Laser Scar Resurfacing with Cap Aesthetics
I had the chance to try out laser treatments on some of my surgical scars recently, and I'm excited to give you a little run-down of my results.
My amazing obstetrician, Dr Cap, recently added laser skin treatments to his clinic's offerings and I was curious to see if this non-invasive treatment could lessen the appearance of some remaining scars on my body. The laser his clinic offers is called the Cynosure Palomar ICON aesthetic system.
My arm, 5 months after I had surgery to repair my broken humerus in 2007.
As you probably know, I was in a severe car accident in 2007 that nearly killed me and left me physically scarred for life. I thought the appearance of the scars on my face and arm were pretty much what they were going to be forever, and I was more or less ok with that.
But when I was given the chance to just test this out and see what would happen, I jumped at the opportunity. Why not?
It's not like I love my scars.
If I could lessen their appearance, I was all for that!
My scar 8 years after surgery but Before we started laser treatment.
So we started a course of three treatments on my arm first, and then my face.
The treatment was uncomfortable, but quick. The laser felt like a fast, hot sting, kind of like a rubber band hitting my skin. It didn't enjoy it, but it was totally bearable. And Paige, who was doing the lasering, said we could stop and take a break at any point. She was very considerate of how I was feeling and she made the whole procedure a lot more pleasant.
She did a few passes up and down my scar to make sure it got the full benefit of the laser. My skin did start to feel hot, but when it was all over, I got an ice pack immediately to help calm the initial inflammation. The laser triggers the natural healing ability of the skin, and promotes collagen production, so it makes sense that there would be SOME discomfort in order to trigger that process. Even though my skin felt sore for a few hours after we completed each session, I honestly forgot to apply ice at home and I completely forgot I'd had anything done.
I'm just going to post the photos and let them speak for themselves. They were all taken with an iPad or iPhone, under less than ideal lighting circumstances, and they have not been retouched.
My scar, healed after the first treatment and right before we did the second. Already starting to flatten out!
My arm scar healed after the second laser treatment. The skin got a little more red after the second treatment but the scar is shrinking.
My scar after the final treatment, much more skin toned and a lot flatter.
My scar today, different lighting but it's accurate for how much better it blends with my skin.
With the positive results on my arm, we decided to see how my facial scars would do! Since we were lasering my face, I also decided to try the "photofacial" to help eliminate the rosacea in my cheeks that cropped up during my pregnancy with Little J.
My forehead scar just a couple of months after I was released from the rehab hospital. It was a never a "BAD" scar, but it bothered me.
My chin scar, and rosacea before treatment.
My forehead scar before we started treatment.
For these scars and my cheeks, we also did three treatments, using different laser tools/handpieces for the scar tissue and the vascular redness. One was called the 1540 for the scars, and the other was the MaxG for the rosacea.
My forehead scar after completing treatment. More filled in and skin toned.
Me today. Feeling much more like "me".
We were unable to laser the part of my scar that runs through my lip because the tissue is so different, but the scar on my chin is much flatter and less noticeable now.
My rosacea is also greatly diminished, but without completely eliminating the healthy pink-cheek look I like!
It was an awesome experience overall and I am really happy with the results. I wanted to share it with you because if you have scars that are preventing you from feeling like your true self, I'm all for transforming them! All of my treatments had no down-time and the soreness that remained after each session felt and looked like a sunburn. It always faded within a couple of days and all I had to do was protect my skin from the sun for two weeks.
Easy.
Your "whole healthy" is whatever you want it to be, and if feeling better about your appearance helps you achieve that, go for it. No matter what you've been through, how you feel now is 100% up to you. Sometimes scars tell a story that leaves you feeling empowered. Sometimes they remind you of a traumatic experience and prevent you from healing emotionally. Mine had elements of both, so I chose to deal with them in different ways. If you live in Southern California, you can get these laser skin treatments at Cap Women's Health in Encinitas, California.
Whatever you've experienced, however you look on the outside, you ARE beautiful. Don't ever forget that or tell yourself anything different. Cheers to your health and happiness,
XO Maggie
I did purchase these treatments, but I also got a discount in exchange for talking about my experience. All opinions are my own.