Last night I had my 2nd laser treatment for my chin. The Plastic Surgeon asked me if I saw any change since a month ago and I told him the truth, “No. Nothing at all.” I think he upped the electricity to 13J. It seemed a bit aggressive and I could actually feel more stinging…not bad until the tech hit a particular spot (edge of my chin and cheek) and it burned. After the treatment I felt some tingling. She put ointment on me. (I sort of think she knew what she did) I didnt notice until 2 hours later that I had a half an inch black square on my face. Its BLACK. Not read, or brown, and its not a blister. It feels a little dry. I know something is there but it doesn’t really hurt - just annoying. After a full day walking around looking silly, I decided to call the clinic and the Dr. wanted me to come in asap. I couldnt do it tonight because Tokyo is at least an hour train ride and I wouldnt make it in time. So now Im waiting until tomorrow late afternoon. I am EXTREMELY concerned about scarring. I am dark skinned - IV/V . I get married in 2 months and I hope the scar goes away.
You are taking proper action by going back to let the physician evaluate what happened. Being that you are a type 4/5, what laser/IPL were they using? How long have they been in business? Do you have coarse hair on your facial areas?
Laser hair reduction is NOT for everybody. You have to be a good candidate and hook up with an experienced laser practitioner and even then, all the hair that you want gone, will not become a reality. That is why electrolysis is still humming along after 130 YEARS or 13 decades later. Once you get this situation behind you, you should really study up on what a MODERN, SKILLED PROFESSIONAL electrologist can do for you. There is no easy or fast way to remove hair in 2008, but there is a tolerable, planned approach that will satisfy you 100%. Keep this in mind after you have exhausted your laser dreams for your face.
It’s only natural to worry about scarring, but don’t jump to that conclusion. Most things heal with time. Whether it be 3 weeks or 13 months, you will just have to put in the time and wait and see.
Dee
I did some research and found that Japan doesnt cater to dark skinned people - understandably. I did some research on laser equipment, and some places. Most places in Japan are NOT ran by doctors which scared me! And most only speak Japanese. I found a US Board Certified P.S but I was aware that he was not known for his laser. (double lid surgeries and botox) But I traveled to Tokyo to do a consultation AND requested a skin test. Everything seemed fine there after. I expected redness but not a black mark. Im afraid its a 3rd degree burn. I hope not.
This afternoon I am going back to him but in the meantime I am going to make an apt for the dermatologist.
Lesson learned is that I can never be too careful but sometimes you have to take risk.
You should see a dermatologist. Burns resolve themselves, especially if you take care of them properly, but may take some time.
It sounds like you’re being treated with a laser meant for light skin. Basically, you’re paying someone who either doesn’t know what they’re doing or doesn’t care about their patients.
It doesn’t matter if someone is a doctor for getting LHR, as you experienced. You need someone who does hair removal every single day multiples times a day and knows what they’re doing with a hair removal laser in particular. Someone who does and makes most of his money from plastic surgery doesn’t have the time or the need to devote themselves to LHR and how to get results.
I wouldnt approach quite as negatively. But I agree that the doctor probably makes most of his money doing botox and pastic surgery and is not devoted to LHR. Here in Japan things are different actual doctors dont devote themselves to such things like laser, techs do. Its like that even when you go to what you think is an optomologist to get glasses… its not, just some guy who knows how to use the tools and machines. A whole different ball game over here.
At this point there is no time to bitch over what has happened because as a patient I knowingly made the decision I am just hoping the scar goes away! Any suggestions as too what you have used to help would be useful! Thanks!
Let your dermatologist advise you on what you should use in your situation, but the purest quality of aloe vera gel is a good choice for minor burns.
Dee
The suggestion is to see a dermatologist. This doctor burned you. He should be able to help you with burns as well since he’s a doctor.
Laser hair removal is a difficult procedure. It’s not something one can be good at by doing it once in a while because he has a machine in his office. That was the point I was trying to make. Someone knowledgeable in laser hair removal wouldn’t have burned you.
Hey Everyone, went to the doctor (s) I have been putting Silverdene (sp) on it and it is healed and is turning back to my original color! (fingers still crossed)
Heres my 2 cents: If you live in an homogeneous society such as SE Asian or Russian, etc…And you are not the color of the native people - YOU WILL BE AT RISK FOR BURNS! Seriously…its not like the US or UK where it is normal to be trained using Laser on all sorts of people.
In your case, most people have Asian skin which has underlying pigment. That means that many people require a Yag laser to be used. So it should be available if you look around. And if someone is knowledgeable about laser, they should recognize when the skin is too dark for their machine. Not knowing that shows that they haven’t received proper training to recognize this.