I'd like to say that I sailed through my skin photo rejuvenation session at Dr. Antoniak's office.
I'd like to say that, but that would be a lie.
It hurt.
What do you expect when your skin is zapped by a medical-grade light pulse a hundred times? It's an assault on the senses, especially around the nose area. Kind of like a knock out punch at Caesar's Palace.
But then, I've spent years assaulting the skin I'm in: playing tennis and golf in 30 plus heat for hours; drinking red wine with politicians and doctors at all hours during conventions; exposing myself to hormonal changes through three pregnancies; and generally not taking care of my skin in any way.
Photo rejuvenation requires the use of an intense pulse light to correct a variety of skin conditions including imperfections, aging, birthmarks, unwanted hair, unsightly small veins, rosacea and so on. Over the course of several treatments over time, those marks disappear or lessen dramatically, depending on the condition of your skin.
This kind of treatment used to lay up the patients for weeks with bruising and puffiness, but now you can go back to the office looking like you might have gotten a bit too much sun. There are telltale signs you've been zapped over the next few days. In my case, a little swelling in the lower cheek area and around the eyes.
After care is pretty strict. No exercise or hot showers for a week, anything that raises the body temperature. Oh well, a few days of playing Candy Crush instead of crunches. I can take it.
Oh yes, and strict adherence to the "no sun" rule. Hats. Sunscreen.
Let's say, this regime might just save the life of this former sun worshipper.
The treatment is a little tough, not like getting a tattoo, more like getting zapped by a wet towel all over your face. But it's quick -- only twenty minutes.
I'm looking forward to the result.
Aesthetics chief Bonnie Craig is promising my skin will look and feel softer, healthier instead of leathery and spotified. She recommends mothers of brides plan six months of photo rejuvenation before the big day.
I'm on course.
