1469 replies to this topic

[poreman]

Hello Butterfly,

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for the update on your progess. It sounds like the downside of this treatment is 5 days of scabs, and 2 weeks of redness. But now you have a few less scars! So cheer up and pat yourself on the shoulder!! /

I do believe there is a benefit in SB, and that is to make the skin more plump. I had my first SB last week, had some redness for 3 days and now back to normal, no big improvement yet (as expected). However, I believe TCA is the most direct treatment against pitted scars.

I decided to do the TCA treatment myself, because it make sense financially and tactically. I don't want to have all 3000 pits treated at once and have 3 weeks total downtime. Nor does it make sense to pay $$$ for many mini-treatments.

You mentioned blemishes that lasted for weeks. I am asian, 37, I wonder how the treated pits looks like during recovery.

Take Care!

Hello Poreman

It's funny that Dr. Bargman told me he thought the smoothbeam was not very effective for acne scarring - maybe because my scarring is pretty severe he thought it would do me no good - but might help you. I just hope he isn't just after the $$$$!

He actually called me the other day because I haven't been to see him for a few months and he wanted to know what kind of result I got (first time a derm has ever called me!). I did get a pretty good result - I had deep icepick scars on the side of my nose (he only did a few) and one of them completely filled in - the scar is totally gone. The other scars he treated are definitely smoother. ( This was after 2 treatments).

The only thing I really hated was that I had bright red spots on my face for over 2 months which looked like blemishes. It took a long time for them to heal and fade. I can't imagine what it would be like if he had treated all the icepick scars on my face - it would look like I had a bad case of acne again. Maybe I just don't heal as fast as others.

I'm scheduled for laser treatments with another doctor - so I am not going to get any more done until they are finished, if ever.

Sooooo, it definitely works - but it is pretty depressing during the healing phase.  I might get more done in the future - I'll have to wait and see what kind of result I get from the laser treatments first.

Best of Luck!!!

[butterfly200]

Hi Poreman,

The scars he treated with 100% TCA scabbed for about 5 days - but remained quite red for a good two months (not weeks). That's why I'm hesitant to do it again. It looks just like you have pimples on your face.

It did help the scars he treated, but I can't get too excited about it because my scarring is quite bad - and alot of the scars can't be treated by this method. I also have pigment problems from dermabrasions which makes the scars more noticeable. I am currently having V-beam treatments to treat the redness on my face - and I hope it will also help with the scarring - the doctor said it might help or it might do nothing. That made me feel pretty depressed - but all we can do is try our best with what we've got.

I'm curious how you and others are treating yourself with TCA - where do you get the TCA from and what is the maximum strength you can get?
It would sure be alot cheaper, but I'd be afraid I might make myself look worse. Do you apply it with a toothpick?

All the best

[poreman]

Hi Butterfly,

The scars that you think cannot be treated by TCA ... what type are they? Oh and what complexion do you have?

I have had treatment aftermath from IPL, twice. In the end, I had all sunspots removed, but had to live through a depressing 2 months. So I know what you mean. Hang in there Butterfly, I hope you find comfort in knowing taking action is much better not doing anything at all.

Which doctor is doing V-beam for you? Does she charge reasonably? I know very little about it, but I hope it works for you.

I am getting 50% TCA from ebay. Yes I shall use a toothpick to apply it. Initially I will only try with a couple pits.

Does anyone know other places where we can buy 50% or even 100% TCA too? Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

[butterfly200]

Hi Poreman,

I have very fair, white complexion. I have all types of scars - I have quite a few depressed scars - but the scars that bother me the most and are the hardest to treat are from disasterous excisions (4) that a doctor did on me that did not heal well. They left deep, ragged ugly surgical scars and you can even see all the stitch marks. I can' tell you how much psychological pain they have caused me.

I am getting v-beam at a place in downtown Toronto called "Spamedica".
Dr. Kellet is the one who does all the laser treatments. She said they normally charge $600 - but I think she realized how much pain I'm in over my skin and gave me a break to $450. She said she really doesn't consider someone with skin like mine a "cosmetic procedure". I agree with her and feel it should be covered by insurance. Makes me so mad!!!

Let me know how the TCA goes - I might give this a try too.

All the best

[Maya]

It's day 3 of my self TCA treatment - scabs have formed - all still very dark, but looking a little better. The 18% UMF manuka Honey is working great as an antibacterial and moist topping. The middle of some of the pits look like they are oozing slightly - nothing to worry about.

With a little concealer and not standing too close to people, no one seems to have noticed I have 50 tiny burn marks on my face.

[poreman]

Hi Butterfly,

All I can say is, although my condition is different, I feel for you. Will keep you posted about progress once it begins.

Hi Maya,

Thanks for sharing your TCA experience. Now I know what to expect.
I'm a guy so I have no idea about what to use for covering up the scabs though. Hmmmm .... crayon maybe?

Thanks and take care.

[Maya]

5 day update on TCA Cross

All the scabs have shrunk - like they are pulling my skin tighter - a few of them look like they are ready to fall off. The pits that had looked like they had been made larger are now beginning to scab in the middle too which is a good sign (b4, they just looked like they were scabbing on the sides).

Can't wait till the scabs are off so I can inspect my skin.

[Maya]

More updating..

My frosting literally lasted only an hour or so, then turned brown and black within 3 hours - clear scabs formed on day 2, and when I wasn't out and about, I would put loads of this Manuka 18 stuff on my face - I think that really helped. I have been able to wear makeup very comfortably (Jane Iredale) and washed off very gently using the ppuredeming castille soap - and no scabs fell off by accident.

3 little scabs just fell off today (day 5 still) - just a little pink that's all. Looking at my scabs now - it just looks like I've got around 50 blackheads all over my face - the scabs are getting smaller/tighter all the time, some are lifting at the edges - I think most of them will be off in 2/4 days.

My plan is the following:

Monthy TCA cross -
week 1 just using the manuka UMF18 gel
week 2: puredeming intense gel (and once the scabs are all off, mandelic serum too)
week 3: retin-a micro .04% (I managed to swap some stuff!) and puredeming IG
week 4: puredeming IG and mandelic

then start all over again ...

[Maya]

Day 6 update:

Some of the scabs are falling off - seems like the scars that were shallowest have the scabs that fall off the soonest. The ones where the scabs are off, the original scar kind of looks the same, (possibly smaller - but don't want to get excited yet) and slightly pink. So, I definately haven't cause MORE damage by doing this - I'm feeling pretty relieved.

A few of the deeper scars worked on still have heir scabs firmly in place.

[Maya]

Day 7 update:

60-70% of the scabs are off - just touch one and it flakes off. A few of them (the deeper pits) are holding on fast still.

The pits where the scabs have fallen do look a little better/shallower! - hope I am not just seeing things .. it will be easier to make a judgement when the larger scabs are off and after a few weeks - but I am now really pleased for having done this.

I am now using the Intense Gel all over - feels great.

[stefany]

Maya,

That is so great. I am very happy you are able to do this yourself. Maybe this is the treatment we all have been waiting for?

[Maya]

Yes, Stefany - I really hope so!

One thing I must add here - you may all remember a few weeks back I burned myself badly trying this with 40% glycolic - I did worry that I would end up getting the TCA dripping into my non-scarred areas by accident - this did not happen because I used a toothpick and also, becasue TCA is thicker and doesn't run in the same way.

[Lupe1]

this is day 3 of my 50% TCA on just one pitted scar. its now a red color, and the area that is red has spread to twice the size (originally the frosted white area was a popcorn kernel size). the pit is almost completely gone (probably just swelling).

i am considering doing TCA to all of my pitted scars (i have about 10) and cancelling my upcoming needling appt.

maybe i should just treat with TCA every few months until i get the improvement i want ... or should i mix in a needling session, thoughts?

[poreman]

Hi Maya,

May I ask how if you have to press the wooden stick hard enough to puncture the scar?

Thanks,
Mike

[Maya]

poreman

I did press quite hard and kind of wiggled the tip around, making sure it covered the sides - but I did not press that hard as to puncture the scar - I don't think that's necessary ... is it? No one mentioned that... and on the TCA Cross document, it doesn't mention that either.

[Lupe1]

Maya, where do you store your 50% TCA? will it go bad? do you refigerate it?

thanks.

[poreman]

Thanks for sharing Maya O:)

poreman

I did press quite hard and kind of wiggled the tip around, making sure it covered the sides - but I did not press that hard as to puncture the scar - I don't think that's necessary ... is it? No one mentioned that... and on the TCA Cross document, it doesn't mention that either.

[Maya]

Maya, where do you store your 50% TCA? will it go bad? do you refigerate it?

It's in my dressing table drawer. No, I don't think it would need to be kept in the fridge. I've got lots of other acids (lactic, glycolic etc..) and they are still just as active after 1 year.



poreman - I'm glad I can share my experiences in as much detail as possible - if this helps the scar community, then I feel it is my duty. And if this is the Ultimate solution for ice picks, then I am on the road to recovery - yay!

[poreman]

Hello Maya,

Thanks, you are truly an angel O:)

Did you also apply to the nose scars, if you have any at all? I got tons of those I would like to get rid of.

poreman - I'm glad I can share my experiences in as much detail as possible - if this helps the scar community, then I feel it is my duty. And if this is the Ultimate solution for ice picks, then I am on the road to recovery - yay!

[nottoobad]

DO NOT PUNCTURE THE SCAR!

When applying the TCA all that is necessary is for the acid to completely cover the inside of the pit. It is the acid "burning" the skin that causes the skin to defend itself by regenerating. Puncturing the scar will cause damage the likes of which you will wish you never started TCA. Just use a tooth pick. dip it in the acid and apply as deep into the icepick pit as possible, do not cause bleeding by puncturing the skin.

I ordered 100% TCA from an ebay'er seeling 50% who special ordered it for me. Cost was $35 for 1/3rd of an ounce or some small size.