21 replies to this topic

[wasteofpaint]

I feel at the brink of a complete nervous breakdown. On the friday before the previous, I had an active fx laser prodcedure for 300 on my cheeks in Huntington Beach.

Didnt work at all (figures, i am such a sucker), but I also had a procedure that same session on my nose called Ebrium. Im not entirely sure on all its specificities but from what I remember they used a laser to burn my hypertrophic scar on my nose (its 90% of the reason why I suffer from severe social anxiety disorder).

They promised me it would recover within a week before school, and now here I am on Sunday night before school on Tuesday with a really red, inflammed big red spot on my nose and the scar still looks a bit hypertrophic). I tried contacting the doctor who performed it, but she never replied back to my message. I had to talk with the receptionist who relayed the message to her, and he told me to treat it just keep putting vaseline. I felt it wasnt adequate enough response, so i literally drove an hour to the place just to ask. they told me to apply Mupirocin ointment on it twice a day and the redness should subside by the next week.

Ive only been using it for a couple days but it really has no signs of subsiding, and im nervous this unsightly thing is going to be in the middle of my face for a while. people have been giving me weird looks and making comments and I know this thing is playing a big role in it. I look freakish with it.

I tried using concealer but the red mark just seems to absorb it, so it still looks really red. What can I do to conceal it? What should I do? I already was on the fence about taking the semester off because of deep psychological issues that seem to be increasing, and this is making me seriously consider just leaving. please help me.

[OmegaisJaded]

You really need to take a deep breath!

It's one terrible spot? That doesn't sound horrendous to me.Sorry if I'm downplaying your feelings,but are you sure you're not just exaggerating?

That spot on your face,no matter how terrible you think it looks,is not worth skipping out on school.Don't do something so rash!

Do what the clinic told you,and just try not to focus on it. Ban yourself from looking in the mirror,even!

[lissbee]

Only thing I would do if I was in your shoes is to put a bandage over it. Lame I know, but if people ask you can just say that you had an accident and you need to cover it so it could heal. In the meantime I would keep harassing the people that performed that procedure on you and also I would really research what it could be that's developing on your nose. I would recommend going to see a dermatologist ASAP.

[djh123]

...

Edited by djh123, 03 September 2011 - 09:55 PM.

[wasteofpaint]

ive thought about using a band-aid, but it just looks even more noticeable. It seems like it would blend in a bit, but the band-aid covers a huge chunk of the nose's surface so it looks really odd. I even put one on, and when my mom saw it she said, "dont leave that on" in a very deadpan, serious manner. Believe it or not, ive tried using a band-aid before, and my friends would told me themselves it looked stupid with it on.

And yes, its really big and red and inflammed. I deal with extreme self-consciousness as it is (I find myself hyperventaling in social situations), so this is just kicking me when Im already down. I wish I could take a picture but...

wait as I was saying that I remembered I kept a pic of me from a few years ago when I had to go through a similar healing process:

few years ago, nearly same healing process

close up

it looks similar to these, except its bigger and more inflammed, and that yellow spot you see in the second pic isnt there. Mine was some white in the middle, like a peeling texture.


Here's what the hypertrophic on my scar looked like before many treatments, its not as severe, but its still noticeable. This is also a few years ago:

hypertrophic scar over the years

Edited by wasteofpaint, 16 January 2011 - 11:47 PM.

[mebe]

Hey man,

First off, after I had laser I was red and freaking out as well. Hard as it is you have to get your mind off it and CHILL! Reduced stress will just speed up your healing, and you WILL heal. Once my redness went away my anxiety and stress just vanished and I recalled the past week and felt like such an idiot. It really does no good fretting about it. let time do its thing and try to relax.

Second, to be honest it really doesnt look that bad man. Who care's what people thinks happened (which I assure you most ppl are too busy with their own thing and insecurities to mind yours). To me it just looks like an injury or something and I would find a big pustule or cyst on the nose more embarrassing (which I've dealt with many times).
Seriously it doesn't look as bad as you think.

take a step back, take some air in, and try to put the worries out of mind.

good luck.

[lissbee]

Duuuude I thought your problem was way worse. I was imagining your whole nose being inflamed or something. That looks like an average spot that most of the people on these forums suffer but ALL OVER THEIR FACE!!! Currently my face looks like it's being eaten alive but I'm not freaking that much about it(I do freak out but I get over it after while). I don't think what you have is that big a deal. Just don't think about it and nobody else will.

[OmegaisJaded]

That is such a tiny scratch...

Maybe your real problem is mental? You could have BDD

[Claudius]

It doesnt look great but it will heal. everything is up hill from here.

Edited by Claudio, 17 January 2011 - 10:25 AM.

[pokemonster]

pfft just put some plaster on it and stop being wuss over such little thing duH

and next time duuh dont do such treatments right before yo school but much before so it can heal redness duh, otherwise if its such big deal fo u, skipppff. anywayz lololol at yo probz! *points at u with forefinger and lolz loudly*

[tim12]

Everywhere else your skin looks amazing! Just put some neosporin on it, and either a power ranger or hello kitty bandaid. You could also use some non comodogenic conealer if you are alright with that kind of thing

[wasteofpaint]

Everywhere else your skin looks amazing! Just put some neosporin on it, and either a power ranger or hello kitty bandaid. You could also use some non comodogenic conealer if you are alright with that kind of thing

do you think people will be able to tell im using concealer if I apply it? I feel like i would need gobs of it

[tim12]

Well, when I used Murad's acne concealer, no one ever asked and it always looked normal. And it's not because I'm a guy and I don't notice those things, I'm actually pretty keen on detail. But it didn't exactly provide complete coverage, but it was better than nothing. I'm not sure how that'll affect the healing however. Neosporin on it as much as you can when you're not out will help the healing process. Also, try not to live so much in the moment with acne, rather don't let it inhibit things like school. I had cystic nodular acne my first semester of college, and I was just as lively as ever. It'll be in the past soon!

Edited by tim12, 17 January 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[wasteofpaint]

Well, when I used Murad's acne concealer, no one ever asked and it always looked normal. And it's not because I'm a guy and I don't notice those things, I'm actually pretty keen on detail. But it didn't exactly provide complete coverage, but it was better than nothing. I'm not sure how that'll affect the healing however. Neosporin on it as much as you can when you're not out will help the healing process. Also, try not to live so much in the moment with acne, rather don't let it inhibit things like school. I had cystic nodular acne my first semester of college, and I was just as lively as ever. It'll be in the past soon!

yea that's what im afraid of, I dont really feel concealer would be too stringent on the healing though. I guess i'll see. thanks

[tim12]

No problem man, do your best not to stress over it! Once it goes away, I doubt you'll remember it too much, your skin looks really healthy, radiant, and absolutely clear. I don't even see any comodones from those pictures! Have a good day at school tomorrow too

[Idolator]

I wish I had your good skin...

[wasteofpaint]

I wish I had your good skin...

wow, reading that comment was like watching a solar eclipse. Trust me, it ain't good. Flash blankets skin tone a bit. And I would (almost) proudly sport my acne if it werent for that scar on my nose.

[fml3395]

try a green concealer its meant to cover red... its not really noticable either..
id also take something like naproxen for inflammation... icing first couldnt hurt

[AutonomousOne1980]

how about not going to school until it heals more? sometimes these things happen, you can miss the first week of school and make any assignments later on im sure.

good luck, in the meantime try to get your mind of it so you can sleep and heal.

[titoziot]

Those pics are tame, I imagined something BAD. Honestly, going out when you feel less than decent looking builds character. I bet 5 people in your class have serious acne. And another 10 have pungent enough body odor to confuse and disorient anyone who's an asshole enough to try and stare at that freckle on your nose

It isn't the end of the world if you take a semester off... but the 6yr-BA student in me tell you not to. Professors are usually really receptive to things like this, just don't say its for a zit!

Better solution. Invest in some makeup. Here's some Zit-Cover-Technique 101, in case your new to makeup. You can find these products at any drugstore.

1. Primer: I'd buy Olay's Magic Perfecting Base. 13$ish, little pink jar, sold in a small box. It'll prevent concealer from soaking in. Apply the primer after you moisturize (if you do, you perfect complexion animal!). You want to pat it into your skin to fill any holes/pores. This won't clog them, but its meant to give you a smooth canvas so to speak. Let it dry 2-3 minutes.

2. Concealer: Pick one a liquid one, it'll comes in a tube with a wand to apply it. Neutrogena/Almay are good brands that probably have a sensitive skin type that won't be irritating. You want to get color that is about a shade lighter than your skin. The green concealer is OK ... but its GREEN. If you buy that, you'll need a skin colored one too. Physicians Formula has a Peach/Pink toned concealer that also works to counteract the redness of your blemish. Use your finger to dab the concealer right on your freckle (hehe). You might need to let it dry, and apply another layer again, and maybe again, depending how you want it to look.

3. Powder: Cover Girl, or some other cheapy brand, is fine. Get the loose power or the compact (which has a mirror so you can touch up whilst at school) in a medium color tone to match your skin. To cover just a spot - I'd use a Q-tip to break up the powder and dot it on top of the concealer to set it. It'll make the concealer last longer, but not a necessary step.

I'll warn you that concealer never works so well that the spot/pimple will vanish. If you use enough to really cover the color of the spot, the skin will look cakey. But sometimes that's better than bright red!

Good luck, and breathe! man! breathe!