If you’re on the squeamish side, then the ins and outs of Love Island’s Alexandra Cane’s recent laser peel may not sit well with you, and you might want to sit this article out.
If, however, you’re all in when it comes to raw skin, bloody-looking complexions and ‘gunky’ eyes, then join us as we discuss Alexandra’s Fully Ablative CO2 Resurfacing.
In a YouTube video uploaded this week, a nervous-looking Alexandra, 27, chats ahead of her procedure, a treatment which will set you back between €1,000 and €1,500 in Ireland.
“You’ll feel like you’ve been sunburned for about 24 hours after the procedure, that’s normal,” Dr Asif Hussein told her as he set to work lasering Alexandra’s face.
When the viewer meets Alexandra the day after her procedure however, it seems sunburn may have been somewhat of an understatement.
“My face was so painful,” Alexandra explained. “My eyes were really swollen and I couldn’t really move my face much. The whole day was a bit of a shock.”
After explaining that her prescribed antibiotics hadn’t agreed with her, she said she had spent much of the night vomiting.
It was all just a bit of a nightmare last night, but today the swelling has gone down on my face. Everything is starting to scab over a bit more now. My eyes are still quite swollen, a bit gunky, but everything is going to plan. I am supposed to look like this.
“All of this skin is going to shed off and regenerate new skin,” Alexandra reassured us, and presumably herself.
Her skin is still red, raw and extremely painful looking by day two, but she’s a lot more positive and keen to point that the healing process is underway as her skin has already started to peel.
However, she has no intention of downplaying the intensity of the procedure.
The whole process is quite traumatic. I’n not going to sugarcoat it at all. If you’re thinking of having this treatment done, please enter it with so much caution and do your research. It’s not something you need to enter lightly.
“When you look in the mirror it does make you feel a bit sick,” she said. “Having to touch your skin is a horrible experience.”
As the week goes on, Alexandra, who explained that she hasn’t been able to eat over the course of the last two days, assured her fans and followers that every day is ‘feeling better’.
Day four saw a major change in Alexandra’s complexion, but that doesn’t mean she’s out of the woods yet.
“Now that all the scabbing is falling off, I’m at risk of more infection. My face is still really puffy and there’s still some scabbing around my eyes.”
And then, sweet respite!
Eight days post-treatment and Alexandra was buzzing over the results.
“I’ve put on some makeup so you guys can see,” Alexandra said. “My skin’s just looks absolutely flawless. It just looks outrageous. I’m so happy, It doesn’t feel itchy or irritable at all.Very, very, very pleased.”
In spite of this, YouTube users were reluctant to take the same road as the Love Island star.
As the video started I thought ‘oh cool, this is something I might like to get done’ then when we saw you with the red face I was like “nahhhh, I’ll make do without”.
I think the pain and maintenance was just not worth it, could have gotten a similar effect with a face mask.
I don’t think it was that drastic of a change, to go through all of that. But fair play for doing it, if your happy that’s the best thing. (sic)
If you think you can endure Alexandra’s journey in its entirety, take a look at this.
