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Hi matt.
You said you had cystic acne since 8th grade , well I'm in 10th grade and just like you , after tooking accutane my face exploded in more cyst..can u tell me about ur accutane course?My dermatologist prescribed me prednisone with for the flare up and it helped because now the cysts are somehow in my skin I can feel them if i tauch , what is that mean?Will I develop scars?
I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with cystic acne at such a young age.
I went through two courses of Acccutane. After starting the first round, my face EXPLODED in cystic lesions - it was so bad that I paged my dermatologist at the time on a Saturday morning in a panic. I was told that there was nothing that could be done at that point in time (this was in 1998) and that I had to wait it out. I was miserable and looked horrible.
The second round of Accutane was about seven years ago - I started to get a cyst every once in a while and wanted to eradicate this horrible disease once and for all.
I have been basically free from Cystic acne now for about fourteen years.
Dealing with the aftermath of cystic acne was truly a journey that begin while searching the internet for ways to reduce the appearance of my scarring - coming across this website was truly a 'God send' because I learned so much from people who had shared their experiences here.
This is the only place that I know of where people can put it all out there - their frustration with their current condition, things that work, things that don't and where people can cheer one another along to the finish line.
You may develop scarring from your current lesions, but at least there is HOPE - there are ways of dealing with the scarring and that can reduce it significantly or eliminate them entirely in some cases.
Hang in there - you're on a journey.
Yes thank matt , what about my nodules in my skin?
When I asked my dermatologist if that can flare up again he said : I don't know..
What that supouse to mean?If he dosen't know who will?HE said it could flare up again or it could not .
I don't wanna to flare up again?
In ur first course aback in 98', how long until ur acne was gone?Was it really severe?Thanks,this helps
Based upon my experience with Accutane, it took many weeks for the cysts to subside. My skin took on a reddish hue that you could see in pictures that were taken of me at the time.
After about eight weeks on Accutane, I don't recall having any further breakouts. However, the damage, in my case, was done during the first eight weeks on this drug. I developed cysts on my left cheek which, up until that point in time, had been pretty much acne-free. I developed cysts on my right cheek and ALL over my chin.
I didn't have another cystic lesion for about another six years or so which prompted me to go back on Accutane a second time.
The Prednisone should help with the inflammation and, hopefully, you'll have less of a chance of scarring.
It's no fun while you're going through this, so hang in there. Eventually, you'll clear up and be on the road to better skin.
Yes I know prednisone helped a lot I took it for 1 mouth but my derm told me that is too much for now and we need a break from it but if is needed we can do a another course..
Thanks matt..
If let's say I develop scarring in your experience what is the most effective tratment?
The course of treatment that you pursue for acne scar revision depends upon the type of scarring that you might have.
For me, it was a variety of treatments. Subcision for my rolling scars and one boxcar scar, TCA Cross for my scarred pores on my chin, laser and chemical peels for overall collagen development.
Said I would eventually post before and after and here is one. Procedures done so far......1 laser (rip off), 2 subcisions (1 on 5-13-12 and 1 on 7-24-12). From 1st sub started seeing improvment at around 5 weeks out so hoping 2nd sub will start producing more.
Are there results yes, thrilled with them.....not quite. I hope you can tell which is before and after.
Unfortunately, I don't know what stieva A or glycol might be.
As mentioned before, if you're still on Accutane or have been on it in the past six months, I would be cautious about any type of acne-scar revision procedures at this point in time. You should probably consult with a different physician regarding any acne-scar treatments of any type - you don't want to risk doing permanent damage to your skin.
Said I would eventually post before and after and here is one. Procedures done so far......1 laser (rip off), 2 subcisions (1 on 5-13-12 and 1 on 7-24-12). From 1st sub started seeing improvment at around 5 weeks out so hoping 2nd sub will start producing more.
Are there results yes, thrilled with them.....not quite. I hope you can tell which is before and after.
Open to suggestions on how to smooth out the rest?????
Your skin is definitely improving! Congratulations on your success.
If you are not dermarolling, I would strongly encourage you to look at that followed by 25% TCA Peels.
The scars on your chin from your 'before' photo looked a lot like my scars before I began my treatments.
Please continue to post any updates - your skin should continue to improve with time and this is a GREAT way for others to learn what works and what does not.
Thanks again for posting.
Matt
Unfortunately, I don't know what stieva A or glycol might be.
As mentioned before, if you're still on Accutane or have been on it in the past six months, I would be cautious about any type of acne-scar revision procedures at this point in time. You should probably consult with a different physician regarding any acne-scar treatments of any type - you don't want to risk doing permanent damage to your skin.
hi matt , stieva A should be the same as retin A . contains mild tretinoin . so do i just apply retin A at the same time with reviva ester c cream ?
im going to consult a plastic surgeon on subcision soon on tuesday.
Said I would eventually post before and after and here is one. Procedures done so far......1 laser (rip off), 2 subcisions (1 on 5-13-12 and 1 on 7-24-12). From 1st sub started seeing improvment at around 5 weeks out so hoping 2nd sub will start producing more.
Are there results yes, thrilled with them.....not quite. I hope you can tell which is before and after.
Open to suggestions on how to smooth out the rest?????
CongrATULATION. I see The improvment. i HAVE THE SIMILAR SCAR. I would like do subcision and filler. Maybe you should try this too ? Please update post and upload photo.
Thank you
Your skin is definitely improving! Congratulations on your success.
If you are not dermarolling, I would strongly encourage you to look at that followed by 25% TCA Peels.
The scars on your chin from your 'before' photo looked a lot like my scars before I began my treatments.
Please continue to post any updates - your skin should continue to improve with time and this is a GREAT way for others to learn what works and what does not.
Thanks again for posting.
Matt
I do have a dermaroller. A 1.5 roller with 3 rows. I chose the 3 row to go deeper. I'm not going to lie rolling hurts like hell and I feel like for some reason its not going deep/agressive enough to make any meaningful impact. But I've only done it once though, been busy with subs and other stuff.
You are correct about the TCA....I think I need to do that. But never done peels before and need advice.
Where do you get your's at?
What do you use to apply it with?
How long do you let it sit for?
How long till you can go back to work?
What peels so I try first to work up to the TCA?
Any other advice?
Thanks!
Your skin is definitely improving! Congratulations on your success.
If you are not dermarolling, I would strongly encourage you to look at that followed by 25% TCA Peels.
The scars on your chin from your 'before' photo looked a lot like my scars before I began my treatments.
Please continue to post any updates - your skin should continue to improve with time and this is a GREAT way for others to learn what works and what does not.
Thanks again for posting.
Matt
I do have a dermaroller. A 1.5 roller with 3 rows. I chose the 3 row to go deeper. I'm not going to lie rolling hurts like hell and I feel like for some reason its not going deep/agressive enough to make any meaningful impact. But I've only done it once though, been busy with subs and other stuff.
You are correct about the TCA....I think I need to do that. But never done peels before and need advice.
Where do you get your's at?
What do you use to apply it with?
How long do you let it sit for?
How long till you can go back to work?
What peels so I try first to work up to the TCA?
Any other advice?
Thanks!
Yes, dermarolling is painful. But, here is what I always tell myself - NO PAIN/NO GAIN. My wife has asked to watch when I roll and I always tell her 'no' because I need to focus on getting through it with the associated pain.
I use a 2.0 dermaroller every six weeks.
I purchased my TCA at skinobsession.com and it is reasonably priced. I apply three coats and wait until it turns white - you'll need to follow the directions. It takes a good five days for the peel to complete itself. You'll look hideous on days two through four - your skin turns brown and then peels off in sheets. It is the most powerful peel that I have done and definitely stimulates collagen.
However, if you have not done peels before, I would start with Glycolic Acid and start with a weaker solution and work your way up. Also, I would recommend getting a prescription for Retin-A as this is a good way to develop collagen in your skin and prepare your face for a future peel.
Keep posting photos - I'm sure that you will continue to see improvement over the course of time.
Matt
Your skin is definitely improving! Congratulations on your success.
If you are not dermarolling, I would strongly encourage you to look at that followed by 25% TCA Peels.
The scars on your chin from your 'before' photo looked a lot like my scars before I began my treatments.
Please continue to post any updates - your skin should continue to improve with time and this is a GREAT way for others to learn what works and what does not.
Thanks again for posting.
Matt
I do have a dermaroller. A 1.5 roller with 3 rows. I chose the 3 row to go deeper. I'm not going to lie rolling hurts like hell and I feel like for some reason its not going deep/agressive enough to make any meaningful impact. But I've only done it once though, been busy with subs and other stuff.
You are correct about the TCA....I think I need to do that. But never done peels before and need advice.
Where do you get your's at?
What do you use to apply it with?
How long do you let it sit for?
How long till you can go back to work?
What peels so I try first to work up to the TCA?
Any other advice?
Thanks!
Congratulations on your improvement. You should be happy about that. You are just getting started my friend and your skin already has improved by a huge margin! I was wondering. How long did you have bruising from the subcision? Describing your recovery process would help me and others out alot. Thanks so much!
Hi matt , im worried .
i used the 25% TDA peel bought from skinobsession .
after applying it i felt it were too strong for my face
as it is very painful . i couldn't stand even 2minute of it and i washed off . this morning when i wake up i see patches of brown areas , it look like its burnt . is it normal ? how long will i take to recover ?
Thanks,
Zac
The brown patches are normal after using TCA on your skin. These are the areas that will peel off in the next few days.
You'll notice that you're skin will become tighter and tighter and begin to 'crinkle'.
The skin should peel off in sheets.
This is the most effective peel that I've had - it's a medium peel and helps to generate collagen.
Hope this helps.
Your skin is definitely improving! Congratulations on your success.
If you are not dermarolling, I would strongly encourage you to look at that followed by 25% TCA Peels.
The scars on your chin from your 'before' photo looked a lot like my scars before I began my treatments.
Please continue to post any updates - your skin should continue to improve with time and this is a GREAT way for others to learn what works and what does not.
Thanks again for posting.
Matt
I do have a dermaroller. A 1.5 roller with 3 rows. I chose the 3 row to go deeper. I'm not going to lie rolling hurts like hell and I feel like for some reason its not going deep/agressive enough to make any meaningful impact. But I've only done it once though, been busy with subs and other stuff.
You are correct about the TCA....I think I need to do that. But never done peels before and need advice.
Where do you get your's at?
What do you use to apply it with?
How long do you let it sit for?
How long till you can go back to work?
What peels so I try first to work up to the TCA?
Any other advice?
Thanks!
you should seriously consider silicone injections. your improvement so far is awesome though.
The brown patches are normal after using TCA on your skin. These are the areas that will peel off in the next few days.
You'll notice that you're skin will become tighter and tighter and begin to 'crinkle'.
The skin should peel off in sheets.
This is the most effective peel that I've had - it's a medium peel and helps to generate collagen.
Hope this helps.
Hi matt,
How long did it take for your skin to start peeling ? its been 48 hours after usage my skin still hasnt peel .
i picked on the skin at my nose area and it has minor bleeding now .
Zaac:
My skin began to peel on day three and continued until day five if I remember correctly. Up until that point in time, you will look kind of hideous. Tight, crinkly, brown skin should cover your face.
Don't pick at your skin - it can lead to scarring.
I found that taking a warm shower helped to loosen the skin and it came off in large sheets.
The collagen development process does not occur right away, but over the course of weeks and months.
Matt
Zaac:
My skin began to peel on day three and continued until day five if I remember correctly. Up until that point in time, you will look kind of hideous. Tight, crinkly, brown skin should cover your face.
Don't pick at your skin - it can lead to scarring.
I found that taking a warm shower helped to loosen the skin and it came off in large sheets.
The collagen development process does not occur right away, but over the course of weeks and months.
Matt
Thanks matt . my skin is starting to tear now . will do what you say
i had 3 subcisions with a great improvements. thanks mr matt ur post helped me decide subcision. iam amazed by the improvment i got from subcision, and i also did a lot of dermastump. i will do one more subcision. my scars were mostly rolling scars from bad acne, now i want to do tca peel. sorry for the english it is not my first language.
