V-Beam on lowest setting

[girl24]

Im getting my first V-beam treatment done next month and really dont want to do anything above the lowest setting to start with.

For anyone who has had a treatment on the mildest setting, did you see much of an improvement at all?
Im talking in terms of facial redness mostly.

Would love to hear from some of you on this.
Thanks :)

[IowaDavid]

How much are the treatments, money-wise?

Starting out on a low setting is a good policy. It depends on your skin type, pre-flush protocol, pulses, spot-size, etc.

If you're going to start on a very low setting, I would try to get as flushed as possible for the treatment. Your doc may look at you like you're nuts, but, it's your healthcare dollar.

Nioxin, histamine-reaction foods, heat, exercise--whatever. Just get red before the treatment.

If you're already permanently red through your flush zone, pre-flushing for the first treatment may not be necessary. You're likely going to get polka-dot clearance spots from V-Beam--that's just the way true lasers work.


Good luck!

David

[girl24]

Its around $400 each treatment here.
I'd rather have minimal bruising though and spend more, if it means more treatments.

There is always a bit of redness, but when the doc starts probing it it turns redder anyway.. its very sensitive skin too.

With the polka dot thing you mentioned, do you mean thats a permanent result of the treatment? How do they cover every part of the skin, ie there are going to be gaps between the dots, do i have to live with that until my second treatment?

[IowaDavid]

Its around $400 each treatment here.
I'd rather have minimal bruising though and spend more, if it means more treatments.

There is always a bit of redness, but when the doc starts probing it it turns redder anyway.. its very sensitive skin too.

With the polka dot thing you mentioned, do you mean thats a permanent result of the treatment? How do they cover every part of the skin, ie there are going to be gaps between the dots, do i have to live with that until my second treatment?


I'm guessing there will be gaps if you're getting V-Beam. Unless you have a constant, flaming-red flush zone, it shouldn't be too noticeable.

That's the problem with YAG 1064 nm or other true lasers: You have a spot size which is essentially like putting a dime on your face, several times over--you're going to get untreated patches.

IPL treats different levels of vasculature, but it's easier to make a complete coverage in a treatment as the crystal is rectangular.

You can ask for double or triple passes with V-beam, but I'm not sure any doctor would give you that on the first treatment. You CAN ask him/her to make a very tight pattern on your flush zone--sort of like the "Connect 4" pattern, only closer. Also, make it clear, if you're paying $400 per treatment, you WANT your entire face treated. Cover all flush zones(ears, forehead, chin, close into the nose and cover the nose, septum, nasolabial folds, etc.)--it's another, at most, 10 minutes of the doctor's time. It's your $400.

Don't forget: It's your money, your face, make THEM back their treatment up. You are not some cosmetic Hollywood starlet in for a "Fotofacial".

You are a person with a debilitating disorder, seeking treatment that insurance companies rarely--if ever--cover.

Demand the best from your healthcare providers. Get explicit if you feel a part of your face hasn't been treated. Tell the doctor, "Can you get my ears?" or, "Can you get more around the base of my nose?".

It's a couple of zaps to them, sure. It's your face, though.


Good luck!

David

[Lamar]

i paid 150.00 for the v-beam and had amazing results after the first time. i can't wait to go back this month. i'm very optimistic my face will be cleared after the 2nd time.

my doc used low settings. i didn't wanna get purpla or a bruised purple face.

[girl24]

IowaDavid - I dont have rosacea, I have another unknown but similar disorder (see my post in other thread) - only my left cheek is affected so thats the only part thats going to be the focus of the laser, thankfully, as 100% of the time will be spent on that rather than worrying about the rest of my face.
I am worried about this spotting you talk of.. I will need to be going somewhere around 4 weeks after treatment, is it likely I will have noticable spotting then?
I have full confidence in this doctor. He is a dermatologist #1 and a laser specialist #2 - I am confident he is not focussing on the $$, as he has fully explained to me it is my choice how full on I want the treatments to be according to how much money I want to spend. Personally the money is irrelevant to me. Im not rich, but if I had to spend $10k to have this ailment cured, I'd do it.

Lamar - so you have seen a great improvement after the first time?
Any spotting?
How long did it take after treatment for you to see some improvement?

[Miki]

i paid 150.00 for the v-beam and had amazing results after the first time. i can't wait to go back this month. i'm very optimistic my face will be cleared after the 2nd time.

my doc used low settings. i didn't wanna get purpla or a bruised purple face.

did it help with flushing or broken veins?

[girl24]

Ok I had my treatment 8 days ago.
We decided to do it on a slightly higher setting, so i came out pretty bruised and swollen.
Bruising is still present 8 days later but has faded.
My biggest concern though is i formed a large blister on my cheek. It was quite large and now its deflated, but there is alot of redness around it and the skin is flaking and peeling off, much like sunburn.
Im really worried as there is raw skin underneath and the doc said i'm only the 2nd person its happened to. He said it happened because i have sensitive skin.. is that right??
Im going to call him again today because Im really stressed about this :(

[SteveYork]

What's the difference between V-beam and IPL?

[phlika29]

Girl24

Yes the blister was probably caused because the settings were abit high for you. I think most rosacea skin beneifts from lower levels even if it takes abit longer. My doc always prescribes a cream just in case I get a blister (flamazine cream), perhaps you couls get some from your doc.

I think you should definately call the laser tech tomorrow and find out what you should do and what you can expect in terms of recovery.

I think that if you decide to go back you should insist on lower levels.

All the best

sarah

[girl24]

Thanks for that Sarah, Im really disappointed they've used such a high setting when he said he wouldn't.
They have not mentioned any cream at all, just told me to keep putting Vaseline on it, is that right??
Im really worried as the whole blister skin peeled off yesterday, leaving pink raw looking skin underneath.
Ive told them this, but the earliest i can see the doctor is next Monday because he is out of town...
So where the big blister is its really very dark red/pink, and theres a distinct line between that and the rest of the lighter coloured skin.. its a mess.
Will this colour fade or will i be left with a darker coloured lesion on my face? :(

[phlika29]

I'm not sure whether I can answer your questions as I've never had a blister after laser. However I think that your skin underneath the blister is bound to be red and raw looking as it is new skin so I'm sure that this will heal okay. If the blister has now gone perhaps you should leave the vaseline off (I wouldn't put vaseline on it) but I'm not sure really perhaps see what others say or phone the laser tech back and see what they say.

Sarah

[girl24]

Its now been a month since i had my treatment.
Last night my cheek was burning just like it used to before the laser - so far no improvement at all, if anything its worse :(
The skin where the blister was still feels "greasy" and kind of sticky - even when i have no cream or anything on it the skin is still shiny and sticky - I dont understand this, could this be permanent damage?
Im seeing the derm again in another month.. Im really worried at this stage though.

[phlika29]

I know what you mean, whenever I've had a burn the skin looks really red and shiny for ages. I would say that its still red raw.

If I were you I would go to your own doctor to check that it is healing properly.

If I were you I would think about putting off your next appointment or going in but be prepared to just discuss the situation rather than get treatment. Does the tech know that you got a blister. Take some photos to show them what happened and then take them along.

I went back to my second appointment with my laptop and we discussed the seb derm flair that I suffered whilst looking at the photos.

Whatever you do make sure that any further treatment is at the lowest level.

Best wishes

Sarah

[alecashley]

hello could you please tell us the name of this dr so all can be informed of his methods.. it would realy help us poor people.. ive noticed people rearly name tne dr