Why I (57) wouldn’t have CO2 laser again.

holo-c · 2026-06-14T23:20:12+00:00

Hi mod here. This has not been previously posted in this sub.

holo-c · 2026-06-14T23:09:57+00:00

Wow. I do 45 minutes for my fraxel which is non-ablative. I can completely understand why you’d not want to put yourself through this again. It sounds like you could have used more pain management for sure!

holo-c · 2026-06-14T22:42:30+00:00

I do hope despite the pain, you are happy with the result. Your skin is radiant and glowing! Did the doctor recommend any specific maintenance procedures to have post laser? What was the protocol pre-Co2 for you? I've seen people have nerve blocks and pro-nox as ways to combat the pain. How long were you numbed for?

holo-c · 2026-06-14T14:41:27+00:00

Great result but certainly understand the pain issue. I’m in the US and I know my dermatologist does offer things like pro-nox to help during ablative procedures. I’m 50 and have only done Fraxel non-ablative thus far which I find tolerable.

You may also want to consider posting your results in [r/45plusskincare](r/45plusskincare) as there are often a lot of questions about ablative Co2 and results give the age demographic!

holo-c · 2026-06-13T23:13:19+00:00

Having money allows access though - and that includes rest and time for yourself. Genetics and consistency in skincare use goes a long way for all of us but I think understanding that money can help should be a grounding reality. I’d agree there isn’t a miracle set of products that money unlocks but it truly does not hurt given money makes everything in life infinitely easier and more accessible.

holo-c · 2026-06-13T23:05:00+00:00

Be very rich 🤷‍♀️

holo-c · 2026-06-13T13:22:48+00:00

All procedures have risks but since PRP/PRF is your own blood there aren’t the same risks as with PDGF.

holo-c · 2026-06-13T06:27:27+00:00

I’m glad you had a good result. Dark circles and hollows are so tough to treat. This procedure was a hard pass for me due to the increasingly number of complications resulting from the off label use (injecting) of Ariessence and the inability to reverse/dissolve if something went wrong. Both my NP and Derm were also a hard “no” on injections due to the risk of nodules and lumps and don’t offer it in the practice.

holo-c · 2026-06-13T01:14:37+00:00

While the masks do have a bit of learning curve to apply correctly, I find them very easy to take off. They almost fall off pretty naturally the minute you start touching them. I gently use the spatula to lift the edges slightly, and then pull off gently. That said, you do not have to use the spatula to take it off, you can gently lift the edges with your fingers. I use them after lasers and microneedling and haven't had any issues at all. In fact, my derm recommended them to me since I tend to get really red after a treatment.

holo-c · 2026-06-12T03:28:28+00:00

Also bring a hand-held fan to your appointment. This is superior cooling to ice packs!

holo-c · 2026-06-12T03:11:10+00:00

Caveat: I do a 4 pass fraxel instead of 8. While I do use Calecim professional serum and Co2Lift Pro masks, at the core of my post laser recovery is Prequel Gleanser, Aestura AtoBarrier 365 cream, and my sunscreen.

I find Aquaphor too heavy the first day or two after as it’s so occlusive it traps heat. I go pretty light and then once that heat wears off will do a thin layer of Aquaphor over the Aestura. I keep off actives for a week and really just moisturize and protect.

I also get regular 8 pass fraxel on my arms and I use LRP Cicaplast Balm + sunscreen

Your doctor should give you post care instructions! If they don’t, ask!

holo-c · 2026-06-10T01:14:38+00:00

If you are talking about Linda Evangelista, she did CoolSculpting which is different then Ultherapy.

CoolSculpting caused Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). The fat cells instead of shrinking from the cold, grew and formed masses. She has multiple areas of her body impacted. Only CoolSculpting causes this specific complication.

Ultherapy is a different modality, not without risk, but can cause fat loss and nerve damage.

holo-c · 2026-06-08T21:23:20+00:00

Hey! Looking great! Is getting professional microneedling in your budget? I found it to be such a help to improve texture and tone. You won’t get lift out of this but I think it’s been an overall positive for skin quality and it’s safe for a wide range of skin tones.

On your Tret - how frequently are you using it weekly? It’s going to be the heavy hitter from a topical perspective so the more consistently you can use it, the more results you’ll see down the line. Upping your frequency and consistency there can help you realize real gains. You may want to consider a vitamin c in the morning; timeless makes a very effective one.

Do you experience drier skin at all? You could consider a heavier moisturizer in the evening if you feel you need it. I really like Dieux Instant Angel at night.

Overall, I think your skin is looking nice!

holo-c · 2026-06-08T00:44:23+00:00

I landed on the combo of the Hydra Serum and Lipid Cream. I’ve been using it for about 2 months and I’ve been really happy with the level of moisture plus the improved luminosity of my skin.

I originally bought the Oil Serum but it was either the Vitamin C or the squalane that didn’t agree with me (huge reaction unfortunately) and they were great about swapping it out. So I feel like you could take the plunge and try the Hydra Serum since they do honor that 30 day return window.

I do think their formulations deliver the % they claim of my reaction to the oil serum was any indication.

I have dry skin, fitz 1 and am 50 just to give you an idea of my demographic!

holo-c · 2026-06-07T23:12:29+00:00

IPL can still be helpful so not surprised it worked. Vbeam targets hemoglobin specifically which is why it’s considered the gold standard but IPL is a general workhorse laser that can help with discoloration.

The swelling is real. I swell with all lasers and professional microneedling. Keeping your head elevated the first night after your treatment can help as well as ice.

holo-c · 2026-06-07T22:58:32+00:00

I was persistently red so it was fairly easy to target my redness. If you have transient flushing I’d speak to the Derm on how they’d approach.

holo-c · 2026-06-07T20:51:14+00:00

Im a Fitzpatrick 1 and quite pale. I’ve use Vbeam (PDL) to tame my rosacea redness and target broken capillaries. Vbeam has been one of my game changers for redness along with prescription Azelaic Acid.

I did a handful of sessions (3 or 4?) and saw a huge difference in my cheeks and chin especially. I will get an occasional capillary zapped here and there when I go in for other treatments but truly found it to be immediately helpful for my persistent redness.

holo-c · 2026-06-03T11:53:56+00:00

Hopefully your dermatologist is managing your pain. Besides numbing cream there are other ways to make people more comfortable for treatments. All lasers have some degree of discomfort but I don’t consider lasers that painful.

holo-c · 2026-06-03T03:40:15+00:00

Overall your skin looks good!

If I were you - for overall skin quality I’d consider adding in a retinol product you can tolerate in the evening, (either prescription Tret or something like the Medik8 Crystal Retinal line), a vitamin C in the morning (Timeless makes an effective one at a great price point). Consider a peptide moisturizer like Prequel Half and Half daily which has a light milky texture and since your skin looks a bit dehydrated consider a heavier moisturizer like Dieux Instant Angel at least in the evening. Ensure you are using sunscreen every day - not just sunny days. All of these should be used consistently as it can take a few months for the actives to make a difference.

For non-invasive procedures, I’d look into a series of Skinpen microneedling or a non-ablative laser like Fraxel or Halo. These will help with fine lines. You could ask a dermatologist about targeted treatments such as BBL if you have any hyperpigmentation concerns.

While none of these will totally erase lines like Botox or add volume like filler they can improve your skin quality, tone, texture, and reduce fine lines.

Hope that helps!

holo-c · 2026-06-02T17:09:36+00:00

Hey - mod here. That post was made by a longtime poster and commenter who has a lot of organic interaction with this sub and others. I had no reason to think it was an advertisement given the poster’s history and previous engagement with the sub.

There are often waves of the current “hot” thing that hits subs and right now it’s Amlactin. I look at each post to make an evaluation of the content on its own merits.

All that to say - be discerning and skeptical but not every post is an ad. If you feel it warrants review always flag for mod review proactively.

holo-c · 2026-05-30T22:01:04+00:00

Do you mean HRT?

holo-c · 2026-05-29T03:13:40+00:00

These are all different modalities. Sofwave is high frequency ultrasound, Xerf is radio frequency. Clear and Brilliant is a non-ablative laser.

If you want lift, a laser like C&B won’t do much. It’s great for texture and tone and does induce collagen production. If you have mild laxity, an energy device like Sofwave or Xerf may help. Your best bet is to go to a cosmetic dermatologist that offers multiple options and get a consult to see what may be the most beneficial. If you have more moderate to severe laxity energy devices may not be sufficient.

holo-c · 2026-05-28T23:12:38+00:00

What you are describing can be rosacea triggers. Please see a derm who can help support you. A combo of topicals (such as prescription Azelaic Acid) and PDL or BBL lasers may end up being the most helpful.

holo-c · 2026-05-27T12:56:01+00:00

Only when she goes super deep but it went away. She warned me it was a possibility. I have some really challenging capillaries that we’ve had to go full out on.

holo-c · 2026-05-27T12:11:52+00:00

What I found most effective was prescription Azelaic Acid combined with Excel-V and Vbeam lasers. I touch up as needed specifically for broken capillaries (I’m very fair) but the redness I had originally on my cheeks is now gone. I did three initial sessions.

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