Fractional Resurfacing Laser Facial Diary
Have you ever heard of a Fractional Resurfacing Laser Facial? Or maybe just a Laser Resurfacing Facial?
Yep, they’re the same thing!
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this treatment and are intrigued as to what it is.
Maybe you’ve heard of it but want to know what it’s like.
It might be that you have an upcoming treatment and want to know what to expect.
You’re in the right place! I’m Amy, Owner of Pure Emporium, and I received a Fractional Resurfacing Laser Facial Treatment during our Laser Training back in June and wanted to share my experience with you!
You’ll also read my results why I’m loving my treatment journey.
It’s best I start with explaining what a Fractional Resurfacing Treatment is...
Fractional resurfacing can be done on the face or the body. It’s incredible for anti-ageing as well as improving the appearance of scars or stretchmarks. (I had the facial for the anti-ageing benefits.) It’s one of the most advanced resurfacing treatments available, without any scary down-time. It’s known as the gold standard laser facial treatment. This is your go-to facial if you’re wanting to see more dramatic changes regarding anti-ageing.
During the treatment, multiple microscopic laser beams are flashed onto the skin’s surface, leaving the epidermis (top layer of the skin) unharmed, but causes damage to 20% of the dermal layer of the skin’s tissue (the lower layers of the skin.) Damage is a scary word – but trust us, it’s not! The other 80% non-injured skin cells in the dermis work to repair the damaged ones, triggering the skin’s healing response. The healing response kickstarts the skin’s regeneration process, and large amounts of collagen are stimulated. The boost of collagen and fresh skin cells majorly improve the overall skin tone, texture, and tightness of the skin. Imagine pressing the reset button on your skin and having fresh, plumped, juicy skin cells in the area we treat – amazing stuff. This is how we get the results!
The regeneration process start right away, but can take 3-6 months to see the maximum results. Your skin is getting renewed way past your treatment! The gift that keeps on giving…
Who is it suited to?
If any of the following concerns are a bugbear for you, or maybe all of them, a Resurfacing Laser Facial at Pure Emporium is the top-notch option.
Deep lines and wrinkles
General Ageing
Prevent ageing
Improve the skin’s texture
Congestion or under the skin spots
Blackheads
Uneven skin tone / colour
Enlarged pores
Sagging (the need or want to tighten the skin.)
If you want the best-of-the-best treatment to get results, this is it.
I kept a diary following my first treatment so I could share with you my full experience.
Treatment day
The great thing is you don’t need to do anything on the lead up to the treatment at all! It doesn’t even matter if you have a tan or not.
I was all cosy, lay on the couch beneath our lovely blankets. It all started with a thorough cleanse of the skin, and then the laser goggles were placed over my eyes.
The equipment used is attached onto our Laser machine, and the part that touches your skin has a small round head to it. This gets placed on the skin. I had no idea what to expect apart from assuming it will feel uncomfortable... to my delight – it wasn’t! The little round handpiece gets moved across your skin and flashed each time (it sounds like a little click.) After each click, little white dots would be appearing on my skin to show where the machine had been flashed. This shows where the laser beams have penetrated, and the magic starts to happen.
It started on my forehead, and then moved down around my face. After a couple of minutes, I could feel my forehead becoming tingly and warm. This is completely normal. A cold, damp compress was then placed on my forehead, whilst working elsewhere on my face. Once one cheek was complete, another compress got placed on the area – the same after the other cheek, then the nose, chin, and then then around my jawline and neck.
I was notified beforehand that the skin will start to feel like it’s been sunburnt after the treatment, so it was no surprise to me that I looked red! The cooling sensation of the compresses is just wonderful, and this is done for a full 20 minutes on each area before the treatment is complete. No products are used on the skin at the end of the treatment, allowing the regeneration process to begin naturally.
Slight swelling is also completely normal, however I didn’t encounter this at all.
Afterwards my skin did feel sunburnt - Tight, warm, and slightly irritated.
Following the treatment, it’s recommended to carry on cooling the skin if you want to, which I did myself, avoid any products or makeup for 24 hours, not to exercise that would create a sweat for 24-48 hours, and stay out of direct sunlight on the areas that you’ve had treatment for 1-2 weeks. (Normal time walking / being outside in England with SPF following 24 hours is fine.)
I had to get back to work a couple of hours after my treatment, with a mask on, however I’d advise not making any plans for 24 hours following your treatment. It’s important that you let your skin do its thing and to keep your skin cool without being disturbed. You might be a little conscious of the redness straight after too. This is to be expected for around 24 hours, getting calmer as the time goes on. (I’d say just go home and relax! It’s a perfect pre-weekend treatment if you’re normally out and about in the week!)
Day 2
As you can see from the comparison photos (the top ones show my skin just 8 hours after the treatment - and the bottom ones show my skin 19 hours later.
By the next day the skin has calmed down so much!
I didn’t look as red but could still tell I’d had something done and my skin felt tighter. This is normal!
It’s still recommended to leave the skin clear of any products until 24 hours before.
Once my 24 hours were up, I applied the Lynton Light Soothe Cream, followed by the Lynton SPF to keep my face protected.
Day 3
The skin felt much calmer and the redness wasn’t noticeable. I applied some light makeup, and if you look close could still see a white dot pattern on the face which became more noticeable with heavier, cream makeup.
The tiny dots on the face are what dries out, you wouldn’t even know they were there if you weren’t able to see them, but it’s good to know that they go slightly more bronze in appearance as the skin dries. You must leave them to flake off on their own as this is simply where the laser has penetrated through the skin.
Day 4
Wakey-Flakey! On this day my skin felt slightly rough to the touch, simply due to the dryness which is a good thing as we know the skin is doing what it needs to do! It didn’t look rough, only when you felt it. I popped on the light soothe and SPF and makeup – the little dots are still there.
Day 5
The skin feels smoother but the little dots are still a little noticeable when wearing heavy makeup.
Day 6
skin feels smoother again! The dots are now only noticeable on my forehead when I have makeup on.
Day 7
The little dots have completely gone, and my skin is feeling fab!
Current Results
The results from this treatment are at their highest 3-6 months after. So, what have I noticed so far? Since receiving the treatment, my skin texture has improved. I used to get those annoying little under the skin spots and they’ve dramatically reduced. The size of my pores are much smaller, and I have much less blackheads on my nose and chin area. My skin colouring / tone is now super even, and I love this when I have no makeup on! I also love the fact my skin feels tight, and firm and collagen carries on being produced between 3-6 months after your treatment meaning my skin’s going to carry on improving!
To get the best results, a course of 3 or 4 treatments are recommended around 6-8 weeks apart.
I hope this has enlightened you as to what to expect during your Laser Resurfacing Facial or Body treatment (the after effects will be very similar irrespective of which area is worked on.)
It’s incredible!
If you’re ready to receive the gold standard of treatments, we’re ready to treat you! A laser consultation is required before your first treatment where we will sit down together, go through your main concerns and ensure you’ll receive the best treatment for your needs. You’ll also receive a little patch test with the Laser machine to ensure you’re good to go!
You can book your laser consultation by clicking online - click right here
See you soon!
Amy x