About a year ago I attended a business event where pictures were taken and posted on our corporate website. When I saw them I was more than horrified! Not only had I consumed too many cocktails, (which could be a blog in itself, but I won't go there), I noticed that my skin looked horrible. I do not wear much makeup and at the time I was going through a period where I decided to wear no makeup at all. Every imperfection in my skin was showing, especially the brown spots all over my face!
Although I am 47 years old I have very few wrinkles. My problem is mostly with what my dermatologist calls "wisdom" spots. Yes, that's right; I have them because in the wise days of my youth I spent 10 hours a day in the So Cal sun! And it is true - with age comes wisdom - because I have spent the last 15 years sailing with my husband and never bothered to wear sunscreen on my face - the tan is great in the summer but when the tan fades, the wisdom spots remain...
Today is February 7, 2008, the day before my Active FX procedure. In the last month I have researched the best way to undo the damage I did in my teens and early adult life and made the decision that Active FX would provide the best results with the least amount of down time. I also researched Fraxel, which apparently has similar results to Active FX but requires a series of treatments instead of only one. I decided that wanted to get it over with so tomorrow is the big day!
The main purpose of this blog will be to track my results, for myself and also for anyone who is thinking about getting something like this done. In all of the research I did I would have to say more than 50% of those who had the procedure said they were not satisfied with it and would not spend the money to get it done again, but I could not find anyone who posted before and after photos. (Actually I can understand why as I look at my pics above - yuk!)
Apparently this procedure has not been around very long so there are not a lot of before and after photos out there, except those posted by the companies that make the laser machines that do the work. My intention is to post a new photo each day; no matter how bad I look, until I look like 20 again :) Just kidding - but I will keep posting until I am completely healed.
Today’s final lesson - Once I decided that I wanted the treatment I saw 2 different doctors in Orange County, CA in determining who, what when and how I would proceed. The first doctor was significantly cheaper, probably because he had his nurse practitioner do it instead of performing the procedure himself. He wrote me 3 prescriptions before I left his office - 1 for Vicodin, 1 for Xanax and another for a medication that prevents cold sores, which could be a side effect of the procedure. Although he spent a lot of time with me the person I saw first and last was a patient "consultant", who I am pretty sure would get a commission if I signed up. (I did sign up but then had a weird feeling about it so I cancelled, which at first the "Consultant" said I couldn't do - hence my thoughts on his commission).
The second doctor I saw was more expensive but he told me that he does the procedure himself. He also offered general anesthesia plus all bloodwork and post op treatments were included in the cost. After speaking with the doctor he had me talk to his nurse practitioner and that is when I decided to go with him. The nurse practitioner told me I would need to get blood work done and she sent me my prescriptions via Fed Ex. She also told me I would need to come in the day after the procedure for a follow up visit - something the first doctor never mentioned. She then called me yesterday to let me know she had gotten the results from my blood work and that everything looked good. Finally she told me that the anesthesiologist would be calling me tonight. All in all I feel much better about doctor #2 and his team of professionals.
That's all for now - you think the before pics look bad? I bet I look much worse tomorrow!
Although I am 47 years old I have very few wrinkles. My problem is mostly with what my dermatologist calls "wisdom" spots. Yes, that's right; I have them because in the wise days of my youth I spent 10 hours a day in the So Cal sun! And it is true - with age comes wisdom - because I have spent the last 15 years sailing with my husband and never bothered to wear sunscreen on my face - the tan is great in the summer but when the tan fades, the wisdom spots remain...
Today is February 7, 2008, the day before my Active FX procedure. In the last month I have researched the best way to undo the damage I did in my teens and early adult life and made the decision that Active FX would provide the best results with the least amount of down time. I also researched Fraxel, which apparently has similar results to Active FX but requires a series of treatments instead of only one. I decided that wanted to get it over with so tomorrow is the big day!
The main purpose of this blog will be to track my results, for myself and also for anyone who is thinking about getting something like this done. In all of the research I did I would have to say more than 50% of those who had the procedure said they were not satisfied with it and would not spend the money to get it done again, but I could not find anyone who posted before and after photos. (Actually I can understand why as I look at my pics above - yuk!)
Apparently this procedure has not been around very long so there are not a lot of before and after photos out there, except those posted by the companies that make the laser machines that do the work. My intention is to post a new photo each day; no matter how bad I look, until I look like 20 again :) Just kidding - but I will keep posting until I am completely healed.
Today’s final lesson - Once I decided that I wanted the treatment I saw 2 different doctors in Orange County, CA in determining who, what when and how I would proceed. The first doctor was significantly cheaper, probably because he had his nurse practitioner do it instead of performing the procedure himself. He wrote me 3 prescriptions before I left his office - 1 for Vicodin, 1 for Xanax and another for a medication that prevents cold sores, which could be a side effect of the procedure. Although he spent a lot of time with me the person I saw first and last was a patient "consultant", who I am pretty sure would get a commission if I signed up. (I did sign up but then had a weird feeling about it so I cancelled, which at first the "Consultant" said I couldn't do - hence my thoughts on his commission).
The second doctor I saw was more expensive but he told me that he does the procedure himself. He also offered general anesthesia plus all bloodwork and post op treatments were included in the cost. After speaking with the doctor he had me talk to his nurse practitioner and that is when I decided to go with him. The nurse practitioner told me I would need to get blood work done and she sent me my prescriptions via Fed Ex. She also told me I would need to come in the day after the procedure for a follow up visit - something the first doctor never mentioned. She then called me yesterday to let me know she had gotten the results from my blood work and that everything looked good. Finally she told me that the anesthesiologist would be calling me tonight. All in all I feel much better about doctor #2 and his team of professionals.
That's all for now - you think the before pics look bad? I bet I look much worse tomorrow!
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