About three weeks ago, I went in for a second round of IPL at La Papillon Spa. This time we used a different laser, this one was called a Lumenis M-22. According to my dermatologist, Dr. Noelle Sherber, I could expect a different experience with my second round of IPL. The first notable difference I should expect is that it wouldn't be as uncomfortable as it was the first time. This is because the skin experiences the IPL differently and because the laser itself is different and delivers a more comfortable "zap" (my word, not hers). The skin also reacts differently to the second treatment. I won't expect to see as much "peppering" on my face and I shouldn't expect much swelling, either. This doesn't mean that the treatment isn't working, it's just how it usually goes during the second round.
(Pre-IPL)
Above is what my skin looked like before my first round of IPL. And after undergoing my second round of IPL, I can attest to the fact that Dr. Sherber was totally correct. First of all, the second treatment was about 75% less uncomfortable than the first treatment. Each "zap" of the laser was barely noticeable, which was lovely. Not that the first time was awful, but as I mentioned before, I wouldn't do it for fun. The second round, discomfort-wise, was a piece of cake.
I also got almost no peppering and no swelling, which made me think the laser didn't do anything for about a week. Of course, I was totally wrong (see above), but I like my results visible and photograph-able. It makes this whole reporting back to you thing easier.
Finally, three weeks later, I started wondering why my skin looked so amazingly fantastic. I stared at my current skin care regime and wondered if I had added anything recently that had given me such a dramatic difference. I couldn't think of anything. I wondered if my makeup itself had some kind of skin-tastic wunder ingredient. It didn't. Then it dawned on me. I was finally healed and this is what my skin now looked like, post-second laser treatment.
While I don't have perfect skin, the freckling and melasma is now 85% gone (my mathematical guess, not based on any actual scientific number). My skin looks pretty incredible. I don't think I need a third treatment and could not be happier with my results.
Check out my pyramid of results. The top level is me, before any treatment. The second level is me after the first treatment.
The bottom level is me after the final treatment. Click on the photos to make them larger. The difference is amazing. I'm not wearing makeup in any of the photos. Below is a photo of me about a week after the bottom tier photos were taken. I have on no makeup.
Compared to the before photos above, I'd say it's a success!
Interested in IPL? Make sure you go to a reputable doctor or medically-supervised spa for treatment. Not all lasers are the same and places that insist you buy a package of six treatments up front are not where you want to be. The person doing your treatment should customize a plan for you, listen to you and answer any and all questions thoroughly and intelligently. If you are in the Baltimore area, I would highly suggest making an appointment with La Papillon or Dr. Sherber to discuss what treatment may work best for you.
Treatments provided for review.
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