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INFORMATION ON BODY SCARRING
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Unfortunately, due to the fact that body acne is often more severe than facial acne, scarring is more likely, and the scarring is likely to be more significant. Sadly, there has been less research carried out into scarring on the body, and therefore many of the recommended treatments for facial scars that are cited on the scar treatments section of the board are not suitable for body scars. Therefore, I am attempting in this thread to provide information and links for treatments that may be effective in helping to reduce or fade body scarring.
Please be aware that it is likely that no treatments will actually rid you of your body scarring, but also keep in mind that the scarring will probably fade considerably over time.
There are three stages in body scarring.
Open wound stage
- this is the stage following the bursting of a cyst. The cyst can be likely to bleed and then leave a very sore and painful wound. Traditional antiseptics such as savlon and sudocrem are not, in my experience, gentle enough for dealing with these types of wounds, and they also contain lanolin, which can worsen the situation by encouraging more active acne.
These are my healing recommendations at the open wound stage.
1)Cleanse lightly with mildest cleanser you can. The one I recommend is the pure olive oil castile bar available from http://www.puredeming.com/products/
2) Apply an antiseptic, but gentle gel ‚Å“ preferably manuka oil and honey antiseptic gel available from https://www.livingnature.com/catalog/main.c...id=102&cid=1932 This will encourage healing whilst preventing infection and reducing active acne. It is very soothing see THIS link http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...+nature++living
3) Apply 100% pure manuka honey to the inside of a plaster, then apply over the wound, to reduce pain and infection. Manuka honey is available from health stores, or fromwww.comvita.com Try and get honey with a UMF of 10+ (this is the antibacterial rating) This will help with the healing of the wound. See this link: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...l=manuka++honey
Change the plaster regularly and repeat the regimen above.
Try taking 400 IU Vitamin E, 50mg Zinc and 2 grams Vitamin C every day at this stage.
See this thread for more info on vitamins: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=31390
Propolis capsules may also be beneficial. (see this link: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...862&hl=propolis )
Scabbing stage: gradually, a scab will form over the wound. The scab may come off easily, in the shower for instance, but it is best to try and allow the scab to remain on for as long as possible.
Healing recommendations:
Cleanse again with a gentle cleanser, ideally puredeming castile bar.
Apply manuka oil and honey antiseptic gel
Apply emu oil to encourage moist healing. ( and possible reduction in scarring) available here: http://search.ebay.com/emu-oil_W0QQsokeywo...rectZ1QQfromZR8 SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php?showtopic=14887
Red Mark stage: At this stage, the scar will have fully healed, but it may leave indented or raised scar tissue that will initially be red or purple, and inflamed. This redness will fade naturally within a year or so, but the healing may be accelerated by following the following regimen.
Cleanse with puredeming castile bar
Apply manuka oil and honey gel (although less important at this stage)
Apply amino plex spray (available by e-mail from Loganwood skincare) or copper peptides. Both are quite expensive, and some members feel they are not worth the money. However, they can help somewhat. SEE THESE LINKS: amino-plex, Copper peptides
Moisturise with emu oil/ rotate every few weeks with a week of bio oil (see this link: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...topic=19108&hl= ) to see if this gives any better improvement for you.
Apply some form of silicon pad over scar and wear continuously for at least 12 hours a day‚Å“ reduces redness significantly. I would HIGHLY recommend these for reducing redness. They are available in Chemists. The elastoplast ones are particularly good. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...topic=25216&hl=
Twice weekly lactic acid peels.available here:Loganwood skincare or here (puredeming) SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...19370&hl=lactic (however, DO NOT follow Laet's advice and leave the lactic on for 30 minutes! This can be quite dangerous - Laet only did this because she had built up her skin to tolerate lactic acid)
Look into microdermabrasion. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...crodermabrasion
Final scar stage: By this point the redness in the scars should have completely faded, but the scars may remain as white, possibly shiny and hairless areas of skin. These are known as atrophic macules, and are different to the type of scarring on the face. Over time, they will fade considerably, usually ending as a pale-ivory colour that should blend in with your skin. They should not be too noticeable, but for people who feel self-conscious about their scars, there are a number of options. Treatments such as dermabrasion and TCA CROSS are NOT recommended for body scarring.
The following have been used on body scarring with some reported success:
Course of microdermabrasions (see link above) - quite a few may be needed to make any significant difference to body scarring.
Skin needling. A procedure whereby the scar is 'tatooed' without any ink. This damages the scar tissue underneath the dermis, causing it to restructure and possibly rise to the surface. This is good for deep rolling scars. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...354&hl=needling
Subcision. This procedure involves the scar tissue being cut away from the healthy skin in an attempt to rise it to the surface. It can theoretically raise round, 'crater' like scars significantly although it is not always successful and can cause significant bruising. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...32&hl=subcision
Scalpel Excision - This involves a crater like atrophic scar being stitched up to form a thin, thread-like linear scar. However, excisions on the back can be problematic - due to the amount of movement the back and shoulders carry out in daily life, the excisions can be easily torn apart, leaving you back at square one. if successful, though, this is probably the best option for atrophic macules on the back and shoulders. The chest area is usually too tight to have successful excisions performed.
Smoothbeam This is a type of non-ablative laser, which can stimulate collagen production. It may also help with active acne. It could be used in conjunction with subcision or needling. You may need several smoothbeams to see any results. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...0&hl=smoothbeam
IsolagenA procedure where skin cells are extracted from a part of your body such as the backs of your ears and then grown in a lab, before being injected into the scar tissue. It is a relatively new procedure but there is reported success with indented scars. SEE THIS LINK: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...506&hl=isolagen
Micropigmentation - This involves artificial pigments being injected into the macular area to help blend in the colour of the scars with the surrounding skin colour. This can be successful in camouflaging scars, but the scars will become more noticeable again if the surrounding area becomes tanned.
Hope this is helpful. Remember that helpful information on all forms of scarring and treatments can be found over in the 'scar treatments' section of the message boards.
Good luck to everyone treating their body scarring.
Rossignol.
Cheers for the info, i only have a few scars on my body but i found your information interesting to say the least! Cheers dude
I know how you feel when you wake in the morning, you wish your scars would just disapear. But they don't. I feel your anger and depression, and i pray that we can all get through this together in life.
Hardcore Til I Die
Cheers for the info, i only have a few scars on my body but i found your information interesting to say the least! Cheers dude
I know how you feel when you wake in the morning, you wish your scars would just disapear. But they don't. I feel your anger and depression, and i pray that we can all get through this together in life.
Hardcore Til I Die
I've just started a treatment of Fraxel for my back scars, if I see any positve results I'll post the info on here.
Hey,my name is cesar and I have a question about scar treatment for anyone that can help me. A year ago I got hit in the eye playing basketball and my eye cut open between my eye and brow just like a boxers eye after getting hit and I never got stiches because I was told I didn't need it,but a year later the cut healed and left an intended scar the length of a nickel. A perfect line and It really bothers me and is affecting my life really bad to the point were I'm always wearing hats to cover my eye. I'm considering cosmetic surgery,but my options are open right now,so if any body can help me with this or give me some advise on certain procedures please email me at [Removed] or just respond to this post,thanks I would really apprieciate it!
Hey I dont know if this will help but theres a stretch mark cream said to do wonders, and their website says they have been featured on the tyra show. Its called trilastin. People say stretch mark creams also help with scars, so maybe check it out. oh yeah body acne scars will fade maybe use a microdermabrasion (sp?) kit that will help fade them faster.
I have some embarrassing chest scars as well....I can post pics if people want to see. I'm writing to ask if
a) the Baking powder/Apple Cider vinegar treatment that Delna wrote about might help (anyone tried this?)
b)if anyone has had good results with Emu oil. If so, can you please tell me what brand you purchased?
I've just started a treatment of Fraxel for my back scars, if I see any positve results I'll post the info on here.
Exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm in same case. I have light brown flat superficial scars. Small and light. In fact when I swim and tan in the tropics they virtually go away. The salt water and sun is very nice to keep new acne away. Anyway I don't have it so bad. With a tan and no current breakouts I can go to the beach still. But I'd still love to hear about Fraxel removing old scars.
Thanks
Hey guys, LISTEN UP! I am here to give you the definitive product in your quest for scar treatments!
Now for those of you who have issues with open wounds, I had yet to find any product that would completely help until I found the Elastoplast Fast Healing strips. Waterproof, stay on for at least 3 days, and keep the wound moist to avoid scabbing, and therefore, scarring. It is the most wonderful product and can be used on the face. I usually leave that on for 3 or 4 days and then switch to their Silver strips which, instead of the regular bandage with a gauze strip inside, has a silver strip. Silver has been known for centuries to be used for helping bacteria in wounds. I keep that on for another 2 days or so and problem solved! The Elastoplast strips are usually a little more pricey ($6 per box of 8 large or 20 regular), but if you take into account that 1 strip lasts 4-5 times longer than a regular bandage, it's worth the money. I would recommend washing the wound out with a washcloth sipped in hot/warm salt water first. DO NOT put any neosporin or cream inside the strip, as it already contains gel inside to help it heal.
Okay, and for those of you who already have scarring, I have two words for you: Skin Biology. I am not a fan of all their products, but I will tell you about my favorite. It's called Super Cop. It uses copper peptides to clear away dead skin and boy, is it potent! I have a 4 inch long, 1/2 inch wide scar on my waist from kidney surgery as a child. It was uneven and grotesque. So I started using Super Cop every night. Now it's smooth, almost even colored and even helped with a little indentation in it. My older sister gets a lot of back acne and I have done spot treatment with the Super Cop for her.... gone gone gone. The downside is that it's expensive. The upside is that it works. A warning though: If you are planning to also use it on your face, beware. This stuff is really strong, it WILL burn. I'd recommend asking one of Skin Bio's professionals if there is another product you can get that might help build up to the Super Cop. If you are only planning on using it on the rest of your body, the Super Cop 2X is perfect and will not irritate at all, you only need worry about your face. But DO NOT use it on open wounds EVER! Only on completely healed skin.
Believe me guys, I have seen this thing take color off moles and 1 month later, eradicate the mole with no scarring, I've seen it help a 25 year old scar, stretch marks, acne scarring, discolorations, etc. It is worth every damn penny and everyone should have it in their arsenal! Don't believe me? Buy something cheap on the [Removed] website that you might like and is cheaper and they will give you a sample of any free gift.... choose the Super Cop or Super Cop 2X. It comes in a little tub and will last you forever since you can use it sparingly. Give it a shot, I promise you won't be disappointed! I hope this helps you guys, I know it helped me and my family!
I have acne scars on my back and upper arms. They're not as bad as most which i had gotten lucky with. they're just the darker spots type of scars.. no indents or bumps but it makes me look like some sort of spotted animal. I was told that tanning will help them fade faster. eventually my scars will fade.. if anyone has the same situation tanning would help and don't worry the scars will fade by themselves (only if they're not bumps or severe indents) Like as follows.
Staff is very friendly and helpful. I had the coolbeam laser & dr. Simon Ourian was very patient to reach every area that was needed to be done. I have had previous laser treatments where the doctor rushed through & missed spots (at other facilities), I got the satisfaction from there.
I have acne scars on my back and upper arms. They're not as bad as most which i had gotten lucky with. they're just the darker spots type of scars.. no indents or bumps but it makes me look like some sort of spotted animal. I was told that tanning will help them fade faster. eventually my scars will fade.. if anyone has the same situation tanning would help and don't worry the scars will fade by themselves (only if they're not bumps or severe indents) Like as follows.
Those look like the same kind of scars I have. I have found that over months/years some of them fade to a white color, and the texture is a little different than the surrounding skin. Not raised or indented, just like smoother or something.
Yes, I got lots of body acne problems, such as acne on the back body, chest, back of the neck, earlobes, shoulders, and even hiding in your hair when you comb them.
I really hated it so much, because it feels painful when you lean back and the pimple starts to ache pain.
I'm the top 109th person to get the severe body pimples.
