Photo Rejuvenation/Intense Pulsed Light
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free skin care · Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:54 pm

I would be very curious if anyone can share any experiences with these.

A local salon has a special-$50 for one treatment- which sounds a bit true good to be true. I am wondering if it is like tanning beds- the bulbs get old and need to be replaced, so they offer you a deal on a weaker service.

I am mostly looking at a "tightening" of loose, slacking skin on my face, and crepiness beginning under my eyes.

free skin care · Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:00 pm

The price isn't too good to be true at all. Here, the normal price is $65 to $70 and they recommend 5 to 10 sessions.

There may be others who know better than I, but from what I've read, Photorejuvenation/IPL isn't intended to address issues like firming or crepiness....

For that, I think you probably should investigate Thermage or Fraxel laser treatments.

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:14 am

IPL's are for broken caps, redness from rosacea, smaller pores, sun damage, pigmentation probs and a side benefit of tightening the skin for some. Lasers, like the Thermage and Fraxel, help tighten & decrease sag, but don't address redness and caps. Yag Lasers are deep needle-pointed lasers designed to address a specific spot and cost less per session, depending on areas needed. Each session for the face here runs from 320.00 to 425.00 and they recommend a package of 5. If you pay for the whole package at once, each session becomes around 250.00, but I pay as I go.

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:15 am

Do any of these procedures hurt at all? Deep needle pointed lasers? Ouch Sad

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:31 am

Photorejuvenation (or "Fotofacial") is an excellent non-invasive treatment for redness, photoaging, brown spots - general skin improvement.

I'm going to have to concur with the docs on the following observation: count on a salon-grade machine being dramatically different from that of a medical - which also partly explains the equally-dramatic price difference between the two. Please, please have a dermatologist perform these procedures, or at the absolute least a medically-qualified practitioner. Unfortunately, there is currently no special licensure required to perform this procedure, so it is vital that you inform yourself and do your homework before deciding on where you would like to go. Best of luck.

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:48 pm

The lady who does my facials has included the IPL treatment once or twice. Apparently at least 5 sessions are required to see any benefit and it's recommended to have about 10 sessions for the total benefit.

Does it work? I coudn't afford to find out! Lol.

Belle

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:00 pm

Please,please,please do a LOT of reading on other message boards specializing in plastic surgery procedures before you even consider Thermage. Results vary from very little change to very bad changes. Lots of horror stories out there about fat loss in cheeks after this procedure. Even women who saw some improvement seem to feel that it wasn't worth the pain or money involved.
I was all set to try this last year until I did a little more research...immediately called and canceled my appointment.
READ!!!

free skin care · Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:36 pm

The above poster is right. There are a LOT of stories from women whose faces were ruined to this procedure. Do a search on google and you'll find lots of information.

free skin care · Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:07 pm

I would definitely look into the place a bit more. I got a deal of 7 (when i ended up getting about 13 from them) for $1,000.
by the 9th photofacial i find out that indeed, their bulbs were not in perfect condition. This resulted in getting a few more for free..but i never left completely satisfied. Next time i plan to see an actual dermotologist.

free skin care · Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:21 pm

I've seen the stuff that's been posted on these message boards regarding Thermage and I've got to say that it is TOTAL bullshit ('scuse my french). Unless these women are going to completely incompetent practitioners, I have no clue where these claims come from.

My older sister had Thermage about 2 years ago. She indicated to me that it wasn't a pleasant procedure, but she also said it wasn't as if it was painful, and she has ZERO problem complaining when she's in any discomfort. This is a gal who demands novocaine for a dental cleaning!

The thing about Thermage is that the improvements in the skin take place over 3 to 4 months, which is way too long for some people. Also, if your dermatologist doesn't take extensive before and after photos, it can be hard to tell yourself, since you stare at yourself in the mirror every day. My sister's skin improved considerable. She was a fanatical sun worshipper in her youth, and her skin really had aged way beyond her years. She looked so terrific, that I talked to my derm about having the procedure done.

I was nervous about it, but I trust my dermatologist and she thought it was a great idea. I didn't need major firming and my skin is pretty resilient, but her view was that Thermage now would keep my skin firm and up my collagen production. It's also the case that I have a very demanding job, so ANY downtime is strictly out for me. So, I went ahead with it.

She applied a topical numbing cream about an hour before performing the procedure. There were a few areas that caused some moderate discomfort, but nothing worse than a trip to the dentist. I saw some results immediately, or at least thought I did. But, it has been 3 months now and we did the before after photo comparison. I have to say I was shocked! The contours around my jaw and neck are so much more refined now. I also had the beginning of nasolabial lines and they are COMPLETELY gone now.

I asked her if the results could be from my religious devotion to IS Clinical products, but she said that the IS Clinical stuff was making my skin poreless, etc etc but that it couldn't be credited with the contours or the erasure of the nasolabial lines.

This isn't a cheap procedure and it also isn't a quick fix. But, it is a procedure I would recommend VERY highly. She said that her own view is the use of Thermage beginning in one's early forties is likely to completely eliminate the need for a future facelift. If my own experience is a paradigm, I would have to agree.

Look, my participation here indicates that I don't dismiss message boards and the opinions of people who have experience with products and procedures. But, when you're investigation a procedure, you SHOULD research it. But, to me, that means serious scientific research. Read the studies - not anecdotes from people whose state of mind, state of health, etc. is completely unknown to you.

free skin care · Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:10 am

So glad that you and your sister had good results from Thermage. I really wish that I could have it done with faith that my face wouldn't suffer from the procedure. Unfortunately, after reading dozens of negative postings about it and very few positive letters like yours,I have to pass...at least for now. Hopefully in the near future there will be improvements in this type of noninvasive surgical procedure.
If it was just a few letters from disgruntled posters maybe I wouldn't be so cautious about it, however I had 3 women send me their before and after pictures when I asked. They really did look sickly and a little dimply in their after photos. Two of these women went on to have fat grafts in their cheeks.
I'd never tell anyone not to have whatever procedure they need to make themselves look as good as they can...I'd just ask all to be cautious.

free skin care · Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:04 pm

I agree with Katee in the the fact that the practioner and place makes the difference. I have switched places just for this very reason with my IPL's. I also asked the bulb question at the office I go to now(which I use as a sounding board often-"Oh no, she has ANOTHER question", but they are always so sweet about answ. when they can). They said it is pure maintenance and responsibility and a reputable place keeps their machines maintained so that each procedure is equal. They do the Thermage there and I have seen wonderful results just in the waiting room, just haven't done the procedure myself. I have had just Yag and IPL. The key to any of these is the technician and REFERRALS.

free skin care · Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:08 pm

Thanks for all the opinions and info.

Looks like I need to do more homework........ Rolling Eyes

Mon Nov 14, 2005 6:49 pm

Hi,
I have been researching LED Photofacials for awhile. The lights do make a huge difference. Two places may offer Photofacials for the same price...but the strength of the light they are using will make the results completely different. I have found in my research that the system called
"Revitalight" has the strongest LED's available . They have a patented lens and the brightest bulbs available. I have had some friends that have had great results with it. I am personally purchasing the system because I use the amber colored light for pain, red for scar tissue rejuventaion, and blue for severe acne...I am an acupuncturist and this incorporated great into my practice. Good luck!!

free skin care · Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:43 pm

katee, you're making me think twice about Thermage. After my plastic surgeon told me about it a year ago (or was it two?), I did a little checking and came upon some of the horror stories mentioned above. So I wrote it off for fear of losing facial fat (which seems to be the big complaint). But my guy went to Harvard Medical School and interned at the Mayo Clinic so I trust him. I think I'll check back with him sometime and see what kind of results his Thermage patients have had. For those who aren't in need of going under the knife yet, Thermage seems promising.

Would you mind telling us more about your procedure (on what areas of the face it was performed, etc.) and how much it cost???

free skin care · Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:52 am

The biggest problem I've been finding with Thermage is a lack of results, not necessarily that it causes damage frequently. In all of the articles I've found on physician's own trials, only 1/3-1/2 of patients had any benefit, even if it was small, from the procedure. If 50% of those who do it have no positive results, why would I want to risk thousands of $ on it?

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