PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser Review - Update 1.

As I talked about in my post on Monday, I am beginning a long test of the PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser® and will be bringing you many updates and reviews. I did a patch test on my arm on Monday and then proceeded to use the PaloVia® on my crows feet around my eyes on both Monday and Tuesday nights. I wanted to tell you about my early experience in using so far.

PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser

I mentioned in my PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser® Review post in Monday that I was very excited to use the laser as I really need the extra help around my eyes. I charged the laser for my initial use and quickly read over the directions a few times before performing a "patch test" Monday morning on my forearm. I wanted to get a sense of the feel of the laser; how to hold it, the stinging sensation it had, etc..

I applied the PaloVia Pre-Treatment Gel which is a must prior to using. This gel helps to provide better contact with the laser, while allowing for optimal light penetration during the treatment. I used a very small amount and spread over the area to be treated. I made contact with my skin. You are assured of proper contact when a bright blue light is emitted from the unit. I then pressed the button to feel a very gentle warm prickling sensation for about 3 seconds. The laser also gently vibrates in use too, but not enough to jar the unit at all. I immediately saw a light pink square "stamp" of where I tested. I also wanted to get a feel of how far apart each stamp needed to be made, so I did three more test stamps. Again, I saw three subsequent pink squares from where I used the laser.

PaloVia® Pre-Treatment Gel

After I completed the actual test, I used a soapy cloth to remove the gel from the PaloVia®, dried it and placed it back in the box, along with the charger until my next use.  I used a makeup cleansing wipe to remove the gel from my arm and was finished.

Within ten minutes, the pink patches looked a little raised and began to turn red. It started to feel like I had spent a few too minutes in the sun. The feeling of a slight sunburn. Nothing extreme, just a bit more hot than normal and a little tight.  That feeling of warmth subsided within an hour and I was left with the stamp marks.  The red calmed down a bit, but I could still see the stamp marks on my skin 8 hours later. I was now a bit apprehensive about using this around my eyes, because I didn't want to go through weeks of swollen red eyes. I quickly learned that wouldn't be the case.

You see, the PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser® was made to be used around the eyes. The skin tissue around the eyes is much different that that on the arm, where I performed my test. It is actually a bit more fatty with less bone structure. I should have taken that into account with my initial patch test results, but I simply did not know. I was pleasantly surprised after I did my first PaloVia® test around my eyes. I did feel the prickling sensation around my eyes,  but it was not as bad as I had felt in my patch test. I did get the pink squares, or stamps around my eyes. They did get that warm and tight feeling that peaked about 15 minutes after using the laser, but the feeling was gone within an hour. The bigger difference is that the pink stamps stayed pink. They seemed to immediately swell a small amount, but both the swelling and pink color were gone in less than two hours.  The same thing happened in my test last night as well. I was thrilled that I could see the PaloVia® working properly and that my results so far were within the norm.

My eye area immediately after
completing one PaloVia® treatment.

My eye area the next morning
with concealer and tinted moisturizer.
It shows only very minor pink skin and swelling.

As I go on in my series of PaloVia® reviews, I will go more into the features of the unit, including the different levels. Right now, I am using Level 1, the lowest level.  I feel I could easily go up to the next level, but I have been taught that slow is usually the best way to go when dealing with my skin, so that is how I am going to take this process.

Stay tuned for another update in my PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser® Review Series next week.

The PaloVia® Skin Renewing Laser® retails for $499.00 at palovia.com. Be sure to check them out on the PaloVia® Facebook page and follow them on Twitter too.

Disclosure: Palomar has provided me a complimentary laser for my use in testing and review, and will provide transportation, lodging, and food for an "after" photoshoot when my testing and review is complete. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information on my disclosure policy, please see my disclaimer page.