WARNING…SOME MAY FIND THESE GRAPHIC PHOTOS DISTURBING.

It’s taken me a while to decide if I wanted to share these pics or not. But I did another poll recently on Instagram and I got an overwhelming response that you guys would like to hear about my experience with CO2 laser. I know we are supposed to be grateful for every wrinkle (we earned them, dangit!) and every day above ground is a gift. BUT I am not going down without a fight. Call me vain if you like but if I see something I don’t like and there is a way to improve it…SIGN ME UP.

I’ve been getting Botox since I was 25. But Botox can not help wrinkles UNDER the eye area (only crows feet and forehead lines really). I am also a side sleeper so am getting even more lines from having my face smashed on a pillow every night. BTW…I am aware that the lighting in all of these pictures are different. I took pictures morning, noon and night in different lighting to track my recovery/progress for myself. This is not a sponsored post nor am I promoting the Dr I paid for this procedure. But while I was researching the CO2 laser, I could only find a couple of people who treated their eye area only. So I hope this helps anyone out there who may also be considering the procedure.

The day before my treatment, I started taking antibiotics and antiviral medication to prevent infection. As soon as I arrived at the Dr’s office, numbing cream was applied all around my eyes and I was given anti-anxiety medication. Patients are sometimes given a Demerol injection for pain but because I was just doing my eye area, I decided to pass on it. I am weird about taking medication anyway so just the idea of taking a Valium was causing me anxiety! But about 10 minutes later I felt like jello and was ready to get the procedure going.

After the numbing cream took effect, the Dr came in and gave me numbing injections (I think they are called nerve blocks?) and even with the numbing cream, the shots hurt. Then I had numbing drops put in my eyes. And finally came the metal eye protecting contacts put in my eyes! I mean, it was one anxiety inducing thing after another so no wonder they give you anti-anxiety meds! The contacts make everything pitch black which was SO bizarre.

I’m not going to lie, the first laser hurt. It feels like your face is being burnt off (and well, it is). I only did my eye area and upper lids and a little above my brows. Some parts hurt more than others. And then came the 2nd laser (or maybe a different tip) that felt like my face was being pepper sprayed with shrapnel. LOL. That’s the best way I can describe it. But a tolerable pepper spray if that makes sense. Then I was slathered in laser ointment (basically aquaphor) and SPF and my hubby picked me up. Then came the burning. It feels like a really bad sunburn so all I wanted to do was fan my face. But as soon as I would stop, it would burn worse. That lasted for about an hour.

Following the procedure, I did distilled water & white vinegar soaks followed by a laser ointment application several times a day. After about a week, I could almost completely cover the redness with makeup. But my skin was SUPER sensitive to any lotions and/or creams and the redness would flare up on/off for probably close to three weeks. The healing process did not hurt at all and I never had to take any pain medication. It looks MUCH worse than it feels.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Immediately following the treatment I was AMAZED by the results. There wasn’t a wrinkle in sight…even when I smiled. Then the swelling went away and natural lines started showing up again when I smiled. BUT the permanent wrinkle I had from side sleeping is almost completely gone and a scar I’ve had under my eye since I was a child is MUCH less noticeable. Overall, I am happy with my results and glad I finally did it!