Letter from a Reader: My Skin Got Burned

Image courtesy of www.rm-uk.com

Dear Fashion Pulis,

I've been reading your page for months now and I'm enjoying it a lot. Your stories are so juicy I can't help but wait for your next updates. I wrote to because i want to share my story.

I love discount vouchers because of the good deals they offer. I bought 5 vouchers for IPL laser hair removal treatment because I want to try it. The voucher was for a clinic located somewhere in Ortigas. I went there last Aug. 1 for my very first session and this was what happened.

I was there 2:30pm as scheduled but I was accommodated almost an hour after (but this is not the sad story I wanted to tell). I understood the situaion since what I got was a promo deal. I had to be patient. They first gave me this form (seems like a waiver/contract) which i didn't scrutinize since it was quite long, but what I took note of was I signed the form knowing and allowing a doctor to do the treatment on me. I decided to try it first on my lower legs.

It was very quick. The process took only 5 to 10 minutes to complete. But from the very first shot and while she was doing it, I told the attendant (she doesn't seem to be a doctor, contrary to the form), "It feels odd, and it hurts". But she convinced me that it was just normal. So I allowed her to finish the job. Everything seemed fine. I changed and wore pants so that my legs won't be wet since it was raining that day.

On my way to my condo, I felt my lower leg burning as if I applied chili powder on it. Since I have just undergone a treatment I thought it was normal. I slept for a few hours to get some rest. When I woke up, my leg was still burning so I looked at the area (back of my leg) where it hurts the most. I was shocked when I found 6 dark red patches on my right leg, and 3 on the left (and even some more on the front part of both legs only lighter ones but still noticeable) similar to the shape of the gun/gadget they used on me! I felt it and it was swollen (like pantal).

Since it was 9pm and the clinic was probably closed, I called them the day after and told the receptionist about the situation. She advised me that it will peel off naturally and no scars will be left. I also took her advice and applied Hydrocortizone on the patches. For a week I was doing that and for a week nothing happened, no peeling took place. the red spots were still swollen.

I went back to the clinic last Aug. 8 to show them my legs and it was how they reacted that I cannot accept. It seems a normal thing for them to see someone got burned! Then the next excuse was too lame. She told me that since last week stopped accommodating lower leg treatment. I had mine done  last week, and they are  telling me about the new policy?

They were not apologetic. They gave me Xellederm cream to hasten the peeling. It has been more than a week now. I noticed some changes but not improvements. The patches are dry and rough, and they're not reddish anymore, they're getting brownish. In short, if no peeling happens, it'll be a lot worst than before. Imagine I have these scab looking patches all over my legs?

I hope your readers can share their views and share stories as well for me to know my options on this. I hope you could post my story. I would be happy to update everyone on any progress.

Thank you FP.

Your avid reader,
Triple A