Skip to content 
As someone completely committed to “aging gracefully,” I was genuinely shaken when I realized my go-to Dysport had stopped working. Botox and Daxxify didn’t deliver results either. I tried multiple rounds – with breaks in between – but nothing. I may or may not have shed a few dramatic tears. Turns out, I’m one of the 1.5–3% of people who develop resistance to botulinum toxin. Lucky me.
After a heart-to-heart with the ever-knowledgeable Jenn, we decided it was time to pivot my approach. We shifted the focus to lasers and dialed up my daily regimen with medical-grade skincare, including products from the ZO line. A couple of non-invasive BBL (Broadband Light) treatments later – during which I literally walked out of the clinic with zero redness – I felt ready to graduate to the DEKA Tetra CO2 laser.
In the days leading up to the treatment, I hydrated like it was my full-time job, guzzling water from my giant YETI (which, frankly, could double as a weapon). The laser works best when the skin is well hydrated, so I took that as my personal mission.
When I arrived at The Alchemy Clinic, Jess welcomed me and snapped a few “before” photos in their adorable photography nook. She cleansed my skin and applied a topical numbing cream. As she prepped the room, and soothed my nerves, she shared that she does this laser annually and loves the results. It targets all the big concerns: minimizing pores, tightening, boosting collagen, evening out pigmentation, and yes, softening wrinkles. It’s ideal for sun damage, acne or surgical scars, or simply anyone wanting a brighter, fresher look.
About 20 minutes later, once the numbing kicked in, Jess handed me protective eyewear that instantly transported me back to the tiny goggles I used to wear in tanning beds (a teenage habit I regret daily). Then she passed me the wand that blasts cold air – an absolute lifesaver. I could feel the heat from each zap, but the cold made the whole experience surprisingly manageable.
Jess worked methodically, starting with my forehead (one of the more sensitive areas) and moving down my face and neck. For someone who’s not exactly a fan of pain, I found it very tolerable. I flinched here and there, especially at my lip and the tip of my nose, but overall, it wasn’t bad. The only truly unpleasant part was the smell: that unmistakable burnt skin scent. But that’s just the laser doing its job, resurfacing the skin with targeted heat.
The entire procedure took less than 15 minutes. Jess is quick, but impressively precise. When she handed me a mirror afterward, my skin looked as if it had been lightly dusted with sand – tiny, controlled micro-injuries from the laser. She applied Ariessence PDGF to boost healing and minimize downtime, then sent me home with post-care instructions and a ZO recovery kit.
As soon as I stepped outside, the blast of winter air felt amazing on my warm, sensitive face. I was definitely red, but not in a way that made strangers stare.
As the evening went on, the sensitivity ramped up. I applied an astringent soak and a generous layer of Aquaphor. I also had a glass of wine, which probably wasn’t the smartest hydration choice… but let’s be honest, it felt necessary.
By the next morning – about 15 hours post-laser – I looked like a red balloon. Even though I knew swelling was normal, it was still a bit of a shock. But swelling is a good sign; it means your skin is responding. I could also see the grid marks from the laser, which made for quite the look. Perfect excuse to stay inside and put up some Christmas decorations.
At the 24-hour mark, I was still red, puffy, sandpapery, and clearly marked with the grid pattern, though it had softened. The cool part? I started noticing tiny dark granules—almost like coffee grounds—flaking off. This is dead skin shedding, slowly revealing brighter, glowing skin underneath. By 48 hours, I was still puffy but starting to deflate. The redness and rough texture lingered, but fortunately my Christmas tree dramatically toppled over, sending water and ornaments everywhere—giving me plenty of distraction in the form of cleanup and redecorating.
Now, 4-weeks later, my skin is glowing. My crow’s feet are less noticeable, the deeper lines on my forehead have softened, and my overall texture is smoother and more refined. I look forward to the following months when collagen production will peak and the full benefits of the treatment continue to reveal themselves.
Overall thoughts:
- The procedure was fast and not painful.
- Be prepared for your children to ask things like, “Why do you look funny?” and “I don’t like the look of your face.”
- I would absolutely do this laser again when I need another round of tightening and brightening.
