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Treatment: C02 Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Treated Area: Both Cheeks Only
Location & Cost: Whiston Hospital, UK - Free (NHS)
Previous Scar Treatments: None
Day 1
I was called into the surgeons room, a fairly big room with 2 plastic surgeons and one nurse. The 2 surgeons inspected my scaring and discusses together the procedure before numbing my face. I was asked if I wanted an injection in each cheek or numbing cream, I asked which was more numbing and they advised the injection.. I obviously choose that!
I was told to sign some forms to agree that I am aware of any risks, and that I agree for my photos to be taken. They called the photographer in and he took several photos of my face from different angles, injected both cheeks and away they was.
They injected the top of both cheeks, then put 2 eye patches on me, and that was when they started the laser treatment. I didn't feel anything first as they started at the top of my cheeks, but that was because I was numb most there. When they moved down my cheeks with the laser, it was a different story. I describe the pain as anything along the lines of bee stings, elastic bands snapping in your face and boiling water. It's more of a sting than pain, but's its OK. My tip for anyone getting this done it to ask for both if possible, the numbing injection AND the numbing cream, this is because the numbing injection didn't cover my cheeks equally, as it faded towards the bottom of my face where I felt the pain most.
The photographer was taking photos throughout the procedure until the treatment was finished. Once finished, they rubbed on an antiseptic ointment (Polyfax), told me the aftercare information, gave me a tube of the ointment, and on my way I was...
After the treatment there was no pain, just a little stinging, like a bad sunburn, no painkillers needed. (Removed Old Image - See Bellow For Newer Photo)
Day 2
Today I washed my face for the first time with coolish water, here is my latest photo. (Removed Old Image - See Bellow For Newer Photo)
Looks okay to me. That first picture is quite gruesome. Is that skin hanging off that I see or just ointment/blood?
I thought I would start halloween earlier this year 
. It wasn't as bad as it looks to be honest, your right it is just blood and ointment, with it all running all over the place, it looks a little worse.
I have healed even more since my day 2 image now, and i'm still in the same day, so it's looking good so far. I will post a another image/update tomorrow!
Day 3
Feel so much soother today and seem to be healing well, less blood and pinker skin. I do feel concerned about the the day 2 and day 3 images bellow though of the laser lines at the bottom of my cheek. They done this to feather it in, so I hope they go.... what do you think?
Thanks for the progress updates. Do you have any before pics?
No problem. Here is a before, once everything is healed, I will post a couple more before photos comparing with the after photos.
Heres one for Dudley, or who ever else is interested.. I asked 2 plastic surgeons at the hospital today if applying ice packs or mixed water will be beneficial. They both said a straight NO, and told me to never do that as the redness of the skin is what I need to heal. Something about putting vinegar and ice on the redness will push the blood further away, and that isn't what he wants as the blood is good for healing.
What's your views on this, it's the first I have heard?
Thanks for the progress updates. Do you have any before pics?
No problem. Here is a before, once everything is healed, I will post a couple more before photos comparing with the after photos.
Heres one for Dudley, or who ever else is interested.. I asked 2 plastic surgeons at the hospital today if applying ice packs or mixed water will be beneficial. They both said a straight NO, and told me to never do that as the redness of the skin is what I need to heal. Something about putting vinegar and ice on the redness will push the blood further away, and that isn't what he wants as the blood is good for healing.
What's your views on this, it's the first I have heard?
The redness comes from the healing inflammation process. Inflammation can be good and bad. When something gets inflamed, the body tries to fix the area by chemical signaling. These signaling involves the attraction of cytokines and other mediators. The roles of these cytokines are to attract other mediators and also to get rid of the debris via macrophages and repair the area via vasodilation of the blood vessels.
Therefore, in short, placing ice on the area constricts the blood vessels thus lesser responds towards the area. With lesser or delayed response to the injured area, the skin might not regenerate properly/heal correctly and further scarring would be possible.
Hope this helps. And thank you for updating us with your progress. All the best!
No problem. Here is a before, once everything is healed, I will post a couple more before photos comparing with the after photos.
Thanks for the progress updates. Do you have any before pics?
Heres one for Dudley, or who ever else is interested.. I asked 2 plastic surgeons at the hospital today if applying ice packs or mixed water will be beneficial. They both said a straight NO, and told me to never do that as the redness of the skin is what I need to heal. Something about putting vinegar and ice on the redness will push the blood further away, and that isn't what he wants as the blood is good for healing.
What's your views on this, it's the first I have heard?
The redness comes from the healing inflammation process. Inflammation can be good and bad. When something gets inflamed, the body tries to fix the area by chemical signaling. These signaling involves the attraction of cytokines and other mediators. The roles of these cytokines are to attract other mediators and also to get rid of the debris via macrophages and repair the area via vasodilation of the blood vessels.
Therefore, in short, placing ice on the area constricts the blood vessels thus lesser responds towards the area. With lesser or delayed response to the injured area, the skin might not regenerate properly/heal correctly and further scarring would be possible.
Hope this helps. And thank you for updating us with your progress. All the best!
Thanks for clearing that up. I would love to put an ice pack on, but I'm just worried now my surgeon has told me not too.
Basically, from seeing after photos of others, the redness is no where near as bright as mine by day 3-4. I'm worried if the redness doesn't go now, it won't go at all. I am proberbly very wrong on this, so would appreciate it if someone can clear me up?
Relax my friend, the redness will fade. At one week I was still quite red, and by 2 weeks mine looked more like a sunburn. The first treatment is always the worst. That was an excellent post by Scarredemon, and I am still learning. The ice packs were part of my suggested regimen but I guess thinking has changed. You are doing great. It would be interesting to know what treatment you had and at what strength.
Relax my friend, the redness will fade. At one week I was still quite red, and by 2 weeks mine looked more like a sunburn. The first treatment is always the worst. That was an excellent post by Scarredemon, and I am still learning. The ice packs were part of my suggested regimen but I guess thinking has changed. You are doing great. It would be interesting to know what treatment you had and at what strength.
Thanks for the reassurance, and I apologise for the PM's. Maybe I had a stronger treatment, as even on day 2, peoples faces look like they have hardly been touched. I am not sure on the treatment & strength etc but I have contacted the hospital to ask for the machine & brand used, including the settings used. I don't see any scaring at all left to be honest, but I understand that it will show back through when it calms down due to the swelling.
I may post another photo today, but I am not sure yet as I don't think things have changed too much since yesterday. I think it has lightened a tone down though.
It would be interesting to know what treatment you had and at what strength.
What questions shall I ask on Thursday to find this out?
I'm thinking...
1. The MJ used (what's the real name for this?)
2. What Percentage was used (any better way of putting that?)
3. Brand of machine?, I can already confirm it was Fractional CO2, but not Fraxel.
Anything else, please correct above into "Real" questions if you don't mind, and I will reply Thursday.
You are doing fine. I see that you didn't experience the extreme swelling that I did. MJ is MegaJoules or just ask about the depth of penetration. I believe anything deeper than 1.4mm and you get into a different layer of the skin that you really don't want to venture into. ScarFX goes deeper, but I believe that is used more for deep burn scars. MJ rating vary wildly between lasers. 17.5 MJ for the DeepFX equates to about 70 MJ for Repair. The difference may have to do with dot size, but again that is above my pay grade. Please don't ask me to explain this because I leave that to the more technically inclined. Right or wrong I have always taken the percentage to be the percent that was covered. I am sorry if I sound a little vague but I am 4 years removed from any research on lasers. As I age my interest has turned to plastic surgery - SMAS - Deep Plane facelifts although I may come back for another Repair after I finish that.
Day 6
Things have calmed down ALOT today, which has made me feel so much better. I am starting to feel I can go out of the house soon! A fair bit of scabbing fell of this morning after a face wash (fell off, not picked).
I have decided to post my first before/after photos today since my face is looking clearer to actually see whats going on! These are the only after pics I am able to get hold of at the moment, so consider the lighting change etc. Also I am aware that the scaring can come back once the swelling comes down? How long would this be for me to know the "real results".. .?
Day 6
Things have calmed down ALOT today, which has made me feel so much better. I am starting to feel I can go out of the house soon! A fair bit of scabbing fell of this morning after a face wash (fell off, not picked).
I have decided to post my first before/after photos today since my face is looking clearer to actually see whats going on! These are the only after pics I am able to get hold of at the moment, so consider the lighting change etc. Also I am aware that the scaring can come back once the swelling comes down? How long would this be for me to know the "real results".. .?
That looks unreal mate!!
It appears you will need at least a 2nd laser. The key is that this is a cummulative process, and that is where most people don't follow through. Remember there is no such thing as 'one and done'. It was after my 2nd Repair that I realized the most improvement.
Yeah, I understand I will need more than one laser, my surgeon is going to review me soon and book me in for another one in 4 months, although I thought you would have to wait longer than that.....
How long would you say I have to wait until I see the real results? not the best results in 9 months, I mean how long does the "temporary results" last for me to be able to tell whats what?
You have to wait for the microswelling to go down, so at about 3 months you will have a pretty good idea. You will actually see additional improvement via collagen growth, but it is subtle. You are doing great!! Keep using moisturizer. Subsequent lasers are easier, and you now know what to expect. You have to be careful with treatments that lead into summer and never go out without sunscreen.
yeah I would say in a few months you should know for sure what type of results you had with this laser. my face always look amazing afterwards too then once the swelling died down it looked pretty much exactly the same. don't expect too much and then you wont be disappointed. I went the laser route many many times in the past but wont do it again. good luck with everything!
I decided anyway, I'm going to hit myself in the face both sides each day, that should keep the swelling in place 
, dam swelling!!. I hope I have some OK results. Will post again once the redness has almost fully gone, the next update after that will be once the swelling has fully gone down in 3 months time, don't want to bore everyone!
It would be interesting to know what treatment you had and at what strength.
I found out today and I was told I was treated with 90mj on my worst cheek, and 60mj on my other cheek. It was Fractional CO2, they did mention Fraxel but I can't be 100% on that.
They told me today I have recovered extremely quick, and that my next appointment is in 3 months once the swelling has fully gone, from there depending on the results, I will be having another treatment.
