1413 replies to this topic

[AngerEatingDemon]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but will most tattoo artists do this? I'm really thinking about doing this just on my forehead, what do I ask for. Is there a certain depth/procedure that they will need to use? I know to do it with water. It is probably pretty cheap to do this at a tattoo artist right?

I don't want to do it myself because I don't think the results will be as good. I want to do what is best when considing both costs and effectiveness. So a tattoo artist would be the best way to go wouldn't it?

[LizaM]

Hi Christy,
I am gald that you skin is geting better.
I asked my" needler" about that ointment you have been using, and if it is petrolium based do not use it. It just goes stright to the dermis layer of your skin, proventig the collagen production.
For the first two days after the procedure I was only using pure vitamin E (day and night) on the third day I started on 12% vitamine C in the morning and then vit. E at night. In addition to vitamins I was able to return to my moisturizer after 5 days as long as it was fragrance free. Plus plenty of water (min. 2liters a day).
When I had my needling done it was done only on the surface of my skin. I would say about 1.5mm deep.
Isn't Tazorac for acne treatment... not acne scars..?Is your acne still active?
If you have any more questions I can give you my technician phone number. She is very informative and
she knows a lot about Multitrepannic Collagen Induction - as she calls it.
P.S.
I am 35+

[LizaM]

Hi ,
When I did the research before my procedure, I understood that the regular machine used by tatoo artist (coil machine) is to strong for the face skin. It goes to deep. The best for you is to find Permanent Makeup Technician, that has some idea about dry needling (Needle Abrasion, Multitrepannic Collagen Induction...ect.)
She/ he should know the skin basics. I would not allow anybody without knowing about skin structure come even close to my face....
Good luck

[AngerEatingDemon]

ahh, it just sounds like a permanant makeup artist would overcharge for such a simple procedure:(

[petlover]

Hi Christy,
I am gald that you skin is geting better.
I asked my" needler" about that ointment you have been using, and if it is petrolium based do not use it. It just goes stright to the dermis layer of your skin, proventig the collagen production.
For the first two days after the procedure I was only using pure vitamin E (day and night) on the third day I started on 12% vitamine C in the morning and then vit. E at night. In addition to vitamins I was able to return to my moisturizer after 5 days as long as it was fragrance free. Plus plenty of water (min. 2liters a day).
When I had my needling done it was done only on the surface of my skin. I would say about 1.5mm deep.
Isn't Tazorac for acne treatment... not acne scars..?Is your acne still active?
If you have any more questions I can give you my technician phone number. She is very informative and
she knows a lot about Multitrepannic Collagen Induction - as she calls it.
P.S.
I am 35+

Hello Liza -

Tazorac is used for multiple skin conditions, including acne and wrinkles. It helps boost collagen. I have heard that neosporin/polysporin inhibits collagen production, but not vitamin A D ointment. I wonder now if it is due to the petroleum, and not the active ingredient(s) in poly/neosporin. If anyone else knows, can they please chime in on this?

My needler, Lisa used a rotary handheld type of equipment, not a coil machine. She went to approx. 1.5mm also. I am very confident that she did everything right (she was a highly qualified plastic surgeon overseas, and now is a permanent makeup artist and teacher). I believe that it is the type of scars I have - icepicks/scarred pores mainly, ones with defined edges - and they are very old. None of my scars are rolling. I have no active acne.

I am my worst critic, so maybe the improvement is greater than I perceive. I always evaluate in the worst possible light and angles. There is improvement, but just not where I want to be yet. All of the borders (majority have softened) are still there, so the scars will always look highly visible to me. I think I will try to increase my water intake. I am a Starbucks addict, so perhaps the caffeine is sucking the moisture right out of my pits. Plus, I work out religiously so I should be increasing water intake throughout the day in the first place.

Please tell me, what kind of scarring do you have? Also, was this your first needling session?

Thanks for all the info, Liza. Your improvement is enormous and it is encouraging for many of us!

- Christy

ahh, it just sounds like a permanant makeup artist would overcharge for such a simple procedure:(

Zahnza -

A permanent makeup artist is not necessarily more expensive than a tattooist. My PMA's fee was only $50 more than a tattoo artist I talked to.....and she happened to be highly qualified in skin irregularities. I got lucky, I suppose.

Many people on this board have paid in the $100-$200 range for a PMA. Some got their service for free or near free (if you are on the eastcoast, Frank at Transitions for example, has ongoing/past classes and offers/offered this deal for being a model)

- Christy

[morpho]

is there anyone reading this board still who is doing self-needling? i went to CVS yesterday and got supplies, then just now did a little test on one of my forehead scars (my whole forehead is scarred, also with forehead lines, so i picked the deepest scar). it seemed really easy, and i heard the little 'pop' others had talked about and then just had tiny tiny blood spots where i needled. tonight i'm going to try a few more scars and then cover up as usual with makeup tomorrow.
i think taking a little bit at a time will help me not miss time from work, etc.
i bought the BD 33 gauge lancets -- the pharmacist said that the higher the gauge is, the thinner the needle is. and they are soooooo thin -- like acupuncture needles. didn't hurt in the slightest.

[morpho]

okay so the one scar that i needled (i did a few others, but i'm just really inspecting the deepest of my forehead scards) looks like it's about 70% or so improvement from a couple of days ago...i'm banking it will be about 50% improvement, though it doesn't seem like there's any swelling anymore...i only felt a tiny bit of swelling the first night.
it looks GREAT compared to how it used to...i did one TCA cross on it over a month ago and now the needling. i see a HUGE difference. now 50 gazillion more to go...geesh!

[morpho]

scar i needled the other day still looks really good! i tried a few more on my forehead tonight, plus a couple on my temple area...will keep you guys posted

[MaggyL.]

Eyesis
Wow, you are getting really prepared. I like your style...!!!
I haven't been to Greece but I have been to most parts of Europe - I love Itally!!!!! Pointers for England - well, of of course London is a very cool and cosmopolitan place (I went to University there and lived there for many years)

I live around 3 hours north of London now, in the West Midlands - it's a good place to bring kids up (I have non-identical twin boys who are nearly 10)

Yes - that other thread where everyone is worried is funny - the funny thing is them thinking that we are going to get blood poisining! People who sew are always pricking their fingers - they don't get any poisining - Imagine if there was some health warning supplied wih a pack of needles!!!!LOL!! That makes me laugh.

Henry
Hey, have a good trip.

I guess, you will be able to judge whether your first attempt was successful or not by the time you get back. Maybe be a little wilder nest time! LOL!!

Sometimes I think it's the girls who take more risks, but even saying that, even though some of my attempts were pretty rough, no adverse affects have taken place, so at least you have our experience.

It's been around 2 weeks (I think) since I started needling - and a couple of my nastiest indents - they really look so much better - they are now more like pot holes rather than the black hole of calcutta!

[morpho]

just wondering why you quoted that?

the scars i needled are still looking great, btw. i'm going to try some more later in the week. would like to find a needler/makeup artist who can do a lot at once.

[stacpearl]

8) I just had needling done last night by my husband who is a tattoo artist (15 years) It is too soon to see the results yet, but I'll keep you posted if your interested. The scars we treated were pitted.

yes, please let me know your results!!! i'm going in to get a consult tomorrow at plastic surgery center. i've been looking into dermabrastion, but it's invasive, too long of a down time, and so expensive that I have severe reservations about it. What is your feeling on needling??

thanks

[minku]

Hi Liza -

Yes, my pits are getting better since my last post (I had needling done on July 8). I am not where I want to be yet, but I am optimistic and remind myself that patience is key. There are a few very stubborn pits I have that I can't tell if there is any improvement, but on the majority pits, they look plumper and softer-edged (but none of them smaller as of yet).

I used vitamin A D ointment during the healing phase. When the scabs fell off, I used Skinceuticals C E with Ferulic in the morning, sometimes followed with sunscreen, then Tazorac .01% gel in the evening. I continue using these. I did go on vacation last month to Aruba and got some sun, but I wore spf 55 and a hat. My body got nicely tanned and my face stayed the same color - ah well, at least that was the right thing to do. However, I do have a question for you - do you mean you used C and E immediately after needling BEFORE scabs formed (in that case did it not sting?), because that is the way I read your post. Can you please clarify? I plan on getting needled again in November.

Your results are AMAZING - congratulations!! I am very happy for you and you must be even more happy! Please share....What kind of scars do you have and how deep did your needler go? If you don't mind me asking, what age group are you in? I'm in my 30's and believe this is why my results may not be as dramatic.

- Christy

[minku]

Hi Liza -

Yes, my pits are getting better since my last post (I had needling done on July 8). I am not where I want to be yet, but I am optimistic and remind myself that patience is key. There are a few very stubborn pits I have that I can't tell if there is any improvement, but on the majority pits, they look plumper and softer-edged (but none of them smaller as of yet).

I used vitamin A D ointment during the healing phase. When the scabs fell off, I used Skinceuticals C E with Ferulic in the morning, sometimes followed with sunscreen, then Tazorac .01% gel in the evening. I continue using these. I did go on vacation last month to Aruba and got some sun, but I wore spf 55 and a hat. My body got nicely tanned and my face stayed the same color - ah well, at least that was the right thing to do. However, I do have a question for you - do you mean you used C and E immediately after needling BEFORE scabs formed (in that case did it not sting?), because that is the way I read your post. Can you please clarify? I plan on getting needled again in November.

Your results are AMAZING - congratulations!! I am very happy for you and you must be even more happy! Please share....What kind of scars do you have and how deep did your needler go? If you don't mind me asking, what age group are you in? I'm in my 30's and believe this is why my results may not be as dramatic.

- Christy

Hi christy,
I am new to this site but I have read this thread.I want to ask you which AD ointment you used and was it over the counter? What is SkinceuticalsCE?
Thanks in advance
Monica

[petlover]

Hi christy,
I am new to this site but I have read this thread.I want to ask you which AD ointment you used and was it over the counter? What is SkinceuticalsCE?
Thanks in advance
Monica

Hello Monica,

I used vit A D ointment by Fougera that my needler gave me. It is available in the pharmacy.

Skinceuticals is a line of high quality skin care products. Their website is skinceuticals.com. There is a list of dealers on their website. If you have a dermatologist, they may have a sample they can give you (ask for any of the vit C line). Alternatively, I've seen samples on ebay.

- Christy

[insecuritey]

Ive needled 2Xs. First July 4th weekend & the second time.... sometime in early Sept

The July one produced massive results 25% decrease in scar appearance

I rushed the second visit & since it was done prematurely (only 7 weeks later)
I attacked it again too soon.... producing not such great results the second attemt (10%)

after waiting approx 6 months Im going back for round 3.

this time ive been on retin A micro (smaller dose).
retin a micro works like a dream + needling results = my skins never looked smoother!!

Its hard for me to remember how deep my scars were b/c of my skin now

people used to stare at my scars instead of lookin into my eyes or whatever
when speaking to me....

now that I mention my acne scars & how im going to get a procedure done (b/c i need time off from school & work to recover)... ppl are like "WHAT ACNE SCARS?"

that makes me feel really deliriously good about my self
and SERIOUSLY before this whole needling ordeal, u could spot my scars from across the room.

now.... when you stand 3 feet away, you can NOT see them (trust me, b/c ppl stand more or less 3 feet when talkin to me, and can NOT see the scars!)

i will def update my scar pics... but not until atleast 2 more rounds of needling b/c i want ppl to notice a DRAMATIC difference, not a small one.

im a perfectionist

ciao

[sweeping]

Hi insecuritey,

How long after the July treatment did you start seeing results? Was there any bleeding/scabbing involved?

Also, I noticed your scars were not red, but had the same pigmentation as the rest of your skin - is this correct, or do the pics not accurately reflect this?

Thanks.

[insecuritey]

Its really sad how this same time last year ('06)... this board was majorly popular
and now... no one's here on this board reading/responding...
I wonder, what the hell could have possibly come out thats better than needling??????

that is beyond me

trust me, i am a connoisseur when it comes to the pain, angst & the almost all the experience in the world when it comes to acne & acne scars.

back to needling
i went back to Frank at Transitions for my third needling session. ofcourse no one at work knows why i took time off from work, nor do they need to. (except my close friends)

it was almost a 7 hour round trip, but worth every minute.
my dad was like "why did you needle again, i thought ur scars were gone"
i cant wait to heal & evaluate my scars!
my dad oughtta know i am a perfectionist. so if i can achieve 99% improvement. why not??

its not like fraxel where your skin looks raw 12 calendar months after getting it done

Frank is officially a part of my life, whether he likes it or not.
he's totally invited to my wedding, or any major celebration of that sort.
that is the impact he's had. plus, it doesnt hurt that he's genuinely a nice guy, smart, & talented. He's not cold blooded like 99% money hungry crook doctors.

why doesnt anyone notice how cruel doctors are, all you have to do is tune in on those stupid plastic surgery shows.... doesnt anyone notice that plastic surgeons are butchers with a liscense to tell you more is wrong with you than meets the eye??? woman goes in for a face lift... and is told she needs 12 procedures. WTF

so yes = needling is TRUE micro wounds to the skin which TRULY accelerates proper healing, NOT fraxel that sells itself on that principle. i'd know. my multimillionare boss burns her daughters face with fraxel, she's yet to achieve results opposed to raw skin.

im not at all being cocky. i just deeply hope they notice a reduction in my scars when i go back, so that i can introduce that poor woman to Frank @ Transitions, and change her life positively.

good luck to everyone out there.

-insecuritey (may need to change my name after this )

[Libertine.]

Is there anybody know where can I get a skin needling treatment in the UK please? I fed up how slow our country adapt to the latest scar treatment. US and OZ already on the front line for this treatment, but why UK skin clinics still stuck with dermabrasion and skin peels? We know it doesnt work and make our skin more sensitive !! GGGRRRR

Hi, I had a consultation recently with julie at bio2 clinic (http://www.bio2clinic.com). They're based in warwickshire but i saw julie in london as she has a clinic there as well and london is closer for me. I've not had needling done yet but i can't recommend her highly enough, she is really great and is not money hungry like some of the derms/docs your hear about on this site.

She really knows her stuff about needling (she's been doing it for years) and her prices are cheap as well. I would definately book a consultation with her if you are considering needling.

[Libertine.]

Libertine, I have booked an appointment with Bio2clinic in Leamington Spa. Just to let everybody know, this is my face when my acne was so bad. Now they're gone but left me with icepcik scars. My friends said they're unnoticeable but what the heck, I want my face be at least as smooth as my neck! I will keep you informed!

That pic was when your acne was at its worst? Honestly you look really clear. Maybe the camera didn't pick it up that well but i have to say i would love to have skin like yours.

Yeah, do keep us informed. I'm in a bit of a dilemma at the moment because julie told me that i would have to come off benzoyl peroxide 3 weeks before and after needling to aid healing. I just know that i'll break out in that time and i sure as hell don't want anymore scars. I haven't decided what i'm gonna do yet. So frustrating just thinking about it lol!

Btw, good luck with your appointment .

[Beth]

Is there anybody know where can I get a skin needling treatment in the UK please? I fed up how slow our country adapt to the latest scar treatment. US and OZ already on the front line for this treatment, but why UK skin clinics still stuck with dermabrasion and skin peels? We know it doesnt work and make our skin more sensitive !! GGGRRRR

Hi,

I only live about 3 hours from Frank, so I was thinking about having him needle my face. (I have some shallow chin scars and a little rough texture on one of my cheeks from a glycolic acid treatment that was too strong for my skin.) I was wondering how long the treated area would look red or irritated after being needled? I work part time with 3 days on/4 days off each week, so I was wondering if I'd be able to heal in that short of a time frame or if I should wait for a full week vacation before having this done. Any info based on your own experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Beth