Sciton Profractional laser today

Today was the big day. Microlaser peel, plus profractional (Sciton). PS advised that this would not be a 'home run', but would get me started around the bases. He feels that I'll see enough improvement after the first, to be encouraged enough to continue a 2nd or 3rd. That's the plan, with some possible excisions along the way.

Arrived at 10:30. Nurse gave me some valium and another pill (can't remember what it's called), to relax me. She also applied numbing cream. I lost track of time. I didn't really sleep, but was a little sleepy. I kept thinking I needed another 10 minutes for the meds to kick in; I suppose they had kicked in without me really realizing it. I suppose it was about 45-60 minutes, then I washed off the numbing cream. The doc came in and gave me a couple dental shots to numb the lip area. He also gave me several local injections to numb the area. Generally, small stings, no big deal. I was talking to him while he did it.

Waited a little bit, then he began. He was very good about telling me what was going on so as not to surprise me. First was the micro laser peel, at 10-20 microns. Didn't hurt, other than a couple small stings along the hairline, and near the eyes. I think he changed 'tools' for the profractional. He is able to vary the depth during profractional. As I understand it, the deeper 'zaps' are also larger diameter, whereas the shallow ones contain more, small laser points.

I was supposed to be done by around 12:30, but it was 1:30 when I was done. I remember having to keep turning my head for him, so felt like I was fully conscious. However, it sure didn't feel like it should be 1:30. It felt like we were moving along fairly quick, like it should be 12:00.

Face felt as promised...like a bad sunburn. They gave me a cold towel to cool down, and soak up the pin-points of blood. Got home and napped for the rest of the afternoon.

Tonight, I still feel a slight burning, or stinging sensation. My face is now covered with blood; I may try to wash my face tonight, and reapply the aquaphor. Face is slightly swollen.

Hope to post some pics after things settle down.

Deep Scars - Laser

I found the following article from Dermatology Times. It's especially intriguing as this is about the closest I've seen online to my own scarring.

Of course the angle, lighting, and digital enhancement can be deceiving. Anyone else have scars like this who have had some level of success with treatment? (not necessarily the treatment described in this article)
Or is anyone familiar with the technique described?

http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatolog...l.jsp?id=157689

Consultation Today

I've been lurking for a few weeks. Many encouraging stories motivated me to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. I'd describe my scars as many deep, jagged-edge scars. Large ice-picks, I suppose.

Plastic surgeon rated me at least a 9, on a scale 1 to 10 (1 being very mild scarring, 10 being severe). He asked how much they bothered me. Hard to answer. Told him it bothered me somewhat, but not enough to keep me from doing public speaking. I'm probably more self-concious in one-on-one settings with new people.

Said mine would be difficult to treat. He suggested excisions, followed by laser resurfacing some months later. He felt fairly confident that he could reduce scars to below 5 with these two combinations - said he couldn't get me smooth as a baby's bottom (I knew that already)

Consultation felt very comfortable; he answered all my questions thoroughly, told me about the procedures, sedation, and recovery. Very nice man. At the end the nurse took some photos...he came back to get some closer shots, at different angles (nurse just took front, left profile, right profile). Said he'd print the photos and study them a bit.

I asked about trying a few excisions to see how they go, before committing to anything more. He liked that idea.

Thinking of going to a dermotologic surgeon, for another opinion. Hate the thought of mustering up the courage for another consultation. But, I need to see if recommendations are similar, pricing differences, etc.

Seems to me I saw someone post that they had several excisions done at once. Seemed like it was 30-40+. I'd like to find that post again...that's probably what I'm heading for.

I'm very intrigued with trying excisions on 3 scars to see how it goes.

Just thought I'd post, and see if those with a lot more experience with this might add some wisdom.