| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:45 pm  |
I think it's time to check into the IPL/Photofacials for my hyperpigmentation. It's really getting out of control and embarrassing.  In spite of using sunscreen daily, and since my job requires me to be outdoors, I have seen no improvement after trying various products. The only thing I haven't tried yet is the TCA peel....I'm nervous to try it myself and screw up my skin more.
Does anyone have any doctor or anyone in the Orange County, California area, they can recommend for IPL/Photofacial? Also, what types of questions do I ask when I go in for a consult on this? Are there any red flags I should see when someone's talking about a portion of the procedure? Any advice anyone can give would be really appreciated. A dermatologist I saw a while back recommended the Obagi system, and mentioned the expense of IPL. HOWEVER, it sounds there are really mixed results from Obagi, and I really don't want to go around with flakey ugly skin for six to eight weeks while it straightens out. And who knows what the results will be? 
Can anyone please make any recommendations from any doctor's office in the area they've gone to?
Thank you!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:27 pm |
| Oh, I understand you! Thank you for making this post. I also starting to have problem with hyperpigmentation since I moved to Canada and I have the same questions you asked. I hope someone will give us a suggestion. |
_________________
Blond, blue eyes.Skin: Normal, sometimes oily, during winter very dry. Very sensitive. Occasional breakouts. Very fair. |
|
|
|
|
Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:00 pm |
Excellent question! I'm in the same boat ... my hyperpigmentation seems to be getting worse every year and nothing really seems to work. I actually have a consultation myself for this coming Friday to ask about options. I was thinking maybe IPL (depending on cost), but I'm worried about any recovery time (just worried mostly about walking around for a week or so with scabs all over my face or something!) and now I'm kind of interested in Obagi as well after reading Tamgirl's great results in the Product Review thread.
I'm very interested in what anyone has to say.
BTW ... I just bought a new digital camera and had my boyfriend take photos of me close up without makeup. ACK! I swear I saw many more brown spots I didn't even know I had! I was horrified! So I'm even more glad I am going in for a consultation to see what I could do. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:55 pm |
I am just so frustrated w/it at this point, I don't know what to do. Since this is the beginning of summer, I cannot even imagine how bad I will look by summer's end. Especially living in southern California. I'd rather look funky from the IPL for a week I think that funky longer from the Obagi. I read Tamgirl's post re: Obagi, but I'm really afraid to try it, with the hydroquinone. Everyone seems to have different results, and with MY luck.....it may not be good. I'm hoping someone will shed some light for us!!  |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:08 pm |
| I also have hyperpigmentation and is one of those obagi failure case. My derm did mention ipl as another alternative but she is worried about my skin type (asian skin that hyperpigments very easily). She referred me to another dr that specializes in ipl and said I probably need a few sessions to see some results at $500/session. |
_________________
~~ super-sensitive, dry, dermatitis prone, rosacea/northern calif ~~ |
|
|
|
|
Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:58 pm |
| mtview, what happened with the Obagi system? |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:00 pm |
| Although I have never had IPL, I have basically tried everything else (fraxel, green peels, every type of peel) I have talked to a few doctors about IPL and many of them do tell me that there is a good chance your pigmentation will come back, I have extremely bad pigmentation after fraxel (which coincidentally was supposed to take away pigmentation) Last time I was at my PS the nurses told me about Cosmelan, its a topical they put on your face for I believe and hour or so, no laser and you have an at home regiman (ongoing) and it takes away pigmentation but also heals Hypopigmentation |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:08 pm |
| What exactly is the green peel? And can you tell us more about the Cosmelan? thanks!!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:25 pm |
the cosmelan is applied by your doctor and then you follow an at home process (im a new member so I cant post a link but its ...
www. cosmelanpack. com
My doctor told me it was not suitable for anyone with Rosacea as this will make it worse, and it will temporaryily turn your face purple after appleid which is a little scary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:34 am |
| When I asked about the Cosmelan proceedure at a cosmetic surgery clinic, the specialist said she didn't like it because it wasn't consistent with all clients and that it will take a while before there is a noticable difference. I guess she has expectations that her treatments should work fast and not a "give it a shot" kind of mentality. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:27 am |
| melasma is a very difficult condition to treat. IPL did absolutely nothing for mine;I got 4 treatments! I have heard fraxel is much better but its expensive. Skin Medica's vit C has helped tofade it. I had tried triluma and epiquin micro which did not help.I can tell you that you really need to avoid the sun at all costs because if you are using those products and go in the sun it will come back with a vengeance.Stay out of the sun completely. I always shield my face when I drive and when I go shoping I try to block the sun with my appt book.I have also heard that obagi is good for that too but who wants wants to molt in public for weeks? |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:09 pm |
| I wish I could stay out of the sun, but I am out driving all day...there is nothing I can do to avoid it. That's a huge reason that I'm concerned the dark patches will get worse over the summer time. I use sunscreen SPF 65 everday, but the patches still seem to get darker. I'm not sure what to use or try at this point. I don't want to scare people for weeks at a time w/Obagi, and I have a lot of contact w/the public. But I hate to waste the money on IPL, too, and not have it work!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:18 pm |
| have you considered getting your windows uv tinted? i'm not very familiar with how this would work, but i seem to have heard about it somewhere on this forum. just a thought--sorry if this doesn't help! |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:57 pm |
I actually have a pretty dark tint on my car at work. It doesn't seem to help, unfortunately...  |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:16 pm |
Well I had my consultation today and what a disappointment! First off all, I assumed when I made the consultation it would be with the dermatologist (this is one of those laser rejunventation clinic/spa places), but they had me meet with the esthetician. So that was a little disappointing. But I was REALLY disappointed that she never even looked at my face closely (and I didn't wear any makeup just so they could! And I HATE not wearing anything). She stood a few feet from me and had me tell her my issues and then suggested glycolic peels, with maybe some microdermabrasion thrown in and possibly the Photo Rejuventation package. But she said she would start with a series of peels. I don't know ... I was just hoping for "more input" on her end. It would have been nice if she had atleast looked closely at my skin to see if my complaints were justified.
THEN she kinda implied that I wasn't using effective products and that their clinic sells very active products and they could put together a routine for me. So I'm like "well, currently I'm using Kate Somerville and before that was IS Clinical" and maybe she might not have heard of KS, but you'd think she might have heard of IS Clinical being an esthetican. But she didn't say anything about "oh, those products are very effective" or anything like that. I think they just want to sell their own.
SOOOO .. I decided not to go back there again. I had been there years ago for a few microdermabrasions, but I just don't really like their attitude. All the esthetician's I've seen there have been kinda "uppity". Guess I'll live with the pigmentation for now, and maybe check out another place down the road.
Geez!!! I'm just so annoyed at that place. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:30 am |
Just further to my note above ... I was thinking more about this visit and the other thing that annoyed me .. she never ONCE asked me if I was using a good sunscreen! And knowing my issue was hyperpigmentation, you would think that would be something they would ask about! Geez!
Anyway, I looked around for another place for a consultation, but none of them have as good hours and this place was open on Saturday mornings which would have worked good for me. I ended up ordering PTR Potent Skin Lightening Gel which had very good reviews on MakeupAlley. Think I'll give that a try first and if it doesn't work consider other options. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:41 pm |
Boy this is really a tough one to answer. Laser procedures are so dependent on so many things so do your homework and then do some more! 
The best for brown spots has always been Ruby which is an older laser so you could hope the provider has a lot of experience with it.
I have started to read that some providers are starting to have success with V-Beam laser for brown spots but this is a new procedure and most providers probably won't have even heard about it.
Almost forgot! Alexandrite is another laser that's pretty good for brown spots.
Living in Orange County, Calif would be a great plus in finding laser providers. I do think I'd steer clear of "clinics" or spas that have laser services and stick with a doc.
PS Did I say, "Do your homework?" |
|
|
|
|
| Sat Feb 01, 2025 12:46 am |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
