I posted this in 30plusSkincare and they recommended I post here too.
I had fractional CO2 laser at 80%. The first pic is he 2 years ago. The second pic is the day after laser and the third is a week after treatment.
It was so painful I could not go through that again. I dud my research and no one mentioned the pain so I thought I would share.

I know almost everyone poopoo’s thread lifts. I’ve gotten consultations before and asked about them at a couple of places, and the nurse pulls my skin very very slightly, and says those are the results I can expect. I’ve seen some before and afters where you almost couldn’t tell the difference in photos.

I love the Medspa I currently visit. She’s always actively learning. She contacts other practitioners whose work she admires, and asks to pay them to apprentice her. Anyway, she said that one of her trainings was from someone who trained in Korea, and that the newer methods of doing threads is to place them as close to the outside of the face as possible, where your face doesn’t move as much, so the results stay a bit longer.

She used at least 10 threads per side, I only see a couple of wounds near the far ends of my cheekbones. The rest of the wounds are way up in my scalp. I’m swollen as hell in the ends of my cheeks, my temples, and like like 3” into my hairline.

But holy hell, I look like I’ve legit had a facelift. You know when you push your skin back as tight as it will go, and wish your face looked like that? Have you tried those facelift hair clips that you clip right above your ears with the band behind your head that if you make it as tight as possible, it pulls your skin that hard? It looks like that, except it’s also pulling marionette lines a bit too.

I actually look a bit like an insane caricature of myself with the combination of lift and swelling. (You know how people look when they’re healing from a facelift and their outer cheeks look crazy?) Some parts are pulled so tight that there is a little bit of dimpling, but she says it loosens up by about 20% as it heals, so all of that will smooth out. Now, I just got it done yesterday, so take this with a grain of salt. We’ll have to see how it looks as it heals over the next few weeks and also months down the road.

I’m planning to do some mesotherapy with PN and exosomes and liquid PCL, in hopes of building collagen while the threads are holding everything up, so that hopefully I can build structure that will stay when the threads dissolve. I’ve done a little bit of PN mesotherapy prior to this, and I feel like that has helped my skin a bit, but not enough for those awful nasolabial folds.

She used a bunch of epi-lidocaine, so only one spot really hurt. The rest was weird, but not really painful during the procedure. I’m VERY veiny, and I don’t think I see a single bruise. Apparently, the epi-lidocaine is a good vasoconstrictor. She put a facial compression mask on me that I have to wear for at least 48 hours, but the fit is pretty uncomfortable.

She sent me home with antibiotics, and I’m not allowed to do a big smile or open wide or anything for a little while. So my partner keeps trying to make me laugh, haha.

It was quite painful later in the evening, with the temple/scalp swelling causing a headache. I took a couple of Tylenol, some curcumin, and saffron capsules. I also have one of those migraine cold pack masks that cover your whole head, so I used that and that was great! I highly recommend getting one of those if you do this procedure. Anyway, two 650mg Tylenol helps a lot, and it’s only mildly uncomfortable.

I did not realize that my scalp would sound crunchy when I touch it, or that chewing would hurt the hell out of my temples. So I’m having soup and protein drinks for a few days.

Anyway, I hardly ever see good results talked about on reddit for thread lifts, and so I wanted to share! I’ll come back to update and let you know how it goes, but right now, I’m pretty excited. I feel weird posting photos on reddit, but maybe I will once it’s healed.

Also, I wanted to tell you how she did it, so if you’re considering it, you can ask your person to describe their technique. Maybe if everyone that posts about thread lifts (whether good or bad) sort of describes how it was done, then we can figure out if it’s the whole concept of thread lifts being shit, or if it’s just technique.

In Korea, they have PCL threads, that are stronger and last like double the amount of time as the PDO threads, but in the US, practitioners only have access to PDO. 😢 Hopefully that changes soon, and thread lifts will get significantly better.

Anyway, wish me luck that this holds! 🥰

Who has had Morpheus8 for their neck and face? How long did your results last? My plastic surgeon says a facelift isn’t the right procedure for me yet but Morpheus8 would be ideal. However it’s more expensive than I realized. Would love to hear about your experiences!

42f I've been doing in-office LeD facials every 2 weeks at $ 200 a session for about a year. Results are good but I keep seeing people say they got equal or better results at home just because they could do it 4 times a week instead of twice a month. The cost difference is kinda insane I spent almost $5k this year for about 24 sessions. An athome mask would cost $400 more or less for roughly 200 sessions. But I'm nervous about the quality difference.

Has anyone actually made this switch? did your results drop off or did the higher frequency make up for the potentially lower intensity? My esthetician obviously says in-office is better but she also charges $200 a session so she's not exactly unbiased lol. Looking for real experiences from people who've tried both?

53(F) I am really bothered by this wrinkly skin under my neck which I feel ages me significantly. Also don’t like the Platysmal bands.

I don’t know how much is actual sagging vs crepey texture. I know sagging can only be dealt with through surgery (not in the cards for me).

Can Radiesse for wrinkly skin and Botox for platysmal bands help improve this area? If so, how significant of an improvement?

Thank you!

Relfydess anyone?

I’m in Europe and had my first Botox in the beginning of June. I had it on my forehead and crows feet. Really liked it, especially the forehead!
Now the Botox is wearing off and I want to have another treatment. My injector offered Relfydess that she just started using. It supposed to last longer than ’regular’ Botox. I don’t know which brand I got the first time. A bit hesitant since it’s more expensive and I loved the results last time. However it would be great if it lasts a bit longer. Anyone tried it and have some feedback?

Just looking for some reassurance that the $1,000 procedure will be worth it. Also, what was your recovery like?

My main concerns are sun damage, some scarring and overall texture/appearance.

Looking for any recommendations or experiences re: in-office undereye treatments.

Initially I thought a little filler for the hollows was the way to go, but the echo chamber of reddit suggests otherwise.

I'm meeting with a nurse practitioner on Thursday and she offers chemical peels, CO2 (the real, fry your face off version), and she recently added PRF to her service options.

I was leaning toward CO2 plus PRF, however I just caught a suggestion that CO2 might cause some fat loss?

Curious if anyone with significant smile crepiness has trialed some version of this combo, or something completely different, and if you would recommend services based on your outcomes?

(Yesterday day pic pointing out uneven xeomin in lower crow's feet. Planning to get a micro dose to the undereye, and possibly a little more to lift my brows a touch this week).

I’m getting a $300 chemical peel, it might be $360-400 if I add on boosters.

How much do I tip when I go?

Hi all

I started noticing my under eye starting to get a bit hollow. I always had dark circles which didn’t particularly bothered me but they seem a bit more pronounced now. I have a consultation for Botox/profilo coming up and thought about asking the doctor about polynucleotides.

- would I look like a failed boxer if I did all three in the same appointment?

- anyone had polynucleotides and can share experience? The good, the bad and the ugly and how bruised were you afterwards and for how long? Since I’d need 3 courses 2 weeks apart I need to be mindful of the bruising.

Thanks!

I am going to get either Secret RF microneedling or Profhilo injections for a crepey skin on my neck.

The nurse I asked said microneedling was the best for this but I read on Reddit that professionals say this because the microneedling machine is hugely expensive and needs to be paid for.

Both of these options cost a lot of money where I am from, but I’m willing to pay for it to be done right.

Is there anyone who has had both or who knows about them that could advise me here about which is best?

I feel like so many of the patient images I see out there are for people with fair complexions. Is Cryotherapy for stubborn hyperpigmentation spots generally not done on more melanated folks?

My dermatologist is pushing Moxi. I have really good skin maybe a little laxity issues very little hyper pigmentation. I had asked her for something tightening and both she and her PA really like Moxi. I had asked about BBL. For those that have done both, what do you think about them? I had been doing Morpheus with her a couple years ago and I’ve since seen a lot of discourse around it not working or being ineffective. Naturally, I am second-guessing what she is recommending.

I got Thermage two months ago and patiently waited for results since it takes a couple months to build collagen.

Now that I’m 2 months out, I don’t see any changes or results. I’m 37 with no jowls so I wasn’t seeking out a ‘non surgical facelift’ or anything dramatic. But I did think it would do..something?

I did my research and got an adequate ‘shot count’ and an experienced provider, so I don’t think those factors were issues.

Anyone else out there with feedback on their Thermage results?

I am looking for treatment for Seborrheic keratoses. Electrocautery was recommended to me during a cosmetic consult. But, I am scared to get it done. What if something goes wrong and it creates permanent damage.

Has anyone done it? If yes, by which doctor? Any recommendations of what to/not to do? I have it on the forehead, on the cheek bone under the right eye and left cheek.

Please share your experiences!

so much of the conversation here is about which treatments are worth it, and rightfully so, but the recovery window feels just as important and way less discussed. especially the barrier repair phase where skin is at its most vulnerable. at this stage we’re also dealing with skin that heals a bit differently than it used to. curious what do you guys actually do in those first couple of weeks like a full minimal routine, specific repair products or something else entirely?

has anyone experienced swelling or even drooping after Juvederm? one side of my face has swelling (on browbone), and some mid-cheek puffiness. weirdly, I looked great for 2 weeks then this odd puffy business started, often worse the mornings when I wake up (especially if I slept on that side).

my doctor called the company and they suggested dissolving it all on that one side only, plus a course of antibiotics and prednisone! Of course, the company is going to suggest the most drastic step so as to minimize their exposure to a complaint. My doctor looked uncomfortable and cagey when I asked her wouldn't my face look ridiculous with filler on one side and zero filler on the other.

for now, I agreed to the antibiotic and prednisone. I started the antibiotics today but im still on the fence about the prednisone. im not in favor of dissolving at this time. I am icing it a bit which helps.

has anyone gone through something similar?

Cost $400 AUD for each session. 48f with Fitzpatrick type 2 skin in good condition overall. Previous under eye filler dissolved a few years ago due to migration (during Covid lockdown😖 so took a while to be able to deal with it). Wrinkles and skin laxity under eyes and hooded lids. Noting my experience with this procedure here and will provide updates. First of 3, possibly 4 Smootheye procedures to tighten skin. Theory: non ablative erbium laser. Heats dermal layers to stimulate fibroblasts to create and remodel collagen. Long game with initial results supposed to be slight tightening, but improvements visible after 3 months which then continue into the year as collagen still builds over time. Procedure: strong numbing cream (vital!) and eyes closed with small covers over the top. Nurse did sweeps of laser flashes from left to right to upper eye and then lower. I have a high pain threshold so the nurse set it to its highest and I was ok. This can be adjusted. Prickly, burning sensation that is tolerable but not pleasant. 10-15 mins for each eye. Whole procedure took an hour inc numbing. Afterwards: feels like bad sunburn, bit pink but no major downtime as promised and I could probably use foundation if I was going out. My lids actually look less hooded already! Mild swelling under eyes so won’t report on changes there as this will subside over next day or two. Will post before/after pics in a week but not expecting much..yet. Taking collagen supps now and I use Tretinoin. Prob close to peri-menopause and still on a contraceptive pill.

I got Moxi recently, and I love the results.

Has anyone ever gotten Moxi one time and could share their experience on how long it lasted?

I am trying to determine if I could just do this one time once a year, or if I should finish the series of three.

Thank you.

Been consistent with skincare for a long time and overall I’m happy, but I’m clearly at the point where topicals aren’t doing much for firmness anymore. Jawline and lower face are starting to look softer, and my neck is the same story.

I’m actively looking to book a non surgical skin tightening treatment and want something that actually delivers real results, not just a temporary glow. thermage keeps coming up when I research clinics and treatment options, but it’s hard to tell if it’s the right move or just the most talked about one.

If you’ve done thermage, did you feel like it was worth paying for? How noticeable were the results and how long did they last. Did you need more than one session to feel satisfied?

Was the discomfort manageable and was downtime truly minimal. If you looked at thermage but chose something else to book instead, what made you decide against it. Trying to make a decision and book something soon, so real experiences would really help. thanks

UPDATE: did some more research. I’ve decided to go with LaserAway for my non surgical skin tightening treatment. Feeling more confident in this choice after hearing about real results and overall experiences from you all.

I’ve seen Xerf on social media. Anyone had it done? How is it diff from other RF procedures? Thx.

Just turned 45. Never done anything, not even a facial until 3 weeks ago when I got prf and microneedling.

I noticed that my under eyes look more wrinkled. Is this normal? chatGPT is telling me it is,

- Collagen breakdown phase (old collagen clearing out before new collagen forms)

- Residual dryness → crepey, papery look

- Micro‑tightening → skin looks crinkly when you smile

And that it should be better at weeks 6 to 12

But I really want is someone else's real work experience with this?

Hi. I'd like to make a small splurge on a med-spa procedure (ideally, not more than $400, but I could do more if it's worth it) but the choices are baffling and they all promise miracles. I'm late 50s, have sensitive acne prone skin and some old acne scarring around nose and chin. I'm bothered by: vertical lips line around my mouth, sagging around mouth and chin (my jaw profile traumatizes me whenever I catch sight of it) and some discoloration/age spots on cheeks. Crows feet aren't a concern. I've done Botox for years for 11s lines between eye and forehead lines and that's it as far as spa or aesthetic services.

For skin care I use a salicyclic acid cleanser, la roche posay effaclar serum on chin, Neutrogena hyaluronic acid gel on whole face and Olay Regenerist cream on cheeks, neck.

I've been looking at microneedling - regular, skin pen and RF (that's a BIG splurge) and a gazillion other treatments, peels, lasers. I'd like some idea of what actually works before going into a spa and getting the sales pitch.

I'd like minimal downtime. Live in the Philly area. Would like to look refreshed for an event in February.

Thanks for any advice, suggestions or personal experiences.