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Im really greatful to have found this site. My scars (icepick,box and rolling) haunted me for such a long time, giving me low self esteem. Im 30 years old and Im really desirous in getting rid of my scars. Last June 23 and July 23 I had my TCA Cross Method with a reputable Derm Clinic here in the Philippines. So far, I didn't see any improvement that's why Im trying to find better solution for my scars, and I found this thread about rolling. I really would want to try this procedure. Is it safe doing it on your own? What is the best brand to purchase? Is brand important? And what is the best measurement (mm) to use for severe scars like mine? And also I would like to know what's the best cream to use with the roller? Thank you very much for your insights! It will be greatly appreciated!
Latly I have done some exfoliation with this product: http://www.dermalogica.com/us/products.htm...ly-microfoliant
But then I read in a thread here how exfoliating can damage the collagen induction?! Sounds strange, or does anyone know if this is true? I had dermarolling performed about 1 and half week ago and I dont want to ruin my results....But I really like how good my skin gets from this product.
I don't think sunscreen would be too safe to use after rolling. Since the micro channels are created by the needles, you wouldn't want the ingredients of a sunscreen to past through those channels deep into your skin. It's not safe to be absorbed. I would probably just stay out of the sun for 2 to 3 days, to the best of your abilities and not worry too much on what type of topicals you ought to use after being treated. I don't think topicals will add much to your result since it's only dermarolling and there is nothing else involved. Just keep the area clean and don't over do it with any creams.
http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=50221
Step 4- ProtectionAdditional Nutrition and moisturizing management is recommended. Preventative sun-screens are also recommended. Should the skin feel sensitive after a treatment, it is advised not to use the instrument again until the skin feels comfortable. The tiny holes, formed from the use of the treatment, in the epidermal layer seal naturally within a day.
Skin heals from underneath. Pinholes should close and form minute scab areas overnight. After the first initial application of product during, or right after rolling... Say, the next day, your products should sit on top of the dermis. I doubt the molecules in my zinc based sunscreen would be small enough to penetrate deeper...?
I plan to wear sunscreen, & or a hat and makeup as soon as a day or two later.
I have melasma on my forehead and my cheeks. I work a very demanding job under hospital lighting where every flaw is noticed.
I just bought the leaf and rusher tx roller. It is only .16mm (<- I edited, due to misinformation, at first) I will treat a small area first to see how it goes. About an inch or two of forehead area to start with. I'll be using skin lightening products, green cream, & vitamin c to compliment the process. (one at a time) I also own a red led lamp, as well as a red/blue one.
I have no other choice right now but to do it this way.
I have noticed that the scarred spots that I did saline injections in over a year ago are white patches of skin. The idea of product absorption combined with that got me to thinking that this might be the key to clearing up my melasma. Though I will be wearing sunscreen for life.
I haven't taken the time to read the whole thread yet but so far this sounds like my only hope of improving my skin texture. I need something that won't mess with my skin pigment which is naturally dark.
Has anyone experienced a worsening in texture? How is it possible for it to make your skin worse? And why would it have no results at all?
When I get the procedure done, would I be able to just get a section done so I could compare it to the surrounding area, as well as to make sure it doesn't have an adverse effect?
Collagen rebuilding is a slow and on-going process. Some people might see immediate results but very unlikely. Collagen production will continue for up to a year after stimulation ( i.e. dermarolling, lasers, chemical peels, etc.) You will not see and significant improvements with just one treatment of anything. You need to space any type of treatments out over a period of time. The key is to GRADUALLY build up the collagen production. For example, I do chemical peels on myself( and dermarolling). I started out with 1 layer of Jessners then applied 1 layer of TCA. 2-3 weeks later, I applied 2 layers of Jessners and 2 layers of TCA. 2-3 weeks again, I applied 2 layers of Jessners and 3 layers of TCA. Jessners can only be applied in a max. of 2 layers but depending on strength of TCA, you can apply up to 5 layers of TCA. I did not get immediate results. My acne started clearing up after 3 months and my skin started to improve and look better after 7 months. Most of my fine lines were gone, but my scars were still very visible. I do this whole process approx. 1 time a year to keep my skin looking good. You also need to realize that your skin will continue to age with time, so no treatment has permanent results, not even a face lift! The key is to slow down the aging process by doing maintenance and using appropriate creams.
For dermarolling, if you use the smaller needles ( i.e 0.5 to 1 mm), you can use them up to 5 times a week as long as you are using light pressure ONLY. Continue to use it this way for approx. 1 month. then continue to use it for 1 time a month.. I use the 2mm roller with medium pressure ( i.e. I pull the skin tight and apply a little pressure). I do this 1 time a week for about a month. You are only supposed to do this 1 time a month with 1.5 or 2mm needles, but my skin is thick and is used to be treated "harshly". Using smaller needles more often is just as effective as using larger needles less often. Again, the key is to allow your skin the time to heal itself.
For deep wrinkles, pitted acne scars and stretch marks, the best way to handle these is to use a single needle and prick only the scar, stretch mark or wrinkle itself. If you needle the surrounding skin, the collagen will build up in that skin also, leaving the scar or mark looking the same way it did. You want to produce the collagen in the scarred area only, until the scar is raised to the same level of the surrounding skin. You need to do this with a single needle and lightly prick the area several times. You CANNOT use a regular needle for this, it has to be a very fine needle. Using a larger or regular needle will cause the scar to worsen! You can buy the single derma needles online.
Finally, the best way to do dermarolling is to start using a Vitamin C topical solution in the 2 weeks BEFORE you start the rolling process. You can also take Vitamin C suppliments. You can make your own by going to the drugstore and buying powered ascorbic acid. Mix 1 teaspoon of powder to 100 ml. of HOT water. Put into a container that can be sealed tightly and then wrap the container in foil. Light breaks down Vit. C very quickly leaving it ineffective. Store the solution in the fridge. To use, wash the skin with a soap and oil free cleanser. Dry. Apply the Vit.C solution with a cotton ball or pad and let it dry. Don't get it in your eyes!!. After 1/2 hour, apply retinol A or your regular face creams. I use Alpha hydroxy acid follwed by hyaluronic acid and I use Vit.C cream around my eyes. Instead of retinol A, use can use Aand D ointment. Yes, the diaper rash stuff. Make sure it's the original ointment though.
Whe you start the rolling treatment, wash the area to be treated and wipe with rubbing alcohol. Let dry. Apply Vitamin C solution. Roll the area 4-5 times horizontally. Pick up the roller, move it down directly to the unrolled skin, roll 4-5 times horizontally, etc. Keep doing this until the whole area has been rolled horizontaly. Then start at the beginning and roll 4-5 times vertically. Follow the same procedure until the whole area has been rolled vertically. Next, roll the area diagonally and follow the same procedure. After rolling is completed, apply A and D onitment. Do NOT us the Vitamin C solution right after rolling. If your skin bleeds while rolling, I would wait for at least 3 days to start using the Vit. c solution again. I use my regular skin products after rolling. The pores close up within 20 minutes of rolling, so apply them right after rolling.
To clean your roller, all you have to do is rinsi it in hot water or wash it with soap and water. Then soak it in rubbing alcohol for no more than 10 minutes! After the soak, rinse it again with hot water only and then let it completely air dry before putting it back in its container!
Sorry so long, but I hope this answered a lot of questions.
I have a question for those who have rolled multiple times: do you notice a decrease in the amount of post roll redness the more you roll?
The first time I rolled, I rolled lightly and understandably didn't get very red. The second time I rolled, I was more thorough and pressed a little harder. I recall being very red. I didn't feel that I could go to work until the the 4th day after rolling at the earliest (it didn't matter that week bc I had off, it was just an observation).
I finished my 3rd roll this Thursday (I had off Friday). I tried to roll as thoroughly as I did during my second effort. The first day after rolling I was pretty red, but today my 2nd day post roll, I notice that I am healing much faster, my face is only slightly red. I feel pretty comfortable going out today without getting too much attention and I would feel totally comfortable going to work tomorrow, my 3rd day post roll.
Am I less red this time bc I didn't roll as hard as I did the 2nd time or is it bc your body heals faster the more often you roll?
Hello
I have not read the whole thread, but I would appreciate if anyone could jump in and offer advice on a general consescous of what is the best way to use the derma roller with.
Creams? Supplements?
From my own research the must haves should be a collagen supplement, like NeoCell Super Collagen + C Type I and III
Best reviews on Amazon by far! It only gets 4.5 from 15 people just because 2 of them never got the supplement (from Amazon? weird) and gave 1 point.
A good quality vitamin c cream that would promote collagen formation, Avalon Organic Botanicals Vitamin C Hydrating Cleansing Milk
Again best reviews in Amazon, by far... I really like Amazon.com as you can see 
Lidocaine cream as as a topical anaesthetic for some serious rolling...
This is just some ideas, but I would love to hear what other people think.
Best videos I found for derma - rolling, how to do it, and how it works, is in dermaroller-planet.
I do not know if I can post a link, but you can google, derma roller planet videos.
Why do some dermatologists say this doesn't work at all? I read a lot of reviews on RealSelf and whenever someone asks about dermarolling the doctors tell them not to waste their time.
Went over to "real self" and read some of the doctors opinions. Here's one
By Tanveer Janjua, MD - Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
"I have not heard of this before. I assume you are implying stimulation of skin using needles to produce more collagen. It does not seem logical. I would stay away from it. The risks can be scarring or color change in the skin. Regards "
Another one said .......... well........... I'd like to see some proof of this. Almost all said,
......... you poor people.......... I can help you with a real expensive treatment.
Not to knock these guys too much, but I've been going to them for 13 years
with so so results, and now I'm getting results with rolling on my own..... go figure.
Why do some dermatologists say this doesn't work at all? I read a lot of reviews on RealSelf and whenever someone asks about dermarolling the doctors tell them not to waste their time.Went over to "real self" and read some of the doctors opinions. Here's one
By Tanveer Janjua, MD - Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
"I have not heard of this before. I assume you are implying stimulation of skin using needles to produce more collagen. It does not seem logical. I would stay away from it. The risks can be scarring or color change in the skin. Regards "
Another one said .......... well........... I'd like to see some proof of this. Almost all said,
......... you poor people.......... I can help you with a real expensive treatment.
Not to knock these guys too much, but I've been going to them for 13 years
with so so results, and now I'm getting results with rolling on my own..... go figure.
It's logical and needling does work! I see it day after day.........
Hi all!
I'm having the Enrivon Medical Roll-Cit done on Tuesday, Nov. 17th and want to share the experience. When researching I didn't find much personal accounts of the treatment before and after so I thought I'd document my surgery. And there doesn't seem to be a thread dedicated only to it. Here is some quick info:
Cost: $5,500 for one treatment (doctor says only one is necessary for my scars)
Downtime: about 5 days
Doctor location: NYC
I've been given two Vitamin C creams to apply in the morning and night to prepare my skin. Will up load before and after pics.
Two points to make;
Take anything a doctor says with a pinch of salt. A derm once told me never to use chemical peels and almost tried to make a joke out of it. Erm HELLO, if I hadn't used chemical peels over the past few years i'd still have a face full of marks. As long as you patch test it's fine. So, the point i'm making is I don't read doctors opinions.
Second point.. yes I believe derma rolling does work. If you look at the actual mechanism, the skin is broken down so it can grow again, kinda like chemical peels, and some before and after pictures definitely seem to be clear cut. I had been using a 0.2mm roller for a little while along with coconut oil and i'm sure i notice a difference even at that length. Now i've got a 1mm one I think it's gonna work really well.
Hi everyone. I am new to the message boards but not new to acne.org. I have been on the regimen for over a year and a half and have a few breakouts since starting but nothing major. Now I have some light scarring left over and it is not too bad but I notice it. I am intimidated by the 1.5mm roller but I am considering the 1 mm roller. Will this be effective? I have been reading through the boards so I know somewhat about the process. I am also looking into the biooil as greg09 has mentioned and that seems to be promising. I have also read other posts about people saying not to do the whole face because of the collagen production in areas not scarred. Has this affected anybody? I have scarring on my cheeks primarily but also some on my forehead and chin and would like to roll all of the problem areas. How long do you have to roll (meaning how long is the treatment not how long do you roll each time)? I am trying not to be too redundant but I did not see any of these issues addressed in previous posts. Thank you ahead of time for your responses.
Okay guys I have a question. I began self needling and rolling about two years ago.Although yes there has been huge changes in the scars Im kind of stuck in the phase where although my scars are more shallow they are wider and more noticeable. I have some rolling and icepick scars.
My question is that I have heard conflicting info that needling is good on rolling scars and boxcar scars but not icepicks. Well before reading this (and I had done alot of reading but somehow didnt read this), I came across some people saying that it wasnt good for icepicks. I have already been consistantly needling several icepick scars and even though I have heard it does nothing it has most definately made tham raise but some became much more noticeable. So in a way there are a couple I wished I had left alone due to this but already plunged into it,lol.
But on a couple of them it looks as if the needling has now turned them into rolling scars! Is it possible that gradually an ice pick scar through needling couldeventually turn into a rolling scar? And in theory would it also mean that if consistent one could eventually level even icepick scars although it would be harder and take longer to do so?
My last question is for someone who knows about LED lights, I think Lamar if you see this youd be a good one to know this. I am completely new to Led lights and is it something that can be bought perhaps through ebay? Here is a link that I found through ebay and pardon me if I sound completely stupid here if these are not the type of lights I need.
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Please help anyone with knowledge on those couple questions please help cause this battle is hard to fight on your own. While I can see where the rolling and needling could work I am stuck in the phase of fearing whether to keep going in the presence of wider but shallower scars or quit for fear that they may never fully come up and just look more noticeable. 
Thanks!
I haven't taken the time to read the whole thread yet but so far this sounds like my only hope of improving my skin texture. I need something that won't mess with my skin pigment which is naturally dark.Has anyone experienced a worsening in texture? How is it possible for it to make your skin worse? And why would it have no results at all?
When I get the procedure done, would I be able to just get a section done so I could compare it to the surrounding area, as well as to make sure it doesn't have an adverse effect?
My skin is pretty dark also. Rolling has only helped my skin texture. You could try it on a body part like your arm or leg first and see how you respond just to play it safe. But in my experience I have had nothing but positives from rolling.
Why do some dermatologists say this doesn't work at all? I read a lot of reviews on RealSelf and whenever someone asks about dermarolling the doctors tell them not to waste their time.
Maybe because they don't offer the treatment and want the customer to get a treatment done they offer?? You won't find a derm who offers rolling tell you it does not work. It is only the guys who don't offer it and try to push something else on you it seems to me.
I have been rolling/needling/led/ for over a year. I have seen very good improvements so far.
What's the best way to disinfect the derma roller after it's use?
I soak my roller in rubbinmg alcohol for about 30m then let it air dry before placing it back in its tube. Is it the best way to disinfect? I'm sure you can do more. But I have not had any issues using this formula.