My CO2 Laser Treatment with South William Clinic

WHY DID I HAVE A CO2 LASER TREATMENT?

I want to look as good as I can for my age. That’s the truth.  I eat healthily, I walk and I ‘do’ yoga. I go to a physical therapist regularly to look after my aches and pains. So, when it comes to my face, I have regular facials and I use potions and lotions daily. Because I write a blog for mature women, I get the chance to try treatments for free. I am choosy and do not take up every offer. But I do take advice from experts and I have had excellent treatments in the past, many of which I would be happy to have again.

Some treatments such as EMFACE and FRAXEL you need to have yearly.  Others like ULTHERAPY and CO2 LASER get longer results. Obviously, factors such as age and skin type play their part too.

WHAT IS A CO2 LASER TREATMENT USED FOR?

A CO2 Laser can be used to treat a number of skin concerns:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Pigmentation
• Skin tone
• Crows’ feet
• Sagging skin
• Scars

What it also does is help to increase the collagen levels in your skin, which dwindle as you age.

Nurse Aisling from South William Clinic felt that I would be a suitable candidate and get good results.

 

CO2 PROCEDURE ON THE DAY

On arrival at South William Clinic, Aisling applied a numbing cream and gave it plenty of time to take effect. Yes, I was a little nervous, but I knew I was in excellent hands.  Honestly, I did not find the treatment too painful at all. Maybe I have a very high pain threshold.

When finished, I was surprised to see my very red face. Before I left, Vaseline was applied and I was given very specific written instructions on aftercare by Aisling.

 

CO2 LASER RECOVERY

There is down time. I did not see anyone except family for five days. I did venture out for walks in the dead of night so no-one would see me. As I say in one of my videos, I did not want to frighten the natives. There was no pain, but yes inflammation and swelling. My skin was extremely sensitive and I have to admit sleeping was difficult for the first few days. First of all, I had to sleep on my back (elevated is advisable) and I don’t find that comfortable. Secondly, I could feel activity under the skin, like a tingling. The laser was doing its work. I was not aware of this during the day at all.

You need to look at my Instagram stories, if you want to SEE my recovery timeline.

 

CO2 LASER AFTERCARE

I had to keep my face clean and moisturised, using a mild cleanser and moisturiser. It is important to use non-irritating products.

DAYS 1-3

Below is evening of the treatment, my Vaseline-covered face did not look too bad. There was a tiny bit of bleeding.

I cleaned my face in the morning and evening and re-applied the Vaseline each time. This continued for 3 days.

DAY 2

Yes, I looked like someone from a horror movie. And I looked worse with Vaseline. Check out my insta stories.

Avoiding sunlight is also important. When I returned to the daylight, I made sure to use plenty of sunscreen (Skinceuticals SPF 50). I sound like a recovered vampire!

DAYS 4-7

My face was very red and sore around the jawline as it healed. I had the laser on Tuesday and on Friday (photo above), I washed my hair because I did not have to apply Vaseline any more. It felt so good. So after this, it was just moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Plus, Aisling had told me to use a hydrating mist like Avene Eau Thermale.

Also, it is important to stay hydrated and I did find that I was very thirsty, so I drank lots of water. It is advised to stay away from alcohol too, for obvious reasons.

I did get one tiny, little blister on day 6 which healed in a few days. I phoned the clinic and Aisling told me to to use Fucidin. It worked like a dream.

DAY 7 and onwards

I started to return to the world. My face was still a little red. I just used plenty of moisturiser and sun screen, unless I was going ‘out out’. Then I applied some tinted moisturiser to cover the redness.

5 WEEKS LATER

I was back in to South William Clinic for a review. Even at this stage, we could see a huge improvement though it is supposed to take several months to reach its full potential. Check out the photos below. The right side is more dramatic so I am showing that. You may be looking at the wrinkles, but there is also a clearness to my skin, a luminosity with which  I am particularly delighted.

AFTER… BELOW

I also noticed a huge difference under the eyes. Definitely less wrinkly and I had a rather noticeable red mark under one eye, which is way less obvious now. I am wearing no foundation in the photos below.

AFTER BELOW

CO2 LASER FINAL THOUGHTS

Is it worth it?

Yes, absolutely, but be prepared for some down time; you need a week to hide away. You can check out my instagram and FB stories for a day-to-day diary.

My treatment was gifted with no obligation to share. Check out www.southwilliamclinic.com or phone and have a consultation (redeemable against your treatment). This may not be a suitable treatment for you, but they have numerous other options, depending on your concerns. I went to Nurse Aisling, one of the Clinical Directors (Nurse Danielle is the other), and you form a relationship with your therapist when you put your face in their hands.

As I said at the beginning, I look after my body and mental health by eating well, exercising, yoga, physical therapy, maintaining relationships and friendships. I have always been a fan of facials and treatments. But this is the first time I have a treatment PLAN for my face.

I like it.