A very personal skin post (TMI?)
I didn’t even know how to name today’s post. Skin TMI? The ugly truth about sun damage..? Something along those lines. And I also struggled with whether I should write it or not as well. I mentioned in my post on Monday that I was going to talk about something personal, so here it is and be prepared for some not so pretty photos and no make-up. The very personal part is at the end.
Last October I decided to do something for my skin. If you’ve been a follower for a while then you might remember that I had a horrible cold sore breakout on my nose (and lip as you can see below) at the beach this summer. That’s not the first time either. It was that bad that I kept the red skin an a scar.
My kids had made me a mud mask out of ocean mud 🙂 but their efforts weren’t that helpful.
Besides my sun glasses imprint in the photo below you can see the red scar on my nose. And also all the sun damage and spots on my skin.
So I decided to have an IPL laser treatment done on my face to remove all the sun damage and improve the allover appearance while also trying to prevent skin cancer forming on my face.
I’m obviously not a medical professional so I don’t want to get into details because I don’t want to misinform you about it which is the reason I will only tell you what I did and give you some broader info.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is used to perform various skin treatments including hair removal, photo rejuvenation for example the treatment of skin pigmentation, sun damage and veins.
I’m not wearing any makeup in any of the photos because you can’t and the photos were taken with my iPhone.
The next photo is right after the treatment still in the doctor’s office. During the treatment I was wearing a numbing gel. It hurt a little, similar to a rubber band snapping on your face. And I ended up looking like someone slapped me in the face though at the end.
You could see all the spots darkening already right after.
And more and more later on.
The plan is for the spots to raise to the surface and eventually fall off which, to my surprise, they actually did. Look at them all! Isn’t that crazy?
After about a week they flake off . It was like having dirt in my hands when I brushed over my face.
The two photos below are about 4 days after the treatment.
The skin takes about a month to completely heal.
And the photo below was taken yesterday. I did take it with my good camera but that should usually only help to show more detail and less blur. You can see how much better my skin and discoloration looks. Isn’t it amazing? I still have some spots which are certain moles that don’t disappear and of course the wrinkles that remain.
Here is one with make-up that was taken right before Christmas but it’s slightly blurry:
And now I layer on the SPF more than ever! I don’t want all those spots to come back!
CC+ is my favorite!
IPL treatment before and after
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A lot of women spend a ton of money on lotions, potions and make-up to get rid off or cover these spots up. I think if you add that money up then it comes up to the price of one of these treatments and you get the added part of skin cancer prevention. So for me it’s worth it.
Well… that was the very good part of the story… lets get to the rest of the story…
Right before Christmas I went to the dermatologist because I had noticed a spot on the middle of my breast which I found out after Christmas was skin cancer. Yeah that darn awful word!
I’m so beyond thankful that it is Basal Cell Carcinoma, the easiest treatable form of skin cancer. So much for keeping my boobs out of the sun though, right? It’s such an odd spot. I have always loved the sun but have used sun tan lotion and only once went topless in the south of France in my late teens. It certainly scares me to think where else I could get it if skin cancer shows up in an area where the sun barely touched.
I don’t want the area to get butchered so I decided to see a plastic surgeon on Monday to discuss having him remove it. Symmetry will be an issue.
What I didn’t know is that besides a plastic surgeon having better skills to prevent the skin from scaring, he also does the procedure at a hospital where there is a pathologist present who will look at the cutout flesh to determine whether more needs to be cut out right away. It still gets sent to a lab but the majority of the time they get it all this way. I don’t want to have to go back again and again to get more cut out like a friend of mine had to do.
If this is the worst I will ever have, I can certainly live with that. I’m scared however to get more and am praying that that won’t happen.
After all that I’m now considering to get an IPL treatment on my chest which is why I decided to write this post. It is considered cosmetic but to me it’s worth it to try to prevent other cells from forming, especially in an area that is so visible. I’d love to do my arms too because there are so many spots but I just can’t afford it.
I was lucky to have found a doctor’s office where the price was really great (click HERE). It was the doctor that did my c-section scar revision.
The plastic surgeon I’m going to this time has a dermatologist in the office who I will switch to now to be my regular dermatologist.
This certainly puts a damper on our yearly beach vacation. It’s my favorite thing in the world to just sit on the beach, feel the sun and listen to the ocean. Overly exposing my breast to the sun was certainly not the case here for me, so I don’t even know what to do or believe anymore and I also have never been someone who burnt easily either.
I know it’s an odd ending for this post but all I can say is that I will keep you guys updated and and I hope that this was maybe somewhat helpful or informative for some of you.
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
Thank you for this post. My father had skin cancer on his lip, a place you just don’t associate with skin cancer. He had a sore that would not heal. Thankfully they could take care of it, removing a portion of his lip. Dad was fair complected with strawberry blonde hair and loved to sit out in his boat fishing in the sun. Our vacations always included sunburns and we thought nothing of it back then, just a part of the fun in the sun summer. Now we schedule dermotolgist appt. regularly.
I’ve visited the dermatologist yearly since I was a young teenager. I’ve always been really aware of this and I’m not really that fair skinned and have dark hair. All these rules and then at the end it doesn’t matter. I’m glad your dad is ok.
wow! that treatment worked wonders!!!!! what a great difference and i am sure you feel a million times better and more confident. that is also great news about the treatment for your spot!!
Yes it did and if you consider how much money you spend on creams and makeup to cover this stuff up, then it certainly is cheaper to do this treatment.
I’ve done this before and it helped! I’m trying needling next!
Hey there Krystine! Do you mean acupuncture? Or is there a different needling too? There are so many things I want to try but such a small budget 😉
I’m heading to a dermatologist in a month to start being proactive about possible sun damage from my teens. My grandfather who has red hair and fair complexion like myself had some on his face that needed removal. I don’t want to go through that! Also, I notice in some of the photos you have what appears as slits for earring holes and in some of the photos you don’t. Did you have them repaired? I wore heavy earrings in my teens and don’t really have “holes” more like “lines” in my ears that hold earrings and I’ve heard people can have them repaired. Just wondered if you did that at the same time.
Staying on top of your health is non-stop. Keep up the great work.
Julia your face looks fab thank you so much for sharing this, I might be tempted to give it a go. Thank goodness your skin cancer was caught early and hope the procedure isn’t too grim. Big hugs x
Thank you Catherine. I’m now scared when I look at my body and it is an odd feeling
You are so brave for sharing this! My mother-in-law does these treatments and more and I’m always so intrigued.
I certainly do not regret trying this one.
As I read this I this I thought “wow I could be writing this almost word for word!” I too have done the laser treatment and I had basal cell carcinoma on my nose. I had in removed in the same manner using the MOHS treatment and my scar is very minimal thanks to a great dermatologist. I am very religious about sun screen now and I visit the dermatologist ever six months. I have had a few more pre cancerous lesions appear elsewhere on my body that have had to be burnt off and I was told as you get older the will continue to appear. Thank you so much for sharing your story with others, not only to educate, but also to show the real side of aging and sun damage that can affect all of us in a world of photoshopped selfies!
Thanks Vicki! Did you have the treatment before or after they removed your basal cell carcinoma? I’m so scared to find more now when I look at my body.
I am having MOHS surgery on a basal cell carcinoma in the fold of my right cheek tomorrow morning. I’m a little nervous about how it will look when healed,but the doctor says it is in a spot that will heal beautifully. I will keep you updated!
Oh best of luck to you. I’m nervous too! And yes, please keep me updated on how it goes.
Wow Julia, what a transformation! I had no idea about this laser treatment. Definitely saving this post and praying for you!! Glad it’s not a terrible form and you caught it!
Thanks so much Summer. I’m so thankful for what type it is! It could be so much worse for sure
This is so interesting, Julia. I’ve never heard of this procedure but it worked beautifully for you! Sorry to hear your news but so glad you caught it early, I know they’ll take great care of you. 🙂
Thanks Jennifer, I really wish it would be more common knowledge that these types of treatments can help prevent skin cancer or help to discover it early.
I’m lucky and still terrified of melanoma. It’s so scary.
Thank you for this post. I have been putting off a visit to the dermatologist for a couple of suspicious spots on face. I haven’t been to see mine for about a year and a half but your post has encouraged me to go ahead and make that appointment. I also love your design.
Yes, please make sure to go and have them checked out. I go once a year since I was a young teenager and it is so so important. Keep me updated!
I had been having my skin checked yearly by a dermatologist for the last eight years. This past year they felt like I should have the laser treatment on my chest and neck. After having the treatment there was an area that looked suspicious. Evidently it was easier to see following the laser procedure ( 3 treatments) They did the biopsy and it came back squamous cell. The dermatologist plus a pathologist were in the office when I had my surgery. They had told me to plan on possibly spending a good part of the day there. They removed the lesion and did a frozen section. The pathologist checked the borders and they were clear so they didn’t have to remove any more tissue. At our Cancer Center each year they offer a free skin cancer screening and I would advise anyone reading this to see if this is offered at their hospital. It is worth checking out. Thank you for posting this about your experience. Let us know what you decide and again thank you.
Hi Betty, how come you had three treatments? I’m so new to this. I thought the standard procedure is one? I had one and then a free follow up with some spots they went over again. And I agree, people should check to see if they have free skin cancer screenings at their hospitals it’s so important.
Hey Julia. What a nightmare time for you! I’m just so happy that it was found in time, and that you’ll soon be on the road to greater improved health.
Have you had your cold sore examined? Cold sores are usually the result of Herpes virus Type 1 (HSV 1), and are highly contagious. They’re also easy to contract via indirect contact with people who have it. Invariably the partner of someone with HSV 1 can contract it, but usually in the form of genital Herpes Type 2 (HSV 2), which is why great care should be taken not to infect your partner! Herpes HSV 1 can be contracted via handshakes with an infected person, or when change (for example) is being handed over from someone who has just been ‘playing’ with a cold sore on their face, or from kissing a person who carries the virus. We are all at risk! A very large portion of the population is carrying the Herpes virus unknowlingly, and oftentimes will not present with any symptoms in their life time. The virus tends to pop out during or following great stress, and may only do so as a one-off, but the person remains infected with the virus for the rest of their life and can transfer the virus during or directly after an outbreak. I’d be inclined to get your blood work tested just to make sure you aren’t carrying the virus. By the way Herpes and Hives tend to go hand in glove! I only discovered I had Herpes Type 2 when I broke out in Hives about 7 years ago! I didn’t actually have a Herpes outbreak following this for about another year. Now I have several outbreaks every year, mostly on a monthly and sometimes weekly basis! We have no idea where I contracted this from, or how long the virus has been laying dormant in my system, but it’s a living nightmare to be inflected by something like this at this time of my life. If you’ve had one or two cold sore outbreaks, then the chances are that you may be carrying the virus. Contrary to belief, ‘cold sores’ are not the product of colds or flu or being run-down, but are usually the signs of the virus. Please do have it checked out so you can take necessary precautions not to infect your friends or family. For all you know, it may be sun-related blistering in which case you’ll have dodged the Herpes “bullet” and can be very thankful for that!
Big hugs and lots of strength coming your way!
Heather xo
Thank you for sharing this very personal side. Knowledge is power????
Julia, I am blown away by the amazing difference the laser treatment made! I refuse to spend money on lotions and potions that claim to help wiht aging skin, etc. But this I would consider as I age. I’m now 38 and I’m starting to see how the sun (and my cavalier attitude about it) has damaged my skin.
My mom and her mom both had skin cancer spots that had to be removed – it happened to them a lot as they got older. Newer studies are indicating it may not be sun exposure always, but sometimes just plain genetics that causes it. I hope it goes as well as possible for you – what an awful place to deal with it though.
Regarding cold sores, I applaud you for talking about it. Ever since I was a child I get them when I’m in the sun without using sunscreen chapstick, or after I’ve been really sick or not slept enough. And I get so embarrassed about them, even though they’re common. My doctor said I could use Zovirax cream which makes them almost not happen at all, but after insurance it was still $400 for a tiny tube. Then I found out it’s less than $10 over the counter in places like Italy, so next time we go there I am stocking up. Passing this on just in case it is helpful!
Hi Jane,
I’ve had the cold blisters aka herpes simplex since I was a child too and so has my son. My daughter and husband don’t have it. It comes out when I’m stressed, in the sun and have my period combo. Annoying!!! There is a medication too to suppress the virus but I’ve heard it’s bad for your kidneys so I don’t even want to consider taking it.
I wish instead of pushing drugs and potions that the medical community would educate more about the procedures you could do to prevent the cancer from forming. And that also the insurance would cover these procedures should cancer have been found once on you already. Now that they found it on me, the insurance should cover the “cosmetic” (what they are considered) procedures to prevent more.
I’ve been fed up with how things are done here in the US. Like I mentioned I’ve been getting my moles checked since I was a young teenager and in Germany they cut out a mole immediately when it looks strange and send it in. So if it’s cancerous then you are most of the time already done if they got it all and the scaring is minimal.
Here they shave it off, send it in and if it’s not cancerous then you are left with this ugly scar from the shaving. If it is cancerous then you have to go back to get it cut out and my neighbor had to go back two more times after that to get more cut out because they didn’t get it all. I feel like they want to get the most visits possible out of you to make the most amount of money. Same when I had a mammogram. When I went, I had to go back two more times and finally get an ultrasound because then they sent me to the specialist. The correct doctor and equipment should be present from the start. All the waiting and worry just angers me.
I’ll look into that lotion too when I’m home in Germany.
That IPL is amazing! Now I want it! I’m glad you caught the cancer early Julia and know you’ll be ok!
Thanks Kelly and you should get one. I’m definitely a fan now.
wow! What a difference. I have very fair skin, so I’m becoming more and more paranoid about sun damage. Thanks for sharing!