By the way, I increased the resolution on the "before" photo back in my first post so that you can see the fine lines and actinic keratoses in better detail, if you click on it. When my skin tone finally normalizes in a few weeks, i.e. when I'm clinically done with this process, I'll post another high resolution photo.
Been reading your blog since day one, as I, myself am interested(or WAS interested)in MIxto SX microfractional CO2 laser treatment. I must say your skin looks great (in my opinion, I didn't think it looked too shabby before) but if your as much as a skin guru as I am ; from reading your blog I think you are, then I can understand your need for perfection. Until reading your blog I was convinced this was the procedure for me. I'm a 21 year old female and have damaged my skin immensely. Years of sun exposure, bad genetics, and basically just not taking care of myself, (up until now that is) have left me looking much older then I am. Dull, tired, wrinkled and sun spotted skin is all I have to take from my past moronic lifestyle. After reading your blog I'm not so sure I have the courage, I mean.. blind ignorance, to have the procedure. However, I do think your results are amazing so far. In any case, I would just like to thank you for this blog as it has given me a great deal of insight on the procedure. Can't wait to see your full recovery !
ReplyDeleteHi Sam. If you Google around, you'll notice that laser resurfacing makes more visible difference in people with more damage. On the other hand, it can produce a better result in absolute terms if you have less damage to begin with (as with anything else in health matters).
ReplyDeletePlease don't let the physical pain discourage you, if you've decided that the benefits are otherwise worth a few days of missed work and a fat chunk of cash. As I've mentioned, you can "dial down" the laser, and peel less skin for less pain. It takes more sessions, though, which mean that financial pain will increase :( . My dermatologist also says that results are better if you can peel more skin at one time. I suspect that's because there's less chance for intervening damage between sessions, particularly when your skin is so vulnerable.
Thanks for the kind words, but the credit really goes to the engineers of this amazing device, and the dermatologists who use it effectively. I will say that my healing process was no doubt accelerated by "Olympic" nutrition and a few experimental topical treatments, as I've posted. My office mates accuse me of eating horribly unpalatable food, which is essentially true. (I guess I should have cooked the purple onions and spinach a bit more... too bitter!)
At 21, you're still young enough that you can heavily influence your rate of skin aging if you fix your issues today, and switch to proper diet and better respect for your skin. If you do so, please make your own blog to benefit the rest of us lab rats! :)