here are my expectations... is it possible to have one procedure even if it is a radical one, to rid ourselves of these scars completely??? This may sound selfish but if i'm going to spend in the upwards of 5 thousand say.....then i expect it all to be gone!! Is this far fetched? i don't want 50% better i want 99.9-100% better.. like it was before. (i know i'm a freak huh?)

here are my expectations... is it possible to have one procedure even if it is a radical one, to rid ourselves of these scars completely??? This may sound selfish but if i'm going to spend in the upwards of 5 thousand say.....then i expect it all to be gone!! Is this far fetched? i don't want 50% better i want 99.9-100% better.. like it was before. (i know i'm a freak huh?)

Damn straight, I say, Amy!!

If I spent that much, I would hope so, too, but I honestly doubt it, especially if you have deep scars. However, I honestly do believe we can eliminate scars, it just takes lots of patience and care. I think if we can exfoliate the skin continuously to remove the outermost layer, and then rebuild the scar tissue from within, we can get rid of scars, or at least get to that point where it's all but impossible to notice. I mean, look at laser.....really you're just exfoliating the outermost layers of skin (albeit, much more deeply than say, an acid peel), and then hoping that the skin will allow the skin to regrow so that the scar is diminished. You're really just forcing the skin to rebuild itself and prompt some collagen growth by undoing that scar tissue.

Well, I certainly hope this is true!

Damn straight, I say, Amy!!

If I spent that much, I would hope so, too, but I honestly doubt it, especially if you have deep scars. However, I honestly do believe we can eliminate scars, it just takes lots of patience and care. I think if we can exfoliate the skin continuously to remove the outermost layer, and then rebuild the scar tissue from within, we can get rid of scars, or at least get to that point where it's all but impossible to notice. I mean, look at laser.....really you're just exfoliating the outermost layers of skin (albeit, much more deeply than say, an acid peel), and then hoping that the skin will allow the skin to regrow so that the scar is diminished. You're really just forcing the skin to rebuild itself and prompt some collagen growth by undoing that scar tissue.

Well, I certainly hope this is true!

I just read something today in which a Dermatologist said that since most acne scar sufferers have several types of scars, it would be unlikely to remove them all with one procedure. In other words, different scars require different procedures. Wish I knew where I saw this, but I do so much surfing/researching that I'll probably never find it again. If I do, I'll post a link to it.

Jeezus, i thought i was the only one who was misguided by their dermatologist. Same deal with me too. Much of the grief and psychological pain could of been avoided if my dermatologist perscribed me oral antibiotics right from the get go. Hell, i wouldn't even been posting on this board. !!!!! So f#$%@ annoying and it really ticks me off but i can't do nothing except deal and hope that i can get rid of this stupid scars so it doesn't look like WW2 took place on my skin. The people get paid good amounts of money, the least they can do is give the best possible treatment instead of 5min checkup and a perscription for some lame topical medication that doesn't even work. ARGGGG!!!!!

Who performs the laser surgery? Dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, or plastic surgeons? How can i find a good doctor to perform laser surgery on my scar? Is there some online website that i can query a list of doctors in my area for this kind of procedure?

I hear you mc!!!

My Dermatologist performed laser surgery on me several years ago - not sure who else does it. I would recommend reading up on the procedure you want to get, then contact Dermatologists in your area for a free consultation so that they can tell you what they offer, what it costs, what their experience is and so forth. I suggest having a long list of all your questions before heading to a Dr. for their advice though. I "interviewed" about 6 different Dermatologists and wound up selecting one who's results, experience and knowledge I trusted.

Hi I am considering laser surgury for severe scarring on my forehead.
Gus, do you know which laser they used on you? CO2 or Erbium yag or both??

I'm really interested in knowing what kind of laser your doctor used on you, what setting, and how many passes as well. I'm learning that those three factors really make a difference. I had disappointing results with my laser resurfacing. When my skin first healed it looked like there weren't any changes. But as the years went on most of the scars actually became deeper and I ended up with scars I hadn't even had before! Please be specific with the procedure if you can, thanks

Your story is identical to mine. I am form Canada where everyone says they are so proud of our public health care. Well that bull**** as far as I am concerned. I went to my GP and he put me on the same useless antibiotics. I went back to him and he said it looks better which was bull because it was just as worse. I too had cystic acne. I kept asking him should you send me to a derm because in Canada you need a referal to a derm esp in the small town where I lived. I was 15 too and didn't know who to turn to. I put all my trust in this a hole of a doctor. Any way the acne ended up being on there so long I knew it was going to scar. Had I have been older as I am know, I would have marched into a derm office and said look at this acne I want an appointment now. ANd I would have got it.

I am now looking at expensive surgeries to correct scarring because of a Canadian doctor who thought he was good enough to treat severe acne when it should have been done by a derm. Thats why the country trains dermatologists for god sakes.

I hope the med system in canada goes private because it is a friggin now.

Just thought I'd share my story.

You know how many people are uninsured in the US today?

I'm sure there are many, but in many cases its a choice.

I've been uninsured many times in my life, and while its not the smartest idea, it was always choice.

I don't think the answer is to emulate Canada, even though it can tempting, because hey, who doesn't like free stuff?