Could I piggyback on this -- it's not really off topic -- what do folks think of laser treatment? Specifically "IPL Photo Rejuvenation" for dark spots? Compared to the kinds of treatments leahcate is asking about?

leahcate, hope you don't mind -- maybe you'll get more info than you had originally in mind and it will help you even more? Hope so...

I have been really happy with the chemical peels from this company. I use the glyco/lac for fine lines and dryness but there are producs for spots too. Plus, you can do it at home and it's inexpensive.

If you have never done anything before, it's a great place to start.

Here is a link that might be useful: Skin Laboratories

I have a microderm facial about every six weeks. She uses a glycolic peel as well. I think it has helped a lot with my brown spots. She also "microplanes" the skin with a surgical blade, scraping the skin. My skin is a little sensitive after the procedure and she recommends being gentle with it for a couple days.

I'm a blue-eyed blonde and have brown spots on my cheeks, and a weird line of brown on my chin and forehead.

The dermatologist prescribed Tri-Luma cream, which I guess isn't being made any more, but I found some. It seems to help a lot. Insurance didn't cover it, it was close to $200.00.

Beth P.

Haven't had one, but have seen my friends a few hours after some. I don't think it is for me. Be sure to go to someone very well recommended, better yet, someone you know who has had this done by the particular practitioner.

I had the AFT (advanced florescent technology) Photofacial on my entire face, concentrating on a few dark spots last spring as well as a 10% AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) peel. A microdermabrasion is automatically done before these procedures.

The zaps burned, but only momentarily, she went back several times to "work" on two small dark spots on my upper cheek. She also zapped two spots I had on the back of my hand.

The peel burned for about 40 minutes afterwards and I had my AC on high and put a babywipe with water on my face at every traffic stop on the way home, so if you have it, be warned that it can continue to burn for awhile before the self neutralizer kicks in. ;)

My skin looked fine to go out, just not "great" for about eight days--no one noticed but me, I think. The dark spots slowly rise to the surface of the skin and after about 4 or 5 days, you can take your fingernail and just remove them--I couldn't believe those two small spots (smaller than a pencil eraser) that had bothered me for several years were just gone!

Regarding the peel, my skin never peeled, it just got dry and flaky, and you have to protect it with heavy SPF (high numbers) and stay out of the sun, wear hats, etc. The most that happened was light flaking, so I kept it moisturized with heavier than usual moisturizer. This is a "lunchtime" type peel.

I was very pleased with the results, my skin looked better, pores tighter, the couple of brown spots were gone, but the light melasma on my lower cheeks remains--that can't really be treated like this effectively. My skin light olive toned.

Last summer I was learning to drive our boat and my hat kept blowing off, so I took it off--30 minute in 100 temps, August sun, and the melasma was worse--the downside of Retin A.

So I went back last month, had another AHA peel (the photofacial isn't necessary again) and this time I am going in for one session a month for the next 4-6 months. The stinging was not as bad this time for some reason and I'm pleased with the results. I think cumulative results will show a difference in fine lines around my eyes, but honestly those don't bother me too much, the light melasma does bother me.

I am not sure how the photofacial would work on someone that had a lot of sun damage (many brown spots or freckles) on their face--I would think you'd have to be committed to have them all done because to remove 1/3 of them or 1/2 of them they'd have to be "spaced" evenly across your face...I don't know, but I did see results from someone that had it done on the sun damage on their chest and the results were quite good.

Additionally, I've been having microdermabrasions every 5 weeks or so for almost a decade. Last year we switched to the Dermawand, which is a diamond disk used across your face, it made it smoother.

There are websites where you can see photos of results of photofacials, pixel treatments, etc. on red areas, sun damage, etc.

I just purchased the Ansr Beam from Costco.com. It uses a specific wavelength of red light to "penetrate the skin more deeply, stimulating the collagen to create new, healthier cells. Red light rejuvenates the skin, reduces redness and pore sizes and improves skin texture and tone." It also has a blue light that treats acne. You are supposed to use it twice a day for 5 - 10 minutes.
I'll let you know how it works!

terri, are you planning to use the red light or the blue? Reviews are definitely mixed; I'd be needing the red light and it seems that the blue has better results.

I'm just planning on using the red light. I figured the investment was small, so why not?

I'll be interested to hear what your results are (over time, of course). I just went and researched my own dermatologists' office and they have the past head of OHSU Dermatology Dept., a major researcher, doing their laser procedures...after reading his bio, I feel almost embarrassed to ask him to remove silly brown spots...maybe I'd be better off with something I can use myself, so I'll be waiting to hear what happens!

I had a mild chemical peel, and honestly I saw no difference except my face was flaky for about a week. It definitely burned during the procedure, but I have very sensitive skin. Not worth the $100 for me.

I have heard the blue peels produce remarkable results, but they are expensive and very painful.

A good friend has had mutliple IPL Laser treatments, to the tune of several thousand dollars. I honestly can't tell any difference, and I only see her about twice a year since she is in CA and I am in TX.

Terri, I've just been reading at TruthinAging about light treatments...very positively reviewed over there. I'll be very curious to hear how yours works out.

I have been getting the micro and peels as part of my facial regimens, my skin is definitely clearer, although it's not like anyone would really notice.

One advantage to the micro and peels, is that I feel my pores are at their cleanest, which makes whatever creams or serums I use afterwards penetrate better. Right now I'm due for a good spring cleaning of the face, and I see a dullness to my skin, and my products seem to stay on top and not penetrate.
Even though I cleanse morning and night, there's always some residue that builds up over time .

I've had a few dark spots zapped on my legs last fall, just the ones that were bothering the most. I've also been getting Juvaderm fillers since the fall,
in 3 phases, my jaw line is less saggy and my cheeks are plumper, again,
not something that people really notice, it's a subtle improvement but overall I feel I look the best I can for my age without getting cut anywhere, lol....

I also had my brows and eyeliner done in permanent makeup, I can dash out the house without full makeup and not be looking scary.

That's very interesting mitch. Do you have a close up picture of your face? I would love to see the permanent makeup.

That IS interesting. I wouldn't want permanent eyeliner because there are too many times I wouldn't wear eyeliner and don't want to look "made up" all the time. BUT, my brows are getting thinner and shorter. I need to get info on permanent for that area. Is it natural looking? That is my greatest fear.

I have dark hair and dark brows and it doesn't look right if I don't fill in a bit.

tina

I'll have to experiment with pictures, lol..... to see if I dare post them.

My eyeliner is a thin line of smoky charcoal.

I found the process for the brows painful , it's a piercing needle, and the 5 days of healing difficult to deal with , scabs and such; the brown color develops later so having bacitricin on your very black brows for 5 days is not easy to camouflage.

( washing hair or showering with underwater goggles is a hoot; you can't drench the newly done work for a week until it's really set in )

I don't think it looks natural, I barely have a little fuzz on my brows, but it looks a hell of a lot better than it did when I penciled it in; it looks "made up" but I'm fine with that.
Someone with a certain quality/quantity of brow hair could have them filled in with the permanent makeup and it would look more natural, I think.
My technician does touchups a month later after the initial appt, the process is less but still there is healing time and the greasing up of the area. The eyeliner was nothing really,
being such a small surface, my eyes barely puffed up.
So I would suggest researching the methods, I found it quite the process to go through but am so happy it's done now.

Just returning to say thanks everyone for your opinions and experiences. :>)lc