42 replies to this topic

[jbird12]

Hey All,

I had a sort of impromptu subcision performed on both cheeks today. It was supposed to be a test area with 2 other lasers involved but one of the lasers was broken so my Dr. just went for the subcision on all areas I asked to be treated and then did Fraxel laser treatment on top of that on both cheeks.

Anyway, I've read some about this subcision suctioning and was looking to give it a try...figured it couldn't really hurt. Anyone have any suggestions of a suctioning device I can pick up at any local big box store? I was thinking of just using a vacuum, but I have to fly on Sunday and would like something small enough that I could pack away.

Thanks!

[jbird12]

So, it's been one week since my subcision. I've been using a small hand-held vacuum for suctioning. My floor vacuum nearly sucked my face off...haha!

Anyway, my subcision left me pretty bruised on both cheeks...more so than I thought it would and I've had to deal with that all week at work. I don't think the swelling has gone down completely on my right side as I can't see my scars yet. On the left side of my face, one of the scars has become visible again...though I believe it is shallower already.

I really don't know how much the suctioning is helping or whether I'm doing it right. I just know it's weird to stick a vacuum to your face.

[Prettywords]

Please keep updating.

[marumi]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Do you mind me asking what kind of Fraxel laser did you go for-Restore or Repair? And how was the pain after the procedure?

[Starlite]

Hello, just so you know, you don't need too much suction to get the results that you want. In the study, they made 8-12 passes over the scars, lingering no more than 4 seconds over each scar for every pass.

Please keep us updated! In this study, the "after" pics were 5 months post-procedure. So there's still plenty of time to see results!

[jbird12]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Do you mind me asking what kind of Fraxel laser did you go for-Restore or Repair? And how was the pain after the procedure?

Honestly, I don't know what version of the Fraxel laser he used. I really wanted the subcision and he suggested to hit the scars with "Fraxel" after doing the subcision. I don't believe it was the Re:pair as I don't think the laser treatment was aggressive enough to have been that laser.

[jbird12]

Hello, just so you know, you don't need too much suction to get the results that you want. In the study, they made 8-12 passes over the scars, lingering no more than 4 seconds over each scar for every pass.

Please keep us updated! In this study, the "after" pics were 5 months post-procedure. So there's still plenty of time to see results!

Great...thanks for the response! That's what I've been more or less doing.

[flem85]

Im sorry but im kind of an idiot!
What kind of suction and how would it help?
Im norwegian haha

[jbird12]

Alright, the end of day 11 and my micro-swelling is really starting to subside now as I am beginning to see the scarring on my right side again. My face looks like crap right now with the swelling going down plus I still have black and blue bruises. I'm still suctioning everyday and will continue through day 14.

I knew the swelling would go down and the scarring would re-emerge so now it's up to the collagen to do its work over the next few weeks.

[jbird12]

Im sorry but im kind of an idiot!
What kind of suction and how would it help?
Im norwegian haha

Hi Flem,

Here's the thread that pertains to the suctioning method and a link to the study:

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Full-arti...-S-t289484.html

I think the premise is that by suctioning after subcision, you are disabling the tethers that bound down the scar in the first place from re-attaching.

[miramar]

I could see how if you had on some sort of permanent suctioning device this might work, but once in a while, I don't see how it would work, because the healing phase is long, at least a week for the critical part, and the collagen formation takes up to a month or longer... One would assume, as soon as you let go on said suction, it would start depressing again and heal in a depressed fashion. However, if it was continually suctioned for say a week or maybe two, until the blood collagen network is laid down, then I can see how that would work. If you just go over it for a few secs, I don't see how that's enough time for anything substantial to form underneath it to support it in the elevated position. Therefore, I don't see this working, but I guess it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

[Starlite]

I could see how if you had on some sort of permanent suctioning device this might work, but once in a while, I don't see how it would work, because the healing phase is long, at least a week for the critical part, and the collagen formation takes up to a month or longer... One would assume, as soon as you let go on said suction, it would start depressing again and heal in a depressed fashion. However, if it was continually suctioned for say a week or maybe two, until the blood collagen network is laid down, then I can see how that would work. If you just go over it for a few secs, I don't see how that's enough time for anything substantial to form underneath it to support it in the elevated position. Therefore, I don't see this working, but I guess it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

You're forcing the area to stay bruised (blood, stem cells, prolonged wound healing) while at the same time preventing the scars from becoming tethered down again. I would think that scars wouldn't reattach in a few minutes or hours.

[jbird12]

It's been just over 3 weeks since I had my subcision/fraxel treatment. At this point, I assume any swelling or micro-swelling has dissipated.

To give a background of my scarring, the right side of my face had multiple, linked rolling scars (about 5 or so total) that formed basically a hook on my cheek.

The left side of my face had about 3 rolling scars closer to the cheeks bone.

The scarring on my right side has responded much better to the subcision at this point than the left side. Only one of the rolling scars is evidently visible now. The others 5 or so scars have flattened out completely, though the skin doesn't look 100% perfect.

The scarring on my left cheek hasn't responded as strongly and all the scars are still visible to some extent, though they do appear "softer". I'd say there is definite improvement at this point.

I attribute the differences in results to the aggressiveness of the subcision. The Dr. really took it to the right side of my face and the bruising was more severe and lasted longer. Possibly because there was a larger area to cover, he needed to focus more time on the right cheek.

I'll re-evaluate my results in about 3 weeks as I believe 6 weeks will give me a good idea of what kind of permanent results I'm looking at. I may need one more subcision to deal with the left side if it doesn't respond by then. Will keep you all updated!

[Brawn]

hi jbird, good to hear that you're seeing results

i'm curious though, why has your doctor opted to perform fraxel at the same time as subcision?

[jbird12]

hi jbird, good to hear that you're seeing results

i'm curious though, why has your doctor opted to perform fraxel at the same time as subcision?

He said he thought he'd "attack" the scars from multiple angles meaning above the skin with the laser and below surface with the subcision.

Truth be told, when I saw him, I was only supposed to have a test area done for the subcision and a test area done for the fraxel. He asked me what scars I was interested in having subcision performed and he just went for it.

[Prettywords]

Your results sound good!

[mrjarjarbinks77]

Hey All,

I had a sort of impromptu subcision performed on both cheeks today. It was supposed to be a test area with 2 other lasers involved but one of the lasers was broken so my Dr. just went for the subcision on all areas I asked to be treated and then did Fraxel laser treatment on top of that on both cheeks.

Anyway, I've read some about this subcision suctioning and was looking to give it a try...figured it couldn't really hurt. Anyone have any suggestions of a suctioning device I can pick up at any local big box store? I was thinking of just using a vacuum, but I have to fly on Sunday and would like something small enough that I could pack away.

Thanks!

Hey, I am considering the same treatment in regards to fraxel.

http://iplandlaserdamagesupport.prophpbb.com/topic208.html <--- Saw that and I got rethinking it all over.

I have never seen anyone on the forums post success on here in regard to laser treatment. If its happened and I missed it, someone, please post the link.

It's been just over 3 weeks since I had my subcision/fraxel treatment. At this point, I assume any swelling or micro-swelling has dissipated.

To give a background of my scarring, the right side of my face had multiple, linked rolling scars (about 5 or so total) that formed basically a hook on my cheek.

The left side of my face had about 3 rolling scars closer to the cheeks bone.

The scarring on my right side has responded much better to the subcision at this point than the left side. Only one of the rolling scars is evidently visible now. The others 5 or so scars have flattened out completely, though the skin doesn't look 100% perfect.

The scarring on my left cheek hasn't responded as strongly and all the scars are still visible to some extent, though they do appear "softer". I'd say there is definite improvement at this point.

I attribute the differences in results to the aggressiveness of the subcision. The Dr. really took it to the right side of my face and the bruising was more severe and lasted longer. Possibly because there was a larger area to cover, he needed to focus more time on the right cheek.

I'll re-evaluate my results in about 3 weeks as I believe 6 weeks will give me a good idea of what kind of permanent results I'm looking at. I may need one more subcision to deal with the left side if it doesn't respond by then. Will keep you all updated!

I wish you safe recovery. Good luck.

Edited by mrjarjarbinks77, 08 April 2011 - 03:49 PM.

[Starlite]

That's really awesome! Do you think the suction helped? What about the fraxel? What state is your doctor in?

I hope your recovery continues to be a success!

[mrjarjarbinks77]

That's really awesome! Do you think the suction helped? What about the fraxel? What state is your doctor in?

I hope your recovery continues to be a success!

Me 2.

OP: Can you break down your experience with fraxel?

[Timehealsall]

op did the subcision compeltely get rid of the scars?

thanks