Hi,
I had two light" passes of c02 under my eyes almost 5 weeks ago. At first, I was red, then very pink. My Dr. gave me a steroid cream to help with the swelling and pinkness, but I had a reaction to it and my skin turned bright red. Although the area has shrunk in size, the redness will not fade.

The texture under one eye is starting to go back to normal, but under the other eye, is really rough and waxy in texture -- almost like a scar.

I am so scared at this point that the color will never fade and that the texture will not normalize. I have been using Cu3 cream, which I only take off to try to apply makeup -- which doesn't really cover the red.

I am so desperate right now. I wish that I had been more informed before my procedure about the risks involved and that I had come across this message board.

I am thinking about going to see my dermatologist about the condition, or another PS, but at this point, I feel that all they will say is that I will need to wait. Meanwhile, I can barely leave my house.

Has anyone had a similar experience with persistent redness? If so, what did you do? I am so scared to try any new cream or anything, since my skin appears to be so sensitive. Thanks in advance.

If you are really concerned, it may be a good idea to go to a dermatologist who specializes in CO2 laser for their opinion. Did your doctor tell you to soak the area with anything?
I had erbium 6 days ago and have been using emu oil for the last few days, it is very healing and does not irritate. I am still pink, but healing fast.

I have just been using the Cu3 cream, which is what my Dr. gave me. I tried using a steroid cream, which my Dr, prescribed, which only made the inflammation worse. I am concerned about using anything, since my skin appears to be so sensitive, but I don't think the Cu3 cream is doing much.

Did you need a prescription for the emu oil?

ps123 wrote:I have just been using the Cu3 cream, which is what my Dr. gave me. I tried using a steroid cream, which my Dr, prescribed, which only made the inflammation worse. I am concerned about using anything, since my skin appears to be so sensitive, but I don't think the Cu3 cream is doing much.

Did you need a prescription for the emu oil?

Do you have any pictures of your procedure, before and after? Did you do this for wrinkles? Are the wrinkles gone? I've been told that the redness can last as long a 6 months... Did you have this in the ps office or in a outpatient center? Are you still swollen? I'd love to know how your healing! Heididee

My Dr. has before and afte pics. I did the procedure to address the skin texture under my eyes and some light wrinkles. I feel now that these could have been addressed with less-invasive alternatives, even though I did inquire about all options.

My Dr. is an eye specialist and only performs these procedures -- he has been using the co2 laser for 18 years, so I trusted him. He said he only did two "light" passes. These were performed at a surgical facility in his office. Worst decision I have made in a really long time.

I have been taking oral steroids for three days now after having a reaction to a topical cream. I don't think I can handle 5 more months of this. I am hoping to start ipl treatments soon to address the reddness.

I see ... Do you think the lower lid surgery added to the redness in anyway as well? Are you wrinkles/lines gone ? I think I could handle redness better than wrinkles myself??? Does this area still swell? Is he treating you at no extra charge? I hope everything works out for you! I know the under eye is red, but is it smooth? Fiona mentioned that "Jane Irendale", spelling may be wrong, had a great product to cover redness!? Are you puffy when you wake up in the morning? Just trying to get informed before my procedure!!! Thanks much, Heididee

I consulted a makeup artist to see what could be done to cover the red. Green under camaflouge cream worked "best," but still looks awful. The skin is still waxy and bumpy, making it difficult to apply.

My Dr. never prescribed any products to use before the procedure, but reading posts on this message board (post-op unfortunately), it seems like others' Drs have, which have possibly expedited their recovery time.

I would be sure that you want to go ahead and are fully aware of what is ahead of you. I stupidly trusted my Dr. and hadn't come across this board until afterward. If I had, I never would have proceeded. Maybe you can try a "patch" test on your skin beforehand to get a sense of recovery time.

Hi ps,

I'm so sorry your having such a terrible time with your post op, under your eyes. I have two suggestions for you to try..The first is Arnica cream or gel...just make sure that when you apply it, to remember that it will seep up, so you dont want to put too much on up close to your lashes...but, I would cover the worst area fairly generously, at night....and in the am...enough to be able to put make-up on...just make sure to let it dry. I think the gel works pretty well, cause then you can go to my next one....which is Aveeno's product called "ultra calming" moisturizer...it comes in a lotion or cream....I got the cream for under my eyes, even though it is not specifically for undereyes...but, I used it anyway as an eyecream over the arnica gel.....This combo, worked extremely well for me! It reduced the swelling immediately as well as the redness. If you wake up with any swelling (allergy season around here!! lol, cant win) My lil combo is still working wonders..so I'm still using it, lol.. I know you said you have very sensitive skin...before trying this all out under your eyes..maybe you should try it out on your cheek or somewhere else on ur face to check for an allergic reaction first;)..and wait a few hours. Anyway, good luck...I hope this may help you out.

Thanks njfiona. I went to my dermatologist last week who gave me a cteroid lotion which has started to help. I still have a long way to go unfotrunately, for what was supposed to be a "light" co2 laser.

For anyone wondering about treatments to reduce redness -- do not use cortisone creams like pandel or aristocort. Apparently, Drs who really are not experts in skin care, prescribe these to help reduce redness. However, these are really drying and can irritate -- or in my case -- inflame the dermis.

My derm prescribed a steroid lotion -- Licoid Lipocream, which, in addition to a week's worth of oral steroids, has reduced the redness. I am still very pink and have a long way to go -- probably 6-8 weeks (hopefully at worst).

I do recommend to anyone considering laser surgery to REALLY ask your Dr a lot of questions about your skin type and all risks surrounding recovery time. Drs. are motivated to "sell" their treatments, and make the recovery seem like a piece of cake. To some lucky people, it is.
My Dr. has been performing c02 laser for 18 years and has a considerable clientele. I trusted him, stupidly (and only have myself to blame). He estimated that my pinkness would be fully gone in 6-8 weeks. I am at 6 weeks and am still very pink - luckily, no longer red though. I have very fair skin, and will be lucky if this fully gone in 6-8 weeks.

I do think that a lot of Drs. are remiss in fully disclosing all potential risks involved in having the procedure. You can be RED for nearly 6 months. Even after that, you can remain pink for another 6 months after that. Its just something to really consider whether weighing the risks and benefits of having the procedure done.