Fraxel Deep Fx - Going for the big guns!

After two very disappointing Fraxel Restore treatments, I decided that I was pretty much ripped off and misguided into a treatment that is inappropriate for me. So after going back to the drawing board and doing extensive research, I needed something more aggressive, like fractional CO2. Long story short I went with Deep Fx. It's similar to the Fraxel Repair.

So I went to my appointment at a completely different place that specializes in laser procedures. My experience there so far has been pretty good. They answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable. So let's talk out the treatment...


Treatment:
I had topical numbing cream - very powerful apparently. I also I had numbing shots around my mouth and eye areas. Lastly, you have to wear these rubber contact lenses to protect you eyes. Not painful, but irritating on your eyes after the procedure. Oh forgot one thing - they gave me a sedative too, can't remember the name, but I don't think it made much difference in how I felt.

I would compare the feeling to getting a tattoo, it's very similar since Deep Fx has a very precise laser. Some areas were obviously more sensitive than others since I wasn't numbed everywhere. It took quite some time, probably like an hour to perform the whole face.

I bled alot during the procedure. I do have thin blood, so I bled probably more than the average person, so don't let that scare you. It's normal to bleed during the procedure. Because of the dried blood, I looked HORRENDOUS after the procedure. You can see the difference from my post treatment picture to my post 24 hour picture.

My face is hot. Like I laid out too long, on the SUN! I am using a fan to cool my face, it's really a Godsend. I tried icing, but since you have to use a washcloth between the ice pack and your skin, it's not as effective, plus I'm worried about damaging my face since it is very fragile.

Out of everything, my jaw hurts the most from clenching during the procedure. I feel pretty much like a train wreck. However, considering the aggressiveness of the treatment, it isn't too bad, very comparable to what I experienced with Fraxel Restore, minus the bleeding.

Will post each day's progress.

Artefill - The Permanent Solution?

Introduction:
After a ton of thought and research, I decided to "invest" in a long term solution for some bothersome areas on my face. For those of you who don't know about Artefill, it is bascially a "permanent" filler. It last 5+years! Since Artefill hasn't been around for 50 years it's hard to say exactly how long it lasts, but studies have shown patients with the filler that still holds strong for 10 years. How awesome is that?! The following is my story on how I came to the decision and my experience - hope you find this information helpful!

Dr. Cohen and Artefill Explained:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUmUtv08kCo

Background:
For those of you who do not know much about Artefill it has it's limitations. You cannot use Artefill in every area on your face (i.e. in the lips). So, I had in put in my "eleven" lines between my brows. I've had a line there since my early 20's and now it has durg a deeper groover deep into my head now all I notice when I look at photos of myself is the dent in my head. Ugh!! I have tried Botox on this area with no signifigant results. Every Dr. who touched insisted that they would be able to fix it. Whatever, no dice. So one of my Dr.'s (the best, Dr. Cohen) suggested Artefill, so I thought about it over the year and figured I would take the dive of it continued to worsen. And low and behold - one is forming on the other side! It is no longer a charasmatic marker of who I am, it is ugly and annoying and must die.

I must make mention that I'm so lucky to have a great Dr. in San Diego who was one of the pioneers of Artefill. Dr. Cohen is simply the nicest and most skilled plastic surgeon that I've come to know. If you want something done right, he's the guy to go to. You will pay a little more, but know that you are getting the best!!

At any rate, one syringe costs a whopping $1200! It as anticipated that this was more than enough for the eleven lines. With the remainder I would have in put into my lip line - as I mentioned it should not be used in the lips.

Results:
Eleven lines - My results for my eleven lines are really great. The smaller (newer) line completely disappeared and my larger one is significantly reduced. He used a partial syringe on my lip line and elevens. After the initial swelling I had a touch up done within a week it as obvious I needed more in the elevens. I think I can use a bit more, but that would require more product. I'm not ready to take another $1200 dive just yet.

Lip lines - Initially I was very satisfied with the lip lines. I had more definition and it was just what I needed. Unfortunately, after my second touch up visit, my swelling reduced even more and I lost the definition. Dr. Cohen was conservative in the lips and he said we could do a touch up around the lips to get it to where I wanted it to be, again not ready to do that since temporary fillers are so cheap these days. I'll maybe do another touch up next year as a gift to myself.

Bottom Line:
Totally worth it! I would definitely recommend this to anyone willing to take on the initial investment. You will need to do a collagen test 30 days prior to treatment.

MORE PICTURES!!!!
Note: These photos were before all swelling went down, but final results are very good and this result I believe could be achieved 100% with a touch up!

I know ick right? note the lovely cold sore...

Filler for Vertical Lip Lines from Hell

Introduction:

Okay, so just over a week ago, I decided to fill my upper lip lines. I've had filler in my lips before, but never for “these” lines that are starting to make a permanent home beneath my nose. They are unsightly. My mother has them, now I am getting them too. I do not smoke nor do you need to smoke to get these lines. I think mine are a combination of bad genes and sun damage. So now on to my quest to rid of myself of the vertical lip lines from hell.

Picture Note: Lip is slightly protuding after 5 days post injection, gradually improving.

Background:

I've had several Dr.'s recommend different things for vertical lip lines. From Botox, to fillers, to laser. I'm working on the laser part (see separate new post) but wanted something to soften my dreaded lines in the meantime, so I opted for filler. Restylane was on sale with a reputable Dr. that I see for Fraxel treatment, so I said what the hell.

Results:

First, a few things I wasn’t warned about:

1. For the first week you look like a character from the Simpson's.

Even though I had a dab of filler put into my lower lip my upper lip protruded over my lower lip, I was mor-ti-fied! I tried to avoid eye contact or offering and long profile views to my co-workers this week in fear they would notice the ridiculous upper lip. The reason for this is because the swelling above your lip cause a protrusion and it looks plain weird. Like maybe a monkey’s pout or something, not sexy at all.

2. Filler in your upper lip lines does not really help.

I think filler in the lip line itself reduces the appearance of lines around your mouth, but anywhere else is a waste of filler. I do not see any dramatic reduction in smoker’s lines above my lip.

So day 8, which happens to be the hubby's and I Valentine's Day observed, my lips look very nice, especially all dressed up. :D It was a scary week for me, but I'm happy with my "temporary" results of my lips themselves, but not the smoker’s lines, which are still there. :(

Bottom Line:

Filler in for vertical lip lines or "smoker’s lines" is a waste of money. I would only recommend filler in the lip lines to enhance your natural lip line as well as reduce the lines which causes feathering of lipstick and gloss around your lips. Put the extra filler somewhere else like your tear troughs - filler there can last 2x as long as in your lips.