5 replies to this topic

[CJ13]

This is my first post on this site (I've lurked occasionally over the years) and was looking for recommendations/feedback on dermatologists and/or plastic surgeons in the Denver (or Boulder) area who are experienced with subcision. I've done a few searches here and haven't found any specific information on doctors in my area. However, I've been reading a lot of great threads on subcision and dermarolling that make them sound like really promising (and relatively low risk) procedures, so I would really appreciate input.

Specifically, I'd like information on your experience related to:

- Names of doctors in the Denver/Boulder area and would you recommend them or not?
- Why was your experience good or bad? If good, how would you characterize the improvement?
- What were the specifics of your procedures (how many subcision procedures, over what time period, combination with other procedures, etc.)?
- How much did each procedure cost?
- Anything else that you think would be helpful.

I actually have a consultation with Dr. Oleszek at the La Fontaine Spa in Cherry Creek next week. He's one of the few I was able to find that says they do subcision. I've read reviews of him which are fairly positive, although I'm somewhat skeptical since he's not a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, but is a doctor of internal medicine and has credentials in laser surgery. I also ran across the name of a Dr. Swinehart, but the reviews of him are pretty bad and I can't find much else on him.

As far as more info on me, I'm 40 and have pretty pretty significant scarring (rolling, box car, ice pick) from severe acne in my late teens. I tried a few procedures (injectables, laser) in my 20s with little/no success, and at this point in my life I'm somewhat at peace with my scarring. I'm not desperate to try any high risk procedures that could make my scars worse and/or pay a lot of $$$ for procedures that don't work. However, I would be very happy to improve my skin - I've kept tabs on scar treatments for several years and subcision and dermarolling are the first techniques that I've decided to seriously consider.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

CJ

[Coppedsynergy999]

I havent had it done but from what I hear it is the most effective procedure for rolling scars to date. It really depends on what kind of scars that you have. After doing research here are some things that i will suggest to you.

1. Make sure you know what kind of needle the doc will use
2. ask the doc if he marks the needle to maintiain orientation of a nokor blade (if used)
3. You want to know how many times he has done the procedure with before and after pics if available.
4. Know proper after care (vitamin C), possible suctioning for increased effectiveness (see subcision suction), ice etc.
5. Know procedure fully such as where he will enter with the needle.

I hope you have a happy experience. Subcision seems to be the best procedure with the risk/benefit profile.

[CJ13]

Coppedsynergy999, on 21 January 2012 - 06:19 PM, said:

I havent had it done but from what I hear it is the most effective procedure for rolling scars to date. It really depends on what kind of scars that you have. After doing research here are some things that i will suggest to you.

1. Make sure you know what kind of needle the doc will use
2. ask the doc if he marks the needle to maintiain orientation of a nokor blade (if used)
3. You want to know how many times he has done the procedure with before and after pics if available.
4. Know proper after care (vitamin C), possible suctioning for increased effectiveness (see subcision suction), ice etc.
5. Know procedure fully such as where he will enter with the needle.

I hope you have a happy experience. Subcision seems to be the best procedure with the risk/benefit profile.

Thanks, that's helpful information and I'll be sure to discuss all of these and make sure I trust the doctor before any procedures.

[Coppedsynergy999]

No problem bro. The only thing im really trying to find out is if i can have subcision on my chin. I have two scars on either side of my chin. I heard there was a major artery in this area but it seems like people have subcision in this area all the time. I know the only real danger zone is the temple area. Hmmm. Where are your scars located?

[CJ13]

My scars are pretty much all over - cheeks, temples, nose, jawline, chin. I'm mainly interested in trying to improve my cheeks because that's where it's most noticeable, and after that my jawline. I've found a few more dermatologists/plastic surgeons in the area that I plan to meet for consultations and I'll let you know what I find out.

[CJ13]

So I met with Dr. Oleszek yesterday and here's a summary of what he told me:

• Although I was mostly interested in subcision and dermarolling, he instead recommended an aggressive treatment with a Fractional CO2 laser. He only had a few before/after examples of this, and they showed some improvement. However, there would be a solid week of downtime, followed by about 2 months of redness, and then about a month of brownness....
  
• As an alternative to the aggressive treatment, he said 2-3 less aggressive treatments with a Fractional CO2 laser would give me somewhat less, but still good results.
  
• He also said that a couple syringes of Artefill (one for a large, sunken area on one cheek, and the other for several, smaller scars on my other cheek) would give me a good result.
  
• While he does subcission and dermarolling, he said that he did not think they would give me that much improvement compared to the CO2 laser and Artefill.

I've read up here and elsewhere about Artefill and the reviews are pretty mixed. I read a few places that the makers of Artefill went bankrupt, which lowers my confidence in it, although the recent article below is interesting.

http://www.modernmed...l/756464?ref=25

I've also scheduled a consultation with another doctor who is on the list for Laviv (and plan to consult with another on the list), to get information on that procedure and additional input on other procedures....