140 replies to this topic

[L0VE]

Emma,

The doctor in Albany, NY is only about 3.5 to 4 hours from you.

[Rupert]

animegirl,

Please eliminate my ignorance. From any of your photos I can't see any scars. It surprises me that someone with such minimal scarring would want to put themselves through the risk of dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is butchery. However it doesn't look like it has done any harm to you.

I come from England. Is there a difference in culture going on here? From where you come are people supposed to excel towards perfection? Cos judging by your photos, here in England you would be a real head turner.

I certainly don't mean to cause any offence here. I'm just curious as to why someone like yourself who is clearly very good looking would want to have any kind of treatment at all.

[L0VE]

Rupert,

Just because her "before" photos are not posted on her site, does not mean she did not have scarring.

[Rupert]

Well, here I am doing exactly what I didn’t want to do. Putting someone’s back up. I want to get along with everyone here and am making a pretty poor start.

I take back my last post.

I already thought it was useful & considerate for her to go to the effort of showing the photos. You don’t need to prompt me. Its a shame more don’t, so we can better separate the hype from the fact. I will definitely be doing my own website of photos for when I do my treatment.

Anyway I thought my post was complimentary rather than derogatory.

So I apologise. You are right, I have no idea how bad her scarring was before. To have such a good complexion now means the surgeon must have performed stunningly well. If I end up with skin like that I will be very pleased.

[animegirle]

Rupert,
I don't take any offense at your statements, I appreciate your comments that was very nice of you. My scars prior to all of the dermabrasions were never horrid or disfiguring. I have looked back at a lot of pre-surgery photos and I had so many freckles it was hard to see the scars. I have contacted the office where I had my procedures done, but it has been so long they are searching for my pre-op photos. I can say that my scarring was considered "bad" enough by my parents insurance companies to pay for all of the full-face treatments. Now the next point is my mother is the one who really made me start these treatments. As a teenager none of this ever crossed my mind. She basically made me go through these surgeries every year on Christmas break.
The results of all of this? Well, my skin does look much better, but I have also developed a dysmorphic view of myself. Christmas of 2002 I was so distraught by my face I felt like a monster and I sat home and cried all day. For me, that is not normal and I realize that. Those issues I deal with on a daily basis and I have come to better grips as far as dealing with my skin. I would never feel the need to go through another procedure like dermabrasion, but I am constantly seeking to improve my skin and the minor scarring that is left.
As a final note, unfortunately it seems like everything in America hinges on your appearance. Just take a look at that plastic surgery gone wrong thread. It is scary what people feel like they have to do to themselves to be "loved." I wish good luck, good health and happiness to us all!!

, Misty (animegirle)

[Rupert]

Animegirle,

Thanks for your post. I’m sorry to hear that you have developed a dysmorphic view of yourself. I know from past experience that telling someone who suffers body dysmorphia that they look fine is futile as they just won’t believe you, they think you are lieing. There is no point me telling you that you are a complete babe because you won’t believe me. (even though I just have).

Is the reason why you still hang around the forum because of the dysmorphia? I’d quit any further treatments while you are still ahead. It would be gutting to try something now which went wrong, yes? You don’t want to be on the plastic surgery went wrong thread.

You know there are psychologists or even scar psychologists who can really benefit people. I can’t remember any names but I’ve read about them. What they say so rings true. When you meet someone what they will notice is a confident person with a big smile and charisma. To think that they would notice your scars is untrue and in your case ridiculous. Greg Estrada who runs a meetup group for scar sufferers in DC I know would bare me out on that one.

As for the part,

“As a teenager none of this ever crossed my mind. She basically made me go through these surgeries every year on Christmas break.�

That horrifies me. Kiki, am I allowed to say that?

I would imagine that hasn’t helped how you feel about yourself one little bit.

I should wrap this up now as I could be any old weirdo on the net. In reality I’m a normal Englishman. I hope to get my website with photos up soon so people can see my progress with treatment.

Animegirle, you’re very pretty. I’ll hazard a guess that your husband tells you that your scars are like totally unnoticeable and fine. I’d imagine he tells you this because it is true.

Take care,

Rupert.

[Prettywords]

Thanks so much Kiki for looking for people who perform demabrasion for other people not in close proximity to the known operators.

That was very kind and sweet of you O:) I'm sure I speak for everyone interested in this procedure when I say "thanks!"

My derm performs dermabrasion, but I don't know how good he is at it. They say that the most important aspect of dermabrasion is the person performing it. I'm sure through your research you're aware of this fact. I think that's why I want to go to someone renown for it, if I have to do it.

I will look into that NY Doctor, so thanks again.

Emma

[Rupert]

Yeah I think you’re right Emmanual.

I think the reason why surgeons became so excited about lasers like Co2 is that they could be much more precise about how much skin is taken off. With dermabrasion it really is up to the skill of the hand of the surgeon. I’ve read at least one person with a “my life’s been ruined" sob story after the surgeon had gone too deep and caused scarring. The surgeon just got it worng, I don’t think it was really incompetence.

So if I was going to have dermabrasion I would definitely seek out the best. But I personnaly think that about anything medicinal to myself. I’ve learned that the hard way. I’m real easy on other things like I’ll give a chance to any old mechanic to fix my car. But my body, no way, its got to be the best.

I think its interesting the way things appear to be going full circle. Surgeons were thinking dermabrasion was a thing of the past a few years back as we make way for the lasers. But as more evidence suggests that the skin doesn’t really respond too well to be burned, dermabrasion is making a comeback.

[L0VE]

Do any of you have fillers?

[Prettywords]

I think its interesting the way things appear to be going full circle. Surgeons were thinking dermabrasion was a thing of the past a few years back as we make way for the lasers. But as more evidence suggests that the skin doesn’t really respond too well to be burned, dermabrasion is making a comeback.
_________________

I agree with you Rupert. Dermabrasion can be good if you have the right Dr., the right scars, and heal properly. There are so many variables with this(and any) procedure. It is not to be entered into lightly that's for sure. It carries real risks.

Even though I've been told I should have it done by more than one derm/PS, I'm scared to death! In the end, I have to do what my instincts and emotions combined tell me is right, and what I'm comfortable with.

Kiki, I thought you were seeing Misty's doc? Are you just getting various opinions before you make-up your mind?

I don't have any fillers...yet Except the zit I have in my old scar. It's plumping it up for now.

I can't wait to hear what his receptionist tells you!

Emma

[L0VE]

Emma writes:

Kiki, I thought you were seeing Misty's doc? Are you just getting various opinions before you make-up your mind?

Still gathering information.

[Prettywords]

The reason (they said) that someone can still have Dermabrasion with a filler is that Dermabrasion actually treats \"the area around the scar\" to soften the edge between the scar and the unscarred skin around it; and that they don't use as much \"pressure\" directly over the scar because that would make the scar appear deeper. So in short, they would be going over the areas that had filler (my scarred areas) very lightly. 

Relieved, 
Kiki

Who said that? Dr. Yarborough or your injection guy?

I'm glad you ca still have it if you want

Emma

[rebellgyrl]

[L0VE]

Emma writes:

Who said that? Dr. Yarborough or your injection guy?

Emma,

My doctor said dermabrasion would not conflict with Radiance - Dr. Hueneke.

[Prettywords]

Truth be known, I am still worried a little because Radiance is such a new filler. So, I am sure I will do a test patch area first...no matter what, I'll ask for that. 

Do you have any consults set up yet?

I think you're smart getting the spot test. How does that work? That is, how big of an area do they do and where?

That would make things really difficult for me and anyone else who is travelling by plane, since you need to wait a while to see results.

I don't have any consults set up yet. I don't have the money to have the procedure done right now. It's okay, because I have to get rid of my remaining acne anyway.

Keep us posted on your situation

Emma

[L0VE]

I had a patch test done on the right side of my face near my jawline, two weeks before this microdermabrasion.

[Prettywords]

Thanks Kiki. Are those dermabrasion or microdermabrasion patch tests*confused*

For Dr. Y, I heard if you're travelling from far away, he'll do the procedure that day.

Emma

[Alex12]

Today i had an appointment with a doctor who does the green peel. He said that am i not the right person for this procedure because i have a very fair skin. He also said that i have a mild eczema/dermatitis around my nose and on the skin.
I was completly destroyed after the appointment. I almost cried...

After knowing the green peel can not be performed on my skin i am searching for something else. Perhaps i will do some dermabrasions or a 40% TCA peel on the whole face. But i am so scarred of adverse effects like pigmentation or new scars.

I have some questions to the people who already did a dermabrasion:

- When is the best time to undergo a dermabrasion? My acne almost disappeared in July 2003. So my scars are approximately one year old.

-Does the age matter? At the moment i am 20 years old.

- Is my skin type (I-II) ok for a dermabrasion?

- Are the risks of a CO2 Laser treatment higher than of a dreamabrasion treatment?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Again, sorry for my poor english.

[Prettywords]

- When is the best time to undergo a dermabrasion? My acne almost disappeared in July 2003. So my scars are approximately one year old.

That is fine.

-

Does the age matter? At the moment i am 20 years old.

Your youth will work to your advantage as far as healing ability.

- Is my skin type (I-II) ok for a dermabrasion?

It's ideal.

-

Are the risks of a CO2 Laser treatment higher than of a dreamabrasion treatment?

They are BOTH risky. If your scars aren't too bad and extensive, you should look into other treatments. Do a lot of research, and get opinions from different derms and PS's.

I had 2 derms, and 2 PS's tell me I need dermabrasion. So far, it is unanimous, but I'm still scared to death, and will not enter into it lightly.

By the way, your English is fantastic!

Emma

[Alex12]

They are BOTH risky. If your scars aren't too bad and extensive, you should look into other treatments. Do a lot of research, and get opinions from different derms and PS's.

My scars are not deep at all. But i have all kind of intended scars and most of them are on the cheeks.
I often heard that people who underwent many CO2 laser treatments often got new scars or very little improvement.
Does anybody know what procedure can go deeper? Dermabrasion or CO2?

By the way, your English is fantastic!

Thanks