Excision of Acne Scars Followed By Laser Treatment

As if suffering through acne breakouts were embarrassing enough, the everlasting scars they can leave behind can be detrimental to your confidence and esteem. I always assumed acne was something I would eventually grow out of, but I was so wrong. Although my breakouts were less frequent the older I grew, they were more severe when they did occur. In my mid-20’s I started getting cystic acne. Fun. Had I known then the damage I was doing by popping these whiteheads on the cysts I never would have touched my face. Blackheads were leaving my pores larger as well. I had a really bad breakout several years back that left a few boxcar scars on my chin. Every time I look in the mirror it’s all I see. I feel like it’s all anyone else sees when they look at me, though I’m sure most people don’t even notice them. But it makes me so depressed when I look back at pictures of myself before I got these scars because I wish I could go back to before I had them.

I finally decided to start researching my options. From the acne scars to sun spots, freckles and wrinkles, I really wanted my youthful, glowing skin back. I’ll be 40 this summer, and my skin just isn’t the same as it once was. Darn you aging. Lol. So I found Dr. Ginsburg and his experience and credentials impressed me enough to take the plunge and go for it. I almost backed out when he told me his plan to surgically “cut out” the boxcar scars first before doing the laser treatment. Because the scars were so deep and large they most likely wouldn’t respond to the laser well enough. So by removing the boxcar scars and replacing them with much narrower, shallower “lines” of a scar they would respond much better. He said it would take about 6-8 weeks for the wounds to heal after having the stitches removed in a week. Surprisingly, the procedure was virtually painless, other than the local anesthesic needle. Even when the numbing began to wear off, there was very little pain. The area was pretty swollen though, and I did start to feel some stinging and soreness. I’ve been keeping the area clean and applying Bacitracin ointment to prevent infections. I’m so nervous the wounds are going to get infected. They’re pretty red right now and the bright blue stitches aren’t helping. Lol. I wish I could just go into hiding for a week until they come out but I actually went into work today. I was getting so tired of everyone asking “What happened?” and people staring at them. Ugh, I did this to myself willfully! Lol! It’s funny how when I explained what the stitches were all about and what I was doing to remove the scars everyone’s reaction was exactly the same - “Oh I never even noticed the scars before.” Ugh. Lol. Just goes to show how what we see in ourselves is not always what others see. We tend to pick ourselves apart and focus on our every imperfection while others never even take notice.

I keep telling myself it’s only for a few days and I’m trying to keep my eye on the end result. But I’m feeling a little worried that maybe I shouldn’t have gone through with this. I feel so vain at times for even wanting nice, smooth even skin when I tell other people about it. I absolutely HATED these scars on my face though!! I just hope the scars don’t look worse than before. It’s making me very anxious. I’ll be back to update next Tuesday after I have the stitches removed. Praying they don’t look too bad.

I think I made an error. It wasn’t a subcision but an excision. The scars were surgically removed and sutured back together. I’m pretty sure there is a difference.

Anyway, I’m on Day 6 after the surgery and everything feels good. No pain, no infection, no problems. I’m still feeling pretty self-conscious about the stitches right now. And I’m worried I’m gonna regret doing all this when the stitches come out. I’m so nervous it’s gonna look so much worse than before. I’m trying to stay optimistic, though. I’m so tired of everyone asking what happened or why I would do this to myself. It’s really making me have regrets. And doubts. I can’t wait to have them removed in a few days!!

Ok I’m feeling much better and more optimistic. These wounds are healing nicely now and I’m getting super excited!! I can’t wait to get these stitches out tomorrow!!! I’ve has enough of walking around with blue wires sticking out of my face. Lol. And everyone staring at them, but trying not to. I’ve had way too many people tell me I had something on my chin, from ashes to ink. Lol. I’m praying it doesn’t look too bad when they come out. But I know, with time, they’ll heal up nicely, and look way better than they did with the circles of holes left on my skin from acne.