OT: Now I got an IPL Treatment!!!

Maybe I'm being over zealous :–)
The thread about microderm that led to an IPL discussion prompted me to to
some 'net research on IPL, and then I decided I *had* to have it. So I
called around and found a MedSpa who was running a deal for $250 on the
treatment. They are using the "Luminous I" (?) machine. I was quoted $400
for a "Luminous I" treatment at another place, and I also called the office
of a media darling Dr. Jessica Wu and her office is charging $500 per, but
I'm not sure what kind of equipment she's using.
Why did I decide to get it? I do not have rosacea or any significant age
spots, etc. I basically have freckles and variations in skin color as well
as a little sun damage below my eyes. I also have some very tiny spider
veins around my nose and my checks. The imperfections I have can be covered
by foundation. But I'd like to improve the way my skin looks w/o make up and
luckily I have some money to play around with so I decided to go for it.
The Dr. looked at my skin first with make–up on, and at at first was
confused about why I was there (thank you, True Match ;) ). He then asked
the aesthetician (sp?) to take my make–up off so he could get a better
assessment. At that point he examined my skin and agreed that the treatment
was appropriate for my goal.
He told me the freckles/spots my face would most likely get darker from the
treatment at first, and then in about 14 days they would start to come off.
I was scared, especially b.c. I have a guy coming to visit me this weekend
and I did not want to look bad. However, I decided to go for it anyway.
The treatment took about 30 minutes. He put gel all over my face first, and
adhesive covers over my eyes. Then he started zapping. Man, even with my
eyes covered that thing was bright! It stung a little and was a bit
startling. He worked his way around my face. It burned a little more when he
got near my eyes and on my forehead. The smell was a bit unpleasant. A
little like burning flesh (sorry to gross anybody out). I have some peach
fuzz on my upper lip and I could smell that hair burning when he worked
around that area.
After it was done he told me to put sun block on daily (which I already do
anyway) and to stay out of the sun. My face felt a little sunburned and
looked red and splotchy in areas. The freckles and dark spots looked darker.
He said those areas I could see were the ones that were getting targeted by
the treatment. The redness went away in about an hour. Right now I have
darker freckles where light freckles once were. on the one hand I wish I had
postponed this treatment until after my guy came to visit, but on the other
hand, I can see what this treatment is going to do in a couple of weeks'
time and I am very very excited!!!!

Are you scheduled for more?? Usually it takes three treatments or more
to see results, but glad for you that you saw results on the first
one. I went through a series of IPL with Levulan but was disappointed
with my results. Continued good luck to you.
Carol

Carol,
I did not schedule my next one yet, but I'm guessing I will probably do at
least 2 more. The doctor told me I should see the biggest difference after
the 1st treatment.
It's 2 days later and I have "coffee–ground" specs on my face where the
pigment from freckles and sun damage has come to the surface. Quite a bit
has already sloughed off. My skin is pretty dry but improving as it
exfoliates. I'm thinking after a couple more treatements, most of my pigment
variations will be evened out.
Was that not your experience? Why were you disappointed?


<CarolC...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1132760047.633396.26...@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

The IPL with Levulan was used to address a certain skin
problem...sebaceous hyperplasia. (big words for bumps on my face that
do not go away with any type of skin cleansing routine). I am now
seeing a different dermatologist and he is using an electrical device
to cauterize those bumps. He did the left half of my face several days
ago and I shall have the right half done in January. There will be red
mark where he cauterized but that shall go away within a few months,
and I can use concealor during that time period. He did a test spot
close to my ear about one month ago, so I scheduled further visits with
him based on that. Everything I had read indicated that the IPL should
help my situation, but for some reason, it did not.
Good luck with your treatments though and it does sound like this is
ideal for you and your skin.
Carol

Carol, thanks for that explanation. Like you say, my situation is different
and so far I am loving the results. The "coffee–ground" specs are coming
off. Overall, my skin has a more porcelain look and my pores look smaller
too. Some of this might also have to do with a microderm treatment I got
last week, but I think most of it was the IPL. The first two days after the
IPL were hell b.c. my skin was so dry and I had those ugly black specks. The
dryness might have had more to do with the microderm plus continued use of
AHA cream, which I have stopped using for now. I plan do do at least 2 more
treatments and I can't wait b.c. I am going to be wearing much less
foundation soon.
I am fascinated that there are so many new skin treatments available that
actually work. So I'm confident your problem is going to get solved too.
Thanks again!


<CarolC...@aol.com> wrote in message
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