i've been reading about this scotch tape method, mostly what you've written. i have some superficial scarring on my forehead from previous acne. no pitted scars or bumps, just some discoloration (dark spots - i have brown skin) would this method work for someone in my situation? how long should i wait for results? if this works, it would be a miracle. i wonder why dermatologists and skin specialists never mention this method. maybe it would take some business away from them? also, my first suspicion would be that the chemicals in the glue of the tape would be detrimental to the skin. what's your take on this? i look forward to your reply. thanks.

skindo

Well, I don't know anyone who has had any adverse reactions to the chemicals - it's on and off so quickly anyway, and it's best to wash with water/wipe with toner straight after.

I think it normally takes around 2 weeks to see good effects of red mark reduction with this method - it is similar to having glycolic/lactic peels.

My skin is pale brown too - I'm half Indian, half Chinese, and it works great. Best thing is that it is so cheap! This isn't meant to be a derm recommended method - derms could go out of business!!

thanks, maya. wow, half indian half chinese, huh? great mix. i'm indian as well. so, do you only get red marks? i have only some brown marks from old acne. red marks suggest that maybe the scars are relatively new? or not? have you ever tried it on brown marks if you've had any? i came really close to having microdermabrasion done and then the specialist said it would maybe get rid of the discoloration but she didn't sound that convincing. then she asked me whether i wanted to go on some program where i apply all these creams and solutions to my face for 18 weeks and that i would maybe experience alot of breakout in the beginning and peeling as well. i told her i'd get back to her on that one. also, i don't have any scotch tape in the house. do you think the sticky part of a band-aid would be as effective? i'll buy some scotch tape tomorrow.

skindo

Sorry - I call all marks red marks - but what I mean is - this tape method helps with all superficial scarring - red and brown marks. Give it some time, I think it's quite a gentle method, so you won't break out with this.

I had a series of crystal clear microdermabrasions last year - they broke me out! It was a machine that sprayed fine crystals onto the skin in order to exfoliate... but it left me with nasty scratch type marks for days after each session and definately didn't help me. And it was painful too! Ouch.

Have you tried lactic/glycolic peels for your brown marks? They could be used in conjunction with this type of taping - that's what I am doing - using lactic peels every 1-2 weeks and taping every day.

maya,
i haven't tried the lactic/glycolic peels. is this something i can do at home or do i have to have it performed by a specialist. i remember her saying that part of the regiment she was going to put me on (with the creams and lotions and solutions and all that) included glycolic acid but i was under the impression that it was a lotion and not a peel. but i could have just missed that info.
the microdermabrasion made you break out?! she never mentioned the possibility of this. she just said that it might feel like a minor windburn afterwards and there would be some redness which would go away shortly. i understand, though, that different skin types can have different results. i was so close to having it done. the appointment i made with her was actually for this procedure. the chair was fully reclined and everything. then, in the last minute, i asked," is this going to get rid of my scars?" and she said, "it might, but it's more to smoothen out the skin..." i sat up immediately and said, "maybe we can discuss some alternatives?" then she suggested this regiment which included retin-A and all that. you've seen improvement in as short as 2 weeks? my scars seem to be so much apart of the skin that it's hard to imagine that they would fade from this method. there is no difference in the surface level where there is discoloration and where there isn't. with your scars, was there a difference in the surface level? thanks.

Skindo

where are you based? I'm in the Uk, and I buy/import my peels from the states.

Here is what I do for the red/brown marks:

1. I use a lactic peel (40% solution) every 10 days or so - lactic peels are more gentle than glycolic peels - I get them from www.homepeels.com You can get glycolic/lactic peels from derms but that is extremely expensive and it's a simple procedure to do on yourself, so I just do it myself! These are great for stretchmarks too!!!

Look at the site and check other threads on this board, they will give you more info on lactic/glycolic peels. Basically, the peel is something you apply for a few minutes and wash off - it doesn't cause much flakiness, just removes the top layer gently without the need to scrub. There is no downtime - i.e. you can apply makeup staright after and continue your day (no hiding away necessary!)

2. I do the tape method daily - this continues to exfoliate and remove discolouration and uneveness - I just use ordinary tape - the stuff you wrap presents with.

3. I apply copper peptide serum (aka CP serum) - also bought from www.homepeels.com but more info is to be had from www.skinbiology.com - an excellent site for information.

Retina A can be good for discolouration but mosts people experience too many side effects - excessive peeling, itchiness, dryness and redness of the face etc..

As to surface levels - the scars that have faded best are the types that you mention, the ones that were purely discoloured/level - I have others that are more bumpy, but they are levelling out nicely and fading well too.


So, a good routine for you might be what I listed above - one word, always wear a sunscreen when you exfoliate like this, as it makes your skin more photosesitive. Give the whole procedure 2-4 weeks before making judgement, and I'm sure you will see a fantastic improvement.

Also, the above method overall is good value

maya,
thank you so much for your input. i'm in the states so i'll look into these products. i'll probably do the lactic thing at night. is glycolic peel more effective? will it cause any skin irritation? i'm a guy, so wearing make-up is not really an option. tomorrow i'll buy some scotch tape and see how it works. the specialist gave me some special soap that would suit my skin better. i think it's helped. she also gave me sunblock which i apply religiously everyday now. kind of gives my skin a bluish tint the first few minutes, but that seems to go away. you know, i think the regiment the specialist was going to put me on had all these elements (except for the scotch tape). but the effects of the retin-a scared me. anyway, thanks again. also, what are potential effects of the glyvolic vs. the lactic?

Skindo

Glycolic acid at 30% works the same as lactic acid at 40% - just that lactic acid is less likely to irritate and lactic is more expensive. You may want to try the glycolic first and see how you go. I think you can buy tester sizes from homepeels so maybe go with that option first.

Also, you will see some people going for up to 70% solutions - don't try those without medical supervision, they are way too strong to do at home. 30% glycolic and 40% lactic is as much as someone should do for home peeling.

Only do the above peels once a week at most and read the instructions carefully. Normally, when people start off, it's only recommended to do this for a couple of minutes, building up more time as your skin gets used it it.

The peels will even out skin tone and help with discolouration, also, they tend to help with enlarged pores. You may find your skin is slightly flakey the first few times, but a good moisturiser should take care of that.

Don't overdo things, ALWAYS stay within the instructions of the supplier - I have known people who have been too keen - i.e. leaving the peel for longer than they are meant to in the hope that it will be more effective - it won't be, it will leave burn scars, so always think safe.

Take care and please update your results with the taping!

Maya

Maya,
can I do the tape method after I have moisturoized? or is it best to do it before? After I have already cleansed the face with purpose cleansing bar.

No, you need to do it when your face is oil free and dry.

Cleanse first, wait for face to be fully dry - then tape, ( optional: then wipe off with water/toner) then moisterise.

Hey Maya.
I tried this the other night and wasn't too pleased with the results:
I washed first with the dove as I usually would, then I taped myself, before splashing water over to remove excess stickyness n whatnot.
I then applied the BP, before applying a layer of moisturiser....
This is when I decided the results weren't too good.
Perhaps I left the tape on for too long?
Would you say using BP along with this method is a good idea? Or do you recommend against it?

Thanks in advance.

Craig

What was wrong with the results?

You need to just apply the tape, press it down and immediately strip off.

I don;t see any problem with using BP as long as you are not normally over sensitive to it.

I'm not sure about the dove soap though, I have heard a few bad stories about that.

is a lot of dead skin supposed to be gluing onto the tape? i just have small bits . I get a tape-full of hair also lol..
how long does this usually take? can I do it after every time i wash my face with soap (twice a day, since I'm on the regimen). Or should I use tape only once?

Also, could it be your discolorations are fading beacuse you also use lactic peels? So maybe it works better or something?

sorry for all the questions.

to maya- did u order the homepeels products through internet or other methods? I'm staying in japan

bananas - once a day is enough - but u can do it twice a day after a few weeks as long as your skin doesn't get too irritated by it. For me, the tape has helped a lot - since I am doing that every day, it greatly enhances the use of lactic peels. I noticed results using the tape only after a few days - the red marks just faded!! But it can take others a few weeks to see results since it depends how deep the discolouration goes.


Sorimachi - I ordered via the internet and I am in the UK - they took around 2 weeks to arrive, but they were good with their customer care and emailed me when they had dispatched.

Hi Maya.
I found that once applying the BP, my face felt extremely raw and it felt as if some form of acid was invigorating my skin. :?
Perhaps this was meant to happen as I had nothing clogging the pores and so BP was able to seep within the pores?

I've been using BP since the end of August (when we were using the old forum) and seem not to be over sensitive at all, but if you say there should be no problems using BP whilst using the tape, then I shall continue.

And in regards to the Dove soap. Maya, I've used many different soaps and facial cleansers before and whilst Dove dries me out (but only when using BP too), it seems to be the only soap which doesn't irritate my skin.
I have used the Neutrogena dry face and regular soap bars to no avail, a number of different Clinique products, Simple face washes were good-ish, but Dove seems to be my favourite.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Most interesting. I say hell why not? People slather all kind of things on like snail slime (Elcina is the brand name I believe) to egg yolk. All you got to lose is a bit of scotch tape. I tried it in a few spots and besides a few hairs, it seemed to be working. I'll give it a full month before I decide on passing judgement. Only quam I have about it is you have to do this daily? So everyday I need to like tape up my face and peel? Oh the things we do for vanity :wink:

-Snake

Note: Don't let your roomate or you mom catch you doing thing, they might think you've gone mad

I started using this scotch tape about 3 yrs ago or so. I was on accutane and I had flakes all over my face. I thought "hmmm..wut can I use to get rid of these flakes...tape?." So I tried it and it worked well, but I pulled a little too hard and got similiar results to Mike. My face peeled a little too much in certain areas and left it red and burnt. But dont worry Mike....after about a week or two, My skin healed and it was really smooth and no scars at all. I did this at the end of my accutane session, and there is a possibility the scars wont fully subside until you have quit taking the pills. So dont get too worried if the scars wont go right away. I agree with Maya...I wouldnt suggest this to anyone on Accutane. Now I am tryin the BP regimen and the tape seems to be working fine. I use it mostly to get rid of the annoying flakes (dead skin)...but it helps great with scars too.
peace
-Cory

Hi everyone! Seems like a lot of you guys and girls are having a go. That's good since this is a really cheap method!!

If any of you are finding that your skin is very sensitive, maybe just do it every other day. You can always build up to daily taping after your skin has got used to it.

For those on BP, make sure you use a moisteriser, BP does tend to dry your skin.

I only moisterise at night and I use pure Jojoba oil, it's the best! And no, jojoba oil will NOT break you out, it will actually help normalise your skin and you will wake up LESS oily.

Hey Maya, does this only work for people who got flakey skin. My skin is smooth and soft, so I'm wondering, would this still have an effect on my skin? I do have some red marks though, so I'm wondering would I benefit from this? thanks!