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DRaGZ,
what happend? a few months ago your scars were barely noticible until these "before" pictures? In the pictures in this thread your scars are really not noticible
Did you experience a really bad breakout in these last 6 months that caused bad scarring?
DRaGZ,
what happend? a few months ago your scars were barely noticible until these "before" pictures? In the pictures in this thread your scars are really not noticible
http://www.acne.org/...37#entry3186537
Did you experience a really bad breakout in these last 6 months that caused bad scarring?
Seriously..., I thought the same thing...! I found this post today...and I got really confused..! I wanted to ask..lol
Please explain...because it is kind of crazy to think within 6 months, you got bad breakout(or laser damaged your skin...?) AFTER your first laser treatment and then you are having ANOTHER laser treatment again? I really think your current scars are very deep, so even these old photos have different lighting, it's no way it didn't capture your deep scars...maybe I could be wrong...?...
So confused...
Wow! I would like an explanation too. I understand lighting can minimize scars but your photos from November are crystal clear. You can even see your pores clearly in your November photos. No wonder why you had so much improvement on one side. You were pretty much scar free on that cheek. Exactly how that became deep cystic acne scars while you were doing Lux (you also said Lux gave you a 20 or 25% improvement) in a span of 5 months (Nov. 30 to Apr 27) is beyond me. What is going on here?!
DRaGZ,
what happend? a few months ago your scars were barely noticible until these "before" pictures? In the pictures in this thread your scars are really not noticible
http://www.acne.org/...37#entry3186537
Did you experience a really bad breakout in these last 6 months that caused bad scarring?
Those pictures were taken by my mom, who shot under dim lighting and did not capture my scars in the worst angle possible. My scars were actually slightly worse back then (the Lux 1540 actually did help very slightly), but the lighting betrays that.
When I took my picture before Mixto, I had been thinking quite a bit about making baseline comparisons on photographic data. There is an empirical medical way of doing it, but it requires a specific kind of chair with specific lighting and camera rigging, which I was not going to do. So, I figured the next most objective way of handling it was so that every time I took an update picture I would take it at the angle which made my scars look as bad as possible. While this may mean that the angles are somewhat off in each subsequent picture, my hope was that, because I'm trying to make the scars look their worst, the scars at the state the photos were taken could not have looked WORSE than they do in that photo. Since I am looking for improvement, that seemed like a good baseline.
I'm sorry if that was confusing. I took those pictures before I had put in serious though into making comparison photos.
EDIT: Moral of the story is that lighting is everything. Now that I look at those pictures again, it's quite clear that the lighting is mostly head-on, which means that the valleys and whatnot of the scars can't be properly identified. In the pictures I did for pre-/post- Mixto, I was using my bathroom light as a ghetto side light, to maximize how deep my scars look. In fact, the lighting in my pre-/post-Mixto pictures actually make the scars look deeper than they actually are, but that's sort of the point, isn't it? To change the way it looks.
Anyway, if you want to ask more questions about that, including the Lux 1540 procedure, go right ahead. The doctor for that. Dr. Ramin Ram, was also very nice and efficient (especially with handling the active acne I had had), but I just wanted faster results.
DRaGZ,
I really want to believe you but I'm having a difficult time. When comparing your November photos to your April photos, are your sides flipped? In other words, do your before photos on this thread show you in a mirror? If I flip the photos on this thread and compare them to your November photos, I can see some faint lines and scars that match up. If I compare them as-is, side-by-side, I can't make any sense of it.
DRaGZ,
I really want to believe you but I'm having a difficult time. When comparing your November photos to your April photos, are your sides flipped? In other words, do your before photos on this thread show you in a mirror? If I flip the photos on this thread and compare them to your November photos, I can see some faint lines and scars that match up. If I compare them as-is, side-by-side, I can't make any sense of it.
Yes, they are flipped.
Every Mixto picture I have taken (apart from the ones which are immediately post-op, which my dad took) were reflected in a (cleaned) mirror so that I could easily take accurate pictures of myself. Pictures takes by other people are obviously not flipped.
I don't understand why anyone would doubt me. What exactly would I have to gain by making an old post about Lux 1540 and then posting a few months later about Mixto? What would there be to be gained?
What exactly would I have to gain by making an old post about Lux 1540 and then posting a few months later about Mixto? What would there be to be gained?
Please understand that we're all skeptics here. We're going to question conflicting details. The severity of your scars between the "before" photos is drastic. If the roles were reversed and you were in our shoes right now, you'd probably question it too.
As for what you or someone else has to gain, think about that. You're a smart guy. Much smarter than me. If you were up to something, I'm not sure why you would leave the older photos up. The fact that you're even responding and discussing the issue does say something though.
Well, I suppose you must take it for what you will, then.
I will say that it is impossible to fully gauge how bad someone's scars are unless you see them in motion, preferably in-person. I took those pictures for my own reference point, I didn't think about how it would compare to the types of pictures others take of themselves, and I don't think I will ever take that into account.
No worries. Well, I suppose you must take it for what you will, then.
I will say that it is impossible to fully gauge how bad someone's scars are unless you see them in motion, preferably in-person. I took those pictures for my own reference point, I didn't think about how it would compare to the types of pictures others take of themselves, and I don't think I will ever take that into account.
To adding scars on people's face is pretty easy to do if you know how to use the software.
http://help-and-info...e-on-photoshop/
http://www.ehow.com/...-photoshop.html
One time my class mate retouched his photo and added some scars(not acne scars though lol) to one of his cheeks and showing it around for fun lol. I also know how to do it, but I'll never add scars to my face. If I decide to retouch my photos, I'll make them look better instead haha
I do believe sometimes some companies retouch their 'before' photo and make it worse than it really is to sell their products(doesn't have to be acne scars,can be stretch marks, wrinkles or anything). Then display 'after' photo(the one without retouch) as a result...unfortunately things like that could happen and it's really sad 
But I am NOT telling you, you did. And I am not blaming or trying to attack you. I have NO interest to keep going with this. I just got really confused.
I really do think it's pretty normal reaction to get confused or question and I do think it's a fair question to ask when seeing your photo from Nov 2011 and compare it with April 2012 one.
These laser treatments are very expensive. And it's not just about money..., people must invest their life time and their own skin. It's very serious stuff. So that is why I needed to ask a question to you...especially I've already had bad experiences with some laser treatments(I got restore and ipl)...it really damaged me mentally and made my skin worse than good. I lost a lot of money, and wasted my time hiding in my room. And now I have to correct not only acne scars, but some of damages laser did to my skin. So I took this very seriously...please understand. And thank you for clearing up.
Good luck with your treatment 
It is interesting that Dragz after photos from this mixto look a whole lot like his before photos in the other lux 1540 thread. The before pics in this mixto thread could be authentic, just different lighting, but like myskin said, it is not impossible to photoshop. Doctors do this kind of thing all the time, I assume in their before and after pics to show to their clients. Not saying it happened here.
After I had IPL and restyaline years ago I remember going back and complaining after like two weeks that the filler was gone and my skin didn't look any better. So she goes and whips out these before pics to compare to my after pics on the computer to show that I did have improvement. I was astonished to see there was improvement. She almost had me convinced but then I looked and the old before pic was just shaded different. Each scar was just shaded to look deeper, while the new pic was brigher. So of course the new pic looked better. I never went back there.
It is interesting that Dragz after photos from this mixto look a whole lot like his before photos in the other lux 1540 thread. The before pics in this mixto thread could be authentic, just different lighting, but like myskin said, it is not impossible to photoshop. Doctors do this kind of thing all the time, I assume in their before and after pics to show to their clients. Not saying it happened here.
After I had IPL and restyaline years ago I remember going back and complaining after like two weeks that the filler was gone and my skin didn't look any better. So she goes and whips out these before pics to compare to my after pics on the computer to show that I did have improvement. I was astonished to see there was improvement. She almost had me convinced but then I looked and the old before pic was just shaded different. Each scar was just shaded to look deeper, while the new pic was brigher. So of course the new pic looked better. I never went back there.
You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. I never hid my Lux 1540 treatments, hell I even mentioned them in the opening post. I already explained the circumstances behind my Mixto before/after pictures, but I don't feel like re-explaining them right now (they're elaborated on a few times throughout this thread anyway). And I didn't take those pictures to convince anyone, I took them as a reference point for myself and then decided to share them online because I'd never seen very long-term pictures of laser patients online before.
And yes, I did Photoshop them. I cropped them and shrunk them so they could fit the size limits of these boards/Photobucket.
It is interesting that Dragz after photos from this mixto look a whole lot like his before photos in the other lux 1540 thread. The before pics in this mixto thread could be authentic, just different lighting, but like myskin said, it is not impossible to photoshop. Doctors do this kind of thing all the time, I assume in their before and after pics to show to their clients. Not saying it happened here.
After I had IPL and restyaline years ago I remember going back and complaining after like two weeks that the filler was gone and my skin didn't look any better. So she goes and whips out these before pics to compare to my after pics on the computer to show that I did have improvement. I was astonished to see there was improvement. She almost had me convinced but then I looked and the old before pic was just shaded different. Each scar was just shaded to look deeper, while the new pic was brigher. So of course the new pic looked better. I never went back there.
You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. I never hid my Lux 1540 treatments, hell I even mentioned them in the opening post. I already explained the circumstances behind my Mixto before/after pictures, but I don't feel like re-explaining them right now (they're elaborated on a few times throughout this thread anyway). And I didn't take those pictures to convince anyone, I took them as a reference point for myself and then decided to share them online because I'd never seen very long-term pictures of laser patients online before.
And yes, I did Photoshop them. I cropped them and shrunk them so they could fit the size limits of these boards/Photobucket.
DraGZ, I am really sorry you feel bad about we questioned your photos or if our question hurt you etc. I really mean it...
But please also know, if you write about yourself or experiences publicly online as a topic(especially forum like this), people will pay attention, react, and ask you questions, leave comments etc. Sometimes it could be very positive, sweet, and encouraging. Sometimes it could be straightforward, strong, and simple. But also sometimes those comments are negative, hash, and might be hurtful. We all thankful you are sharing your experiences to us, but it is the nature of 'online forum'.
Recently I saw a very hurtful reply to a review which was left by a buyer on amazon. It was really terrible my jaw dropped when I saw it. They were kind of going back and forth...My point is...it's a risk you have to take when you post something online.
I've also made some topics on here about my treatments(some topics are really stupid one..lol). I also reply to people's post a lot, and I know someone might say something back to what I wrote(both positive or negative). But I do it anyways, because I just simply want to share my thoughts or experiences, and I do understand the risk I am taking.
We are not here to attack you(no point, and no gain to do so). And I do believe we have the right to ask you or anyone questions to their post. However, I don't agree with 'name calling' or 'non-sense attack', and I am against them.
Again, I am sorry made you uncomfortable...
I am glad this got cleared up as some would question and not ask so as to n ot offend you and maybe automatically think you were being deceptive. I usually take everyone for their word on here when they talk of improvements or set backs and don't even judge by pics. I know pics are so deceptive. I'm sure some of my scars look very severe in certain lights and not at all in others. I am no expert in trying to find the right light either, I don't want to get hung up on only hanging out in places with good lighting, like some are plagued with on here. I hope the laser works out well for you and you keep improving.
Hey Dragz, thanks again for your thoughtful responses. Are you still as happy as you were when you posted after the treatment? Or is perhaps tempered a bit? I appreciate your perspective as a skeptic...
I still have a question about the lux 1540 (sorry), as I had one treatment exactly one week ago, and am trying to stay optimistic about the money spent. The scars that I had treated were already raised (hypertrophic with some scarred poring within their perimeter), and now they seem more raised and obvious than beforehand (which I'm nervous about, but hoping since it's only a week, there is still time for them to flatten?).
I'm assuming this is still temporary swelling, but there wasn't any redness or noticeable swelling in the days immediately after the treatment... anyway, sorry for the blathering, my question - you noted there was improvement (i think) a week afterwards, and that microswelling had passed - all this time later, as the months progressed, did that hold up? did you continue to see improvement from those 2 treatments, or were the results you saw pretty much limited to what was achieved in the initial week or two? And when was the swelling totally gone? (sorry for lack of clarity, brain is a bit scrambled)
Hey Dragz, thanks again for your thoughtful responses. Are you still as happy as you were when you posted after the treatment? Or is perhaps tempered a bit? I appreciate your perspective as a skeptic...
I still have a question about the lux 1540 (sorry), as I had one treatment exactly one week ago, and am trying to stay optimistic about the money spent. The scars that I had treated were already raised (hypertrophic with some scarred poring within their perimeter), and now they seem more raised and obvious than beforehand (which I'm nervous about, but hoping since it's only a week, there is still time for them to flatten?).
I'm assuming this is still temporary swelling, but there wasn't any redness or noticeable swelling in the days immediately after the treatment... anyway, sorry for the blathering, my question - you noted there was improvement (i think) a week afterwards, and that microswelling had passed - all this time later, as the months progressed, did that hold up? did you continue to see improvement from those 2 treatments, or were the results you saw pretty much limited to what was achieved in the initial week or two? And when was the swelling totally gone? (sorry for lack of clarity, brain is a bit scrambled)
Hm...
As far as I understand it, most laser treatments, especially the non-ablative ones, do NOT work for hypertrophic or raised scars. I think you need to do cortisone injections (I think?) to treat hypertrophic scars. Lasers and similar treatments are designed to treat atrophic scars, because they're designed to stimulate collagen growth, which is not what you're looking for right now.
And yes, I am still very satisfied with the results I have gotten. In fact, right now my biggest concern is some acne which has flared up due to my pillows (it turns out I'm also allergic to fabric softener *sigh*). But, again, my scars were atrophic, i.e. indented, scars.
Here's the link to the hypertrophic scars forum: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php/forum/67-hypertrophic-raised-scars/
It's a different forum because it's a different type of skin condition. All the best.
On reconsideration, I used hypertrophic a bit too off-handedly - the scars were a bit raised in some areas (and these are very small scars, definitely would not be candidates for cortisone), but mostly it was just unevenly textured skin... in fact, to be most accurate, i think they would be described as some scarred pores (2 ice picks I guess, the but the skin immediately around them is very very slightly raised, though post-laser its more noticeable) - its basically unevenly textured skin, thickened around the scarred pores... from everything I have seen/been told, this laser should work on that kind of issue...?
From what I've read, the non-ablative laser encourages regrowth and healing, but part of that process is breaking down where there are excess areas of collagen as well, as a scar would normally (more slowly) over time anyway as part of the general healing process? So overall, the area of skin smoothes out..
Am I even making any sense?? I guess, point is, I just want to know the answer to the question above, how did your icepicks fare? And how long did it take to see a change in them?