On a first date, this guy pointed out an icepick scar I have on my face and asked me what it was. I think he was trying to go for the game approach (i.e. kinda sort insult someone/throw her off). It was the most disorienting date I've had (one of the first things he said: "Is this a date?"). I'd never paid much attention to it before, but after, I was briefly obsessed with getting rid of this scar, until I realized there isn't much I can do to get rid of that scar. Thus, I got a groupon for a photofacial at Medispa. Note: photofacials are primarily used for hyperpigmentation, but I hadn't realized that yet.
Now, when I got this deal, I hadn't realized it was in Chinatown. Like, past the beltway. My mom used to take me to Chinatown as a kid, and though I liked the sugar drink and the bright pink-sauce covered meat I'd get, I don't wish I could relive those days, because she also kept getting me those pork buns and noodles (ew and double ew), and long rides in the Houston sun is not my idea of fun. I've mostly stayed away from Chinatown since. Driving to Medispa had me swearing ("if I'd realized it was so far away..."), especially when I couldn't find the place. It's located in the Hong Kong supermarket strip mall, and there is no sign. Just enter on the right entrance that could also get you to Hong Kong. You'll know you went in the right entrance if there's a bubble tea store by it. Also, Medispa will be right in front of you.
Medispa is bright and clean so white (hence the brightness--all that light reflecting off of each other). There were two women at the front desk who helped me. One of them spoke English fluently, and the other one not as much, though we didn't have any major issues in communication. I had to fill out some paperwork, and then Dr. Mykel Ngo came and got me pretty promptly. Dr. Ngo talked to me a bit about what I'd wanted, and let me know about what other treatments I might do to lighten my scar. He was friendly and chatty; so much so, it was like being hit on. He wasn't put out by having to answer so many questions, and he didn't pressure me to decide on anything then. However, I was a wee bit frightened, as he kept talking about making one scar look like the other scar, and that other scar is the deeper one.
The photofacial didn't take more than 30 minutes, and it consisted of him zapping at my pigmented spots with a laser. Those spots darkened, and continued to darken for a few days, then fell off. I'm not sure I noticed a difference, but my skin may just be finicky. When I was leaving, the woman at the front desk asked if Mykel had talked to me about skin lightening products (he hadn't), but I wasn't interested.
The location isn't particularly relaxing (driving in the Hong Kong parking lot? yeah...), the interior is clean, the person doing the treatment is nice and doesn't sell you on stuff, and the reception does a medium-soft sell, so 3.75 stars. I'm rounding up for now. read more