“Your face looks dirty mommy!” The brutal honesty of my four-year old led me to my bathroom mirror. After years of diligent sunscreen usage and avoidance of deadly tanning beds, there it was . . . sun damage. The sun sins of my youth had arrived. You see, before I was a physician assistant specializing in dermatology, I was not kind to my skin – I was quite the opposite. In my naïve youth, I longed for the “healthy” glow of a tan that my peers all possessed. So, I baby oiled, sunbathed, and burnt my fair skin numerous times. Upon seeing my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I realized I was now paying the price for those poor choices.
I decided that I needed help (and fast!) to turn back the hands of time. The very next day, I scheduled a consultation with my colleagues at the Sutton Ryan Aesthetic Center. I was anxious the day of my appointment, wondering what, if anything, could be done to fix what I had caused. The sun damage on my face made me feel older than I actually was, and a little self-conscious. I was, after all, wearing my dirty secret right on my face for all of the world to see! After an examination, and a thorough discussion of treatment options, I opted for a Fraxel laser treatment to attack my age spots (brown pigmentation).
It is a safe and effective procedure that requires minimal downtime. Perfect for a busy mom like me!
Fraxel laser is a procedure which can be used not only to remove brown spots, but to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. It can also improve skin texture and tone.
My procedure lasted approximately 30 minutes and I experienced very minimal discomfort. Following treatment, my skin was pink and slightly swollen. I also noticed a slight stinging sensation, similar to a mild sunburn that resolved within a few hours. The redness and swelling lasted for 4-5 days, and then the brown spots on my skin darkened, giving them the appearance of coffee grounds. Over the next several days, my skin gradually peeled, revealing a radiant, more youthful, and (most importantly) age spot free complexion! Good riddance dirty face, and hello confidence! I am thrilled with my results, and have received many compliments from family and friends.
Thank goodness my four-year old was willing to tell me the truth!
Schedule your complimentary consultation at Sutton Ryan Aesthetic Center to see what the Fraxel laser can do for you!
Erin Hegge, PA-C
For more information on the FRAXEL laser visit: www.fraxel.com
I had the laser treatment in 2011. It worked wonderfully! I loved how my skill looked after only one treatment. But it only lasted (maybe) two years. My brown spots are back and with a vengeance! I was told at the time that I would probably need 2- 3 treatments to get the results I wanted, but nothing was said about ongoing treatments or brown spots reforming. Is this just a temporary procedure that you are expected to have every few years?
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m so pleased to hear that Fraxel cleared your pigment initially. The reality with Fraxel is that continued sun exposure will create new pigmentation so, in that regard, it is a temporary procedure. With complete sun avoidance though, the skin can maintain a luminous, pigment-free appearance for years. I have seen this in many of my patients. For most people, however, I recommend a Fraxel every fall (after the series of initial treatments have been completed) to stimulate new collagen formation and clean up sun spots that have accumulated after a year of outdoor activity. This approach leads to long-lasting, beautiful results.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office with any additional questions or concerns at 402-484-9009.
Rebecca Reinke
Simply because microdermabrasion does not
involve any aggressive chemical substances or invasive surgery, unwanted side effects
are minimal. Most of the people experience a slight redness inside the treated location for up to a few hours after the approach, but rarely anything other than this.