good luck mate.

Thank you. 🙂

 

BTW, did your scars mainly come from cystic acne, or even regular pimples

thanks

It's always been cystic/inflammatory acne; I wish I had regular pimples lol.

 

huh? regular pimples are inflammatory acne...

huh? regular pimples are inflammatory acne...

Uh... that makes no sense - those two contradict one another. Regular pimples, are REGULAR pimples; basic acne, caused by clogged/inflamed PORES. Inflammatory acne, is inflammatory acne.

Pimples: red circles with a white or yellow head. They might leave a scar if you pop them.

Severe acne is inflammatory: red, tender bumps, with no head. They might leave a scar, period.

Cystic acne would fall in the latter category.

Like I said: I never had regular pimples - only inflammatory acne, such as cysts and nodules.

Hey SamWitwicky! Thank you for all your updates! I was looking at the last picture (from the traffic) for quite a while, and mmm i still do not see any scarring on our face) But you better know for sure) I'm glad you finally made you first session) So now i wish you to have a good healing!) You are right, there was a name) I was reading your posts! But i'm not very attentive and english also is not the strongest point of mine. Anyway i wish you luck and keep update the forum! Pretty cool sunglasses btw)))

huh? regular pimples are inflammatory acne...

Uh... that makes no sense - those two contradict one another. Regular pimples, are REGULAR pimples; basic acne, caused by clogged/inflamed PORES. Inflammatory acne, is inflammatory acne.

Pimples: red circles with a white or yellow head. They might leave a scar if you pop them.

Severe acne is inflammatory: red, tender bumps, with no head. They might leave a scar, period.

Cystic acne would fall in the latter category.

Like I said: I never had regular pimples - only inflammatory acne, such as cysts and nodules.

Hey SamWitwicky! Thank you for all your updates! I was looking at the last picture (from the traffic) for quite a while, and mmm i still do not see any scarring on our face) But you better know for sure)

Maybe because it was taken with my cellphone - but they're there.

I don't have many, and the scarring is mild, however, wherever you see redness, it's one of my icepick scars that was CROSSED.

Anyway i wish you luck and keep update the forum! Pretty cool sunglasses btw)))

Will do! Thank you for the positive vibes!

And LOVE my ray-bans. :wub:

Edit: A lot of scabbing going on.

First CROSS treatment on Tuesday. Picture of left side of my face taken on Friday.

Any red and pink you see are icepicks and enlarged pores that were CROSSED.

Edit: Sorry about the flash, but it was night-time.

Hi Sam. I am from Toronto and have the same type of icepick scarring as you on my left cheek, so I really appreciate you updating your progress with pictures. I am considering the TCA CROSS method with someone who is trained (because I don't trust myself) and the office you go to sounds trustworthy and professional. Do you know if I will need a referral to get a consultation since I am an out-of-province patient? Good luck with your treatments and please keep updating if you can.

Hi Sam. 🙂 I am from Toronto and have the same type of icepick scarring as you on my left cheek, so I really appreciate you updating your progress with pictures.

Hey, sygge! Nice to see another fellow Canadian, on here. 🙂

I am considering the TCA CROSS method with someone who is trained (because I don't trust myself) and the office you go to sounds trustworthy and professional.

I, seriously, can't sing their good graces, enough. :wub:

Do you know if I will need a referral to get a consultation since I am an out-of-province patient?

I, myself, did not need a referral; you will be seeing one of Dr. Billick's assistants, who performs the CROSS method, and not Dr. Billick/the dermatologist, himself. Therefore, no referral, required. I applaud you for not trying it on yourself and seeking out a professional, instead - it just makes sense. Like I've said before: I'd never try it on myself, either.

That being said, my consultation with her was free, thanks to Medicare, but since you are an out-of-province patient, you will, most likely, be charged for it.

Good luck with your treatments and please keep updating if you can. 🙂

Thank you! I most definitely will! Good luck with your journey and feel free to drop in here and fire some questions, whenever you want. 🙂

huh? regular pimples are inflammatory acne...

Uh... that makes no sense - those two contradict one another. Regular pimples, are REGULAR pimples; basic acne, caused by clogged/inflamed PORES. Inflammatory acne, is inflammatory acne.

Pimples: red circles with a white or yellow head. They might leave a scar if you pop them.

Severe acne is inflammatory: red, tender bumps, with no head. They might leave a scar, period.

Cystic acne would fall in the latter category.

Like I said: I never had regular pimples - only inflammatory acne, such as cysts and nodules.

 

ic what you mean.

but than inflammatory acne can be papules as well?

i mean a lot of my acne start as red bumps, and than turn into whiteheads?

what do you mean by tender?

how much have your pores improved

ic what you mean.

but than inflammatory acne can be papules as well?

Papules (and pustules) are inflammatory acne, yes.

i mean a lot of my acne start as red bumps, and than turn into whiteheads?

Acne is acne. Whiteheads are whiteheads (a form of acne). The red bumps before the whiteheads, are caused by inflamed pores (they're not inflamed acne) and are filled with plugs of sebum - whereas inflammatory acne, is filled with pus.

what do you mean by tender?

I mean the definition of tender lol.

how much have your pores improved

It's kind of early to really tell/give a specific percentage, and I never count my chickens before they've hatched, but I can tell you that there definitely is significant improvement. After the first treatment and the first week post-CROSS, I can see that the pores on my nose have gotten much smaller and tighter.

Do you apply anything to the crossed areas? Like, a retinoid or Neosporin to try & speed up the healing??

Please keep us updated with your results! Even if it goes wrong. Try to be honest. It could be beneficial to a lot of people (like me).

Good luck & happy healing! Thanks for sharing with us!!

Do you apply anything to the crossed areas? Like, a retinoid or Neosporin to try & speed up the healing??

Rene (lady who performs the CROSS on me) explained that nothing has to be applied on the scars post-CROSS, but suggested Cicaplast, an epidermal recovery accelerator, that she used on herself.

I purchased the product from her, but didn't apply it on the test scar, but then applied it on the rest of the scars that I had CROSSED the week after, just to see if I could spot a difference - and there is. The product definitely helps heal your skin. Directions state that it should be applied twice a day, but I only do it at night, a little before bedtime (the scabbing, etc. doesn't bother me). So, I'm sure if applied twice, the healing would be even faster.

Please keep us updated with your results! Even if it goes wrong. Try to be honest. It could be beneficial to a lot of people (like me). 😀

Let's remain positive and hope it doesn't. 😉

Like I said: I will definitely keep you guys updated. 😀 And I'm always honest, because keeping track of my progress is beneficial to me, also. 🙂

Good luck & happy healing! Thanks for sharing with us!!

Thank you! I appreciate it!

And not a problem; it's my pleasure. Feel free to drop back in, whenever you got some questions and whatnot.

my pimples start off as red bumps, and than become filled with pus (turn into pustules).

Then you have inflammatory acne.

Hi Sam. Thanks for the information. I did read about Dr. Bargman in your thread, but after doing a bit of research I decided against consulting with him. I hope instead to make an appointment at your hospital at the beginning of September when I am back in Canada. I am still scared that this treatment might make my scars worse , but it sounds like Rene knows what she's doing. Hopefully your skin is healing well.

Then you have inflammatory acne. :shrug:

im kind of confused.

aren't whiteheads another way to say pustules? I know when most people mention whiteheads, they talk about pus filled lesions?

yea my acne is definitely inflammatory, sucks ass

Hi Sam. 🙂 Thanks for the information. I did read about Dr. Bargman in your thread, but after doing a bit of research I decided against consulting with him.

I'm extremely happy to hear that. 🙂

I hope instead to make an appointment at your hospital at the beginning of September when I am back in Canada. I am still scared that this treatment might make my scars worse 😯 , but it sounds like Rene knows what she's doing.

That fear should be put to the side when you're in the hands of an experienced and caring derm. Rene is incredible; if something goes wrong, she will work with you. We can't live in fear along with our scars, and expect things to get better. Do what I did: Have one scar tested, at first. See if you like the results, and then go from there.

I already sent you the information on the place; please feel free to mention my name to the secretary and/or Rene, if you're asked who referred you. And say hi to Rene, for me! 😀

Hopefully your skin is healing well. :dance:

So far, so good! There's already been improvement!

im kind of confused.

aren't whiteheads another way to say pustules?

Whiteheads are whiteheads, pustules are pustules.

I know when most people mention whiteheads, they talk about pus filled lesions?

I've never heard anyone call their whiteheads pustules, or vice-versa.

Like I said: Whiteheads are filled with plugs of sebum - whereas inflammatory acne (such as pustules), is filled with pus.

If you're still confused about the difference, consult your dermatologist.

no i know the difference.

pustules suck man..

Have you noticed if the CROSSED scars on your nose are healing differently than the ones on your cheeks? I am just curious because the skin is thicker there.

no i know the difference.

pustules suck man..

🙁

Tell me about it; inflammatory acne is the worst.

Have you noticed if the CROSSED scars on your nose are healing differently than the ones on your cheeks? I am just curious because the skin is thicker there.

What do you mean by differently?

Either way, it all seems to be healing pretty much the same.

have any of your pores closed completely?

have any of your pores closed completely?

There are two on my nose, that were the most noticeable ones, that have almost closed completely.

Hi Sam,

Thanks for sharing your journey and your pics. I also live in Montreal and I don't have a family doctor nor a dermatologist. I am suffering from very bad back acne, neck acne, and blackheads, scarring on my face.

I'm not sure what to do, but reading your story gives me some hope. How can I set up an appointment with Dr Billick or Rene? Do I need to see a Doctor and get a referral or what?

Let me know the process to go through. I'd appreciate it and your face looks like its getting better from the pics, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get the results you want, we all deserve nice/healthy skin in our youth!!!

PS do you recommend this DR billick's office for an initial consultation? There are many dermatologists around Montreal i'm pretty sure, what criteria do you look for? Whom do you think are the best dermatologists or clinics/places to get Scarring/Acne help in Montreal?

Appreciate your knowledge, i'm a newbie on this subject and you definitely have alot of knowledge....

Thanks

Hi Sam,

Thanks for sharing your journey and your pics. I also live in Montreal and I don't have a family doctor nor a dermatologist. I am suffering from very bad back acne, neck acne, and blackheads, scarring on my face.

Hi hvfan,

It's great (well, bitter-sweet, hehe) to see another fellow Montrealer, on here. 🙂

I'm not sure what to do, but reading your story gives me some hope. How can I set up an appointment with Dr Billick or Rene? Do I need to see a Doctor and get a referral or what?

Like I mentioned earlier: you do not need a referral to see Dr. Billick. Just call the Jewish General Hospital's dermatology clinic and setup an appointment/consultation.

Let me know the process to go through. I'd appreciate it and your face looks like its getting better from the pics, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get the results you want, we all deserve nice/healthy skin in our youth!!!

Thank you; that's very nice of you. 🙂

Good luck on your journey and feel free to drop in this thread, whenever you have some questions and what not, or just to let me know how it all went. 😀

PS do you recommend this DR billick's office for an initial consultation? There are many dermatologists around Montreal i'm pretty sure, what criteria do you look for? Whom do you think are the best dermatologists or clinics/places to get Scarring/Acne help in Montreal?

I learned by trial and error.

I met a couple, picked their brains and got to know their personalities. I fire a couple of questions, which I know the answers to, as a test to see if they're full of shit lol. Luckily, I only had to deal with two, before putting my care into Dr. Billick and his staff's hands. They all did the schooling, have their diplomas up on their walls and are competent, so I look for a caring personality and none-profitable intentions. Great bed side manner and genuine care for their patients, are part of the criteria, also. Finally, I'd much rather consult a hospital-based dermatologist, than the ones who have their own clinics and whathaveyou. They're a public service and not thinking about how they're going to pay their bills.

That being said, I'm in love with Rene. :wub:

Appreciate your knowledge, i'm a newbie on this subject and you definitely have alot of knowledge...

Oh, my. I don't know if I have a lot of knowledge on acne - I just do my research and use common sense. However, if it's knowledge and helpful reading material that you seek, you've definitely come to the right forum. 🙂

Never lose that hope.

have any of your pores closed completely?

There are two on my nose, that were the most noticeable ones, that have almost closed completely.

 

this is Terrific news to me.

Did yo have any pores that looked kind of like linear lines? Like a small cut?