CLEAR & BRILLIANT

Being back in the US meant I would waste no time finding a plastic surgeon or a laser machine for a “tune up”. Ever since my last birthday, I wake up everyday wondering “Is today the day the shit hits the fan? or my ass hits the floor?” Will I look in the mirror and find someone who resembled one of my mom’s friends? Since I moved to Tokyo, I have not bothered trying to get any aesthetic procedures. Hell, when a mani-pedi can set you back $500, I can’t even bring myself to make an appointment for microderm. They probably charge by the grain. BTW, I also bought an at home microdermabrasion machine last week, but I haven’t had a chance to use it. I hope it doesn’t end up suffering the same fate as my bread machine. I’m a little afraid to use it. Once I get started though, I’m using that sucker everywhere. I’ll admit, I love trying anything that offers the hope of attaining better skin. Ever since Chase was born, I have always had at least one friend in my contacts who is a licensed aesthetician or has access to a laser machine. Once you hit your late 30′s-early 40′s it is amazing to see the differences among women. You can really tell who has taken care of themselves and who hasn’t. Anyhow, I decided to try the Clear & Brilliant Laser because:

• It is called Clear & Brilliant
• Stronger than microdermabrasion, but not as strong as Fraxel
• It was a Groupon promo

I went in yesterday for my consultation/procedure. I was worried about hyperpigmenting because a few years back, I had my face melted off with another procedure and afterwards I “hyper-pigmented” and it was VERY disconcerting (but obviously not enough to stop future experimentation). According to the doctor & nurse, “The good news is it’s melasma (not hyper-pigmentation). The bad news is, it’s melasma”. Unfortunately there isn’t much you can do. I heard, “Let’s warm up the laser machine!”

DAY 1

• They have to put LOTS of topical anesthetic on your face to numb the area.
• It’s only 1 pass with the laser over your face.
• Takes less than 30 min

The process wasn’t painful for the most part. The worst part was the prep. My face felt hot afterwards and looked red, but not “Hellraiser“. It felt rubbery from the topical, but the skin looked ruddy. That night I took some Motrin and Benedryl to help with inflammation and itchiness.

I know how he feels

DAY 2

Skin is not so red. Don’t feel like I have to “hide at home”. No burning with sweating. The only difference is the skin feels like fine-grade sandpaper. Tiny bumps. I feel like a crack addict who’s fallen off the wagon. I am just so happy. I hope this facial turns into something special. I have scheduled 2 more before I leave for Tokyo. They told me not to expect anything dramatic, but that I would love the texture of my skin once I was finished. Let’s face it: If you aren’t fighting the battle against time. You will lose.

Until next time…