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 Smoothbeam Laser (Page 2)
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daisykatz99 Junior Member  Posts: 17 |
posted 08-20-2003 02:08 PM
  
Hey linnybee, I'm in SD too, Carlsbad area. I'm looking for a good derm in the SD area. Do you know if the smooth beam laser exfoliates your face also, or does it just affect your sebaceous glands? IP: Logged |
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Don't b Down Member Posts: 60 |
posted 08-20-2003 02:28 PM
haha holler back san diegans! IP: Logged |
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linnybee428 Veteran  Posts: 405 |
posted 08-20-2003 06:17 PM
I searched on the smoothbeam website and there was only one doctor in the area that has a smoothbeam machine. He is in carlsbad. There may be more, but they weren't listed on the site. I just had IPL done at SpaMD in La Jolla. They have a nice facility, but no smoothbeam. IP: Logged |
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clearfacepleez Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 08-21-2003 02:39 PM
This is my first post and I'm not big weblogger, but I think this is one of the most important sites on the internet. It has been a great source of information for and a wonderfully helpful community, so I feel like it's a responsibility to give back to this community. Anyways, I'll be logging my personal progress with the CoolTouch/Smoothbeam laser treatment on this thread. For those who don't know about CoolTouch, my derm suggested this as an alternative to Smoothbeam, though my treatment will use a combination of the two. My understanding is that CoolTouch just received FDA approval a couple months ago for facial acne treatment and is exactly the same as Smoothbeam except doesn't cause hyperpigmentation (e.g. in the form of streaks across the face that some patients had experienced) which a lot of people of darker skin tone (Asians included) experienced. I am currently signed up for 4 treatments (CoolTouch #1 and #2, and Smoothbeam for #3 and #4). Why the combination, I'm not sure, but they will be putting me on bleaching cream 2 weeks in advance of the Smoothbeam treatment. I just had my first treatment of CoolTouch yesterday and already I have seen dramatic results. By way of background, I'm 30 and have had facial acne off and on since my teenage years. But major acne just exploded on my forehead area a couple months ago after a two week trip to Italy (where I spent a lot of time in a heat wave). I tried micro retin a, tazorac, clindagel (which all made it worse) and have been on antibiotics (Dynacin which seems to help). Doing nothing except applying ProActiv sulfur on my acne areas at night before going to sleep helped some over the last couple weeks. Accutane was not an alternative for me for health reasons, so I resorted to laser treatment. The CoolTouch is about a 30 minute session that feels like your face is being spot treated with a very hot towel in 10mm circles. The numbing cream really helps. It's bearable but a bit uncomfortable. Apparently it's a little bit more aggressive than Smoothbeam. They say the success rate for CoolTouch/Smoothbeam on active acne/scarring is anywhere from 70-90%. It attacks the sebaceous glands directly to limit oil production the same way accutane does. Accutane they say may be more effective because it works from the inside out versus laser's outside in, but laser is more appealing because there are no side effects. They say most people see the positive effects after a couple treatments, but I started seeing results a couple hours after my first. All the bumps on my forehead shrank and is almost flat. There is still significant discoloration to the point that I have to apply concealing makeup (and I'm male by the way) in those areas, but I've been living with that for the last couple months. So that's my first log. I'll keep you all posted. My next CoolTouch treatment is in 3 weeks... IP: Logged |
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clearfacepleez Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 08-21-2003 02:51 PM
Oh one more thing. The cost of my laser treatments will be $250 for the first CoolTouch and $500 per session thereafter (so about $1750 for all 4 treatments). I've heard better deals. But if any of you are in the LA area and have heard of Dr. Rispler at the Laser and Dermatology Institute (Covina, Beverly Hills, and Irvine), I've heard some very negative things about him. I went in for a consultation and they quoted me $4500 for the same treatment! They do radio ads, but don't be fooled. What bothered me most was not the price, but that they were clearly trying to take advantage of a vulnerable situation and even lying. They said that "no one else in the area (LA) has this laser and the only alternative would be going to NYC." They started off suggesting 8 treatments for $6000 and worked it down to 4 treatments like I was deciding between the sports package and base car. I've since confirmed the shadiness of their operation with other derms where he apparently has this reputation for caring only about the money. IP: Logged |
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massim Junior Member Posts: 7 |
posted 08-21-2003 03:03 PM
Well, there are so many lasers and doctors... But the common thing is that you have to visit your dermatologist to have your treatment course. But I would like to discuss lasers for home use like RIQTA therapy laser. Has anybody tried this laser? IP: Logged |
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zealous1 Junior Member Posts: 11 |
posted 08-21-2003 05:43 PM
Slick32 I would just like to know where you are and who you see for the smoothbeam treatments. That is a great price for a full face procedure. Anyone Can anyone tell me what their first time experiences were with smoothbeam and If anyone can help me locate someone in the Albuquerque, NM area or the SW United States. I am seeking someone who can do either a full face or portions of the face for a fairly descent price. let me know all thanks. Zealous1 IP: Logged |
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ks52375 Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 08-22-2003 07:22 PM
I recently visited the Beverly Hills Laser Dermatology Center and felt like I was at a sales pitch. They quoted me $6500 for 8 sessions or $4500 for 6 sessions and as a 'deal' they would knock off $500 if I signed up right then. And they tried to sell it by saying how perfect my skin would be and how beautiful I could be. Ridiculous. If anyone around the Los Angeles area has found a better place with more realistic prices and good results, could you let me know? Thanks. IP: Logged |
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ShivaShakti Member Posts: 30 |
posted 08-22-2003 10:05 PM
Wow! In all my years of researching acne treatment, not once have I heard of this treatment. Perhaps it's because it's so new, or perhaps it's because I haven't been looking in the right places. Regardless, I'm incredibly excited! I'm on my third course of Accutane now, and I've have spectacular results everytime. The results, however, are only good after the first month or two of treatment and about two or three months after stopping treatment. I have no qualms with going on it whenever I feel that I need it. The side effects have been negligible, and the medication is worth every single penney. However, if this laser treatment works, I'd *MUCH* rather shell out a little extra cash and try it out. Minimal as the side effects are from Accutane, I'd much rather do without the chapped lips. After doing some quick research, I found some before and after pictures of this treatment, and a lot of information here: Just thought I'd pass it along! Namaste! [This message has been edited by ShivaShakti (edited 08-22-2003).] IP: Logged |
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vsam1 Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 08-29-2003 03:01 PM
Hi Slick32, the place that will do your entire face for $150, Is that for one sitting or for all of them (I know the latter is impossibly cheap) but just checking. IP: Logged |
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Scooterman Senior Member Posts: 237 |
posted 10-02-2003 05:33 PM
Holy o_O Those before and after pics are fantastic!!!! IP: Logged |
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loly Member Posts: 21 |
posted 10-02-2003 09:30 PM
my daughter had 2 smoothbeam treatments as we wanted to try this as an alternative to going on accutane again. at this time her acne was moderate and the derm thought the smoothbeam would help. just before she had her first one she had a big flare up, she had her 2 smoothbeam treatments and he said he did not think it would work for her as her acne was now severe and he recommended accutane as it is stronger and more effective with severe acne....so that is what she is on.....it is slow and go on 40 mg a day.....she's been on the 2nd round for 4 months and we are seeing an improvement but no "miracles".......check around on smoothbeam prices as we got in on a special they were having at $100 per treatment (full face) and a tech did it not the doctor.....if you saw the dr. too that visit then you also got charged for an office visit. the derm. said that the smoothbeam worked best on mild to moderate acne, not severe..... IP: Logged |
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loly Member Posts: 21 |
posted 10-02-2003 09:36 PM
my daughter had 2 smoothbeam treatments as we wanted to try this as an alternative to going on accutane again. at this time her acne was moderate and the derm thought the smoothbeam would help. just before she had her first one she had a big flare up, she had her 2 smoothbeam treatments and he said he did not think it would work for her as her acne was now severe and he recommended accutane as it is stronger and more effective with severe acne....so that is what she is on.....it is slow and go on 40 mg a day.....she's been on the 2nd round for 4 months and we are seeing an improvement but no "miracles".......check around on smoothbeam prices as we got in on a special they were having at $100 per treatment (full face) and a tech did it not the doctor.....if you saw the dr. too that visit then you also got charged for an office visit. the derm. said that the smoothbeam worked best on mild to moderate acne, not severe..... IP: Logged |
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Chelsi doll Veteran Posts: 257 |
posted 10-03-2003 05:33 AM
i have an appointment for my first smoothbeam treatment on tuesday. i don't have acne, just indented scarring that drives me crazy and a few small red marks from when i did have acne. i've been speaking with the head nurse over the phone, and i feel very comfortable with her; she's very nice and supportive and i don't feel like i've been given any kind of sales pitch at all. i'm going to pick up the numbing cream tomorrow...i'll sure have fun driving with plastic wrap all over my face! it's $250 per treatment, and i'll probably get between 4-6 treatments. i'll come back on tuesday and update. good luck to everyone else! IP: Logged |
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Perseverant25 Member Posts: 31 |
posted 10-03-2003 04:01 PM
I just wanted to add that I had one smoothbeam treatment done, and it had noticeable results. It was way more visible than all of the microdermabrasions I've done put together. In a lot of lighting, my face looks so much smoother and healthier, and my tiny icepick scars on my cheeks look a lot less noticeable and not as deep. I can't wait to get more treatments done when I have the money.  I wanted to know if anyone knew someone in California that does it for a low price? (Like $250 or lower) Thanks IP: Logged |
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jennymc41 Senior Member Posts: 151 |
posted 10-03-2003 09:00 PM
Does anyone know if there are smoothbeam lasers in b.c. IP: Logged |
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SeveredReign Junior Member Posts: 12 |
posted 10-05-2003 03:14 PM
i'm in CA, USA and was wondering about doing to dr. pilest but i wanted to know what are the steps to actually getting an appointment. do u need to go make an appointment in which the doctor looks you over and tells you what laser would work best and then u set a date for the first treatment or do u go and get teh treatment right on the spot after discussing which laser is right for you...can someone clear this up, i'm really interesting in getting he treatment. also how well does the smoothbeam laser work for red spots (i mostly have a ton of red spots all over my face and a few pimples), what can i expect? IP: Logged |
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SeveredReign Junior Member Posts: 12 |
posted 10-05-2003 06:56 PM
also i was wondering when u get the combination of smoothbeam and n-lite lasers does that mean they will go over your skin once with smoothbeam and then with n-lite right after that or doe that mean u get 2 sessions fo smoothbeam and 2 of n-lite? IP: Logged |
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SeveredReign Junior Member Posts: 12 |
posted 10-21-2003 05:56 PM
i'm going in for consultation with dr.pilest tomorrow i'll let ya know how it goes. i see people got SBa nd v-beam for 250-350 from him...i send them a messege and they reaplyed that they usually charge 600 for SB and V-beam combination..i'll use the info i got here to try and knock that down a bit. i live in santa clarita so it's about a 3.5 hour drive to irvine since traffic and all so i better get my first treatment tomorrow >:- o i'm paying $130 for consultation as well O_O;; looks like he's becoming a little greedy bahhh IP: Logged |
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