Stories from Real Patients
Janet Kibbons
Doctor: Dr. Jill Lezaic
Laser Skin Solutions
Lake Worth and Jupiter, Florida
www.laserskinsolutions.com
Starting Over
Janet Kibbons was not looking forward to turning 50. That was even before things got a lot more stressful. Her father died, she got divorced and her youngest child left for college all in the same year. "I was really down and out."
Then she heard about Fraxel® Laser Treatments on the radio and decided to look into it. She entered the "Make 50 the New 40 with Fraxel Laser Treatment" contest and won a free makeover. With her treatments complete, she's gotten the makeover and more. Her skin has become smooth and silky, fine lines around her eyes have decreased and sun/age spots on her face have all but disappeared.
Janet's new look has boosted her self-confidence and has her feeling like her life is starting over. It's also attracted quite a bit of attention. "Many people have commented on how beautiful my skin looks," says Janet. "I now have men in their 30s asking me out. You can't believe what that does for my ego."
Deciding on Fraxel
Janet, a registered nurse, was originally considering dermabrasion treatments, but when she heard about Fraxel laser technology on the radio, she did some research. She liked the idea of the treatment diminishing the fine lines and age spots, in addition to the stimulation it would provide to collagen tissue. After winning the contest, Janet decided to go for it.
She was a little nervous and apprehensive about her first treatment. Once in the office, Dr. Lezaic and her staff helped Janet feel comfortable while preparing her face. They applied a layer of topical anesthetic an hour before the treatment. The procedure itself then took about an hour. Janet experienced no discomfort during the procedure. She did have a burning sensation for a few hours after her treatment, which was relieved by a cool compress.
Following her first treatment and subsequent treatments, Janet experienced redness, like a sunburn, and some swelling. Swelling would subside a few days later and by the fourth day, her skin looked smoother. Not long after her third treatment, others started to notice her new look. She was sitting outside a café with a friend when a younger man approached her. He looked her in the eyes and commented on what a beautiful face she had. "That took me by surprise. I even glanced behind me to see if he was talking to someone else," says Janet.
Janet's sister came to visit near the end of her treatments. Her sister had a surgical face lift a month before her visit. She was amazed by the smooth texture of Janet's skin and the diminished age/sun spots. "In fact, when we compared the expense and recovery time of our procedures, we both thought my procedure was the better choice," says Janet.
The debut of the new Janet has gone better than she ever expected. She recently went on a cruise. One passenger, who looked to be in his late 20s, had been flirting with her while embarking the ship. While showing her birth certificate, he glanced over her shoulder and noticed her date of birth. He yelled out, "You have to be kidding me!" He asked Janet several times if it was right because he could not believe she was 50.
Janet met a younger man from Italy on the cruise and the two hit it off. They have kept in touch and they are talking about going to Italy to meet his family. "I haven't confessed how old I am to him. I keep saying does it really matter? He's 41," says Janet.
Janet attributes her new self-confidence and new outlook on life to her Fraxel laser treatments. "I would equate the treatments to buying a new outfit that fits well. It looks good and draws attention, which helps me feel good about myself," she says. The treatments also spurred her to start working out, which helped her drop two dress sizes.
After a very stressful year, Janet has some advice for other women her age. "It ain't over until it's over," she says. She has been doing things she never dreamed of doing before, like flying helicopters, deep sea diving, and dining and dancing all hours of the night. Along the way, Janet says she has met some very exciting and interesting people. "I feel like my life is starting over again."
Jill Lezaic, DO
Dr. Lezaic, Medical Director of Laser Skin Solutions, received her Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine where she graduated with Honors. She is a board certified Family Physician who specializes in Aesthetic Medicine, including laser treatments. She is a member of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine & Surgery and regularly lectures about cosmetic procedures throughout the United States.
