My Lumenis M22 Photo Rejuvenation Experience: A Total Game-Changer for Anti-Aging

Hello everyone!

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I've been a regular at my dermatologist's office for years, and I've tried my fair share of treatments to maintain my youthful glow. But let's be real - who doesn't want to look younger and more radiant for a bit longer than Mother Nature has planned?

As someone who's not a fan of needles, I'm always on the lookout for non-invasive treatments that can give me the results I want. That's why I'm excited to share my experience with the Lumenis M22 photofacial treatment.

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Today, I want to give you an honest review of my experience with the Lumenis M22 photofacial treatment.

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Treatment name – photofacial.

Cost – 14,000 RUB for one session (the price depends on the number of flashes. I did a course of three sessions, so the total cost was 42,000 RUB.)

Duration – 20 minutes

Frequency - every 6-12 months, depending on skin type and conditions, with 2-3 sessions per interval.

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The Lumenis M22 device

I had the treatment done on this exact machine. Like most similar devices, it comes equipped with multi-system technologies like IPL, Nd:YAG, and the fractional erbium laser ResurFX.

The treatment spectrum is broad:

PhotorejuvenationPigmentation removalTattoo removalSpider vein and rosacea treatmentAcne treatmentPhotoclearingSkin resurfacingWrinkle and scar correction.It all depends on the chosen attachment and set parameters.

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So, what's the point?

Let's get real - it's all about looking younger and more radiant for a bit longer than Mother Nature has planned. This treatment stimulates natural collagen and elastin production, giving you a fresh, youthful glow.

The second reason is pigmentation. I'm lucky - I don't have any issues with it. I mean, I have freckles, but I don't want to get rid of them. And I don't have any pigment spots (if you're wondering, freckles and pigment spots are two different things). But for those who do have this problem, this treatment is a total game-changer!

Plus, it's amazing to do after a sun-kissed vacation. Your skin recovers so much faster, preventing premature aging.

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What you get

I'm 37 years old, and I've got dry skin that's prone to sensitivity, according to my dermatologist. I've also got freckles, which I used to wish away in my younger years, but now I've grown to love them. Of course, as I've gotten older, I've noticed some of the usual signs: fine lines, loss of elasticity, and all the other subtle changes that come with age. But since I know my skin from when I was younger, I can see the difference. While I'm pretty happy with how I look, I think it's time to start doing some maintenance procedures to keep my skin looking its best.

I've already had some successful treatments, like the fractional ablative resurfacing and laser removal of dark circles under my eyes.

My main concern with my dermatologist is still maintaining the shape of my face and getting a good lifting effect.

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The treatment process, step by step

Step 1: Preparation

Before we started, my dermatologist cleaned my face and put on special glasses that block out all light.

First, the technician applies a special gel that acts as a conductor.

I have to say, there's no real discomfort involved. The process is actually quite efficient, and overall, it goes smoothly.

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2nd step - the process

The technician uses quick, precise movements to give you an instant flash of light, moving gradually across your face. They do this two or three times, depending on your skin type.

From what I've experienced.

You lie there, relaxed in a comfortable darkness and a gentle coolness from the gel. Then the technician positions the device, a slight tap, and a very bright flash of light followed by a slight tingling sensation. But to be honest, it's not that painful. In some areas, it's almost painless, while in others (like my forehead, for some reason), it's a bit more sensitive. Still, compared to a non-ablative laser treatment, this facial rejuvenation is a walk in the park!

The flashes of light are incredibly bright. It feels like I'm seeing them from the inside out, rather than just on the surface of my skin. Especially when the technician moves the device across my forehead. It's almost like I'm on the verge of being blinded.

I went through the treatment step by step, with the technician adjusting the intensity and depth of the light wave. The first pass was less intense but deeper, which can be painful due to pigmentation. But honestly, I barely felt a thing. The second pass was more intense but shallower, targeting the skin directly. If needed, they might do three passes, but I was told one wouldn't be enough in any case.

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Step 3 - Rejuvenation

It's almost non-existent, to be honest.

Here I am right after the procedure.

The tears in my eyes were from the bright flashes, not the pain. There was some redness, but it was mainly due to the many freckles I have (you'll see my face after the second and third sessions, when they're gone). And here I am a couple of hours later:

The freckles were even darker the next day.

The technician warned me they'd be super dark for the first four days, then start to fade gradually. And that's exactly what happened - the peak was on the fourth day.

I was a bit worried about the peeling at first, but it's totally normal.

But after a week, I was enjoying the even tone and supple skin!

The key is to follow all the instructions.

What not to do after the procedure

No heavy workouts like hitting the gym. You can do some light yoga or stretching, but keep the face relaxed and avoid any poses that increase blood flow to the face – no downward-facing dog for me! No saunas or steam rooms for the next two weeks. I don't want to over-exfoliate the skin. No massages for a bit. Exfoliating scrubs, chemical peels, and face masks will have to wait a couple of weeks. No beach trips for the next few months, I'm afraid. And absolutely no direct sunlight on my face! No sunbathing or even walking outside without sunscreen for two weeks, not even on a cloudy day. What you can do

I've been using hydrating and regenerating creams, like panthenol or beranthen. But, as my dermatologist explained, you can also use your regular moisturizer. I use Shiseido during the day and Dr.Sea at night.I've been using a tinted moisturizer to cover up those pesky red spots or hyperpigmentation. Since I don't usually use foundation, I didn't bother with it. But my husband and son had a blast teasing me, singing that silly song 'Red, red, freckly, killed grandma with a shovel!' It was hilarious!

The bottom line

Flashlight treatments affect the skin at a certain depth. When light hits something dark, like pigmentation or blood vessels, it breaks them down under the heat. This 'bakes' the pigmentation, making it gradually fade away. It's a gradual process because there's no immediate peeling after the treatment, and it's only when the skin regenerates, which happens every month, that the unwanted pigmentation disappears. It's a similar story with blood vessels, as I explained in my laser treatment review (check it out for more details). The flash affects the blood vessel and 'seals' it. Since blood vessels are inside, they dissolve from the inside out. I tried to explain it in simple terms. That's the deal with pigmentation and vascular defects.

What about anti-aging?

I've noticed that the light beams penetrate the skin to varying depths with different intensities. Their goal is to create a reaction that triggers the production of collagen and elastin inside the skin. The light is bright and warm, but it does cause some damage to the skin as it penetrates. Think of it like a mini-trauma. The skin responds by launching a regeneration process, which is exactly what happens. As a result, the skin looks puffy and inflamed for a few days, but then it becomes more elastic and toned. That's when the fine lines start to fade, and the skin tone evens out, giving you a healthy, radiant glow.

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Here's me after the third session.

There's barely any redness, and that's because I don't have any freckles to begin with. My skin is pretty clear.

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And here's me the next day after the treatment.

The lighting is different, but you can still see that there's no redness. xa0

There's a bit of swelling, but it's only noticeable to me. If you take a closer look, you'll see that my nasolabial fold is more pronounced due to the overall puffiness.

My friend, who's prone to puffiness, was way worse off the next day. So, it's worth considering your skin type.

The first few weeks, roughly, after the procedure, my skin felt loose and totally lacking in elasticity.

That's normal, though. I mean, my skin was traumatized, and it needs time to recover.

I also noticed that during the recovery process, my skin goes from feeling loose to feeling stiff, like parchment. When I move my face, it feels tight and like new wrinkles are popping up.

You can see my normal facial wrinkles around my eyes on the photo, but the ones near my nose are what I'm talking about. But those will fade away in a couple of weeks.

And then you can just enjoy the results!

And the best part - the results!

I did three procedures, spaced out a month apart.

Now, let's compare that to how I looked before the procedure.

I was immediately struck by the lack of fine lines on my skin. That's due to the toning effect, which makes my complexion look healthier.

The skin itself has become more supple and hydrated. The tiny wrinkles have smoothed out, although I didn't have that many to begin with, so the photos don't quite do it justice. This is more about my personal experience.

If you're looking to get rid of wrinkles, you need to understand that this treatment won't completely eliminate them.

Will it compensate? Absolutely!

Will it make my skin look more plump? Definitely!

Will it help with natural collagen and elastin production? Of course!

Will it help me look younger overall? Exactly!

But don't expect your wrinkles to disappear like magic after this treatment.

I was curious to compare the effects of photo rejuvenation with fractional sanding.

Here's the result after sanding (left) and photo rejuvenation (right)

I'm happy with both results overall.

But if I take a closer look at my problem area - my forehead - it's clear which one works better. (Top to bottom: before, after sanding, after photo rejuvenation).

I have to say, photo rejuvenation doesn't quite erase wrinkles like a laser peel does. It makes sense, since a laser peel has a mechanical effect on the skin.

That being said, photo rejuvenation is still a pretty effective procedure. I'm planning to alternate it with laser peels to get the best results for my skin.

The Verdict

First and foremost, I'd recommend finding a good, knowledgeable dermatologist who won't just push procedures on you for the sake of it. If they say a certain procedure isn't right for you and can explain why, it's worth listening to. That's how it is with photo rejuvenation. I've seen a lot of influencers and bloggers rave about it, but it's essential to understand whether it's suitable for your skin type. If your dermatologist gives it the green light, then go for it! The results will be worth it.

The benefits of photo rejuvenation are pretty clear:

it's relatively painless it stimulates natural collagen and elastin production it makes your skin look more elastic it has a lifting effect it helps with hyperpigmentation it's great for treating vascular issues like rosacea The downsides are:

- it's not a budget-friendly option, like all other machine-based procedures

- the effects aren't as long-lasting as I'd like them to be.

Despite all this, I'm planning to keep this procedure on my annual to-do list. I might mix it up with other treatments every now and then, and who knows, maybe I'll add some new ones in a few years' time. But that's a thought for another day!

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Good luck to everyone!

I hope this review has been helpful!

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P.S. If you're interested in other cosmetic treatments, check out my reviews on fractional ablative resurfacing with the Candela device

Fractional Ablative Resurfacing with the Candela Device

Laser removal (coagulation) of facial blood vessels