing" - well, it looks like it - great results - I would do it in a heartbeat, based on your before and afters if it wasn't for the downtime - thank you, you as well!

The healing was arduous but the results over all, lovely ... a few track marks still but I have learned to accept them and i'm told they aren't noticeable. My biggest bug bear is the hypopigmentation above my lip. But the lines are gone! 😅 Oh yes, a deep peel terrifies but have heard the results are lovely if the healing process goes well. I had a nerve block for my ablative laser... I didn't feel a thing. If I do a face lift I wont do general anesthetic. I feel it lengthens recovery. I like the idea of twilight like they do for a colonoscopy. Thanks again for sharing all your valuable info :)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience💜. I am so glad you found my video too. I wish I had someone to share with when I went through this. So glad to hear that you’re just pink and not too uncomfortable. Glad that they went a little bit deeper around the lip area just because it really helps with those barcode lines ( in the long run) Wishing you continued good healing & feel free to keep the group updated 💕💜💕

It was definitely a challenging recovery but the results were pretty amazing if I do say so. Thanks for watching dear friend💜

Finally Did It!!! Thanks for all your support ❤️

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience… honestly, if I’d known the downtime, I would’ve done it your way😂🤣! Yes, I think it’s really important to break down the stigma of having in-office procedures and to respect everyone’s choice to pro-age their own way … whether they want to have cosmetic aesthetics or not. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.💜

Thanks for watching. I’m so glad this video was helpful. I’d love to know more about your experience (what you weren’t prepared for ) during your facelift if you’re comfortable sharing. Good wishes on your ErYag decision. I now know my treatment was unusually deep and it’s not always as intense as the resurfacing I had. Happy weekend 💜

Thank you Nancy, appreciate your kind comment. Have a wonderful day and thanks for watching 💜

Oh gosh, I just realized my reply isn’t showing…I’m going to answer again rightly now. Apologies for the delay! Wow, really excited for you! Day six is a tough one!! I’m glad my video was helpful & gave you confidence in your healing process. It’s the reason I made this video. I felt very nervous and a bit scared when I was going through healing up. It can take a while, but the end results are lovely. Keep us posted on how it’s going!! Thanks for being part of the beyond50skin community. 💜💕💜

Thank you for sending such a lovely, supportive comment. It was a crazy journey & I am so glad sharing my experience is helping others 💜

So happy you had such excellent results 🙌🙌. Happy Friday 💕💜💕

@@gsterzinar Best wishes with your decision! If you do decide to have a laser treatment done & you feel like sharing please feel free to come back & leave a comment about your experience. It’s so helpful to learn from each other. I am just a case of one but this group discussion shared many experiences so it really helps round out the topic & is helpful to others so they can make the best decision for themselves. 💜

Hi Gigi, YOU ARE AMAZING to share your healing process with us. I know it will help others here in the group. A 1000% agreed the process of CO2 is not explained well enough. The possible complications are not reviewed in detail the way they should be. (love your video idea!). I am so sorry you’re going through a very rough healing process. I’d like to give you some assurance that down the road if you happen to have some residual scars they can be dramatically improved. I also want to acknowledge that it is definitely scary when you’re going through a healing process that is a lot more extended than you were originally told it was going be & ends up having complications that you didn’t expect. Keep us posted on how you’re doing and if you’re having a rough day, don’t hesitate to reach out. I also think the group would love to hear how your healing process continues if you are willing to share 💜. Wishing you a wonderful day.

I am also at Week 7 post CO2 Laser on my lower eyelids (ablative and non-ablative) and my healing process was super delayed… oozing until the third week and after that subsided I was left with indentations there… of course the doc did not warn me so I thank you very much for the encouraging update

You are very welcome. I hope it was helpful💜

Hi Patricia, thank you so much for watching. My Er Yag resurfacing was definitely a test of patience & endurance! I appreciate your judgment free comment & kind compliment. As my current dermatologist explained, ablative laser is extremely aggressive treatment. She prefers a more gentle treatment approach, though admits It’s more time-consuming and in the end more expensive. Additionally there are ever increasing laser treatment options available now. I just recently heard about an ablative laser that spares tissue similar to the concept of Fraxel, but completely resurfaces the area it treats and it’s very customizable. Technology continues to evolve so there may be a treatment in the future thats just for you, one that’s less aggressive and gives the results you’re looking for. Laser technology continues to evolve & improve. Thanks again for watching and wishing you a wonderful day.💜💕💜

You are very welcome. I hope sharing my story will help others. I appreciate your kind comment. 💕💜

Welcome! So glad you decided to join the B50S community🙌.

Hi Selina, Thank you so much for sharing. I COMPLETELY understand!!!! My very strong recommendation is to address the itching with your MD asap. My doctor didn’t even tell me that this is a possible side effect. I accidentally scratched myself in my sleep ( ended up sleeping with socks on my hands to prevent the scratching) and it was still an issue. I ended up with skin tears & scarring (with subsequent treatments to address the scar) The puffiness will come and go for a few weeks so don’t worry if it fluctuates. It’s going to look lovely. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your MD for any and all concerns. I was a bit shy. And do keep the group here informed of your progress or if you just want to chat 💜💜Sending you calm healing vibes 🥰

Hi Selina! How are you healing? I'm getting the same procedure done very soon.

Hi Selina, how are you going now? Have you healed yet?

Thank you for your kind comments. This was a vulnerable video to make but I wanted to share my story. Thank you again for your very kind and supportive comments. 💜💜💜 I will support you all the way if you decide on a facelift someday. Finding the right surgeon is the most important part.

Thank you Nacy. That is so kind of you to say. It was quite the recovery :)

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. I know this video is a little graphic, but I hope it was helpful if you’re trying to make a decision on laser thanks again for watching and wishing you a fantastic day.

Your very welcome. Thanks for watching & wishing you a wonderful day 💕💜💕

Hi Ellen, Thank you and I am so glad you found my video helpful. Have a wonderful day & so glad you have joined the B50S community 💜

Thank you for watching & for your lovely comment. I am SO glad you found this helpful. That was my goal in sharing my story. The more we’re not afraid to share our experiences the more others can learn and become more informed. Wishing you a wonderful day💜

Thank you! 💜

Hi long time no chat 🥰. I am glad you found this video helpful. It took some encouragement from friends & overcoming fear of judgment to post. I truly appreciate your kind & thoughtful comments 🙏

@@silviyagregory4415 Thanks for watching. I’m so glad you found this video helpful. I’d known how challenging the healing would be I’dve considered 2-3 lighter ErYags treatments (hopefully healing would have been faster in between treatments & I could have avoided hypopigmentation… no guarantees of course) or 6-8 Fraxel (partially ablative laser treatments) + BBL or IPL for pigment. As a follow up I did do a treatment of IPL + Fraxel & a few Secret FR treatments about 2 years post ablative with a new provider. (including the décolleté to try and even things up) I will say these treatments were not as effective as the ERYag at eliminating lines. If you browse the comments you’ll see several people have had ERYag. The provider didn’t go so deep and their healing & recovery was pretty quick and they’re happy with results 💜 Hope this helps! Good luck searching for the right provider & treatment for your concerns. Please feel free to come back and share with the group how things went. The more we share the more we know! 😊

Thanks Joy. It was definitely a bigger ordeal than anticipated but the results were impressive.

Dear Janet, I am so sorry you are going through this. I completely empathize. You are in the worst phase of the recovery. The process for me was painful as well. Some people don’t experience as much pain, for others it is arduous as you’re experiencing. I encourage you to keep your provider informed of how uncomfortable you are. But in my experience it’s a continual improvement day by day. In two weeks I imagine you will be feeling so much better and in six start to see some lovely changes. Wishing you all the best and sending you a hug & healing vibes. 🤗💕. Please please feel free to reach out again as you move through your healing process. Others will benefit from your sharing your comments and your journey. 💜 Thanks agin for sharing.

Hi Janet, Just checking in. Hope your starting to feel a bit better this week💜

@@beyond50skin Thank you! I do feel better and my doc said (at one week) I was healing well. Still had a few raw and painful areas that he said needed 24 hours more of Aquaphor - I gave it 48 just in case. Forehead is still red/pink. I did have to ask for pain medication to make it through until I began to turn the corner on day 6, 7. There’s still swelling, but it’s resolving at decent pace. One thing that helped the pain and itching was ice water (and small amount of vinegar) compresses after my painful face washings. I picked that up from plastic surgeons, vlogs. No matter the final result, I wouldn’t do it again. Even if I had a general anesthesia, my recovery was just too difficult.

@@janetmyers3729 I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better. I too would never have made it through without pain medication. I also feel as you do that I wasn’t fully prepared (perhaps warned) of all the potential challenges. I am very glad to hear your soaks are helping as well. I completely agree. I’m not sure I could ever go through it again. Thank you for keeping me updated. You have been in my thoughts. 💜 - Cindy

​@@janetmyers3729I hope youre doing well. Im on day 4 post laser and I agree with you 100% on everything you said. My dr put me under general anesthesia but the post laser has been way more painful than anticipated. I hope after this amount of time youre able to look back and say the results were worth the agony.

💕

During my laser journey I lived in CA & CO. What specific “broader” information would you like to know?

Hi Daisy, thank you for your lovely compliment. Keep us posted on your journey. The beginning is rough so feel free to reach out if you want to chat. Honestly, even with all I went through the results from laser are unbelievable. So excited for you!

@@beyond50skin I can tell! Your skin looks amazing! I have actually had 4 fractional laser treatment over the course of 2 years, & while they have improved my skin a great deal, I'm currently looking for a more dramatic improvement. I have acne scars & they are tough to treat! I appreciate you sharing your skin journey, especially because I haven't been able to find much content about the ablative lasers! Thanks again & if you have any advice to offer I would appreciate it greatly! Especially regarding post operation care.

@@daisylavenderlove I know! No one talks about ablative. According to my dermatologist it’s become “old school”since the explosion of fractional lasers. But they give really amazing results, in one treatment. Things to consider asking about…..I was told by the RN, after my treatment, that my dermatologist resident went “really” deep … I would in retrospect make sure that a resident wasn’t performing my procedure. I was not aware of that. Second,don’t be shy to ask about all the side effects & if they do happen that’s the plan. Plan to be uncomfortable and to have someone supportive around to talk to those first few days. If anything seems out of the ordinary call your doctor right away. Also ask about the possibility of itching, puritis, how to manage pain (not everybody has pain but I did!) and anything you feel that’s out of the ordinary. Most of all embrace it! What a wonderful gift you’re giving yourself 💜

Nope, no blepharoplasty (yet!) never say never! I'd love to hear more a about your bleph if you decide to have one done. Best- Cindy

You’re so welcome. I hope it was helpful and thanks so much for watching. Wish you a wonderful evening💜💕

I will definitely consider doing a short video summarizing my tip’s & recommendations. Thank you for the suggestion. The first few that come to mind are: - have a friend or family member you can depend on to help you if you need help - plan on recovery being longer than you expect - gather all your supplies in one bucket before your procedure (bottled saline isma must!… I ran out and ended up making my own… note: home delivery wasn’t as proficient as it is now!) - stay on top of your pain management 🥰 thanks for watching. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday💜💕

@@beyond50skin thanks for your reply ☺️

You're going to look fab! Alastin is an excellent brand. I imagine the pre-treat was a Vit A + C combo. How is your pain level? Ok I hope ♥

Thank you 😊

Honestly if I had known how difficult the recovery would have been I would not have gotten CO2 laser. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad that I had it done and I’m happy with the results. But wow it was quite the recovery. Thanks for watching Michelle and wishing you a happy day.

Hi, thanks so much for watching and for your question. Results are lifelong because deep resurfacing treatments reset the aging process/clock. There is no predetermined time / number of years you need to return for treatment. It’s highly dependent on post skincare adherence, lifestyle, and genetic aging factors. What I can tell you is during the 1st year results continued to improve. Four 8:54 years out, my skin texture remains improved. Unfortunately the structural facial sagging, bone loss esp in the lower jowls & eye area, continues to run apace as I age. Resurfacing treatments are more about skin texture and reducing deep set pigmentation vs skin laxity. Unfortunately facial laxity continues to progress along the aging timeline with somewhat a diminished appearance, because the skin is smoother and firmer. A cut and dry answer to your question given to me by my dermatologist is the benefits last 7 to 10 years; however, as you can see, it’s very nuanced. Full disclosure at year two, I followed up with occasional fractal laser & IPL treatments to maintain my results & to even out redness as well as diminish some hypopigmentation from my initial treatment. Sorry, this answer was so long-winded, but it does take a bit of explanation. Thanks again for watching and for your question. Wishing you fantastic day.💜💕💜

Hello, thanks for watching. I’m aware that there are laser treatments for skin of color. However I’m not qualified to recommend or say which particular laser or resurfacing treatments would be best for your skin type or skin condition. Because skin of color has a tendency to hyperpigment more easily you must find a provider that specializes in skin of color and who can do a proper assessment of your skin needs. I appreciate your question 💜

@@beyond50skin did you have fillers before the laser? Did it matter, how? Thanks 😊

@@rjnsn5121 I think you might enjoy this video …you can see my full treatment, history & the order in which I had the treatments done (list in description) .. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0vhjwehCJRI.html I had Botox before my CO2 laser & filler 2yrs after. I waited because I wanted to see how much collagen and elastin the laser treatment would build before trying fillers. In my personal opinion, I think I needed less since I did the laser treatment first. This is why I emphasize that skin rejuvenation is a journey & the best practice is to find a licensed provider with a holistic & aesthetic approach that you agreed with AND that looks at your goals in the long term, as opposed to just solving one single problem at a time. Hope this was helpful. Keep the questions coming. Have a wonderful day.💜

Of course 💕

It wasn't recommended at the time. I asked that question too. I have since left this practice and have had several lighter laser (fractionated) over the brow and neck areas).

Hello & Welcome Kim, Penn is a doll!💜. How are you doing after you’re CO2? I am wishing you a speedy, no hassle recovery.

@@beyond50skin Recovery has gone extremely well - I'm 10 days out and the redness has subsided already :) Thanks for the well-wishes!

@@kimhoffman433 Wonderful💕💜💕

How are your under eye lids? Are they tighter? I’m considering doing this as I just had Eyebag surgery

Thank you for your lovely compliments. You are absolutely correct, age doesn’t equal ugly. But I felt like I’d lost myself after menopause. For me these were the right choices. Having an unhealthy focus on appearance definitely is detrimental. I also think there’s a balance to analyzing ones appearance that can have a positive and healthy benefit. Thank you again for commenting and sharing your thoughts.💜

Absolutely let me know if you have any questions and thanks so much for being part of the beyond50skin community. 💕💜💕

Thank you for watching. That’s an excellent question. My doctor should’ve known better and done a light treatment on the forehead, neck and décolleté. I asked him this exact question before my treatment. He said the skin on the forehead and neckline were too thin for this type of treatment. But he didn’t follow up with the fact that I was going to end up with uneven pigmentation, nor how he was going to address that. Obviously I have since left this practice and sought out someone who looks at the face neck and decay as a whole aesthetic. What’s the price of me the most is? This is a dermatologist who is known for laser treatment, worked at a university hospital & in his field for over 30 years. Finding the right practitioner is critical I was too naïve about cosmetic dermatology at the time. I went with a referral. This is the whole reason I made this series of videos. Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m happy to answer .. wishing you a wonderful Monday.💜

Hi Sandi, I have to say for me I wouldn’t have this deep ablative procedure done again. The recovery was too challenging & I’ve ended up getting fraxel laser, RFMN & IPL with Dr Shereene Idriss to attempt to correct the residual hypopigmentation / light gridding & redness under my chin … But you are correct the CO2 did make AMAZING improvements to my wrinkles & took care of deep pigmentation… I am working on a video sharing my entire 5 year skin rejuvenation journey to give a better picture of the entire process from this laser resurfacing treatment to all the tweakments along my pro-aging 😊 journey. It’s never a one & done if you want a natural balanced look. Dr Idriss has taught me that. You have to find a practitioner who has an aesthetic eye for the comprehensive holistic view of the face and who your willing to go on this journey with you. Best of luck in your decision and keep in touch 💜 - Cindy

@@beyond50skin Thank you so much for getting back to me! So you wouldn’t get the ablative because it actually caused issues that you had to end up getting other procedures to correct it? So to get the same smoothness as the ablative, what would you suggest? I am very unfamiliar with all the different types of procedures, I apologize for all the questions! ☺️

@@sandi7858 You’re so welcome. Yes, the ablative caused some very fine hypopigmentation lines and the skin tear left a slight scar as well as red discoloration under my chin. Most people don’t notice but I do so in addition to having some treatments for a surgical scar my dermatologist is working on these additional issues. I have since learned (I requested my procedure records prior to making this video to learn about the laser strength setting ) …I discovered a resident did my procedure. The doctor was there but not performing so perhaps it was an issue of technique as well as laser settings. If your excited & wan to do this I don’t want to worry you. But definitely do your homework. 💜

@@sandi7858 Keep the questions coming! No problem. That’s why I started this channel. I can’t say exactly what would be best but likely the dermatologist would recommend a laser or chemical peels. Each specialist has their favorite laser etc. fraxel, CO2, Erbium YAG etc. I have see some beautiful results from ablative laser but you must realize the risks. You may pay more but be happier with multiple fraxel (partial) laser.treatments. Just find someone you REALLY trust. Ask them to give you patients contact info / referrals who have had the same treatment they’re recommending for you. Look around the office. Does the staff have a natural look? Ask TONS of questions! Good luck and feel free to keep me posted if you’d like 🥰

@@beyond50skin Thanks again, you’re very helpful!

I had my laser procedure done at UCSF in San Francisco

Hi Trixie, That is Completely understandable. If I’d know the recovery challenges I don’t believe I would have either. The providing physician mage the recovery out to be much easier than it ended up being. Thank you for watching and commenting 💜.

My current doctor is Dr Idriss @idrissdermatology. Dr Roy Grekin is the doctor + his resident who did my Erbium YAG laser treatment.

Thanks for watching. I’m always trying new sunscreens & have tons of reviews on my channel’s playlist. But two of my faves right now are the beauty of josen (chemical) & Bliss Block Star (mineral) . If you have any specific questions about layering spf let me know.

Hi thanks for your question. You are correct. The laser specialist recommended not having the forehead area done because of the thinner skin and wanting to reduce risk of complications. He also felt the forehead area could be treated with Botox. 🤷🏼‍♀️. Looking back I wish I’d pushed to at least have a light treatment on my forehead to perhaps reduce the need for Botox and to have a more even skin tone. I am addressing this with my new dermatologist. So we will see. Thanks again for watching and commenting.💜

@@poonamgill2354 I restarted my usual routine about two - three weeks after treatment. However I couldn’t use the .025% Tretinoin prescribed until about 6 weeks. And only then 1 x a week

When u started mosturiser and peptides and which mosturiser u started to put

I’m sorry I don’t remember. If I recall I’ll be sure to let you know 😊

Hi Lisa. Thanks for reaching out & chatting about this! I was in the same boat as you were three years ago! There were only a few articles written about deep CO2, people weren’t talking about it - no real life experiences on YT for deep CO2 laser - that I could find. My dermatologist said the same .. two weeks of redness, controllable pain (actually day of treatment was painless - I had a nerve block - but not after!), never mentioned the unbelievable itching 😨…at 4 mos + of persistent redness & track marks he recommended i use makeup up etc. etc… and come in at 6 mos post for an in-office peel. … at this point we moved and then Covid hit …so I just covered up with makeup. Finally, a year and a half ago I decided I wanted to sort out the redness & track marks. I tried 3 medical Microneedling treatments in my home town with minimal results (my main goal was to minimize a surgical scar & to re-model / reduce the visible track marks) I researched & found Dr. Shereene Idriss (in NYC) who recommended 1x Fraxel laser and a series of 4 SmoothGlo treatments (combo radio frequency microneedlling & IPL treatments)Things are much improved after this course of treatment…Now to maintain 🥰 I apologize for being a little bit slow about following up my laser video with the subsequent treatments that I’ve done - I plan to do more videos on these treatments 🤞 I get them up over the next several months - keep your eyes open. Thanks again for sharing your journey. I think it’s helpful to chat with others about these treatments & to share. Everyone will have a different experience / outcome but I think having knowledge, open dialogue & awareness around in-office treatments is essential💜

Yes it does. As you can see from my before & afters.. It can’t “lift” significantly sagging skin or remove prominent jowls; but as it heals it tightens a bit.

So my doc only has fractionated co2 laser not yag. Hopefully I get the same results.

@@pnevlud Best wishes for fast healing and a beautiful result. 🥰

@@beyond50skinthank you

You have to change the mask out 2 x a daily so not an issue. Also not every doctor has you wear a mask.💜

I am sorry you're experiencing some negative side effects after your CO2. It can be very frustrating and worrying. I highly recommend you speak to your provider regarding your concerns. If they dont have the answers your looking for I would seek another provider who specializes in CO2. Again so sorry your not healing as expected. I can TRULY empathize. Keep us posted on your recovery.

My doc is an ocular facial plastic surgeon and my update : three months later she is thinking the lump is old migrated filler. Three days ago today used a dissolver on it. Still waiting for results. It can take a week. I does seem to be settling down a bit

@@pnevlud Thank you so much for sharing your update. That’s very interesting about the migrating filler possibility. I hope this resolves the lump area. Keep us posted & happy weekend 💜

Hi, thanks for watching. I’d definitely check it out. Even a series of lighter Fraxel laser treatments might be beneficial. Go for a consult & see what’s recommended. My one piece of advice is go to a medical laser specialist (an MD) not a spa or a licensed practitioner working under a doctor’s medical license. If you’re having a cosmetic medical treatments in my opinion, they should be done by a doctor. Consult a few until you find someone who you feel is a good fit for your personal aesthetic & is not trying upsale you on procedures. With that being said, sometimes it does take several combination treatments to get the result you want. Hope this helps. 💜

@@beyond50skin Thank you!

@@sneakerhead4124 of course any time. Feel free to keep the group posted on your journey. It's helpful to learn from each other's experiences.

@@beyond50skin Can you use Retin-A before and after getting laser resurfacing done in the recovery process?

@@sneakerhead4124 I’m pretty sure I was instructed to stop Retin-A a few weeks before the procedure and I definitely couldn’t use it after until my skin re-epithelialized… I’m pretty sure I started again three weeks after but I’m not 100% … it was definitely slow!! 1-2 days a week max - it was like starting Retin-A all over again… Dermatis, etc 😫.. I just followed the doctors instructions for when to stop & restart 😊

I honestly can’t recommend the practice that did my procedure. I do know the tendency is leaning more towards fractional & less CO2. Many dermatologists I’ve spoken to since my procedure consider fully ablative CO2 “old school” and “too aggressive”. I actually agree after going through it. If you’re in the San Diego area I’ve gotten great recommendations for the Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Center practice. I now personally go to & recommend Idriss Dermatology in NYC (but likely not helpful since you’re in CA). I wish you luck in your search. Don’t give up until you find someone you really trust. Once you decide on a provider, my advice is ask tons of questions & get referrals from other patients in the practice who have had the exact procedure you’re being recommended. If you find a great practice & are happy with your results definitely keep in touch. If you feel comfortable sharing I can pass your experience/recommendation to others. Best wishes- Cindy

I can’t answer if it’s worth it for someone else because so many factors, including risk factors have to be considered. However I would not have this deep laser treatment again. The recovery for me personally was too long and the complications/recovery were a challenge. However as I stated, a lot of the outcome and your results dependent on the person providing the treatment. Many have had this treatment and not had my experience. So ultimately you have to make the best choice for you. If you decide to have the treatment, or even if you don’t, I know the group will benefit from your experience if you feel like sharing. Thanks for watching and being part of the beyond50skin community. 💜

Thank you for watching & for your question. I’m sorry I don’t know the answer. Hope you have a wonderful day 💜

If you’re talking about a painful recovery, I honestly don’t know if one ablative laser vs another results in a more painful healing process. I actually didn’t feel anything during the procedure due to the nerve block. From my understanding the depth of the ablative laser treatment affects both the outcome & healing. Despite the type of laser used I believe the depth of the treatment is in the provider’s control. It seems to me a deeper treatment would equate to a more painful recovery. (23:20) see this time stamp. My nurse did comment “oh wow, he went really deep on you.” Come to find out a resident performed my treatment with the Dr advising & instructing. (Lesson learned) Also my understanding is that CO2 targets water in the skin & tends to ablate the skin at higher temperatures … which if not adjusted for during the treatment seems like it would be more disruptive to the skin barrier and perhaps a more painful recovery. But again there seems to be variability in provider’s skill level, technique & of course years of experience that definitely affects outcomes & recovery. Then again, everyone experiences pain and heals differently. There are so many variables. Thanks for watching and for your question 💜

Most of my raised white lines subsided between 6-9 mos. Unfortunately the ones over my lips left some residual hypopigmentation that persists even 5 years later. It’s much less noticeable overall. Some days it’s more noticeable than others. What does your provider say about them?

Wow that long. Mine you can see just one small one when I smile under one of my eyes. Then I have whiter skin under my eyes kinda like if someone had festoons but flat 🤦‍♀️ or like you had sunglasses on and it’s the lower rim. One eye more than the other. And I don’t wear foundation so that sucks 😂 was going to try the jones roads because it goes on like a moisturizer. Not too good at make 😂 unless you can think of something Lucky for me I am very white skinned. Can’t imagine what it would look like in a darker individual 🤦‍♀️. I go this Thursday for follow up we shall see what she says I will say under my eyes are less lax but then again one it’s good next day I see a little laxity peeking through then it’s gone 🤦‍♀️. This is confusing. It’s an emotional roller coaster for sure

@@pnevlud Yep, long! I know I'm not into foundation so the whiteness is a bother. I know the emotional roller coaster feeling for sure! I just got the Jones Road miracle balm... I wonder if it would be too greasy to just use under the eyes or over the lip ?? Anyway when my upper lip looks really white ... it changes (still) like you said I just add very dilute amount to skin tint and tap it in for a very very sheer corrections. Still it's a pain. but the lines are better soooo

@@beyond50skin please let me know how the JR goes I have been eyeballing it for awhile since I don’t use foundation either. But I need a little color to my face now 🤦‍♀️ I’m thinking of getting the fair or porcelain or maybe the new one alabaster. What shade did you get ?

@@pnevlud I got the bronze and the rose. They do go on fairly stiff and take a bit of work to blend if you're going for an all over sheer tint. I think it's best for dry skin. I just did a new video using the color Bronze for a summer look. On it's own it may work for a summer one and done look.... but with blush, contour and highlight (like I did in the bronzy look in the video) I think it's a bit too dark for me for daytime. I'm still playing around with them. If you end up trying let me know which color you picked. I hope they come out with more mini sets. It will take me a lifetime to get through them otherwise. If the bronze doesn't transfer it might look good on my legs with shorts and dresses. (likely the only way I'm ever going to use it up LOL)

I list the cost & details in this Instagram post. instagram.com/reel/CmVj_q0pMeB/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc= If you have any other questions feel free to reach out. Wishing you a lovely day 💜

Hi Mira, Welcome to the group!! This deeper laser treatment reduced age spots from sun damage, improved texture and pores, gave a more refined soft look to the skin with less fine lines and a little bit of tightening. It did not address volume loss. So if you have severe sagging (loose skin) and volume loss you may need to look into something different. It's never a one and done treatment for a natural look. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions. 💜

@@beyond50skin thank u so much for replying So in order to improve the quality of skin and shrinking pores it is an amazing treatment? Is it a one time treatment or repeated again and again

@@mirasingh7428 It’s a one and done. Dermatologist’s recommend every 10 years but if I need it again I think I’ll just go for a vertical restore / face lift lol

Yes, lighter treatments over a period of time would probably have been a better idea. I could have gotten 5-6 Fraxel treatments which only a ablate part of the skin & the downtime is shorter. The expense is higher and the end result is more subtle. I’m having it done on my neck and décolleté, and the side effects are much less. Another option would’ve been to have a discussion with the doctor (if I’d know to at the time) that I was willing to come in for 2-3 lighter ablation treatments that were less intense. I’m not sure he would’ve agreed because the process of healing from an ablative laser treatment. Whether it’s a light session or a deep session can be extensive… I imagine he thought I might not come back for the second and third treatments!! The one thing is this was a one-and-done and overall there is an nice improvement. Happy Sun & Thanks for watching 💕💜💕

@@beyond50skin 😊

Do you use a sunscreen that is non greasy? I hate the shine I get from sunscreen. You look great!

@@shelleyneuhalfen9840 I like Eucerin age defense spf 50. My icon is comedian Gracie Allen

Hi thank you for your question. 🥰.. I didn’t experience “orange peel” texture for very long. It smoothed out about 3 mos after my treatment (it sounds like that’s where you are in your recovery) I had acne breakouts for about 3 - 4 months. My erythema lasted up to a year.. but slowly faded. I still have some erythema under my chin 3 years out. It continues to lighten a bit each year. I plan to have the residual redness treated in the Fall. My biggest Bug-Bear is “hypo”pigmentation over my upper lip & faint hypo-pigmentation lines “track lines”These bothers me, but according to my dermatologist they’re not that noticeable. Overall, I am pleased with the results, but ablative laser certainly isn’t without its complications along the way! What does your provider say about the orange peel texture? May I ask your skin type & tone? I know others in our group will benefit from you sharing your story. Thanks for being open and willing to share. 💕💜💕💜

I am light tanned (hispano type of skin tone) and have indentations, scaly weird skin texture, exactly 3 months out now. I spent 7000€ for this procedure and my plastic surgeon is still preaching patience, by gaslighting how bad my skin texture turned out. Honestly I compare my under eye area to an old scrotum. I am only 31y old

Thank you for your encouraging response. If you also had texture issues for the first 3 months I wonder if the Tretinoin let them fade, because I wanted to introduce it not before the 6 months mark… do you still use Tretinoin, 0,5%?

@@TheSchneeeewitttchen I’m so sorry you are experiencing these upsetting side effects and not being treated kindly by your physician. Mine also preached patience… I was anything but patient.

Yes, I realize that now after doing more extensive research into ERYag. It was explained to me that is was less invasive than CO2 ablative. I published this video not to scare anyone off an ablative procedure, but to warn people to have a very clear and frank discussion with their provider about the depth of treatment and down time. Even the RN assisting felt it was too deep. I found out after requesting my medical records that an intern, not the provider I consulted, did the actual treatment. I am not laying blame. I should have asked more questions and read the paperwork more carefully so that i fully understood a less experienced provider could be performing my procedure. I was aware I was at a teaching hospital and I may have agreed to an intern performing the procedure. I dont remember. My caution to anyone considering ablative laser is to not let an inexperienced provider perform this treatment or any procedure. And be sure to ASK exactly who will be performing your treatment if you're sedated. i appreciate you comment and pointing out my experience is likely the exception. 💜

Oh my goodness thank goodness you're ok. Although I don't know you I was so worried about you while watching. I am starting to see aging under my eyes and was looking at C02 but it's way too intense so I'm looking into Erbium and have been researching. I love following Dr. Stefani Kappel. She's beautiful, smart and so enjoyable to watch and learn about skin care & treatments. I'll likely never see her cause I live in Canada though. Anyways you look amazing. Stay safe. 😘😎​ @beyond50skin

@@candiscunningham9110 I enjoy Stefani's channel as well. Good luck in your search and let the group know if you decide to proceed and feel comfortable sharing. THanks for all your well wishes.

I asked that exact question. My laser provider said the skin on the forehead was too thin for this treatment. Now that i’m more educated on lasers, I feel I would have benefitted from a lighter / tailored treatment on the forehead, neck and décolleté to create a harmonious outcome... visually we see these facial units ( face, neck, décolleté) as a composite. Treating the entire area provides a better over all outcome because discoloration, texture etc. are minimized evenly creating an more youthful look .. which is the goal for most all of us. - Thanks for watching and contributing to the conversation.

@@beyond50skin cox sagolun

@@samireceferli5701 Of course! Any time :)

@@sallyornelas1844 You are 100% right. Great advice. The other thing I would add when you’re going through something like this is to find some emotional support like a friend or a family member. Thanks so much for your comment and for watching wishing you a wonderful day

Thank you for your kind comment. Happy Weekend to you and yours.

Great question! I wondered this too when I had the treatment done and I asked my provider at the time...why aren't you treating the brow & neck area? .. He said "the skin in these areas is too thin for this more aggressive ablative laser treatment. The potential for a negative outcomes / scaring outweigh the risk since the forehead area can safely be treated with neurotoxins like Botox and the neck area with subsequent Fraxel & or chemical peels . I now feel, since I have become more knowledgable, he should have treated my forehead and neck at the same time.. Even if the treatments were different for each area he should have addressed my entire facial aesthetic. This would have prevented the disparity in appearance between my lower face, forehead, neck & decollete. My facial aesthetic would have blended instead of looking mis-matched as it did. Not to mention he would have ended up with a happier client. Unfortunately my dermatologist at the time didn't have a holistic vision for facial rejuvenation treatment. Only later did I learn there are few practitioners who are able to step back and create a treatment plan that addresses strategic treatment steps in a subtle way to create a full facial aesthetic that addresses symmetry & proportion to truly give a more youthful and natural appearance.. Now I know better. A successful facial rejuvenation takes a provider who can treat all aspects of the face vs a provider who is only willing to address your current concern. It's unlikely that there is only one aspect of your facial structure or texture is the singely reason you are seeking treatment (pigment, sagging, volume loss and texture are all different aspects of the aging face). Of course treating multiple components of facial aging is more time consuming and costly. You will however, in my opinion be much , much happier with the result and wont feel like you are constantly chasing treatment after treatment. I know this is a long winded answer but my goal in making this video is to impress upon those who are considering laser that on it's own laser cannot address all the aspects of aging and may not be a one and done aesthetic treatment. Hope this helped and wishing you a wonderful dayl 💕💜

@@beyond50skin Thanks for that

Do you know if there are long term side effects of laser or these types of treatments. I’ve heard from several places that it thins the skin in the long run. Does it?

@@tinachxx110 Personally , I haven’t noticed any skin thinning actually, my skin is more robust and thicker since my laser treatment. That isn’t to say there weren’t side effects from my fully ablative laser treatment. As I mentioned I have slight tracking marks/hypo-pigmentation…. which is difficult to correct. When I scar, I scar with hypo pigmentation (white lines) - some people scar with hyper pigmentation. So it’s not surprising I had this result. Honestly, it all depends on the type of laser your provider uses and how skilled the practitioner is in the use of the laser they’re recommending. I didn’t realize at the time a resident was going to actually do my procedure vs the MD …and I think in areas he just went to deep. I’ve done subsequent lighter Fraxel treatments and over time the demarcations & hypo-pigmentation are definitely less apparent. Overall I’m satisfied with the results, but I wouldn’t do it again. The recovery from my very intense treatment was painful. And in the end I had to get subscription treatment to deal with residual side effects, There are less intense laser procedures and newer lasers that offer more skin sparing and are still ablative resurfacing treatments.., At the time a one and done procedure seemed the most economical (as far as time commitment & budget) and best way to achieve the results I was looking for. My best advice is to find a provider that has tons of experience, as willing to show you before and Afters of clients with your similar skin type and is willing to let you speak to them about their experiences. Also, I would insist that the doctor in question performs the procedure and not a trainee or resident. Thanks for your question and wishing you a happy day.💜💕💜

It has not thinned my skin at all, I feel like my skin has become smoother and kind of thicker, I also get the neck and dec done.@@tinachxx110

Wow!