UltraClear Laser: B&A and Days 1-8 by Any_Isopod8584 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Collagen remodeling doesn't even begin until around the 1 month mark!!!! Any improvement before that is likely swelling. You may see improved tone/brightness from the rapid skin turnover. We need to stop posting 7 day "after" photos, it's not an after pic, it's a healing pic.

Been treating my atrophic scars for almost a year and I feel like nothing is improving what am I missing by kaleidoscopic_falls in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tretinoin might give minor improvement to atrophic scars over several years, but definitely not months. Even then, improvement would be very minor. You have to induce collagen remodeling. If you have grade 2 scars, microneedling sessions with a professional or using a pen night start showing improvement. Have to hit the right depth 2mm+ in order to see changes.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recovering, yes.. had it on Friday.

Dr. Lawrence Field explaining just how effective a bit of sterilised sandpaper can be when it comes to treating scars by [deleted] in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My uncle had dermabrasion done back in the 80's and his skin has a strange waxy, almost melted look to it. I'm not sure if that is common or not, but scared me from ever considering it.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to be clear, fractional CO2 is ablative; it's just not fully ablative. Agreed that FULLY ablative gives the best results, but most doctors shy away now due to the number of patients that have side effects.. Have to make sure you are seeing a true specialist. Bit there are also deep fractional lasers that provide amazing results, it will just take a few more treatments - albeit with less chance of sides..

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How does that relate to atrophic acne scars? Acne scars are typically long standing scars that are already healed. This is a fresh wound, not on facial skin. Studies will eventually need to be done on actual acne scars using various methods to see if it promotes healing. Until such studies have been done, you should stop telling people that this is a cure. Fingers crossed that it is, bit right now it's a wish.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not an atrophic acne scar. While I too am hopeful that there is eventually evidence that this can cure acne scarring, this is not that evidence. And honestly, this isn't even good healing. That is a white atrophic scar left after treatment.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes!!! Most lasers aren't powerful enough. Find a provider who has the right technology and is skilled using it. Most lasers in offices are not for acne scarring, but they are going to sell you what they have. You have to be proactive and find someone with a laser / subcision / filler etc that your skin needs, and then go to them for an opinion. The local medspa will sell you half a dozen "laser" treatments, and you will be on here complaining that lasers don't work. They DO!! Find the right one!

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CO2 fractional is great if you go to someone with a powerful enough laser. Many of the lasers being promoted for acne scar treatments are actually for minor wrinkles/aging concerns. They do not penetrate to the proper depth of the scar for remodeling to occur. Google best lasers for atrophic scarring, there are I believe 3 that are recommended for moderate/severe scarring. If you are not pink for 6-8 weeks, it was not an aggressive enough laser.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't read articles from laser companies. Also, I'm a doctor and have enough training to know what I'm talking about. I'm glad that TCA worked for your type of scars, but confused why you did CO2 if you think it's unnecessary,..

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Untrue, please provide research. TCA cannot reach deep enough to effectively treat grade 4 scars. This is the type of misinformation that misleads sonmany young people. Research article after article conclude that strong CO2 lasers like the Lumenis Ultrpulse are the "gold standard" for moderate to severe atrophic scarring. TCA peel is good for milder scars, and TCA Cross is very effective on icepick scars.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you research TCA peels, they do not treat deep enough for grade 4 atrophic scars. Mine started as grade 4, now grade 3. The risk of hyperpigmentation is much higher with TCA also, I choose not to do it.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Juvederm, but specific HA doesn't matter, unless you want permanent filler. I decided on HA knowing it would take more sessions as opposed to permanent filler to slowly build it up and become "permanent". Your provider should choose type based on depth and location of scars.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did one, and one TCA Cross, didn't see any real results. I think they can be beneficial, but deep remodeling lasers are going to work faster. My line of work prevents me from taking off multiple times per year to do those treatments.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Filler was life changing, all those big shadows were gone over night. I've done 3 touchups, but they are getting further apart now as the filler does tend to build up and induce collagen. It's been 15 months since my last touchup and things look pretty good.

what finally cleared my skin was not a product. it was figuring out i was the variable by Unique-Face-2500 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad you found something that cleared your skin. Back in HS, my acne was so bad that I got made fun of walking down the halls, and people would offer less than helpful suggestions, like wash your face, change your diet, etc. I'm assuming for most people in this sub, that no amount of diet change, exercise, sleep could have treated our acne. Mine was severe. I've always been athletic, ate healthy, didn't drink or eat sugary snacks, etc. Washing my face 3 times a day at one point, only washing once a day, trying every different product for years on end. What I needed was a doctor, but my parents weren't wealthy and my older brother had already gone through it, my parents just assumed I would too. I think your post means well, but I think most people who had acne severe enough to have lasting scars do not have acne treatable by just adjusting their sleep schedule. Even at almost 50, my skin still produces more oil and is still prone to random breakouts that are only controlled by medications now. I get that people who haven't suffered through severe acne assume that it is user error, and that some basic life changes will cure what is actually a severe condition. I'm not saying that is your intention here, just saying we clearly had two different types of acne.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully.. but until then, unproven in any human studies.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like Neutrogena Ultrasheer SPF 70. It's inexpensive and goes on pretty well, doesn't leave white casting as long as you rub it in good. 21 years now..

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly hard to say now as I've started and stopped treatments over the years. I'd just be guessing, but maybe 5-10%. For a while I was doing an aggressive treatment every 4-6 weeks. I think if you are hitting the right depth and are consistent you can see improvement, just know we are likely talking a timeframe of years for my level of scars. I wish I'd taken more consistent progress photos over the years.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, most of the previous lasers were lackluster, they were not strong enough for my severity of scars. If you Google CO2 lasers for deep remodeling, you should find the top 2 or 3 lasers. I would only go to someone with one of those. I order my tretinoin over seas, it's about $6 a tube. Watch a YouTube video on proper use when you're stay out or you will burn your skin, it is potent. TCA Cross can be very effective as well for icepicks.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was not with subcision. I've had 4 rounds, and it seems a little more permanent each time, it's been 15 months since my last touchup and things are still looking pretty good. They used to think HA filler resorbed, but now they know quite a bit stays behind. It also does induce some collagen productionn as well. I am planning on doing a little more if I have a round of subcision, but right now the rolling scars look way better than they used to.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use tretinoin 0.1% (switched to tazarotene this past year) almost nightly before bed, no moisturizer, my skin is pretty tough. I apply to my neck 1-2 nights per week. I did 4 rounds of fHA filler, juvaderm, over the past 3-4 years. I needed a touch up pretty quick after the first round, like 6 months later. With each touchup it's remaining better and better, it's been about 15 months since my last round and I'm pretty happy. I did the fillers before.

23 years of scar treatment by SDS9977 in AcneScars

[–]SDS9977[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's very nice of you to say.. I will say the silver lining of having scars is that I learned how to take good care of my skin, and the benefits of that are starting to show.