Third Procedure of Laser Acne Scar Removal: Day 1 & 2

As some of you know, my battle with acne has been endless. I had severe acne for a very long time until approximately two years ago. I have managed to keep my acne under control and therefore, I decided to look for options to get rid of the ugly scars acne had left behind. After plenty of research, I chose South Coast MedSpa to get treated. I have absolutely no regrets, South Coast has been extremely helpful, and needless to say, my skin has improved tremendously.

Day 1:

As I waited anxiously in the room with numbing cream on my face, I could not help but to think about the pain my face was going to experience...again! Each procedure increases its aggressiveness on the skin, and since this would be my third and final procedure I knew I was in for a great deal of pain.

I was prescribed Hydroco/APAP, otherwise known as Norco, to take 30 minutes before the procedure. The prescription said to take 1-2 every six hours. Now, since my first and second procedure were painful, I wanted to take no chances and decided to take the recommended two. Coincidentally, my practitioner walks in the room to check that I had taken two pills, I was not surprised...given this was my last treatment. The medication went into effect rather quickly, I began to feel light-headed almost immediately.

Light-headed and all, I was instructed to remove the numbing cream from my face and then proceeded to lay on the medical chair...

The pain was definitely there, and I did squeeze that stress ball like there was no tomorrow, but...I definitely tolerated the pain much better than I had anticipated. Verdict: Two Hydroco/APAP worked!

Not so fast...I might have not felt as much pain but for the remainder of the day I felt extremely nauseous (and vomited four times...yuck, I know). In the end, I preferred to have felt nauseous than to have felt the intense pain of the laser on my face.

On to the pictures? Just be aware that you WILL see blood.

The pictures above were taken an hour after the treatment. That is why there is minimal blood. I also have a layer of post laser recovery balm to "help minimize crusting while building a protective barrier as [my] skin is healing." I will be applying this balm every 2-3 hours for two days.

Day 2:

I am feeling good. I continue to dab the blood off my face (less than yesterday) and apply the balm every 3 hours.

Stay tuned for Day 3...