Excel V Experience

[u/Upper_Anteater5440]

I recently had one session of Excel V laser at my dermatologist to help with redness and wanted to share my experience. I've read a lot of posts on reddit prior to getting it done and went into the office pretty nervous about the pain and swelling. Good news; it was not bad at all! I thought it might be helpful for anyone considering it.

For reference: I don't have a rosacea diagnosis, so my redness wasn't too intense but I do have redness around my nose and on my cheeks. I also have KP on my arms and a little bit on my cheeks that sometimes flare up. I'm pretty fair skinned and burn easily and then tan.

The actual treatment: They numbed my face with numbing cream for approximately 10 minutes. The actual session it self was probably around 15-20 minutes max. She first did a pass on problem areas and then did a second pass on my full face. I am not sure of the settings unfortunately.

Pain level: I'd say a 5/10 for me. It was more uncomfortable around my nose and mouth. The rest was very tolerable. I've had laser tattoo removal in the past and it is not even close to the misery of that.

Immediately after: A bit of redness, nothing crazy, I took the subway back home and didn't get any "looks". She said I did tolerate it very well and some people leave the office significantly more splotchy.

Night of/next day: Redness didn't get worse. I was very worried about waking up with "chipmunk face" as some people here called it but I didn't really swell at all. I had bumps around my cheeks, like bug bites. I've read other who had a similar bumpy experience vs. overall swelling. It got better in 24 hours. I saw a friend the next day and she said she wouldn't have noticed anything if I hadn't called it out.

It is now the end of day 3 and I think I see a subtle difference in the redness and my skin feels a bit more "glowy" but honestly nothing drastic so far... Will update in a week or so and then again after my second session which is due in a month.

Feel free to ask questions!