Cross update~ Better late than never! (LONG but w/pics)

I have been feeling extremely guilty lately that I have never posted updated pictures of my TCA cross results. I owe this board 100% of the credit for providing me with the information on the cross procedure. So... I am finally doing my part and sharing my results 2 years later. Basically I am extremely happy with the improvement to my ice picks and scarred pores. After 4 rounds of TCA cross and several TCA full face peels; I felt normal enough to stop obsessing over my scars and just moved on to other body parts (post pregnancy boobs anyone?)

The very first scar(very small ice pick) I ever TCA crossed contracted, filled-in and disappeared the very first time I treated it. Unfortunately, this did not happen with every scar. I'd say 90% responded at some point but approximately 10% had very little improvement. Two years later, the results have not diminished at all.

I never TCA crossed my numerous rolling scars. I think my last "after" picture was extremely misleading. The lighting looked funky and it made it appear as if my scars had vanished which they have not. Also, my rolling scars just don't show up very well from a direct side view. The improvement to my rolling scars was temporary and I attributed it to Hyaluronic acid supplements. I took HA for almost 6 months which did have a dramatic plumping effect but also tended to make me look bloated. Currently I am back to collagen injections every 8 weeks. Tried Restalyne but results were less natural for me unfortunately.

I will eventually get Fraxel or PSR to improve my rolling scars and sun damage but it is definitely not a priority.

So here are 2 new pictures. The first is a close-up of the same area I originally treated. The second is a frontal view which accurately depicts the current state of my rolling scars.

I will try to respond to some questions but only if it was not answered in previous postings. 3 kids and work give me little time~sorry!

One final note. Even though I found TCA cross+EGF to be a miracle ;it is not for everyone. Everyone's skin is so different. Even my own scars responded unpredictably. Just because a treatment does or does not work for someone doesn't mean it will or will not work for you so don't give up and good luck everyone!

My before/after TCA cross pictures

Before left:

Left after 1xcross:

Left after 2x cross and 2 tca complex:

Amount of $ spent on scar revision

I am just curious as to how much the people on this board have spent trying to eradicate/improve their scars; including Drs visits, procedures, over the counter medications, etc. Not fighting acne just scar treatment. I have spent roughly $11,000. CO2 laser and the collagen injections being the most expensive. I am very interested in everyones answers especially since there seems to be so much promise in some of the least expensive procedures.
Thanks!
Reilly

Before/After Picture Tips

Does anyone have any good tips on taking close-up pictures of scars? I wanted to document the progress of my scar treatment but my before pics are less than stellar. The ones taken w/ a normal camera look a little grainy and not detailed enough. The ones taken w/ a 5x magnification lens are far too detailed (pores, fine hairs, etc show up ) and suprisingly make the scar look better than it truly does. Full face pictures and half face pics came out fine. I would like to take a picture of a single scar clearly. Any ideas will be truly appreciated!
Reilly :-k

Before/After Picture Tips

Does anyone have any good tips on taking close-up pictures of scars? I wanted to document the progress of my scar treatment but my before pics are less than stellar. The ones taken w/ a normal camera look a little grainy and not detailed enough. The ones taken w/ a 5x magnification lens are far too detailed (pores, fine hairs, etc show up ) and suprisingly make the scar look better than it truly does. Full face pictures and half face pics came out fine. I would like to take a picture of a single scar clearly. Any ideas will be truly appreciated!
Reilly