244 replies to this topic

[neuroticwaif]

Rez77, on 22 November 2011 - 05:14 PM, said:

Well obviously I thought I'd check back after a while and see if there was any progress. Certainly there is, undoubtedly. I guess it was just waiting out for the healing to take place and all your skin biology products probably helped as well.

I apologize for my outburst --as I'm sure you can relate I was somewhat frustrated and also I am still quite skeptical that Earnesto(or whatever his name was) actually got any significant improvement. But you GBL certainly HAVE. I can't ascribe a percentage but it looks much, much better.

Not that I'm qualified to give a recommendation, but I'm of two minds as to what the finishing step should be(to get you bang free!). Options: 1) Laviv 2) recell and laser again 3) laser and acell matristem. Frankly I think it should actually be one of the latter two since it would experimentally most interesting to see if the recell laser combo done again would work even better (i.e. are the results progressive?). On the other hand, it would be amazing to see someone try the acell since it promises true tissue regeneration and may prove to demonstrate even more superior results.

I guess these are some of the things to think about.

Truthfully I'm very happy for you. My frustration is somewhat lessened seeing that there's at least the possibility of something not being a scam. Thanks for keeping this diary so thorough!

oh and apologies to neuroticwaif specifically, my anger wasn't directed at you specifically, just a general mounting frustration with examples such Earnesto's being used to give hope, when having followed his thread i found nothing conclusive that he got much help at all. nevertheless, i know your intentions were to be helpful and I thank you for that.

Thanks Rez. I understand your frustrations. We are all in this together. I do hope you find a solution that brings you happiness.

[dubldwn01]

GBL,

I just wanted to thank you for documenting your experience with ReCell. From the images you have posted it looks as though you have made a tremendous amount of progress. I've been reading about ReCell for a while. Living in the US doesn't help much, as it is still in the FDA trial phase here. I did, however, recently get in touch with Sculpta in Scotland and they were a big help in explaining the process to me. It's amazing how after a long time of hearing that a valid treatment option doesn't exist that in just under a couple days and a few emails I learned that it not necessarily the case. Funny how it all boils down to where I live. My issue has more to do with hypopigmented (colorless) spots as a result of acne scarring. I read in an earlier post that of all the results you've experienced with ReCell, the return of pigment is one you are happy with. I'm very seriously considering taking a vacation here in the next few months and I am thinking about using some of my time to have this treatment done. The folks at Sculpta think that I would benefit from doing it and from what you've experienced I now have an actual example of someone who has benefited from it. So just wanted to say thanks again for allowing us to follow along.

[gbl]

hey if i can help just one person , writing this all down will be worth it. If your issue is to do with lack of pigment i would say 100% go for it, i had been considering micropigmentation (tattooing colour) I'm SO glad i went this route instead. Now Ive seen what it can do for normalising pigment, im even considering doing under my eyes at the same time if i do a second round (i have darkly pigmented shadows). That would be something pretty ground breaking i think!

[maggie07]

Wow! Your progress has been truly amazing. Congrats on your results...it has been a month or so since you've posted any pictures. Any other improvements so far? Are you growing your bangs out yet? Like you, I would love to not have bangs for once. Fingers crossed that excision will allow me to feel comfortable to at least thin them out a bit. I've always wanted those wispy side bangs that don't take much effort, but I've always needed thicker bangs to cover the scar...

Also, pardon if you already said this, I skimmed through the pages, but how has the skin biology scar reduction kit treated you so far? I am thinking of buying it for my incision line once it has healed more, either that or silicone sheets. Still debating between the two...

[gbl]

i highly recommend the skin biology kit for after your excision. While i dont think it makes any significant difference for old scars, i do think its helped my healing. I always wanted those wispy side 'bangs' too...but unfortunately my scar is slap bang in the middle.

Update- well. Good and not quite so good. The dent still appears to be improving. The pigment is not AS fully recovered as first appeared- it is slightly paler now the pinkness has fully gone. However, full results for the pigment are up to a year , so it could still improve. the main thing is, its not white, shiny, smooth. Its normal textured but just slightly paler.

I saw Dr Ahmed a week or so ago and he was really really pleased with my result. He also shared with me some info about other people who had it. he said that sometimes he would take off the bandages and think "Oh god, it hasnt worked" but then over time that patients results would surprise him with how much it improved. Other times he would take off the bandages straight away and know it was going to be a good outcome. I think the point is, that even the doctors cant predict how well it will look or how it will end up looking. He said the main thing is to have realistic expectations. (i.e it wont be baby clear skin, ever) He advised against me Recelling it again, as the pigment / texture is so improved he would not like to laser it off again and take the risk of it not being such a good outcome. He advises PRP.

this photo shows the degree of paleness currently

[rimram]

Hey gbl, I think your ex-scar looks great! I certainly wouldn't fear cutting off those bangs if I were you (not saying that you should though, they look great )

It's curious that the texture has improved so much. A more natural texture would imply a less shiny and more porous skin. The latter, in turn, would indicate that hair follicles have been formed anew in the scarred tissue, which is quite remarkable (postnatal HF regeneration has up until quite recently been regarded as an impossibility.) This might be hard to tell, but may I ask how the (vellus) hair patterning in the scar looks? Does it look normal? It also might be that the hair follicles didn't develop to a mature enough stage, so that, while their ducts (the pores) are somewhat visible, they don't produce any hair. You may need a strong side light, e.g. from a flashlight, to see this.

I know it doesn't say much in terms of the improvement you have had (who wants hair on their forehead anyway? ) The reason I'm asking is because I've lost some eyebrow hairs due to trauma, and I'm looking for ways to fix this. Anyhow, it would be great if you could check it out for me Many thanks and continued good luck with the healing!

[maggie07]

From the pictures you have shown us so far, your scar looks alot better. The color looks more natural, and it looks like it has filled in alot -- the edges look like they have been smoothed out. More improvement is just icing on the cake! I'm very happy for you!

And, I might have to go with the skin biology. It's nice to have someone say good things about it, because, honestly, the site where you order it from looked a bit shady to me. Thanks

[gbl]

rimram, on 20 January 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Hey gbl, I think your ex-scar looks great! I certainly wouldn't fear cutting off those bangs if I were you (not saying that you should though, they look great )

It's curious that the texture has improved so much. A more natural texture would imply a less shiny and more porous skin. The latter, in turn, would indicate that hair follicles have been formed anew in the scarred tissue, which is quite remarkable (postnatal HF regeneration has up until quite recently been regarded as an impossibility.) This might be hard to tell, but may I ask how the (vellus) hair patterning in the scar looks? Does it look normal? It also might be that the hair follicles didn't develop to a mature enough stage, so that, while their ducts (the pores) are somewhat visible, they don't produce any hair. You may need a strong side light, e.g. from a flashlight, to see this.

hey. i havent found a need to shave my forehead i must admit!!!! I can see a few dots like pores in the area that was all shiney. and the edges of what was scar tissue is totally normal. Its like normal skin has crept in from the sides. in the very middle it doesnt seem that porous but there are a few dotted about. its certainly not shiney- if i put a bit of fake tan on it would all look normal texture. (rather than a shiney bit coloured in)

[rimram]

Haha Okay, that's interesting. Many thanks for your reply!

[shenanigansSG]

Hey gbl,

Just wondering how's the scar looking now? Any updates on your recell or prp treatments with Dr. Ahmed?

All the best with your improvement! (looking great so far!)

-Luke

[gbl]

hey ! I havent had any further treatments yet, basically financial constraints/ priorities. The dent is really really improved. The pigment, isnt as improved as first appeared (opposite to expectations that pigment would be restored but the dent remain unchanged)

dr ahmed said it can take up to a year for full pigment results. Borec on this forum who has done LOADS of research has been told it can take up to 18 months so still waiting and seeing what happens.

I'm still planning to do either PRP/microneedling or Carboxytherapy/microneedling , i just havent done it yet.

I'll take some more pics when i get a chance although i dont think it looks significantly different to the last lot of pics.

[KATE75]

GBL, I just read through all these posts from start to finish for the first time and I think your scar has improved loads. I also think you deserve credit for continuing to share your progress considering one member in particular turned quite nasty on you. I would take whatever they said with a huge pinch of salt. Keep up the good work!

[gbl]

here's the scar at 8 months post Recell. I am absolutely delighted with the improvements in the dent- this was the biggest issue for me and one i thought might not change much from the recell. So that alone has been worth it for me. However, I am now disappointed with the pigment which initially seemed to be restored, but has gradually gone whiter again. HOWEVER....i have been advised a full year to 18 months for pigment. So, i still plan to do some PRP/carboxy/needling or as a last resort, micropigmentation to semi-permanently colour the skin.

[Borec]

Looks really fantastic.
I was reading some Case reports today regarding surgical scars and my type of white scars,i.e laser indused hypopigmentation. They stated that the scared tissue had the same amount of melanocytes as the normal tissue!.
However in the scared tissue "melangenesis" was not taking place, i.e melanin being produced by the melanocytes and passed up through the layers of the epidermis. There is a mysterios little microenvironment in our skin.
Some people had success with needling and the use of tyrosine to stimulate them. What does carboxy do?

Ill be posting my 2 week pictures in the next few days. So far im very happy with the improvements in my scars. Especially the skin texture. I havent had skin like that since i was a pre-teen. Thanks to recell.
Now im waiting for the pigment like you. Just DONT burn your skin!

[shenanigansSG]

WOW!

That's some improvement gbl! It's almost unbelievable!
I'm almost certain I'll be going for the recell treatment as well, though probably only in 1-2 years time. Most likely with the same doc who did the treatments for Borec. Thank you so much for documenting and sharing your experience.

You must be thrilled!

-Luke

Edited by shenanigansSG, 11 April 2012 - 04:27 AM.

[gbl]

Borec- with carboxytherapy , carbondioxide is 'squirted' into the skin with fine needles. This causes an overcompensation of oxygen delivery afterwards. Its good for stretchmarks, scars, wrinkles, volumising. I had it the week before the recell and was surprised at the immediate results, so based on that i'd be wiling to give a course a shot. i dont know if the effect would be temporary but it is supposed to get rid of the silveryness of stretchmarks so its worth a try.

Thats interesting about the hypo caused by laser. Mine is also caused by laser so i wonder if this means the recell will or wont stimulate melangenis.

Im quite suprised at the responses to the photos! i thought all the cynics would descend saying how rubbish the treatment is because theres still whiteness.....

looking forward to seeing your pics borec...;-)

[Thehoper]

good for you results look great. If I had that Id be tellin people it's some kind of Harry Potter scar haha, aliens came down and cut me open, made me incredibly smart!

[gbl]

Thehoper, on 11 April 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

good for you results look great. If I had that Id be tellin people it's some kind of Harry Potter scar haha, aliens came down and cut me open, made me incredibly smart!

thats what my husband calls it - harry potter scar lol

[shenanigansSG]

Hey,

Well I guess I was focussing more on the improvement in the indent than the improvement in colour. I do agree that just the improvement in the dent alone would make the treatment very worth it. (I know it would be worth it for me if I got that kind of improvement! )

-Luke

[justmeuk]

It looks fantastic, i can't believe how much it has filled in and what a great result you've had. I guess you could always cover the lack of pigment with something like dermablend in the future if the pigment doesn't return.