It's possible that if I'd had my deepest rolling scars excised and then subsequently dermabraded, the result might have been different, but that was not the avenue I chose.

Kiki

Hello

 

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I'd give everyone a brief update.

 

My dermabrasion was on July 27 so it's been 4.5 months since the procedure. Or, 134 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 38 seconds...take your pick.

 

Initially, I was very pleased with my results, as my photos can testify, but I'm slowly coming to a different conclusion.

 

Weeks 1 to 4

 

I was in healing mode and could not ascertain much in the area of improvement.

 

Weeks 5 to 8

 

I consider this to be my "peak" time. The discoloration and residual swelling had subsided, and my scars appeared to be virtually indistinguishable from my "good skin." My tone was improved, as well as the overall pigmentation.

 

Weeks 9 to 12

 

I had an annoying breakout, but controlled it with Tazorac, and it dissipated fairly quick.

 

Progressively Since Week 12

 

I've noticed that my scars are *almost* just as evident as before. My tone and texture have maintained improvement, but the rolling indentations do not appear significantly improved, especially compared to weeks 5 through 8. Overall, I believe my improvement could be likened to 10% for scars and 50% on pigmentation.

 

My intent is not to rain on anyone's parade, because everyone's experience will be different according to their scar-type, but just to be truthful. I believe if I returned for subsequent dermabrasions, my opinion of improvement would increase. OR, and very importantly, if I would have implemented other procedures in tandem with the dermabrasion, the outcome might have been significantly improved (I did have punch floats).

 

It's possible that if I'd had my deepest rolling scars excised and then subsequently dermabraded, the result might have been long lasting, but that was not the avenue I chose. I plan to speak with Dr.Y to ascertain if he could implement another procedure followed by a spot dermabrasion.

 

Kiki

 

 

 

 

 

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yeah that's pretty depressing to hear.If it's too good to be true than by golly it most definately has to be. well I guess I'll give it a try anyways.A series of TCA Cross,punch floats,then Dermabrasion.

Sorry to hear that kiki ... 10% improvement doesn't really sound like the process is/was worth it. Well it may not be for some people, although I'd take it anyday

Kiki, I'm sorry to hear this. How is that possible? Do you attribute this to extended swelling? Another thing, you had 9 punch floats on your ice pick scars, right? Are they visible now too? Are there any scars left over from the punch floats? I know before you said the punch floated scars were completely gone, no indication left. Do you see scar tissue now, or is improvement still at 100%? The 10% improvement you got, is that on the ice picks also, or just the rolling scars? I'd really appreciate to hear on this.

Hello

 

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I'd give everyone a brief update.

 

My dermabrasion was on July 27 so it's been 4.5 months since the procedure. Or, 134 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 38 seconds...take your pick.

 

Initially, I was very pleased with my results, as my photos can testify, but I'm slowly coming to a different conclusion.

 

Weeks 1 to 4

 

I was in healing mode and could not ascertain much in the area of improvement.

 

Weeks 5 to 8

 

I consider this to be my "peak" time. The discoloration and residual swelling had subsided, and my scars appeared to be virtually indistinguishable from my "good skin." My tone was improved, as well as the overall pigmentation.

 

Weeks 9 to 12

 

I had an annoying breakout, but controlled it with Tazorac, and it dissipated fairly quick.

 

Progressively Since Week 12

 

I've noticed that my scars are *almost* just as evident as before. My tone and texture have maintained improvement, but the rolling indentations do not appear significantly improved, especially compared to weeks 5 through 8. Overall, I believe my improvement could be likened to 10% for scars and 50% on pigmentation.

 

My intent is not to rain on anyone's parade, because everyone's experience will be different according to their scar-type, but just to be truthful. I believe if I returned for subsequent dermabrasions, my opinion of improvement would increase. OR, and very importantly, if I would have implemented other procedures in tandem with the dermabrasion, the outcome might have been significantly improved (I did have punch floats).

 

It's possible that if I'd had my deepest rolling scars excised and then subsequently dermabraded, the result might have been long lasting, but that was not the avenue I chose. I plan to speak with Dr.Y to ascertain if he could implement another procedure followed by a spot dermabrasion.

 

Kiki

 

 

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I have no idea why I didn't get a greater improvement from the dermabrasion.

Kiki

Thanks Kiki. Please update when you talk to Dr. Y. about this. I'm very curious now. Others [Leopolda, Ann Marie] have reported a "kicking in" of collagen around the 5-6 month mark. Plus, your rolling scars weren't even deep, and certainly not deep as to have em' excised. -Nick

My punch floats are 100% fine. You can't tell where they were, and I had 5 floats (not 9).

 

I have no idea why I didn't get a greater improvement from the dermabrasion. I don't think it was residual swelling that made the scars appear less evident, as any swelling had subsided completely by week 2. I think *maybe* the dermabrasion stimulated collagen, hence, plumping up my depressions, and then the collagen waned. That's all I can think of.

 

Kiki

 

 

 

 

Kiki,

I'm so sorry to hear your improvement has lessened over time. Did your rolling scars have much depth to them, or were they shallow? I'd be curious to know how Poe and Johnsydney are doing since they had their derms around the same time you did. I'll keep hopeful that things get better for you in the coming months. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you Kiki for your honest observations. I know it's difficult to gague improvements, but I thank you for trying and for keeping us posted on your progress. In any case, some improvement is definitely better than none.

is it safe to say that dermabrasion and floats are excellent for icepicks and boxcars but not as efficient on rolling scars??

is it safe to say that dermabrasion and floats are excellent for icepicks and boxcars but not as efficient on rolling scars??

 

 

 

 

I'd be reluctant to walk alone in New Orleans at night...  being a young lady like yourself.  Just be careful!  Also, walking back to his office might not be a great idea unless you're really close.  New Orleans can get quite warm, even during Dec. during the day.  It's almost always humid too.  Just seems like an unomfortable thing to be doing.  Plus, a cab can't be that much if your staying close.  Have Dr. Y's office call you a cab.  You'll prolly be a little woozy too after the derm.  And I was just reading that New Orleans is one of the most unsafe places for pedestrians.  I know when I lived there I never stopped for them, it's just not common down there.  Now, Portland, Maine that's another story.  Took me a while to adjust to stopping for them... LOL... almost killed a few before I got it down. The St. Charles/Napoleon street areas are good/ok for walking.  The trolley cars are usually full of tourists anyway. Just try to stay away from the shady areas.  New Orleans can be very choppy as you probably have already seen (good street/bad street/good street). I'll pvt message ya for ya details on ya hotel.  Shade wants to meet up with us too at some point, maybe we can all do lunch or something if you're feeling up for that.  I arrive after your Derm I think (the 16th). I can't imagine I'll want to do much of anything for the first 4-5 days (according to Leafsfan's pics)... we could always stop in and bring ya some soup or something too.

 

Where did you stay last time?  Holiday Inn on Loyola?  I love that hotel, its the one with the huge clarinet painted on the side of it from the ground all the way to the roof. They wanted too much money for this stay tho

Leafsfan - how incapacitated were you? for how long? Did you venture out with your mask on?  Let's face it kids, halloween is long gone.

 

 

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My punch floats are 100% fine. You can't tell where they were, and I had 5 floats (not 9).

 

I have no idea why I didn't get a greater improvement from the dermabrasion. I don't think it was residual swelling that made the scars appear less evident, as any swelling had subsided completely by week 2. I think *maybe* the dermabrasion stimulated collagen, hence, plumping up my depressions, and then the collagen waned. That's all I can think of.

 

Kiki

 

 

 

 

Domal Have your tone improved?AA I will post up my day 10 pics and you can compare with mine.AA I haven't taken any vitamins.AA I did use Retin-A for a few weeks before the procedure.AA Not sure if that helps.AA What my regimen has been is eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and drink apple, orange, tomato juices, and lots of water.AA About 2 cups of fluid per hour.

 

 

lizlee,

I would also second portlandboy's warning about walking around NOLA at night, esp. the neighborhood in which Dr. Y practices. I really is not a safe area, in fact NOLA used to be the murder capital of the country and now is still in the top 5 most dangerous cities. And I think your mask may draw more attention to yourself and even make you a little more vulnerable. I can tell you from personal experience that young women walking alone in sketchy neighborhoods (esp. at night) are targets and if you can avoid putting yourself in that situation you should. I understand wanting to save money, but the cabs down there are cheap and reliable. Please reconsider this. Not trying to get preachy, but ...well, just something I feel pretty strongly about.

--leo

Love, sorry to hear about the situation. Hopefully, you get an improvement around 6 months where leo reported. Thanks for your truthful accessment and keep everyone updated.

Hi Love,

Thanks for reporting back your update--I know it's difficult to report things you know people don't want to hear, but it's useful. And I'm sorry to hear your disappointment. I would love to hear a 6 month update as well, because, as I reported, that's about when I say the most recent collagen boost which I would have to call significant. I also think that, from your pics, my scrring was deeper than yours, so I wonder if my improvement seems a bit more dramatic because there was more to improve in the first place--it seems that, given the fact that total eradication is not possible, perhaps the shallower one's scars are the less dramatic each stage of improvement, if that makes any sense.

When you say you might combine methods next time (it sounds as though, even with your disappointment in the outcome that you are still thinking about another dermabrasion), what are you thinking about? more punches, excision? fillers?

Anyway, thanks for checking in and best wishes.

--leo

lizlee,

 

I would also second portlandboy's warning about walking around NOLA at night, esp. the neighborhood in which Dr. Y practices.AA I really is not a safe area, in fact NOLA used to be the murder capital of the country and now is still in the top 5 most dangerous cities. And I think your mask may draw more attention to yourself and even make you a little more vulnerable. I can tell you from personal experience that young women walking alone in sketchy neighborhoods (esp. at night) are targets and if you can avoid putting yourself in that situation you should.AA I understand wanting to save money, but the cabs down there are cheap and reliable.AA Please reconsider this.AA Not trying to get preachy, but ...well, just something I feel pretty strongly about.

 

--leo

 

 

 

 

Leopolda, Did you speak with that lady from Los Angeles who had dermabrasion 8 times? She was scarred by adult acne, which was caused by fertility drugs or something like that according to Dr. Y. She's having her 9th dermabrasion this Jan. Anyway, the reason I ask is because Dr. Y. and Cassandra stated she had severe scarring but now has flawless skin, or close to it. So I wonder whether total eradication is possible with aggressive treatment?

Hi Love,

 

Thanks for reporting back your update--I know it's difficult to report things you know people don't want to hear, but it's useful. And I'm sorry to hear your disappointment. I would love to hear a 6 month update as well, because, as I reported, that's about when I say the most recent collagen boost which I would have to call significant. I also think that, from your pics, my scrring was deeper than yours, so I wonder if my improvement seems a bit more dramatic because there was more to improve in the first place--it seems that, given the fact that total eradication is not possible, perhaps the shallower one's scars are the less dramatic each stage of improvement, if that makes any sense.

 

When you say you might combine methods next time (it sounds as though, even with your disappointment in the outcome that you are still thinking about another dermabrasion), what are you thinking about? more punches, excision? fillers?

 

Anyway, thanks for checking in and best wishes.

 

--leo

 

 

 

 

Hi All!

It's been 8 days since I had my punch floats done; the tapes came off 2 days ago and I haven't had any scabbing at all. They came out REALLY nice and I've noticed that just having those floats done (they were on some pretty large pits) has really improved the appearance of my skin. Now that I've seen how quick and easy this procedure is, it REALLY pisses me off that most other derms don't do floats for people. It can be a very simple, inexpensive solution for alot of people that have icepick scarring and can't afford more invasive procedures; if I didn't have rough texture/rolling scars, I wouldn't even go for the dermabrasion, as the floats have totally filled in the pits at this point.

Also, Dr. Y's office called me yesterday; she said he wanted to know if it would be o.k. to invite some students in from Tulane U. to observe during my dermabrasion....so I guess I'll have an audience! I really don't mind at all; maybe some of his kindness and compassion will rub off on the students/residents so that in the future we have more great docs like him

Kiki....my heart just sank for you when I read your post; but I also remember reading other posts about the collagen kicking in around the 5-6 month mark; I will send lots of good vibes for your continued improvement

Thanks to everyone who has been posting progess reports; it helps SO much to hear others experiences and to know what to expect when I go....makes it not so scarey

Hi All!

 

It's been 8 days since I had my punch floats done; the tapes came off 2 days ago and I haven't had any scabbing at all. They came out REALLY nice and I've noticed that just having those floats done (they were on some pretty large pits) has really improved the appearance of my skin. Now that I've seen how quick and easy this procedure is, it REALLY pisses me off that most other derms don't do floats for people. It can be a very simple, inexpensive solution for alot of people that have icepick scarring and can't afford more invasive procedures; if I didn't have rough texture/rolling scars, I wouldn't even go for the dermabrasion, as the floats have totally filled in the pits at this point.

 

 

 

 

Hi Ebby,

 

Just wondering if you broke out around the area you had your punch floats done. Today it's been 10 days since I had my punches done and although I recognize the improvement, I am breaking out badly in spots right around my punches, making the area seem very red and bumpy.

 

 

 

 

Does anyone know of a NYC doctor who does the exoderm procedure?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Since this was rather off topic

[attachmentid=69]

Does anyone know of a NYC doctor who does the exoderm procedure?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks.

 

 

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I have a question i have these really bad scars that are shaped like a lake, i mean sort of shallow but rounded like some one took a mishapen piece of skin of my cheeks, the are despression in the skins but very outlined, are those treated with punch floats too?