I have no patience!
Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject: I have no patience! | |
| I know several people on the boards said to just give my skin time to heal from the steroid induced redness I'm suffering from. Problem is, I just can't stand it!
I made an appointment today to have a consult for IPL (or whatever they think might help). A lot of what I've read online says IPL doesn't hurt, no down time, and you can go right back to work. Then I read some posts here that say it hurts like he$$! What do I need to know? Of course, I haven't even been yet, so I don't know if they'll recommend it. All I know is, I can't stand the chronic redness, itching, dry, flaking mess my skin has become since stopping the steroids. I just want it to feel better and not look like a circus freak! My goal is to be able to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about getting showered and makeup on before anyone could possibly come to my door! ~J |
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Joined: 04 Feb 2008
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject: | |
| I had my first IPL about a week ago. it doesn't hurt that bad. I did the Lumenis one and they put numbing cream (benzocaine) on first. It still stings like a small shock each time they pull the trigger, but it's not like unbearable or anything. | |
Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject: | |
| Thanks!
Can I ask how much yours cost? Just curious! ~J |
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Joined: 28 Aug 2006
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: | |
I just want it to feel better and not look like a circus freak! My goal is to be able to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about getting showered and makeup on before anyone could possibly come to my door!
 That's the story of my life....at least the past 10yrs now! I don't even want my hubby and kids to see me...GOD rosacea is a nightmare for sure.
I have done many IPL's and the older machines I got lots of bruising but my skin was so bad that even the lowest settings turned me purple/black and blue...my face swelled up like a giant marshmellow (but a red one) after several I stopped having the bruising and just got swelling and more redness reaction...then after awhile finally improvement....my skin became less reactive and I stopped flushing 24/7. Now the new IPLs don't seem to cause the purple bruising...I have done 4 of these and never got a bruise...just redder and swollen abit. Even when I had the intense treatments it was bearable...it hurt like he$$ but my rosacea hurt far worse! Physically and emotionally, so if the doc would have suggested a head transplant I would have been open to it for sure
Cost varies....I have paid as much as $500 full face one single pass...what a rip off! Found I could get them at $250 and right now I got a super deal $750 for 4 double pass treatments. Shop around and don't be afraid to ask them for a package discount...but I would only pay for 1 tx at first to make sure the operator is good and does it right...may don't do every square inch of your face they skip around and many won't do a double pass...find the ones that do it is the onnly way to get any relief. Sorry to overload you with info but these are my experiences with IPL and I have done total about 15 of them so I feel I have been around the block when it comes to IPL. I will be doing VBeam or Yag in near future also to try and get a better deeper longer lasting result. HTH _________________ Dx 1998 Many IPL TX's Tried just about everything |
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Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Dorset, UK
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: | |
| IMHO if you suffer from skin that is prone to seb derm/dermatitis then I would not pick IPL as my first choice.
There have been quite a few who have had seb derm flares post IPL, myself included. What clinic have you made the consultation with? |
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject: | |||
I am going to a dermatogists office who also does the procedures. I don't have seb derm, but I guess I do have some sort of dermatitis, at least that's what I started with, which got me on the steroids, and then caused this permanent redness. I think it's more along the lines of eczema, though, not seb derm. Are there other treatments for this redness? I figured I'd go to this consult (it's free) and see what they have to say. There are two or three others in my area that I know of so I might check those out, too. I am going to ask my dermatoligist what she thinks when I see her on Friday, and also ask if I can have copies of my biopsies to show my allergist, and I'll show them to these people, too. ~J |
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Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Dorset, UK
| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: | |
| You may like to look into the newer pulse dye lasers that go by various brand names but perhaps something like the vbeam (although you need to be clear whether you want sub purpuric levels or higher levels that may cause bruising).
I would just discuss all your options with the derm but be aware that if they dont offer that laser they may well not think it is suitable for you 
Lasers/IPL is a big step and not one you want to rush into. I personally would avoid centers that make you sign up for a number of sessions in one go. |
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:50 am Post subject: | |||
Thanks! I completely agree. I just want to see if there are any options for me. I'm going to talk to my derm first (she doesn't do anything like that in her office) and see if she a) thinks it's something I should look into and b) if she has any place/doctor she likes or any recs for what I should look for. My guess is she's going to tell me to just give it more time! That's probably the right way to go, but I am just so sick of all the redness and irritation that I just want some relief. I know, I know, easier said than done! I printed off the interviews from this forum, and I'm going to read them tonight and make a list of questions as well as educate myself a little more. A nurse does the consult, although the doctor oversees everything, so I want to go in with as much info as I can. I want to look like I know what I'm talking about so I don't get taken! I'll keep you posted! ~J |
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Joined: 04 Feb 2008
| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:17 am Post subject: | |
| I pay 300/session for full face .. includes triple pass with lumenis one. The place I go to did have a deal though to buy 2, get one free so I get 3 treatments for 600. | |
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Location: BC
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: | |||
Where did you get your treatment done? _________________ Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. – Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Joined: 26 Sep 2005
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: | |
| It is always wise to try a test patch if in doubt, I have only very small patches of seb derm, and only sometimes, and this is around the eyebrows, so IPL has never caused this to flare up!
However if you have an extra sensitive skin you will have to be careful whatever you do. Yes everything hurts a little, but it is subjective, everybody feels it differently, here in the UK numbing cream is not often used, but seems to be used quite often in the US, but with a good practitioner any pain is bearable. |
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