1466 replies to this topic

[stefany]

Maya,

I would venture to guess that you could do it sooner. Glycolic acid peels can be performed every two weeks, so one can assume that the same applies for spot treatment.

[Maya]

Thanks Stefany - will try again in a 10 days or so.

Bet your skin is looking great

[imbue]

Quote

Maya,

I would venture to guess that you could do it sooner.  Glycolic acid peels can be performed every two weeks, so one can assume that the same applies for spot treatment.

Maya

This is true when it's just a surface peel. I don't know if it would be the same when you are going so deep as to create a scab. Doing it too soon wouldn't even allow time for collagen to form. Using Glycolic acid to do a local peel in a pit just isn’t the same as a regular glycolic peel. I would suggest that you at least wait 4-5 weeks inbetween just like the local TCA peel requires.

[morris]

Stefany,

Thank you very much for the advice. I'll follow the routine
you had suggested.

So far I cannot give a honest % improvement. Give me about one month.
I have so many small ice pick and open pore type scars on my nose(about 75). But Dr.Ridenour said it's not good to perform TCA on scars close to each other. So from 75 scars, he covered about 25. I'll need to
go for atleast another 3 or 4 sessions.
I was wondering if I should do a dermabrasion on my nose. It will cover the hole nose area.

Can I use any make up just on the scabs? What brand is good.

Thanks,
Morris.

[stefany]

Morris:

I have never had a dermabrasion before, so I can't personally say whether it would be good or not. What did Dr. Ridenour say?

I use makeup after the scab has formed. Right now, I am using Almay Skin Smoothing Foundation with Kinetin. As soon as I am finished with this bottle, I will be purchasing the mineral makeup that Dr. Ridenour sells. It is supposed to be much better for the skin, especially after chemical peels. You will still see the scab, it just won't be as noticeable. But I personally do not care if I look funny for a few days, when I know the end result will be worth it!

Imbue:

There is a huge difference between 100% TCA and 40% glycolic acid. Even though Maya will still have a scab, glycolic acid does not penetrate like TCA. She can definitely wait 4 weeks to be safe, however, I only wait 4 weeks in between the TCA treatments. The study regarding TCA CROSS treatments said the results were better when performed closer together, rather than waiting say 3 months. Granted, I cannot say whether glycolic acid will do the same thing as TCA, but I am sure Maya will heal much quicker using glycolic. I think she will just have to see how her skin heals, and go from there.

[morris]

Stefany,

I did not ask Dr.Ridenour about dermabrasion. I'll ask him next time.
How many TCA spots did Dr.Ridenour treated on you?
I'll be using makeup for the first time in my life(guys are not makeup friendly). Can anybody notice if I put make up on my scabs?
What is a good meathod to apply makeup?
Your suggestions are very helpful. Thanks.

[Maya]

Take a look at www.janeiredale.com - even if you don't buy her mineral makeup (which is excellent by the way) there are some very good makeup tips there.

[stefany]

Just went in for my 5th CROSS treatment yesterday. Everything is going very well. Over 50% improvement overall, and after CROSS I am going to do IPL treatments for the redness.

Morris,

How are you doing so far?

[hello50]

Stefany tca did not help your blemishes at all?

[morris]

stefany,

I'm slowly healing. The redness is still there.
I have notice some improvement on my small ice pick
type scars. Do you have scars on the nose ( small ice pick type)?
I've heard that scars on the nose are very hard to treat.

I think after about 4 TCA sessions, once the scars are filled,
dermabrasion can further smooth the surface.

Keep posting your improvement.

[stefany]

Hello50:

CROSS TCA is not for blemishes. I am doing this for my scars left over from the acne. The redness I am experiencing is from the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the TCA. I don't really have that much acne anymore.

Morris:

No, I don't have scars on my nose. All of my scars on concentrated on my cheek areas, and a few on my chin. CROSS TCA is supposed to be extremely beneficial for ALL types of atrophic acne scars.

[ariel]

Stefany

I too have ice pick scarring from cystic acne on cheeks only. after 4 cross treatments have any of your ice picks filled in and would you say have any somewhat disappeared? I have forwarded to my Derm some Doctors whom are currently performing this treatments and she has been doing research on this. Could you please tell me the name and give me a tel# to forward to my Derm. One Doctor I gave info on has not returned calls to my Derm yet. the more information she can possibly get the better and more precise she can perform this treatment. I am currently receiving Smooth beam treatments. I have only received one which was last Saturday so I can't tell you about any results just yet. Thank you for your help! BTW are the scabs small and the hyperpgmentation can this be camoflouged? I currently use bareessentials mineral makeup and it works great!

Ariel

[hello50]

if i where to get tca peel on my face, not nessacrily corss
would it help with blemishes and such?

[imbue]

Hello

I think you need to be acne free before considering a TCA peel. Once you have had a TCA peel your skin is thinned and you may not be able to do some laser treatments. There are some that say that the mandalic acid serum helps thier acne and it's mild.

http://acne.org/messageboard/viewtopic.php...p?p=75632#75632

[stefany]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, however, I am doing extremely well. I had my 5th treatment one month ago, and the results are at 60% improvement. I went in to see Dr. Ridneour on Wednesday, and he wants me to wait 2-3 months for my last TCA treatment. Reason being, I am experiencing redness in the treated areas, and he wants that to subside first. Instead, my esthetician performed the new microdermabrasion called "DiamondTome." After my microdermabrasion, she gave me a superficial peel called "SensiPeel" which comprises of Lactic acid, small amount of TCA, Kojic acid, Arbutin, L-Ascorbic Acid, and a naturally plant-derived progesterin which lightens and brightens the complexion. After all of that, my skin was treated with "Oxy-Mist" which is comprised of over 100 micellized amino acids which helps heal faster and produce collagen.
Check out their site and click on the pictures:

http://www.oxymist.com

I stopped using hydroquinone because of the safety issues. I use Paula's Choice SuperAntioxidant Serum in place of it. Will keep everyone updated on my quest for becoming scar-free.

[Jane]

Congratulations Stefany!

60% is wonderful. Could you describe your skin tone?
Have you had a regular microdermabrasion, and if so, would you say the diamond tone is more effective?

[Maya]

Stefany - that is fantastic news - you must be really happy.. as I am for you. /

[Rock]

Stepahnie- Great to hear of your success as well!

You say you have 60% improvement so far- You had depressed scars?
Do you mean they are 60 % smoother(level with surroundign healthy skin)?

I just wanted to know specifically what type of treatment you have had, b/c I am considering this treatment. Thanks!

[not2bad]

I will be getting smoothbeam and TCA CROSS for my scars. I have some ice pick and some other type of depressed scars. My scars are not too deep I don't think. Would TCA CROSS be effctive on other type of depressed scars ...like box car type of scars? They are not too deep. I will try to convince my derm to apply TCA on those scars too I feel that doing the TCA and the smoothbeam at the same time I might have better results. What do you guys think?

-not2bad

[stefany]

Jane:

DiamondTome is supposed to be better than regular microdermabrasion. It uses real diamond crystals and has 3 types of wands. These wands help control the precision and depth of the treatment. My skin tone is very fair, and I have some post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Rock:

Yes I have depressed scarring and the 60% involves the scar being raised up to the surrounding skin. My only battle next will be to get rid of the redness.

Not2Bad:

CROSS TCA is meant to be effective for all atrophic (depressed) scarring. I believe a mixture of treatments would give you even better results. After my treatments, I am going to continue to have monthly peels and microdermabrasions for 6 months. Then I may opt to do some type of laser or filler.