Lasers

Today I had my first laser treatment on my rosacea. Fifty-two years old with skin problems. Lovely.

The technician put numbing cream on my face. She said it had to sit for 15 minutes. She then wiped it off, which I felt, and asked her if my face is numb, how can I feel this? She chuckled and said everyone asks that. OK... She said the procedure would be much more painful without it. OK.... The doctor comes in and tells me that it will be the worst on my forehead. OK.... The tech gives me two stress balls, one for each hand. I ask her if I need a bullet to bite on. Another chuckle. Seriously, I have no idea what to expect here. She said it will feel like a little rubber band hitting my face.

She rubs gel on my cheeks and says she is going to do a test patch. She asks me if I want her to announce each "shot." I told her, yes, until I know what is going on. The "test" feels like a hot poker on my cheek. The sensation is the size of a pin, so I'm thinking she's going to have to do this a bazillion times, but apparently the area is much bigger. It hurt, but not killer. A very cold blast of air is on the entire time and the pain lasts for just a millisecond. I've had worse.

My face is now all red, but it's not bad. I have to go back in 4 weeks and do it again. I guess the unknown was the worst part. Now that I know it doesn't hurt too badly, that the next time will be less stressful.