I think I am just being human (and a girl) when I try to be vain sometimes. The last time I had a decent facial was a year ago- on a holy week when its the only downtime I could afford to get zapping my face, this year I took advantage of the holy week vacation, and decided to get some pampering done! Unlike my previous facial experience, this year proved to be the most stressful, ahuhu. When the scar is more troublesome than the warts itself! So my advise, in the case of facial problems, make sure to get service from a reputable clinic, because you can face any problem, but what if the problem is your face?
Facial where?
I tried Gold facial + electrocauterization from Corderm Advanced Dermatology Center, and it was really a breeze, plus Dra. Margaret was literally the best derma I had, but yes pricey talaga. I also tried the no-downtime-facial at Shinagawa Facial because it's very accessible to me and they were giving away free vouchers last time. Last week, I got a leaflet from the spa center I would normally have my nails done, and surprised to see that they do facials too, so voila! I decided to give it a try! My plan was to have laser warts removal, Diamond peel, and Photo Rejuve combo. The leaflet 's price is P2,500/ area, but she told me to avail the Laser treatment for P3,000, faster healing (which I doubt), and guaranteed you could wash it next day. Uh uh she got me.
Facial time
I went there Friday afternoon before the long holiday to get the warts removal treatment. I mean I don't really have a lot, but I just hate the feel of small bumps on my face, and that its contagious so that it needs zapping. The ladies were very polite, I like them since they were all accommodating. Didn't wait too long because I was lead to a pink room immediately.
The "room" barely separated by a see-through curtain from the main spa room
is with thin wall dividers so therefore I could look into my left and see another customer who's having facial too. Ok , no big deal.
The Procedure
I was expecting they'll ask me to wash my face but she asked me to just lay down. Next, she put some mask on my face to clean it, and massaged it which is relaxing by the way. Then a lady who introduced herself as Ms. Nurse started applying atopic anesthesia on my face to numb it for the laser treatment. Then comes my-not-so-favorite part- waiting time for like 45mins for the cream to settle and skin absorption. I felt like my skin is thickening na, this is what it feels like to have a makapal na mukha, lols. Finally, the doctor came by my area to start the procedure.
I only felt a slight prick, not painful except that I was too conscious when she started targeting the eye area, and could actually smell something is burned. It took her like 30mins, wow that much? I had warts that much on my face? Really?
By that time she was finished, I was so relieved. Ms. Nurse cleaned my face and put some antibacterial cream. Next thing, I felt the stinging sensation esp. on the cheeks area, Ms. Nurse keeps coming back to put more cream on my both cheeks. 20 mins later, I'm feeling ok, the sting have subsided na.
I was given prescription for Fucidic Cream 3x day (antibacterial cream after washing), use of Cetaphil (she prescribed me a Dermablend facial wash) but I insisted I have Cetaphil pa, and sunscreen.
The waiting game begins...
Day 1
Fresh from the warts removal, I used the mask to cover up my face.
Hm, its not that much I'd say.
Day 2.
The wounds are starting a bit to heal, I wash it with Cetaphil very gently.
It feels kadiri when you wash it, you could feel the scabs on your skin , arte ka ghorl?
and apply Fucidic Cream
Day 3.
The scabs are now darker.
So that leaves me at home lang, with nothing to do..
Day 4.
I wish they'd fall off soon. Downtime is boring, I would stare at my face all day!
Day 5.
I had to do some errands so I just put my mask on, and sunscreen.
Here the scabs are really obvious. Yikes.
Day 6.
Ok, so I have to be in the office na, so I just use my ala-KPOP mask and shades on.
Used a BBCream, sunscreen SPF50 lang. The scabs are not even visible! Keep it coming.
Day 7-8
I think they are all healed na, but I wish they'd be gone very soon.
Day 9.
Ok, so I went to the spa center to get my Diamond Peel + Rejuve.
I had a slight pricking on my face, Diamond Peel with small vacuum like needles which feels really good on the skin. The girl ask me about my skin condition and explained to her I had warts removal week ago, it kind of funny because she's just ask me now! Next, the Photo Rejuve which is a laser treatment for scars, and collagen production of skin, max 15mins-20mins. The cold facial mask is just relaxing!
Imagine the horror...
After like 30 mins, I almost died when I saw my face, red pricks, and obvious scars everywhere! In fact I almost never want to go home because of the result of the Diamond Peel+ Rejuve, and to think I have to work tomorrow na! The lady prescribed me a Hydrocortisone for the swelling and told me to apply 3 x day, up and max of 7 days. Of course I'm aware of the impact of steroid creams!
Day 10.
Concealer does the trick. But I still can see the dark spots.
I called the clinic for follow-up, but unfortunately the doctor is not available on my available time, ok reschedule nlang...
Day 11.
I noticed that my scars are raised, and not flat as my previous experience with warts removal, although completely healed, it kind of formed a keloid. Annoying, when I have a jam-packed schedule this week, the only breather I have is Monday which is a holiday! So no choice. I stopped with Hydrocortisone na. I still put moisturizer and handful of sunscreen to protect the face.
Day 12.
The scars are so bothersome day by day. It looks like I had allergies!
In fact my friends and officemates asked me what happened to my face daw.
#whenthescarsareannoyingthanthewartsitself.
Day 19.
Today, I managed to schedule a follow-up with Dra. Veronica Policarpio. She examined my face and I asked her about the raised scars on my face after the treatment. She asked me what took me so long to go back and do my follow-up daw, I almost like my God please don't make me, but I just kept my cool and told her the schedule did not work.
She explained that Laser treatment daw, normally unlike electro-cauterization does not go deeper to the skin, so therefore there is a possibility that the patient would go back for another treatment to remove the warts- I was like- what?!
Her solution: Go back for another session to remove the remaining "warts". So I told her, I cannot afford another downtime, really trying hard to fight the need to shout because of frustration. Really, this is totally, totally unacceptable! I was offered a Vitamin C derivative to whiten the scars which I have to pay din, Php1,200/ bottle.
Dermaviews Vitamic C derivative to whiten the scars
My Key Takeaway
If I could go back to, I wouldn't want to have done it HERE. It was meant to be a de- stressing time for me, but turns out- the whole thing gave me more stress! And the fact that you can not do anything about it except wait, for the bottle of Vitamin C to take effect, and praying it will. I guess, the reason I'm sharing my face in all it's un-glamourous state is to hopefully help you decide, when you're planning to do something about your face, body etc., to think twice as much!!! It's okay to have it done, but make sure you know who's going to do it, and they are well capable of doing it. Talagang GMG ng gmg lang!
So in the end, I got the Vitamin C bottle, and I pray it would work, I plan to go back for follow-up in 2 weeks time, but honestly, I hope I will not find the need to go!
******************UPDATE!*****************
Day 28
Photo taken in Shanghai , China while on business trip, and yes, I look like
I bumped myself on a plate full of needles.
Day 38
A month and a week after the procedure, despite all efforts of religiously putting some Vitamic C derivative, the scars are still visible, so that leaves me to take it to
the next level,.that is to get scar laser treatment to remove the unwanted
reminder of that procedure. In my mind singing #neverenoughNeverNever
********MORE UPDATES!**********
Last May 25th, I went back for a back job, this time, the procedure was ok, probably because they know I'm all too complaining. Start off with a cleanser, then anesthesia on parts that needs to be done again in this case on my cheeks area only.
The session was fast, and no single stinging felt!
Day 45
Photo taken June 8th, 2 weeks after the back job work.
All scars gone, and still using the Vitamin C moisturizer.
Oh di ba pwede na umawra, keber sa stress!
Be beautifully YOU,
itsmelory (^.^)
