51 replies to this topic

[GUS TOMATO]

Yes, Roaccutane is the only thing for it - very dangerous, and the side-effects can be painful (my body ached like hell, and my lips and nose dried up) - but I went on it in 2000 and there hasn't been a trace of acne since. The worst damage had been done by then of course.

Yeah, your husbands skin - I have a buddy, and I swear his skin is like porcelain, most girls wouldn't have skin as good as this guy - never had a spot in his life I'd say.

[BarBQLover]

Hey Gus, I thought that smiley face=20, thus bringing you to the age of 220! Maybe that's young for a biblical character, but you look pretty good for your age!

Oh, how many times I go back and think: "If I only I knew what I know now back when I was 12 or 15", I could have saved myself so much heartache and trouble. If it weren't so damn expensive, I would definitely look into that "home time machine kit". 8) There are a few days that stick out in my mind where I would go back and stop myself from doing something, or go back in time and warn myself when I was younger to go to a derm, to not pick on that, etc. And those are just the acne-related days!!

Ah well, I guess we all have become stronger due to our scarring ordeal. I find myself not particularly bothered by smaller matters in life, and I still dream of that day when I can look in the mirror and be 100% happy with what I see.......but it's just getting to that day which is excruciating :!:

[ej]

I can really get down when I think the "what if I would have, I should have, why didn't I..." thoughts. I do understand. And there is nothing worse than having to avoid friends, events, and public places when in your heart you know that's where you truly want to be. Sometimes I wonder why I care so much, you know? Anyhow, I think that you looking in the mirror and being happy with what you see is life changing- and it was even a car mirror, they can be the absolute worst (except dark windows of course.) At least you are taking steps to correct the scars- I commend that.

[Bass Whore]

gus i thought it was funny you mentioned not liking to go outdoors during the day I am the same way. ugh cant look people in the eyes either. i am just waiting till i can afford to get laser surgery. i cant wait. anyhow im glad I found this board

[GUS TOMATO]

The benefit of hindsight BarbQ - sometimes I do feel stronger coz of the crap I've been put through - but then I'll 'relapse' and I'm pissed off for a while - but it don't last long thank God! - and my heart goes out to anyone that is affected by depression - HEAVY stuff - I'm glad I'm a bit of a dumbass - I really believe its the super-intelligent it can happen to in a serious manner.

Yeah ej dark windows are HELL!!!!!! - OH MY GOD! nothing can ruin my day faster than a 'Kamakaze' glance in a shop window or car window - and I'm soul-destroyed for the day. I shouldn't ever do it - I know it will get me down, its almost like a perverse side of me is saying "Hah! take a look at that you Freak".

A lot of the time I don't feel like a member of the Human Race - I feel that no-one else has a clue what I've gone through, and what I'm going through - I don't belong.

I'm getting off the topic now - I don't want to bring anyone else down with me LOL!!! And this piece of shit computer keeps getting dis-connected on me - I'd fix it only I'm a dumbass LOL! And I'm thinking of ej's comment about the life-changing experience - Yeah Girl you are right! - Thanks! - (Told you guys my bouts don't last long)

Yeah Bass Whore, hope you get the chance for Laser surgery - go for it - its worth it.

[ej]

I have come to a conclusion about the whole dark window thing-
it's a little abstract, but...when you see other people, they don't see you in the dark window way. They see you in various lights- sunlight, electric light, whatever. The only one who really sees us in that nasty reflection is ourselves. This is good because nobody else is judging us in such a harsh lighting/reflection, only ourselves. I know that it still sucks, because even if you are the only one witnessing yourself that way, you still hate it. I guess this theory would be wrong if someone was standing next to you and both of you were looking at eachothers reflections in a dark window (remind me to never do that.) Sorry for the confusion, but do you kind of understand what I mean? Basically-- at least we are the only ones seeing ourselves in that type of reflection.

[nutsta]

hey gus,
since you noticed that your second laser gave you better results than your first laser, did your doc give you a reason why? Did he use a different laser, technique, went in deeper??? :roll:

[nutsta]

hey gus,
since you noticed that your second laser gave you better results than your first laser, did your doc give you a reason why? Did he use a different laser, technique, went in deeper??? :roll:

i must say you did get a good price for 2 laser treatments.

Hope your scars and spirit improve even more as time goes by.

[kittykat]

I just finished Accutane about a year ago, and am now researching on different ways to get rid of my acne scars. I truly relate to what you guys are talking about, it's just a horrible feeling not completely loving yourself because of these scars. I'm very nervous about going in for laser surgery, partly because I've read about some horror stories about surgery-gone-wrong, and also because there are SOOO many other methods out there, it seems. Plus, I live in small-town Lexington, Kentucky, and I have to say I don't really trust the skills of the surgeons here. I would rather go to a bigger city with a more accredited and well-known surgeon. Any recommendations?

[GUS TOMATO]

Hi nutsta,

I'm convinced he used a different laser this time round - I was fully healed up after 1 week. Last time took over two weeks for the redness to go away.

I rang today for a review appointment, and asked the receptionist what type laser it was - didn't have a clue. I'll ask at the review. Other people here want to know as well.

Kittykat - I understand your being nervous - but I think its the only way to go. And your living in the best country possible to ge this done - so do some good research and find yourself a reputable surgeon (If you decide to go ahead with it of course)

[sorimachi]

one important question...DOEs laser really helps to improve the scarring? i know it is stupid question...

[sorimachi]

one important question...DOEs laser really helps to improve the scarring? i know it is stupid question...

[sorimachi]

one important question...DOEs laser really helps to improve the scarring? i know it is stupid question...

[OursFan]

I had the CO2 laser surgery done on my face around 1999 and I have been very pleased with the results. I would say that my rate of improvement was close to 50% and I have the boxcar/rolling type of scars, but rather deep. It was expensive, painful, and I had a couple of weeks of downtime but knowing what I know now, I'd do it again. In fact, I'd like to do it again, but really don't want to spend that kind of money this time.

[Cuppycake]

I just got back from the dermatologist and he said that the co2 lazer would work to make my scars less noticeable. $200 a treatment and I need three. Or he said I could go to a different place and have the deep lazer done for $2500 and have a down time of 2 weeks with no face. I chose to sign up for the $200 with no down time.

[cecilia6162]

Hi Everyone, I am new to this board and have some questions. I am a 40 year old woman. I have type one diabetes (27 years) So I am a very slow healer!!!! I have been on prescription meds and still break out I only get 4 or 5 at a time but they take 3 to 6 months to go away and i have many icepick scars now not to mention the aging skin (yuk) I had microdermabrasion done 3 years ago it made my broken caps much worse and saw no possitive results at all. 6 months ago I had 2 photo facials done and saw good results but it has all come back now. any suggestions??????????

[hols]

Hi Cecilia,
I also am 40, have type 1 diabetes and have the dreaded acne scars! I'm not sure what you're asking about: what to do about active acne or what to do about the scars. I have spent a small fortune of ridding myself of my scars and I have had all sorts of procedures including: demabrasion, c02 laser, chemical peel, cooltouch treatments and most recently thermacool. Choosing an option just depends on how much you want to spend, what your expectations for the treatments are and what kind of downtime you're willing to endure. It definitely is an arduous process! Good luck to you!

[hols]

Hi Cecilia,
I also am 40, have type 1 diabetes and have the dreaded acne scars! I'm not sure what you're asking about: what to do about active acne or what to do about the scars. I have spent a small fortune of ridding myself of my scars and I have had all sorts of procedures including: demabrasion, c02 laser, chemical peel, cooltouch treatments and most recently thermacool. Choosing an option just depends on how much you want to spend, what your expectations for the treatments are and what kind of downtime you're willing to endure. It definitely is an arduous process! Good luck to you!

[cecilia6162]

Hi hols, Thanks for the reply. Do you still have scars left? I have alot of questions and would love to chat with you. Would you email me at cecilia6162@msn.com also how long have you been a diabetic? And did that effect your healing time after the surgeries?

[hols]

Hi Cecilia,
In answer to you're questions, yes I do still have some scars left but they are pretty shallow now. The cooltouch and thermacool treatments I've had recently have really helped the texture of my skin––as in smaller pores and smoother. I've been diabetic for 18 years––it sometimes has been hell, but as far as healing time is concerned, I healed great, there was no delay in healing. However, a couple of the surgeries certainly messed up my control of the diabetes and sent me to the ER. Not a pleasant experience I can assure you! You can email me anytime with more questions at hols@attbi.com.