Thanks Skinny, please do update us with your result! I myself am just not so certain if the 100% TCA would be like dropping atomic bomb on my shallow scars (which can be "almost" not noticeable with very a good concealer - my favorite is
http://morgenschick.com "hide N hilight")... I would probably experiment with 50% first, and move up from there for now..
Just so that everyone knows what I've tried in the past - I've tried accutane 10 years ago (absolutely loved the result while i was on it for acne and scars, but scared to be on it again due to potential long term side-effects), smoothbeam laser treatments 4 months ago (suppose to help with acne scars and possibly reduce sebum/oil production, but I didn't see any significant result/changes after 3 sessions spending around $1000 dollars and I think my skin actually got oiler...although i saw minor rejuvenating effect), ortho tri-cycline birth control pills few years ago (helped with acne and oil production, but think I've lost some hair while on it although i'm not 100% sure whether the hairloss is due to something else, such as aging, etc), 70%, 40%, 30% glycolic acid peels (if not done properly, you could end up with shallow "holes" on your skin that takes time to heal), Differin cream (absolutely hated it!!! made my skin feel very sticky and oily - even more than my already oily skin - while I was on it, and my skin broke out horribly), retin-A (this irritated my skin too much.. i was always peeling and scabbed.. plus it wasn't convenient to wait 20-30 minutes to apply the cream after washign my face), doxycycline (works similar to minocycline, which means it's pretty effective against acne), micro dermabrasion (helps a bit, but not so much), manual dermabrasion, ozone light treatments (didn't see much difference), professional facials, and countless other acne & scar revision products you could think of...
So far, the most effective product that completely changed my skin functions and chemistry was the accutane (I didn't even have to wash my face/hair for days and it still didn't get oily, and my nose showed dimples instead of the blackheads that were filling the spaces and even helped smooth out some scars), and if not for health effects I'd be on it forever (I was on it for 6 months)...regardless of the cost and severely chapped lips.
Now the retin-A micro (+ minocycline?) is working somewhat similar to my facial skin what the accutane did, although the result/effect is not as drastic. What I notice is that the skin is much less oily, more fragile (if you try picking on your acne or scratch your skin, if you're not careful you'll end up with wound), and the skin turn-over rate is much more rapid (probably with increased cellular activity to heal faster with less chance for scar to form), and my nose is showing dimples instead of large blackheads!!! Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc did absolutely noting for my blackheads in my opinion... the only thing they did was help drying them out so that it's easier to pick on em.. which comes right back later.. and in larger size!!! (that is if you pick on them.. but I just couldn't let them coexist with me when noticeable).
Looks like I'm on my way to better skin with the retin-A micro (so far!) I'll be off minocyline soon (since I've heard of some bone-darkening side-effect when used long-term), but I think the retin-A micro alone is really doing something I didn't expect a topical medicine would do, although there WAS some initial breakouts (which is normal). Now I can't feel (not just see) any bumps while I wash my face (for those of you who understand what i'm talking of) and my skin is smoothing out in overall (pitts, pores, etc).
Sorry for writing a book here.. but i got carried away... : )
I hope this message helps someone with their venture/search for pursuing better skin.
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I have received 2 CROSS treatments using 100% TCA. My doctor is performing the treatment every 30 days. Immediately after my treatments, I use Bacitracin Ointment until the scabs fall off. Then I apply Retin-A for the remainder of time. The Retin-A seems to be doing a really good job of inhibiting melanin production. I am pleased with the results so far. I have 4 treatments left.
