REVIEW: The Clifford Clinic's Edge Fractional CO2 Laser

(All photos are taken straight from the iPhone. No edits have been made. Apologies in advance.)

After my magical encounter with lasers at PPP Laser Clinic, I went on a slight rampage, googling and reading up whatever that I could find on the net about said magic. And even though it's all really scary because you are actually burning your face with 'no guaranteed results', I was really enticed by Jacqueline's very detailed review on The Clifford Clinic's Edge Fractional CO2 Laser. She mentioned that it was also used to remove her skin tags and that got me sitting up ramrod straight (Actually, another laser was used. But more about that later.). My face practically houses (Still a present tense. ): ) a population of skin tags. Big sigh. It's probably because I have very sensitive skin but I try like a gazillion products anyway (No one else in my family has this, so it isn't genetic for me.)...

Anyway, I wrote in to find out more about the laser and got a very detailed reply 2 days later. I decided that the service was good, trial price was good ($200) and promptly made an appointment with Dr. Chow Yuen Ho.

The Clifford Clinic is conveniently located at Raffles City and it's right at the entrance of Clifford Centre. I was actually quite nervous when I went down but then, all the receptionists were friendly and had REALLY good skin (Think: SK-II kind of crystal clarity, completely pore-less... Basically, baby skin! Like what on earth?!?) and I was like 'Okay, I'm just going to pray really hard.'.

I didn't have to wait too long before I saw Dr. Chow. He did a quick examination of my face, explained what the Edge Fractional CO2 Laser was and told me that it was actually a separate laser that got rid of skin tags. For the former, it's zapping your skin in a grid-like manner to stimulate collagen for tighter and younger-looking skin. Your skin will be red for a couple of days and thereafter, scabs will form. They are supposed to fall off naturally and reveal new skin, yay (More information can be found here.)! For the latter, it's just burning the skin tags off. Scabs will form too and when they fall off, the skin beneath will be lighter, like scars, but they will fade off in a few months' time.

Day 0: Bare face, with numbing cream on.

Day 0: Right after lasers.

After consultation, I removed my makeup, had numbing cream applied on me by a very sweet receptionist (Who has the most A-MAZING skin and she's like 40 or something. She has been doing lasers for many years now. Sigh. #skingoals #moolahgoals too. Lol.), waited a while and zapped, zapped, zapped! Dr. Chow did the Edge Fractional CO2 Laser on my cheeks and then, killed some of my skin tags across my entire face. Everything was over within less than half an hour. And boy, was my face red and a tad swollen! But I just slapped on some sunscreen from the clinic's vanity area and after getting my meds, I caught a movie with friends. And I went out the next day too. With my lobster-red face. Yes, there was some staring, especially since the redness ended quite abruptly (Because of the laser.).

For my meds, I was prescribed Skinceuticals's Photo Corrective Gel ($129), which was to be applied only for a week, and Foban Cream ($8), an antiseptic which was to be applied for the first 3 days. I really didn't think the gel was necessary because it's really expensive and it's only for a week, but then, #newproduct #beautyjunkie #wthmightaswell.

Day 1: I woke up like this.

Day 2: Fake freckles.

Day 3: In the evening.

Day 4: After removing my MU, and lots of scabs in the midst of it. MU IS EVIL.

Here's what happened to my skin after the treatment:

• Day 0: Lobster-red and some stinging.
• Day 1: Seemed even redder and scabs formed for deceased skin tags.
• Day 2: Less red and lots of scabs all over face in a grid-like manner.
• Day 3: Wore light MU to work. Lots of scabs came off while removing MU (MAJOR SADNESS. They are supposed to drop off naturally, like all other scabs.) and skin was red again. Sprayed lots of thermal spring water. Skin started to get rather itchy and I scratched some scabs off at night unintentionally (DOUBLE MAJOR SADNESS.).
• Day 4: More scabs dropped off, including those from skin tags. Skin was still itchy and red from unintentional scratching (SAD, SAD, SAD.). Carried on spraying TSW.
• Day 5: Almost free from scabs, save for some from the skin tags. Skin was reddish. Continued spraying.
• Day 6: Even fewer scabs and a lot less red. Old acne scars were flattened out. Went to work with light MU.
• Day 7: Slept late the previous night and old acne scars seemed a little more obvious (SLEEP IS KEY TO GOOD SKIN, PEOPLE.), but very much less than before. Less red. Wore light MU.

Day 10: When all the scabs have left me.

Day 12: Fully healed.

It has been more than a month since I did the laser and I had incredibly good skin. It was smooth, plump and clear, and my pores were sooo miniscule. I barely wore MU and... It was really like having baby skin all over again, something which I didn't think was ever possible. But anyway, I went to Korea and the weather mucked it up so my face is currently experiencing a major drought (Weleda's Skin Food to the rescue.). Joy. Some of the skin tags actually returned, which Dr. Chow did warn me about.

Will I do this again? Yes, definitely. But maybe annually because it won't be at a trial price anymore. ): I think the Edge Fractional CO2 Laser is supposed to be done once a month several times but I'm not sure what the effect will be like then. Like must you keep doing it for the rest of your life to maintain it or will there come a time when you have baby skin PERMANENTLY??? *twinkly eyes* Hahaha. Well, one can dream.

As usual, if you have any questions about my experience, just drop me an email at lovecharlenejudith@hotmail.com. (: I hope this was helpful!

REVIEW: PPP Laser Clinic's 360 Skin Solution

My skin has been bad, really bad. I'm battling this perpetual bout of flu which drains all fluid from my skin, stress that keeps coming and which results in a lot of junk food and irrational spending... Basically, adulthood. Haha. Anyway, this is giving my skin really bad PMS. Think: Pimples, acne (which I don't usually get), peeling of skin and extra sensitivity. So I was really happy and quite relieved to go for PPP Laser Clinic's 360 Skin Solution! (:

The PPP 360 Solution combines the use of lasers and light technology to give us instant, fuss-free skincare with a few zaps. It focuses on the 3Cs of our skin, Colour, Consistency and Contour, by working on skin rejuvenation, pores, pimples and scars, pigmentation and stimulation of collagen.

Before each treatment, there's a consultation with the doctor where he/she will come up with the best concoction of the following lasers and lights:

1. P+ Intensive Laser Treatment
   As the clinic's star laser, this non-ablative intensive treatment targets the rejuvenation of skin, in both the epidermis and upper dermis. It disperses melanin to lighten pigmentation, balance skin tone for clarity and radiance, control oil glands effectively for quick acne recovery, cleanses pores deeply and stimulates collagen.
   
2. Fractional Laser
   This non-invasive treatment delivers a laser beam divided into thousands of microscopic treatment zones, targeting a fraction of skin at a time. The treated areas of skin are surrounded by untreated areas and this results in visible improvement without bleeding or scabbing. This is the go-to laser for reducing pore size and acne scarring. At the same time, it also removes the superficial epidermal pigmentation for radiance and reduces wrinkles.
3. Collagen Remodelling
   This procedure targets the collagen layer of the skin by gently heating and stimulating new growth of collagen to tighten skin and muscle tone, and reduce wrinkles.
4. Radio Frequency Skin Treatment
   This treatment delivers radio frequency electromagnetic energy onto the facial skin via an electrode to target the upper dermis and epidermis of skin to improve skin laxity, reduce wrinkles and, lift and tighten skin for a more contoured face.

A couple of weeks back, I dropped by the Raffles City outlet for my treatment. After registering, the receptionist handed me a packet of makeup remover wipes, told me to take a piece and brought me to a vanity room with several mirrors and basins. A couple of ladies were in there, either removing their makeup or putting a mask on.

Next, came the consolation with a pretty doctor whose name I can't remember (I'm so sorry!). She explained the different types of lasers available at PPP Laser Clinic and answered all my questions very patiently. A quick examination of my skin led to a prescription of the Collagen Remodelling, Fractional and P+ lasers, which would then end with a round of Ion Infusion. This is usually done right after lasers to calm and deeply hydrate the skin. I didn't need the Radio Frequency Skin Treatment (yet) because that's more for mature skin. As for the Fractional Laser, I was a little concerned because there would be some downtime of redness so the doctor told me she would do it at a lower intensity.

The treatment was done in a long, narrow room that was filled with several beds, each separated from the other by a blue curtain. Goggles were put on to protect the eyes and then, my face was zapped! The lasers were done really quickly, with no pain at all. There was just a warm sensation on the skin. For the Ion Infusion, I was brought to another bed and another doctor administered it. This was super cooling and very relaxing... Really wish it could go on forever. Heh. Once that was done, the doctor gave me a cotton pad with a dollop of moisturiser that had sunscreen in it. I applied it in the vanity room and I was done! :D

Here's what happened to my skin after the treatment:

• Day 0: Redness, especially on cheeks. Doc concentrated on them because I had some fresh boxcar scars and zits.
• Day 1: Larger pores on cheeks seemed smaller and my boxcar scars were visibly less obvious. YAY! :DDD
• Day 2: Very slight redness and some peeling. Zit on my cheek was healing faster than usual.

I'm incredibly pleased with the results, especially where my boxcar scars were concerned. They were actually quite near each other and were beginning to look like a huge crater right smack in the middle of my cheek to me. :\ So, thank you, PPP Laser Clinic, for mitigating that! :D Am seriously considering more lasers in future. *guilty look*

PPP Laser Clinic's 360 Solution Taster Pack is available at all outlets at $360. The Taster Pack includes one session of each of the following: P+ Intensive Laser, Fractional Laser, Collagen Remodelling, Radio Frequency and Ion Infusion with HA.

REVIEW: SK-II's Auractivator CC Cream

The SK-II Auractivator CC Cream was launched early last year and is part of the brand's plan to bestow upon us a crystal clear and radiant complexion. *bliss* This C.C. cream contains the Day Soft Aura White, which is a concoction of UME extract, Niacinamide and of course, concentrated Pitera. Together with Cellumination Aura Essence and other moisturising ingredients, this CC cream promises to moisturise, brighten, protect and conceal. Over time, it is also supposed to activate our bare skin's inner luminosity.

I have been using this on and off since the beginning of the year. The CC cream comes with a really huge pump dispenser, which makes it not very handy. But it is sturdy and I like that it's hygienic because I don't have to dip my fingers in the product. Scent-wise, it's light, floral and very soothing.

I take about 3/4 of a pump, dot my face with the cream and pat it in. It goes on really comfortable, like a second skin. Coverage is light - it conceals redness and small spots, but huge zits and dark circles will need additional help from a concealer. I really like it as an everyday tinted moisturiser, except that it really doesn't last especially in our insane weather. I don't really mind this but then, this makes it pale in comparison with other (less expensive) B.B. and C.C. creams. As a treatment, I haven't noticed anything visible yet.

I suppose this will work great as a makeup base too. People with normal skin types and who only need coverage for a short duration will enjoy this little treat.