Facts About Skin Laser Surgery (Part 4)

Today's post is dedicated to answer some of the questions you might have for me about my experience with laser treatment. These are the few questions I'm getting but if you have more, just leave a comment in the comment box below. If you missed out on the earlier post, here are Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Q: Where can I get laser surgery done in Kuala Lumpur?

I had 2 different laser surgeries done_one to remove mole at Mediviron Clinic and another to smooth my pores and get rid of scars at Ting's Skin Specialist. Both are located in the heart of KL, which I find rather convenient. FYI, Mediviron Clinic also offers facial laser treatment but I decided to have it done at the latter.

During my 2^nd laser at Ting Skin Specialist, a Middle Eastern lady (she’s so pretttyyy!!) who was there for the laser treatment to remove pigmentation on her face asked if Ting’s Skin, “is the best?” I told her I don’t know because obviously I haven’t visited other clinics in KL but Ting’s Skin IS definitely well known. If it’s solving acne issues I can definitely vouch for them. Many of my friends have visited this same clinic for various other skin issues too (allergy-caused rashes, unknown caused rashes, etc.) and so far, so good.

Of course there are many other skin clinics in KL/Selangor that works just as well. Just look up Google sensei for reviews of the clinics near your area.

Q: What type of laser treatment are they?

Both the Mediviron and Ting’s Skin Specialist Laser Treatment is called the CO2 Laser Treatment.

Q: Can I do my usual beauty routine before the surgery?

Yeap!

Q: Does it hurt DURING the treatment?

This really depend on the 'intensity' of the laser, from my own experience. They're like red ants' bites. Aha.

Q: ... and AFTER?

For the next 30-90 minutes, expect burning sensations on your face and pungent burnt-like odor since laser burns off the top layer of your skin. And yes, washing your face and applying certain skin care products could hurt. This is on the same day right after your laser. I noticed it doesn’t hurt anymore the next day.

Q: Can I wash my face and apply any beauty product(toner, serum, masks, etc.) after the laser?

Yes, but stay away from anything too abrasive like alcohol-based toner, harsh cleansers, and exfoliator/scrubs are a no-no. You can try. They're gonna hurt. A lot. Even applying serum could sting a bit but it’s still alright, for me.

Q: What about makeups/cosmetics?

Apparently it is not a problem to put on makeuo.

Personally, I wouldn’t because I think the skin’s very sensitive after laser. Plus there are so much germs on brushes/applicators and the skin can't breathe/get enough oxygen IMO.

Q: How long will the redness last?

As Dr Yap put it, "the ugly days" will last about a week.

In my first attempt, it took 5 days for the redness to tone down. HOWEVER, in my recent laser treatment, I find by applying both the prescribed moisturizer and your own moisturizer 5 times a day, it took only 3 days!

Q: So... does a single laser treatment sufficient to get rid of pores/scars/imperfection?

I’ve gone through 2 rounds of laser so far and still considering a third time to perfect the rest of it. So, no.

Or perhaps (1) it really depends on how bad your scars are or (2) the clinics you go. I’ve read several other reviews from bloggers who’s done laser in clinic-I-don’t-remember-the-name only once but for a higher fee and didn’t have to go for another round.

Q: Are there any side effects?

Expect burning sensation, pain, redness and slight swelling of face that last the entire day one. During that time, washing face with cleanser and applying beauty products may sting a little.

ROUND 1: For the next few days, my skin was also super dry, so much that I have to slapped on 3 times more toner and tons of moisturizer. In fact, I applied the prescribed moisturizer at least about 5 times a day! Apart from that, I put on facial masks at least 3 times that week

ROUND 2: Mostly like round but this time I didn't have to put on a mask by day 3 and because I applied a lot of moisturizer, my face didn't feel too dry. I guess it was too moisturized the 'dots' took longer time to fall off whattheheck #truestory

Q: What beauty products did I use during the 2 weeks?

ROUND 1: Prescribed moisturizer, Hada Labo Lotion, Hada Senka Moisturizer, Bio-essence Snail Serum, Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray, Bio-essence Snail Secretion masks x3, Watsons' Range Masks x1

ROUND 2: Prescribed moisturizer, Hada Labo Lotion, Hada Senka Moisturizer, Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum, Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream, Innisfree Bio-essence Snail Secretion masks x1, It’s Real Squeeze masks x2, Etude House Snail mask x1

Q: Any 'pantang' (food to avoid while recovering)?

Not that I know of LOL.

Remember the thing our parents/the older generation use to warn us not to eat egg or take soy sauce when the wound is still healing else the scars won’t go away easily? During my recovery period, I already broke this ‘pantangs’ LOL

Q: Exposure to sun, etc?

Eh… ok this I’m not very sure. I heard the nurse advice one of the patient who did pigmentation removal (the pretty Middle Eastern lady in my Part 3 post {LINK}) to apply sunblock.

But I wasn’t told to do so nor did I apply any. Though on a bright and hot day I usually carry umbrella, that’s enough I think. Plus I wear a face mask consider protection already, no? Hahaha.

Q: How much will it cost to do laser?

For my kind of laser treatment, the CO2 Laser, it is from RM400-600++ per session. I'm not sure if they charge differently based on your skin condition (like how deep your pores are/how bad is the scars).

Also take note if you're having breakout, you would need to clear your pimples which means prior to the surgery, you would need to consult them first, so another RM200++ per consultation. Depending on how bad your breakout is, it may several consultations before you can undergo the surgery.

Q: Final question for today, is it worth getting the surgery?

I'm not 100% satisfied because the scars are still sorta obvious. However, my skin has DEFINITELY gotten smoother and pores smaller so I’m definitely happy when I look at myself in the mirror hahahaha. Editing my own photos got easier too ( >v< ) In conclusion, yeah, I think it is worth it.

~❤~

Alright, so those are most of it for now!

If you have other questions you'll like to ask me about the laser surgery, just comment below and I'll include it into this post too.

Second Round of Laser Treatment at Ting’s Skin Specialist (Part 3)

Yeap! I actually spent the last few days of 2015 with a mask over my face LOL.

In my earlier review post, I mentioned I wasn’t too satisfied with the initial result and so I went for yet another round at Ting’s Skin Specialist a day after Christmas. I was hoping there wouldn’t be a long queue since it was just after the holiday but boy I was wrong. Had to wait for about 2 hours (=___=) Nevermind. I brought along my homework wth

Seems like this time round there were quite a number of other people getting laser too. You can tell because we have plastic wraps covering our faces to keep us from accidentally rubbing off the anesthetic cream.

By the way, I just learned that they offer several different laser treatments and mine was the CO2 Laser. I asked and for myself, Dr Yap suggested at least 3 round of laser to get my ‘desired’ result.

This is me before the laser. Okla, I am reusing the same photo from last time because I forgot to snap the ‘before’ photos.

This time round, it was much more painful because apparently Dr Yap decided to increase the intensity of the laser, “for better result”. That actually means the ‘dots’ spacings will be closer to one another. Hurt so much (T___T)

Afterwards, not sure if it’s the laser of the super hot weather that day, right after I left the clinic I felt super thirsty and had a horrible headache. It wasn’t helpful that my face already stings from the laser..

This is how I looked like just right after the laser. Snapped this pic because I wanted to show the tiny dots I was referring to but the front camera of my phone isn’t clear enough… (>___<) I looked like shit LOL fml.

Then the following day. Cropped myself out #toouglyliao

Twinnie was shocked when he saw me (on Day 1 after laser) because I didn’t tell him I went for the laser. I told him I was embarrassed to come out but because we were going to have lunch, I decided not to put on a mask. He was nice enough to tell me I wouldn’t need to.

Awesomeness point +1.

He also told me I wouldn’t have to go for laser but I said I wanted them.

Awesomeness point +1 more LOL

Still, that afternoon I got lotsa stares from strangers who have no qualms in looking directly into my face the entire time I was having lunch fml (/д)

Anyway, I found out this time round that by applying BOTH the prescribed cream and my own Hada Senka’s moisturizer, the redness tones down faster. By the third day (on Tuesday), my face only appeared slightly flushed like I'm blushing so I didn't feel like I needed to wear a mask anymore!

On the other hand, my face were still swelling on Thursday (Five days after the laser) and I only noticed it from photos when camwhoring with the girls whattheheck. Looked into the photo and was thinking why my face looks oddly different and larger… (=___=)

Like this. I don’t look like me!

Or am I just being too self-conscious and imagining things? What do you think?

OKlah. Maybe I look the same. Maybe it's the angle. Maybe my face was really swelling LOL

Took other #noedit pics that day still look like me-lah

Few days later, it became much better. Fast forward last weekend, when having dinner with my twinnie, he mentioned that my skin has improved though I personally didn’t see any super obvious changes on my cheeks area. The pores on my nose appear smaller though.

You be the judge. This is my most recent photo which I took yesterday!

What do you think??

ps, I'll be posting a Laser FAQ post next so if you have any questions, just comment in any of my Laser Review Post and I'll answer your questions in my next post which I’ll be posting by next week!

Post Laser Treatment at Ting Skin Specialist (Part 2)

Sorry it took me awhile to follow up on this post. Last week have been pretty eventful for me with all the year end and early Christmas celebrations going on.

Anyway, it has been over 2 months since I last did a laser on my face at Ting Skin Specialist. During the period, I received quite a number of questions about the result, which I will be sharing with you in this post.

Here's the most recent photo of le me taken last weekend #NoEditOne

I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent satisfied because some scars are still quite visible (they are the reason why I wanted to do the laser in the first place). Same goes to my pores though they do appear smaller.

The most significant difference after undergoing the laser surgery would be my skin  appears very much smoother now. The skin area which previously had large, depression scars seems to have regenerated and are those marks that appears lighter in color compare to my normal skin tone.

This, I'm satisfied. Least I'm seeing result for the pain that I had to go through. Editing photos are faster too because I have less pores/scars to Photoshop off my face wth lol.

I'm considering round 2 of laser after consulting the dermatologist again. Perhaps I should inquire if they are offering any other laser treatment particularly any that targets the scar directly...

Alrighty, will keep you posted if I do~!

Laser Treatment at Ting's Skin Specialist

Hello~!

Yessss, I did it!! LOL Finally dragged myself to the Ting's Skin Clinic at Jalan Imbi to do laser surgery yesterday~! I mentioned I'll be doing it earlier but then I had things popped up on the last few Saturdays _ like my sis' convo last weekend! Congrats sis!! ｡ﾟ✶ฺ.ヽ(*´∀｀*)ﾉ✶ฺﾟ

Anyway, considering this post will be about the laser treatment, I decided to leave all my photos unedited.

Firstly, here are clearer shots of my skin condition from the front & sides (btw you can click each photo to enlarge). I have lotsa visible pores, there are some scars and my skin's uneven (>Д< )

I arrived at the clinic around noon which was quite late and there were already so many people at the waiting area. Luckily, perhaps because I was there for the laser treatment, it wasn't long before I got to consult the doctor. It was a quick one and he was just checking if my skin's condition is OK for the laser.

After I've gotten the green light, the nurse ushered me to another room to apply the anesthetic cream and then covered my cheeks with plastic wrap. Afterwards, I had to wait for about an hour for the numbness to sink in.

For an hour, I looked like that ↓ Chose a super secluded area to wait LOL

Fast forward later, I was in another room lying down and getting zapped on the face. They were less painful than being zapped the last time I had a mole removed but because the area covered this time is larger, it still hurt. In case you're wondering, it feels like like getting bitten by red ant kinda pain. And my goodness, I can smell pungent burning odor!

The whole process took 10-20 minutes I reckon (I forgot to check the time).

During and after the laser, I had this throbbing, burning sensation on both side of my cheeks and when I took a shot right after, I thought my face seemed to swell a bit despite the redness haven't set in.. Don't mind my hair, they're all messed up from lying on the bed gahh!

At this point, there are tons of tiny little dots on the laser-ed part which isn't really visible in this photo.

Five minutes later, both my cheeks were burning red. So glad the doctor who came in to check later handed me a mask before I left LOL. I really needed one else so paiseh (embarrased in local Chinese dialect) to walk outside looking like that (＞д＜)

Somehow, after I left the clinic I felt dizzy and was feeling rather uncomfortable. Not sure if they're from getting the laser done or just the haze...

Walah, took this shots right after I got home. My face was burning red, like red wine color red, the entire evening though it doesn't show much here.

I was advised to apply moisturizer as often as possible if I want to get rid of the redness. So first thing I did after I got home is to spray my Avene's Thermal Spring Water Spray. It usually works to soothe redness but didn't this time and soon after I sprayed, my cheeks felt like they were burning again and I could smell the pungent odor of burnt skin...

Despite that, I was still spraying all over my face and I accidentally sprayed directly into my nostrils FML

I was also prescribed some moisturizer though I'm alternating it with my own because I feel my Hada Senka's moisturizer have better moisturizing effect LOL.

(Updated: I actually found out that the moisturizer provided has some cooling effect that'll make my skin looks less inflamed. So it's better to apply BOTH the derma's moisturizer and the Hada Senka one.)

As I'm finalizing my post now, I'm putting on my snail sheet mask which I have kept aside just for my after-laser pampering. Hoping it'll help speed up my skin's rejuvenation process (＠⌒ー⌒＠)v

I was actually planning to get whole face done (forehead, cheeks and nose) but somehow, perhaps from miscommunication, the derma thought I only wanted the cheeks done. When, I told the female derma and she said my forehead doesn't need much work to do so she just helped me zapped the 3-5 imperfect bits yayyy~~

I regretted not asking her to do my nose at the same time so maybe another round? Though if its just the nose, next time I'll come out looking like Rudolph the reindeer. If its by Christmas, least I wouldn't need to ponder what I should dress up as LOL

Today, my face is still slightly pink and blotchy. Plus, my skin's feeling a bit scaly and pixel-like dots seem to have darkened in color. You can actually see an obvious line that distinguish the part which got laser-ed on my cheeks too.

I'm just gonna religiously apply moisturizer in hope that the blotchiness will further reduce by tomorrow. Else I'll turn up to work looking like crap (╯_╰”)

Alright, will be updating you on the laser healing progress.

Until my next post, adios~!

CO2 Laser Treatment at Mediviron Clinic Review

I'm typing this while waiting for my the numbing cream the nurse has just applied on my back to work its effect. So I finally decided to get a CO2 laser treatment at Mediviron Clinic to have the mole on my back removed.

It has been bugging me for a while now and call me superstitious or old fashion but I believe the superstition in which mole at the back, especially the ones located close to the spine area are associated with bad luck according to Chinese. Though, it is mostly because of the former. Of course I got lots of moles in several parts of my body _ face, arms, legs and back _ but I'm fine with most of them except this one.

Didn't they say in your 20s, you have to learn to love your body or at least make some changes to love your body? Maybe not in your 20s, at any point of your life. Sooner the better LOL. Can't waste the rest of your life feeling troubled over body issues right?

At the waiting area~

Speaking of mole removing, this is not my first attempt to have my mole removed. I had one of my mole removed back when I was in my teenage years. It was a rather obvious mole right underneath my chin and that was in the way of my self-confidence. Yeah, back then I have hell lotsa body issues FML

Anyway, one day while I was hanging around at the mall after school activities, I went to consult the sifu there and had my mole removed for only RM10! The sifu applied some traditional medicine and in several minutes, the mole just protruded on its own and he simply removed it. Overall, it was a quick, painless procedure. I would have gone back to that sifu but he moved years ago and I have no clue where he went. As for my chin, it has been mole-less for years but I'm noticing a tiny mole reappearing in the exact spot recently but this time I'm probably just going to let it be.

I did get to know of a sifu who has a shop around Petaling Street but when I went there (alone) sometime early this year, the place crept me out I resigned from the idea. I was not considering laser initially as a friend told me of the exorbitant pricing. He has his done for close to Rm1000 for how many moles I don't know..

Still, I did some Google-ing and 2 weeks ago, I found that Mediviron Clinic offers such service for a more affordable fee and that's just how I find my way here today.

*Intermission* Back home again after the laser treatment and a bit of window shopping. The window shopping part is mandatory hahaha

Was ushered into the consultation room and had my mole zapped LOL. The procedure lasted less than 5 minutes. Compare to what I did last time, oh boy this hurts quite a bit (；▽；) First time the doctor zapped me, the sting shocked me I involuntarily flinched. The next few zaps, I had to bit my lips and distract myself by focusing on my breathing wth (=__=)  Probably have low tolerance towards pain... But the pain only lasted that much, I don't feel pain afterwards save for occasional short intervals of discomfort.

This is the mole before and right after laser. It appears slightly red and there is a depression scar I'm hoping new skin will grow soon. I was told to give it at least a week and to expect scabs to form in the next few days.

After the treatment, I was given an antibiotic cream to apply twice a day for the next 3-4 days. The doctor also made a follow up appointment in 3 weeks' time in case the mole grew out on the same spot. In that case, the next laser treatment will be free.

Alrighty, that's most for my review this time. Will be updating again on the healing progress in this same post
next weekin a few weeks' time~!

ps, I visited Mediviron Clinic but for some reason there was a sign requesting patients to go to Nexus Clinic. I'm not sure of the connection but just so you know the photos are taken inside Nexus Clinic. I entered the clinic and asked the receptionist if I got the right place and I swear she sorta rolled her eyes wth. Guessing she gets that question a lot..

~♥~

(Update Sept 12th, 2015) 

Today's exactly 3 weeks since I've got laser done to remove the mole on my back. Here I'm simply sharing with you snapshots I took over the period to show you the recovery bits.

Don't mind the different color since they're taken at different time of the day..

 For the first few days I had experience occasional discomfort at the laser-ed part and it gets itchy too. It took a week before some dry skin started forming but I didn't quite realized when it peeled off.. The laser-ed part still appears pinkish so I'm guessing it will take a little while longer before it completely recover.

I supposedly have a follow up appointment with Mediviron Clinic in case a new mole grows on the same spot but since I didn't see any signs of that, I decided I could skip it. The nurse told me there probably won't be a need for it too.

So yeah, this are pretty much most of it. I will try to snap pics on the progress some more though the next update until my skin recovers (if I didn't get too lazy :/ )

Adios for now!

~♥~

(Update Dec 12th, 2015) 

It's been almost 5 months now since I had the laser done on my back~!

Haven't been snapping photos until last week but I haven't seen much improvement on the scar. At this moment, it still appears pinkish.

I asked and was told it may be because the 'root' of the mole may have been quite deep thus it takes a while longer to recover.. Compared to the laser done on my face which only took less than a week before the redness cooled off. I guess I need to apply Bio-oil, hopefully that speeds up the skin's regeneration process...