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Advice Needed On My Acne Scar Removal Treatment! England, UK

UPDATED FROM Sonic72

Correction

Sonic72June 30, 2014
$1,000
The clinic recommended six and possibly six more sessions of microdermabrasion, not dermabrasion. Could a Derma Roller or Derma Stamp improve the appearance of my scars? In September I will be leaving the UK for three months and therefore cannot commence intensive treatment. However, I will be able to use the Derma Roller or Derma Stamp in the meantime and abroad.

I have added some new photos under the cruelest lighting! They are all of my left temple/cheek as this is the worst affected area.

Replies (5)

Sonic72
June 30, 2014
Do you think that a Derma Roller/Derma Stamp would be just as effective or better than micro-dermabrasion? Would a Derma Roller/Derma Stamp needle length of 1.5mm or 2.0mm be best? Thanks.
LMS0822
July 26, 2014
I wouldn't listen to Zoompa there...laser resurfacing has disfigured and ruined many lives...Mine included. It is NOT safe at all. Rather a shot in the dark by these docs who don't really know or care about any variables our bodies/skin could have that would make a laser resurfacing procedure detrimental to our faces! Look at your skin and ask your self if you would risk it being about 4 times worse? I have a face full of deep acne scars that just keep appearing 8 months after (without any acne mind you) when prior I had a few shallow scars. Sorry for rambling but I am just trying to warn others.
LMS0822
July 26, 2014
Oh and did you find that accutane helped any scars or texture? I am considering it to fix the lovely texture laser left me with.
afs
August 8, 2014
i have almost the same type of scarring on my face. went to plenty of doctors. up till now i have realized that laser can disfigured the face if the technician is not great and every face react differently.The down time can 3-7 days, scabbing can be expected so you can't go in public, lastly the erythema (redness of skin) can last over a month. Next is dermaroller, can leave behind the scabbing with a down time of 3-5 days, again a riskier option when it come to sun exposure. lastly, Fractional RF(radio frequency) , is saver than laser with no downtime and much advanced. CO2 or other Lasers cut your skin top layers to address deeper scars but Radio frequency doesn't burn your top layer. Radio frequencies are penetrated through the skin, not leaving any sign of burns, scabbing. Allow you to return to your work without anybody noticing. Your might feel the skin a bit uneasy of course. You can get it done over the weekend to avoid sun and public. i have been told to get 3 sessions, two months apart. the results can be seen after one month of first session and by the 6 month. I have been going nuts by reading scar types , treatments and God knows what. i have my session schedule in one done. For the first time I am positive that my scars can be disappeared and not scared of the treatment. Hope this would help. :) good luck to you
ann86
August 9, 2014
@afs please tell me more about FRACTIONAL RF .My dermatologist recommend me this for acne scars i didn't find much about radio frequency for acne scars except it is used for tightening like thermage .it heats up the dermis builds collagen used for saggy face. any reference would be of great benefit please
afs
August 10, 2014
hi ann.. i am now done with my first session. the experience was good. i felt a little pain but not much. skin was i bit red for a few hours but its over 24hours and i am really satisfied, practically no down time. i can't wear makeup for 48 hours but i actually attended a brunch with only lipstick after ages and i was confident of myself. Dr. said i can see the results in 3 weeks but i feel better already. i have photographed my scars and they are improved. ok the real deal. u understood that it heats up the dermis, like may the 3rd or 4th layer of your skin that has the actual scar(this is where your skin tissue is damaged) .This heating therapy will make the tissue heal itself, it will help it grow again (u feel like its swelled up) but it will be regenerating. plus it doesn't cut the first layer like lasers so nobody notice. one more thing have Asian complexion. On face scabbing after laser can be horrible or permanent damage but this was safe. Its ADVANCED, SAFER, FEWER SESSIONS than lasers. With superficial scar its wonderful. hope that was helpful. good luck :)
ann86
August 10, 2014
Thankyou so much afs ......changed my plan i was going to have dermapen followed by jessener peel and microdermabrasion .lasers do scare the hell out me i have my wedding after 5 months was really confused about the recovery time as i read from the horrible reviews here . i am a victim of bad laser case caused me deep depression from mole removal right beside my nose on the left cheek i ll be posting my pictures for a through advise else my acne scarring is large pores .anyway i am really encouraged and got just first person telling me RF is also for acne. do you think its better than fraxel repair and restore?btw i have sensitive skin from retin .A
afs
August 11, 2014
Hi.. my skin is really sensitive. Had two bad laser experiences for hair removal before n yes lasers on face is a NO NO to me. btw i consulted THE BEST DERMATOLOGIST CENTER who burned my hand with laser. I went crazy that period of time. I have gathered little info on fraxel restore. Its a bit latest than erbium yag. But the same way, cutting of top layer. plus lasers is all about an excellent technician whose handling it. My idea, consult a dermatologist, A) if there is any health reason (like, hormonal imbalance) dermatologist can handle that will stop acne and futuer scarring cause acne can be a symptom not diease at times (if u still having breakouts) . B) If dermatologist says, u only need to repair scars and rest is good than consult a cosmotologist. they are the best ones with machines. one more microderma is useless with scars. within a period 5months it will never work + u can't afford down time. I am photographing myself but I want to wait till 3rd week to share my experience. do show ur pics so I can relate if u like. n hey congratx. good luck. :)
ann86
August 9, 2014
@afs please tell me more about FRACTIONAL RF .My dermatologist recommend me this for acne scars i didn't find much about radio frequency for acne scars except it is used for tightening like thermage .it heats up the dermis builds collagen used for saggy face. any reference would be of great benefit please.
ORIGINAL POST

Hiya Long story short I have suffered from acne...

Sonic72June 11, 2014
Hiya

Long story short I have suffered from acne since my late teens. It became progressively worse (severe acne) to the point that in September 2012 I started a ten month course of Roaccutane. Despite suffering from a number of gruelling side effects, and by no means has my acne completely disappeared, it is much better than hitherto. I have somewhat come to accept my acne scars and concede that no matter how much or what treatment I undergo, I will always have some scarring. And that is cool, because scars show you have a bit of history! Anyhow, I am now at the stage where I want to at least try and reduce their appearance. I have done some research but there are myriad techniques which does not really help much in finding the appropriate treatment. For instance, I have read that laser treatment is regarded as dangerous whilst the results from peels are negligible. I recently had a consultation with a clinic and was recommended six and possibly six more sessions of dermabrasion. Upon returning home I was shocked by the amount of negative feedback concerning this treatment. How safe would you regard dermabrasion? I was also told that I have ice pick scars but I thought I had rolling and boxcar scars which has confused me slightly. Is subcision and filler treatment best for rolling and boxcar scars? Could the TCA or Fraxel repair methods be any good for me? I must also add that my skin is sensitive.

I hereby include pictures of my acne scars in the hope that someone will be able to offer me guidance in terms of the type and severity of my scars and possible appropriate treatments.

Any help is much appreciated

Replies (4)

bk718
June 15, 2014
I had fillers on my scars and it helped!
IceAge
June 19, 2014
The clinic that was recommending 6, possibly 12, could not have been referring to true dermabrasion. They must have been talking about microdermabrasion which will do nothing for your scars. And it doesn't look like you have ice pick scarring either. If you haven't seen a dermatologist yet, I'd start there. And don't go back to that clinic. Good luck!
Sonic72
June 30, 2014
Hi IceAge. You are indeed correct re microdermabrasion. That is what they suggested, not dermabrasion. Thanks for the heads up!
zo0mpa
June 21, 2014
I SO know how you feel... I'm also a recent Roaccutane user left with scars... But first off, your scarring really isn't as bad as you think! Secondly, Dermabrasion is very old fashioned in treating acne scars, less effective and is infact more harmful than laser resurfacing... The trick is to use multiple methods depending on the scar types. For you, I'd say start with the Fraxel repair... Then once you're healed go onto subcision and filler to lift any indentation left. If the scarring is red, Pulsed Dye laser is supposed to be effective... BUT if you want to skip all of this, there is Recell spray on skin... Which appears to be the best treatment out there but also generally at a 5K price tag... Check it out yourself though. Another thing which should be pointed out... TIME alone will reduce their colour and soften them over the years. Also check with other doctors. You need to see someone who you can trust and not someone who is trying to flog their out of date techniques or even incorrect diagnosis of the type of scarring you have. Be patient, do your homework (which sounds like you have been) and more importantly be optimistic and enjoy life, with or without scars.
Sonic72
June 30, 2014
Hi Zoompa, thanks for the advice!
cornflowerblue
March 13, 2015
My scars are worse than yours are but I've gotten some improvement. It takes more than one procedure to get the best improvement to indented acne scars. Don't waste your time and money on microdermabrasion. It will not reduce your scars appearance. Don't waste time and money on Fraxel laser either. Ablative C02 lasers give the most improvement to indented acne scars. However, it should be the last thing you do. Start with subcision to release any tethered scarring. How to know you have tethered scars? Pull your skin taut around each scarred area..... if you can still see the scars, they are tethered. Microneedling done by professionals is a good second treatment. Microneedling instruments have different brand names such as Eclipse Micropen, Skinpen etc. You could supplement professionals during times you can't get to a clinic at home, I'm sure, but always wait 4-6 weeks between treatments. And don't use 3 mm yourself either. TCA Cross is not for rolling scars. It's for icepick scars. Good luck!
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