Let there be (Laser) Light!

tanning

{Getting our bronze on: Dani Diaz, moi, Vivi Duenas and I circa 1994}

treating sun-damaged skin

{Getting laser treatment with Aesthetician Holly at Dr. Leonard Tachmes‘ Miami Beach office}

laser facial

In highschool, my best friend Vivi (Dani would join occasionally) and I would hit the beaches located just South of Fifth, and douse ourselves with baby oil (see first photo which will make any red-blooded dermatologist curl up and croak). Afterwards, we’d rotate clockwise with the blazing sun for 5 solid hours while feverishly discussing our latest heartbreaks and hookups, how Ransom Everglades‘ curriculum is no joke, what we were going to order for lunch, what we were going to wear to the next “Casual Friday” at school, what we were going to eat for a snack and where we were going to grub for dinner. See a common theme here? We’re both next-level foodies. Clearly, we missed our calling as competitive eaters.

Fast forward to today, and these halcyon days on the beach have left me the gift that just keeps on giving (I kid!): Sun-damaged skin and brown spots on my face. But I’m hellbent on eradicating said sunspots with a little help of Doctor Leonard Tachmes and SharpLight‘s laser light therapy. Each session costs $250 and there’s no downtime or scary appearance (like Fraxel laser) afterward. Three to six treatments are needed for maximum results — this is not a one-trick pony per say.

The idea behind the laser treatment? The system penetrates deep into the dermal (second layer of skin) tissue where collagen (fibrous proteins) is produced to stimulate an increase in new collagen formation. This action tightens skin as well as reduce the appearance of redness, uneven facial textures, minor wrinkles and enlarged pores.

I received my first treatment (which takes about 20 minutes) last month with Holly and am going in for round two this Wednesday. There is minimal pain involved and the sensation can be best described as a blast of heat followed by a swift cooling sensation — with the area around the hairline being the most sensitive. Afterwards, I didn’t channel a red lobster and went about my day as usual. The following day, my sunspots were a little crusty (or “peppered” as Holly describes) and flaked off. One month later, I am indeed noticing a more even skintone. Holly tells me I’ll need 3 to 6 treatments to see maximum results, so I will update you all on this front.

The moral of the story? Always wear sunscreen and if you don’t, well, there’s a laser for that. 

8 Comments

  1. Seba
    January 5, 2015 / 9:39 am

    Loca!

  2. January 5, 2015 / 9:49 am

    Oooohhhhh goodie!! I’ve been wondering about this…I have two sunspots on my face. ugh! I was a baby oil girl too!!

  3. January 5, 2015 / 10:10 am

    I used tanning beds until a couple of years ago with absolutely no sun protection on my face. I’m just started using prescription Retinol to see if the freckles go away. I suspect laser is next =\

    Xo

  4. January 5, 2015 / 10:12 am

    I’m doing this! Tanorexics unite!

  5. January 5, 2015 / 10:47 am

    I’m right there with ya…baby oil was MY best friend. The darker the better. Loved seeing how “white” my skin was underneath my suit. All those years of baking really did my face wrong and I have a lot of dark spots which only get worse with time even though now I slather myself with sunscreen and wear hats the size of Key Biscayne.
    Let me know what you think after you finish the treatments.
    I may be right behind you in the laser bandwagon if it works.

    What I would do for my 16 year skin to come back.

    (Sigh)

    Xoxo

  6. Liane
    January 13, 2015 / 3:19 pm

    Is this different from IPLs?

  7. The Wordy Girl
    Author
    January 14, 2015 / 9:44 am

    Hi Liane! It’s the same as IPL. Hope this helps!

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