426 replies to this topic

[Maria]

Wow, this thread has GROWN! Sorry I haven't been here for a few days, I got sick (

Ok, here is my 3 weeks update:
It keeps looking better and better, I've had at least 90% improvement so far. It is SLIGHTLY pink but it doesn't bother me at all. I can definitely say that my old ice-pick IS NO MORE /
I'm VERY VERY happy with the result! It's kind of funny because I've noticed that I've become much more outgoing and social lately. I think it's because I don't have to worry about how my scar looks in certain angels and lights etc (so stupid, I know), it's really a great relief!!

---> not2bad
I don't think dermabrasion/laser after excision is necessary. My surgeon didn't mention anything about this. The scar shouldn't be raised, if it does maybe dermabrasion or laser is good...dunno.

---> Homer, not2bad
Thanks! I have been taken before and after photos but I haven't developed them yet. When I do, and if they are good, I will definitely post them!

---> Maya
You are really brave to remove the stitches yourself! I removed them after 6 days and for me that worked fine. I also had slightly intended lines from the stitches but they healed nicely too. And this 'hole' I got from one of the stitches is totally leveled now. The best thing is that your skin will keep improving the following weeks and months!!!

[Maya]

I'm taking photos but it's not worth posting anything now until I have had more time to see the final results - my camera isn't that good with detail, so it will be better to wait till I've accomplished more.

Wow Maria - I love reading your updates... I'm following you I hope!

[Rock]

Hey Maya,

I've beem reading about your success story with the punch technique and I'm really happy for you.

Question for anyone who has insight- I have ice-pick scarring and was told by a "cosmetic" surgeon nothing can be done at this time for my skin type. I have asian-indian skin (brown to dark brown skin tone). Am I good candidate for a punch technique? Do I need to see a plastic surgeon? It seems as though derms and their assistants won't even recommend such a technique for me.

Also, if my holes are now fine lines could they be completely camouflauged
with a camouflauge cream such as dermablend?

Thanks

[Maya]

Rock - I am Asian myself - half Indian and half Chinese... so definately, this is suitable for us

At present, most of the ice pick scars are still slightly indented, but I anticipate them filling in as it heals (well, that's the experience of most who have had excision to date).

Many derms and surgeons aren't even aware of different procedures - people here are having good success with excision and TCA for ice picks.

Yeah, it's easy to camouflage lines, but not holes - it was an easy choice to swop 1 for the other! Saying that, many have said that the lines will fade over time anyway.

Some derms offer this procedure, it's really not that complicated - just find someone who has good experience.

[Rock]

Thanks Maya!!

Your post gave me a lot of hope. But from reading you earlier posts, I see that had needling and subicision as well. Is that something you would recommend for me? Or should I go straight to the punch excision?

You combined punch excision with N-Lite with your recent visit Dr. Chu. Is that correct? Should I get an N-Lite done as well?

One more thing, what is the recovery time for this? I have about 20 scars or so I like to get excised. Is this good for all type of depressed scars or just ice pick?

Sorry for so many questions but you got me really excited.

[Maya]

Rock

Needling wasn't effective for my deep ice picks (I am 40 so maybe it's just me... my collagen growth 'aint what it used to be!) - it did help with shallower scars

Subcision - that helped to raise the scars somewhat, but not close up those damn holes!

The N-Lite - I'm not sure if this works for me or not (maybe it makes my skin smoother, but it is not effective in treating deep scars) - but I get it as part of the package... I don't think it's essential at all for fixing ice picks though.

Punch excision is good for ice picks and larger/deeper scars - as it closes the sides. The other procedures (subcision and needling) don't necessarily close the sides and you will need many repeat treatments to get this to work for ice picks anyway.... so you may get improvements/levelling (in my experience) but still see the edges of the scar.

So, I do think excision is the way to go ... and then if the line is still somewhat depressed, you can get some subcision or non ablative laser (Nlite/Smoothbeam) to help raise them.

About recovery time - day 5 you have stitches out - then you will have red marks which can be covered with a little concealer/powder. The trouble with our type of skin is that we get hyperpigmentation that lasts a while.. but you can use products (like kojic acid/lactic peels suitable for Asian skin) that will help fade the marks within a few months ... I would rather have lots of red marks I can cover rather than holes!

No problems with questions Rock, I am happy to answer any that you have.

[ariel]

Not2bad:

My ice pickscarringis just on my cheeks and are about medium scarring. yes I found a Derm in my area whom does the punch procedure but not sure of their experience yet.

Ariel

[jasmine1]

Rock,
Excision is suitable for Asian Indian skin because I have exactly your type of skin (Asian Indian)and I did not have any problems with excision.
I had about 20 scars excised at the one go (both ice picks and box scars)
but the excision worked better on the icepicks.

Jasmine

[pat]

Please Anyone,
How can i find a doctor in London who carries out tca cross treatment and punch excision apart from Dr Chu.

[Anna]

Hi All,

I actually tried to order the TCA from Fisher and didn't have any luck. They want business references, etc. A local chemical supply house wouldn't provide TCA until they did an on site inspection (they assumed I was a business). I fibbed and said I was planning on using it as a pigment fixative for textiles. Needless to say, I wouldn't have passed an onsite inspection.

Anyway, I am aware that people have ordered the TCA themselves, but would need to look into the specifics. Truly though, TCA is serious stuff, especially at 65% and 100% concentrations. You could really hurt yourself. Therefore, my suggestion would be to contact your derm or PS and see if they can look at the study and see if it is anything they would be willing to try. Once you have had a doctor do the treatment you could consider it a lesson and then decide whether you want to pursue self treatment.

The study was detailed in the November 2002 Journal for Dermatologic Surgery. Here is a link to view the abstract:

http://www.blackwell...25.2002.02095.x

You have to pay $19.00 online to view the whole thing. My guess is any PS or derm already subscribes. However, Stefany sent a copy of the study to her PS before she saw him, so that's an idea too. My guess is though that most derms or a PS would have access to this article.

Hope this helps!

Anna

[Maya]

Quote

Please Anyone,
How can i find a doctor in London who carries out tca cross treatment and punch excision apart from Dr Chu.

What's wrong with Dr Chu?

As far as I am aware, there aren't many in the UK who offer punch excision - Jasmine used a good doc in Middlesborough I belive for hers.

As far as TCA Cross Method is concerned.. I don't think there is anyone at present - if that really is what you want I suggest you do what Anna did and get that document and foreward it to some derms and see if any are willing the procedure on you.

[Maya]

My 5.5 day update:

The pinkness has gone down a bit - I am getting some flaking around the scars, a couple of them have tiny scabs in the middle of them. DO NOT PICK!!

I applied makeup today and a few of them are totally flat!! Gone!!! / The rest are slightly indented still but look soooooooo much better than before. I am kind of feeling strange - I can't stop looking at my face and just checking that this is not a dream .. It's hard to suddenly come to the realisation that I'm going to one day be able to never have to think about scarring again.

The super copper peptides and face creams are really helping.

[Maria]

Maya,

I know exactly what you mean! In the beginning I kept looking in the mirror, couldn't believe my deep pit was gone! It's quite amazing how well excision works!!

[not2bad]

I am trying to get some pictures posted on here so I can get some advice on my type of scars and what procedures might be good for me. Does anyone know how to get pictures posted on here?

[stillhere]

http://acne.org/mess...ht=post picture

[stillhere]

It wasnt that easy but hey I figured it out.

[not2bad]

:-k ...tricky trixky he he...well here goes nothing...hope it works.

[img][url="http://www.angelfire.com/nt2/not2bad/Picture_612.jpg"]http://www.angelfire.com/nt2/not2bad/Picture_612.jpg[/url] [img][/img]

[fromchicago]

Hrm. I would diagnosis you as having moderate rolling scars with boxscars as well. I don't think you have ice picks - not sure.

[Rock]

Maya, Jasmine thanks for the responses.

Maya-is the riskof hyperpigmentation for the surrounding unscarred skin as well if you do a punch excision?

My scars are also darker than my surround skin which makes them even more noticeable. So if its sewn up a thin red line should replace my darker ice pit scar?

Also, does this slightly depressed red line able to be completly camouflauged? I think you said it before. So with a concealer till your skin heals from this, it can look completly normal?

Good luck to all!

[not2bad]

this is how I wish I looked...I have scars in this picture but for whatever reason this website doesn't seem to show them I actually look decent in this picture but don't be fooled let me show you one where the scars do show....by the way that's my little brother in the background he was passing by when I took the pic.