How I ended up like this
This website documents my personal experience and opinion following a cosmetic laser treatment for facial spider veins done at Avalon Laser.
The purpose of this site is to present a factual timeline of events, medical consultations, and recovery efforts based on my photographs, medical visits, and written communications.
All information is shared to raise awareness and to provide transparency for others considering similar procedures.
Before the procedure
As you can see from my photos, my skin was naturally smooth and healthy. I never experienced significant skin problems, everything was generally in good condition. The only concern I had was the presence of spider veins on my face, something I wanted to address to feel more confident in my own skin.
Over the course of more than five years, I tried different cosmetic treatments, including Cut vein therapy and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments, to treat the spider veins. These treatments were generally well-tolerated, and no lasting complications occurred, though the results were temporary.
I had hoped that by addressing the spider veins, I would feel more confident and no longer feel the need to use heavy makeup or concealer when going out. It seemed like a straightforward, safe cosmetic solution.
But little did I know, what I expected to be a straightforward procedure would turn into a much longer, more painful journey, one that would deeply affect my physical and emotional well-being.
Promising technique
In June 2025, I came across a promotional post on Instagram showcasing a newer technique for spider vein removal. Intrigued by the potential results, I decided to give it a try at Avalon Laser.
On June 21, 2025, I underwent a facial vein treatment at their Carlsbad location, performed by a nurse.
Initially, the nurse suggested using IPL therapy. However, since IPL had not been effective for me in the past, I explained this to her. She then decided to use a different machine and informed me that the procedure might be somewhat painful.
At one point during the treatment, the nurse applied firm pressure on my cheek with her thumb. When I inquired about it, I was reassured that nothing was wrong, and the treatment proceeded as planned.
2 days after the procedure
By June 23, 2025, just two days after the procedure, my face appeared significantly swollen and very different from how it normally looked. Some liquid was visibly seeping from the affected areas. I was alarmed by the rapid changes and the discomfort I was feeling.
June 26th
The affected area on my face had begun to scab, the discomfort increased, and my skin felt very sensitive, even the smallest movements seemed to trigger discomfort.
A few days after the procedure, I was increasingly concerned about what was happening to my skin. The burn and blisters were still very visible, and I started worrying about the possibility of scarring. I reached out to the clinic, sending pictures and asking if this was normal.
The nurse replied reassuringly, suggesting it might not scar since the wounds appeared to be healing, but it didn’t ease my fear.
As the days passed, I felt a growing sense of worry. Some of the areas seemed to have deep scars, and I feared they might be permanent. I tried to stay positive, but it was hard to ignore the fear that I might never look the same again.
July 3rd
The scabs started to fall revealing a 3mm deep hole. My cheek is sunken and uneven. My face is drooping in a way it never did before. It’s like it’s melting into my smile line. On the right cheek, the scab is still holding.
On my right cheek, the scab was still intact, but the hole left by the laser was noticeable and concerning. It was hard to ignore how much my appearance had changed.
During a follow-up visit, I was told that the doctor was confident I would fully recover. However, given the appearance of my face and how things were progressing, I still felt unsure. I decided to get a second opinion and consulted with AI tools, which suggested a different outcome. Concerned, I visited a family doctor, who immediately sent me to the ER. The injuries were described as burn-related, and the doctor mentioned that it would definitely leave a permanent scar.
July 8th
All the scabs fell off, leaving place to red marks.
The scab eventually fell off, and it showed a huge hole as well. I look in the mirror and I don’t recognize myself. I can’t eat out. I avoid seeing people. I don’t take photos. I can’t sleep. I cry almost every night. I feel broken.
The emotional toll has been the hardest part. In the first weeks after the injury, I cried myself to sleep every night. I would lie in bed trying to rest, but my thoughts stayed fixed on my face and what had happened to it. Sleep became difficult, and when I did sleep, it was restless and filled with anxiety.
I became withdrawn and stopped seeing friends. I no longer felt comfortable going outside without makeup and a mask, and even then, I felt exposed and ashamed. A vacation that was meant to be joyful turned into days spent hiding from the sun and avoiding mirrors and photographs.
My appetite disappeared, and I lost weight. Many days were spent sitting in silence, staring at my reflection and struggling to accept the changes I saw. What began as a cosmetic decision became something that reshaped my daily life and my sense of self.
Full recovery is no longer expected. I will require multiple additional laser treatments in an effort to reduce scarring. These treatments are painful, costly, and ongoing, and there is no certainty about the final outcome.
July 11th
The wounds began to dry and darken, forming deep brown scabs.
July 21st
The redness began to fade, but the dark pigmentation became more pronounced and noticeable. While the surface appeared calmer, the discoloration remained.
I had several follow-up appointments with Avalon Laser. I was told the recovery appeared to be progressing. However, I continued to see significant pigmentation changes on my skin. During these visits, microneedling was discussed as a possible next step. I was also informed that other specialists had been consulted for their opinions.
July 25th
By this point, the wounds had closed. What remained was significant pigmentation and uneven texture that was far more apparent than before. The area that had formed a hole healed, but it left a deep indentation in my skin.
I emailed the doctor to express my deepest disppointment
This is his response
September 6th
After the 1st treatment on august 25th; very mild C02 procedure, offered by Avalon Laser. Pigmentation slight faded, but indentation still present. The scar on the right cheek started to form some elevated snake shape where the hole used to be.
December 14th
Because I lost confidence in Avalon Laser and because the procedures are performed by a nurse, not a doctor, I did 3 UltraClear procedures at a different clinic (about 6 weeks apart), by a doctor. Pigmentation has significantly decreased, but the indentations are still present. The snake-like scar is starting to recess.
January 2nd
Even putting lots of make-up doesn’t cover the damage.
February 6th
After consulting with my doctor, I decided to give CO2 a shot. Here are the results after 1 session. It’s definitely showing signs of improvements, but the indentations are still there. The snake-like scar is almost gone.
8 months after the initial spider vein removal procedure at Avalon Laser, I’m not sure if my face is ever going to go back to normal. The financial impact has been overwhelming. Whenever a neighbor or friend saw my face, they all recommended to pursue legal actions. I did involve a lawyer to send a demand letter, but Avalon Laser did not respond. I emailed them 3 months later, but they also did not respond. I have spent so much money on medical visits, procedures, medications, skincare, makeup, sunscreen, and protective products. Although the original procedure was refunded, it did not come close to covering the ongoing costs of recovery.
While we may never know what happened, I want to share my story to ensure people think twice before doing any procedure based on social media.