zavvi, I don't even post on Facebook. I am contemplating writing a book about a total transformation, but that will include cosmetic surgery (since I am older), mind, body, exercise and diet. I am a big believer in the work of Dr. Dean Ornish so my approach transcends just laser therapy. I plan to include a full pictorial history.

zavvi, I don't even post on Facebook. I am contemplating writing a book about a total transformation, but that will include cosmetic surgery (since I am older), mind, body, exercise and diet. I am a big believer in the work of Dr. Dean Ornish so my approach transcends just laser therapy. I plan to include a full pictorial history.

it doesnt matter the reason you told me you wouldnt put pics is because you said you didnt want your face to be made public but i mean you made them pubic at the clinic you got it done at whats such a big deal with posting them here. Dude what i am saying is 80 or 90 percent results you claimed you got with pics would help so many people on this site

I have not authorized any doctor to post my pictures. I have a 2 girlfriends who also refuse to post any pictures on the internet. If I write my book for profit then and only then will I post pictures in the book. I want to show a total metamorphosis.

I have not authorized any doctor to post my pictures. I have a 2 girlfriends who also refuse to post any pictures on the internet. If I write my book for profit then and only then will I post pictures in the book. I want to show a total metamorphosis.

well i read a post from your account saying you were the poster child for the clinic you surely must have given them permission

I have not authorized any doctor to post my pictures. I have a 2 girlfriends who also refuse to post any pictures on the internet. If I write my book for profit then and only then will I post pictures in the book. I want to show a total metamorphosis.

well i read a post from your account saying you were the poster child for the clinic you surely must have given them permission

There is a huge difference between pictures sitting in an album in a doctors office and pictures splattered all over the internet.

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Looking great, *Inspired*! How long have you been stamping for?

Also, what is the total number of laser treatments you've had?

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Looking great, *Inspired*! How long have you been stamping for?

Also, what is the total number of laser treatments you've had?

Hey CherrySoda!

I started stamping in early April. Other than my scars looking softer for 1-2 weeks after stamping, I can't say I have any noticeable improvement from it yet but I understand it takes time.

I have done three laser treatments. One spot treatment with Deep FX and two Total FX procedures over my entire scarred area.

I wish I could find a doctor to do punch grafts, like you. Might have more success fixing the texture of my scars that way. I am not sure though.

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Looking great, *Inspired*! How long have you been stamping for?

Also, what is the total number of laser treatments you've had?

Hey CherrySoda!

I started stamping in early April. Other than my scars looking softer for 1-2 weeks after stamping, I can't say I have any noticeable improvement from it yet but I understand it takes time.

I have done three laser treatments. One spot treatment with Deep FX and two Total FX procedures over my entire scarred area.

I wish I could find a doctor to do punch grafts, like you. Might have more success fixing the texture of my scars that way. I am not sure though.

I think punch grafts and excisions are great for filling up the holes left by ice pick (which is what I mostly had, and still have in some areas) and boxcar scars.

The holes where the ice pick scars used to be on my cheeks look filled-in, however, they don't look as even as I wish they did. The Blue peels I had over a year ago helped with skin tone and texture, but I know there's only so much a peel can do. Also, there are two rolling scars on my left cheek that I want evened out. Rolling or stamping one method I've considered to remedy the uneven texture I have in my left cheek.

Where did you get your research from when you decided to look into stamping? Where did you purchase your dermastamp, and why did you choose that over dermarolling?

Also, weren't you afraid to use the dermastamp after having laser? Didn't you worry about undoing some of the work the lasers did to repair your scarring?

Honestly, I am a little afraid to mess up some of the work that I've gotten since 2011. I'm sure I'm not alone in this fear, which is why I'm asking so many questions. That, and I want to learn about this as much as possible before I make a decision on whether or not to roll or stamp.

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Looking great, *Inspired*! How long have you been stamping for?

Also, what is the total number of laser treatments you've had?

Hey CherrySoda!

I started stamping in early April. Other than my scars looking softer for 1-2 weeks after stamping, I can't say I have any noticeable improvement from it yet but I understand it takes time.

I have done three laser treatments. One spot treatment with Deep FX and two Total FX procedures over my entire scarred area.

I wish I could find a doctor to do punch grafts, like you. Might have more success fixing the texture of my scars that way. I am not sure though.

I think punch grafts and excisions are great for filling up the holes left by ice pick (which is what I mostly had, and still have in some areas) and boxcar scars.

The holes where the ice pick scars used to be on my cheeks look filled-in, however, they don't look as even as I wish they did. The Blue peels I had over a year ago helped with skin tone and texture, but I know there's only so much a peel can do. Also, there are two rolling scars on my left cheek that I want evened out. Rolling or stamping one method I've considered to remedy the uneven texture I have in my left cheek.

Where did you get your research from when you decided to look into stamping? Where did you purchase your dermastamp, and why did you choose that over dermarolling?

Also, weren't you afraid to use the dermastamp after having laser? Didn't you worry about undoing some of the work the lasers did to repair your scarring?

Honestly, I am a little afraid to mess up some of the work that I've gotten since 2011. I'm sure I'm not alone in this fear, which is why I'm asking so many questions. That, and I want to learn about this as much as possible before I make a decision on whether or not to roll or stamp.

I understand your concerns with reversing improvement you have received to date. Personally, I think stamping is pretty low risk. I have experienced zero downtime from stamping and look normal a few hours later. I applied 20% vitamin C after my last stamping session and it burned. I experienced PIH on my scars for a few days, so I won't be doing that again. I used 10% previously and did not experience the same side-effects.

There isn't a whole lot of unbiased scientific research out there on microneedling. I based my decision to try stamping on people's personal experiences and the fact that I can't see it creating more damage as long as you are conservative in your approach. I feel there is a risk to tearing your skin and causing additional damage using a roller. The roller also doesn't allow you to target specific scars like the stamp. I have also read on numerous threads that the stamp is less painful. As a result, I chose the stamp over the roller.

I purchased my stamp off of a Japanese auction site. As far as I can tell, every online retailer sources their stamps from the same Chinese manufacturers. With that said, I didn't see a difference between buying from an auction site or OwnDoc. The stamps are still Chinese knock-offs and likely sourced from the same companies off of Alibaba. I considered buying an electronic Dermapen device but I am honestly too scared to try it. Being that the device costs over $1000, I decided to hold off until I am semi-confident with my ability to use it without causing further damage. I probably won't ever reach that point.

Based on my experience so far, I don't quite understand how the dermastamp can permanently smooth texture as you are only needling a fraction of the scarred area. I guess (hope) the results are cumulative over an extended period of many sessions. I plan to try this for a year to see if I experience any noticeable improvement.

I am not sure stamping works on tethered rolling scars. Have you seen any evidence of it working on them? I wish I could find some good studies with photos on dermastamping and acne scars. I think I have been mainly inspired by a Japanese lady's blog and a few scattered posts I have found on the Internet. The Japanese lady's blog is the most impressive though because she has been treating her scars for over a decade and provides detailed photos and frequent updates. She has had amazing improvement to pitted scars and texture but it has definitely taken years of persistence and discipline. I think I may actually try the human growth factors that she recommends when I stamp again in a few weeks.

So true.... They ALL source their dermastamps and derma rollers from the same chinese manufacturers. I think the owndoc products are fine, but I'm just annoyed at that lady Sarah's heavy handed marketing. Like c'mon lady, it's a piece of plastic with needles on it.

Just wanted to post some updated photos that I took outside a month or two ago.

I must say -- laser can lead to improvement. I do have one dark pitted scar on my left cheek that seems resistant to treatment.

I am demastamping now with the hope of smoothing my skin texture. Pretty sure I am done with laser.

Sorry, I don't know why the forum shrinks my images. Will update my gallery later.

Looking great, *Inspired*! How long have you been stamping for?

Also, what is the total number of laser treatments you've had?

Hey CherrySoda!

I started stamping in early April. Other than my scars looking softer for 1-2 weeks after stamping, I can't say I have any noticeable improvement from it yet but I understand it takes time.

I have done three laser treatments. One spot treatment with Deep FX and two Total FX procedures over my entire scarred area.

I wish I could find a doctor to do punch grafts, like you. Might have more success fixing the texture of my scars that way. I am not sure though.

I think punch grafts and excisions are great for filling up the holes left by ice pick (which is what I mostly had, and still have in some areas) and boxcar scars.

The holes where the ice pick scars used to be on my cheeks look filled-in, however, they don't look as even as I wish they did. The Blue peels I had over a year ago helped with skin tone and texture, but I know there's only so much a peel can do. Also, there are two rolling scars on my left cheek that I want evened out. Rolling or stamping one method I've considered to remedy the uneven texture I have in my left cheek.

Where did you get your research from when you decided to look into stamping? Where did you purchase your dermastamp, and why did you choose that over dermarolling?

Also, weren't you afraid to use the dermastamp after having laser? Didn't you worry about undoing some of the work the lasers did to repair your scarring?

Honestly, I am a little afraid to mess up some of the work that I've gotten since 2011. I'm sure I'm not alone in this fear, which is why I'm asking so many questions. That, and I want to learn about this as much as possible before I make a decision on whether or not to roll or stamp.

I understand your concerns with reversing improvement you have received to date. Personally, I think stamping is pretty low risk. I have experienced zero downtime from stamping and look normal a few hours later. I applied 20% vitamin C after my last stamping session and it burned. I experienced PIH on my scars for a few days, so I won't be doing that again. I used 10% previously and did not experience the same side-effects.

There isn't a whole lot of unbiased scientific research out there on microneedling. I based my decision to try stamping on people's personal experiences and the fact that I can't see it creating more damage as long as you are conservative in your approach. I feel there is a risk to tearing your skin and causing additional damage using a roller. The roller also doesn't allow you to target specific scars like the stamp. I have also read on numerous threads that the stamp is less painful. As a result, I chose the stamp over the roller.

I purchased my stamp off of a Japanese auction site. As far as I can tell, every online retailer sources their stamps from the same Chinese manufacturers. With that said, I didn't see a difference between buying from an auction site or OwnDoc. The stamps are still Chinese knock-offs and likely sourced from the same companies off of Alibaba. I considered buying an electronic Dermapen device but I am honestly too scared to try it. Being that the device costs over $1000, I decided to hold off until I am semi-confident with my ability to use it without causing further damage. I probably won't ever reach that point.

Based on my experience so far, I don't quite understand how the dermastamp can permanently smooth texture as you are only needling a fraction of the scarred area. I guess (hope) the results are cumulative over an extended period of many sessions. I plan to try this for a year to see if I experience any noticeable improvement.

I am not sure stamping works on tethered rolling scars. Have you seen any evidence of it working on them? I wish I could find some good studies with photos on dermastamping and acne scars. I think I have been mainly inspired by a Japanese lady's blog and a few scattered posts I have found on the Internet. The Japanese lady's blog is the most impressive though because she has been treating her scars for over a decade and provides detailed photos and frequent updates. She has had amazing improvement to pitted scars and texture but it has definitely taken years of persistence and discipline. I think I may actually try the human growth factors that she recommends when I stamp again in a few weeks.

Excellent answers. Thank you so much.

Do you have a link to the Japanese lady's blog, or can I find the link here in your thread?

Member Rockmeamadeus has dermarolled, and she asserts that dermarolling has helped with all of the scarring she's got on both cheeks. This includes what appears to be rolling scars on her chin, near both sides of her mouth. Personally, I wish she had taken more pics in clearer lighting without editing some of them, but I'll take what I can get; http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/320101-updated-dermarolling-great-results-pictures/page-3

This young woman named Daisy has been uploading videos to YouTube for quite some time;

I've been following her on and off for a couple of years now. It seems that she's finally settled on dermarolling as her preferred method for reducing the appearance of her acne scars. This is quite a ways off from the lactic acid peels she used to use and review sometime around 2012. Apparently she has become such a fan of rolling that she built a company around it, and now sells dermarolling kits online. I think her earlier pics featured on her YouTube channel show some rolling scars on her chin, near her mouth, as well. However, I will let you be the judge whether she has rolling scars, or if I'm imagining it.

Here's a pic from my latest photo album, featuring my acne scarring 6 months into Accutane (well, a week and a half post-Accutane, really). I'm not sure how truly tethered those rolling scars on my left cheek are, or what exactly I should do about it; http://www.acne.org/messageboard/gallery/image/53615-dscn0084/

I certainly don't want to hijack your thread by linking pics of my own scarring. My purpose in doing so is simply to find out if the methods you've used will have any effect on the scars on my left cheek.

Any updates from your adventures in derma-stamping, *Inspired*?

I understand your concerns with reversing improvement you have received to date. Personally, I think stamping is pretty low risk. I have experienced zero downtime from stamping and look normal a few hours later. I applied 20% vitamin C after my last stamping session and it burned. I experienced PIH on my scars for a few days, so I won't be doing that again. I used 10% previously and did not experience the same side-effects.

Any updates from your adventures in derma-stamping, *Inspired*?

I understand your concerns with reversing improvement you have received to date. Personally, I think stamping is pretty low risk. I have experienced zero downtime from stamping and look normal a few hours later. I applied 20% vitamin C after my last stamping session and it burned. I experienced PIH on my scars for a few days, so I won't be doing that again. I used 10% previously and did not experience the same side-effects.

Hey CherrySoda,

Sorry for not getting back to you on your other post. I think Daisy is a perfect example of the lack of unbiased dermarolling evidence out there. For one thing, I don't think she ever suffered from atrophic acne scars like us. In her before pictures, she appears to have severe acne and hyperpigmentation. Her skin is clearly inflamed. It's also impossible to evaluate her scarring with a video. The quality is much lower than photos. The lighting in her marketing video is also done to conceal any possible defects with her skin. Even people with severe scarring would like great in bright studio lighting over video. I also don't think the length of her rollers will do much for true acne scars. With that said, I don't have much of an opinion on her experience as she's clearly motivated by selling her own products at this point.

So far, I have not noticed any improvement from stamping. My scars look a little smoother for 1-2 weeks after stamping but the results have not been permanent so far. I really don't think I'm being aggressive enough with stamping. If I were to stamp thoroughly every 2-3 weeks, I think my skin would look greatly improved but I fear the results would last as long as I continued stamping. Of course, I hope that's not the case but I'm not convinced stamping produces permanent results at this point.

It's been 6 weeks since I last stamped. I plan to do my 4th session this week. As always, I remain hopeful and will let you know if I notice any change to my scars.

I think your skin looks great. I'm not sure I would stamp the raised grafts. I would think this could cause your body to produce more new collagen. In your case, I think I'd wait until you've found a way to smooth out those spots.

As for the Japanese lady's blog, I sent you the link before by private message. I can't seem to find the link right now but once I find it, I will send it again.

Hope you're well, and don't worry about hijacking my thread. Hijack away!

Any updates from your adventures in derma-stamping, *Inspired*?

I understand your concerns with reversing improvement you have received to date. Personally, I think stamping is pretty low risk. I have experienced zero downtime from stamping and look normal a few hours later. I applied 20% vitamin C after my last stamping session and it burned. I experienced PIH on my scars for a few days, so I won't be doing that again. I used 10% previously and did not experience the same side-effects.

Hey CherrySoda,

Sorry for not getting back to you on your other post.

Don't worry about taking your time in responding to my posts. We all have lives! Well, maybe except for me, since I've been spending an inordinate amount of time here on Acne.org updating my threads and doing research. But besides myself, I know that most people have lives.

You're right about Daisy being gung-ho about her dermarolling business. And I do realize from some of her videos that the lighting used in them is intended to minimize the appearance of her acne scarring as much as possible. And it does a great job of that, but it's not a completely honest depiction of her complexion.

And you are also right about her being biased. It's true. The girl is selling her products, so she's gotta appear enthusiastic about them.

Nonetheless, I know that I've watched her since 2012 when she was almost as in the dark about treating her acne scarring as I was. I remember when Daisy was uploading videos about $34.00 lactic acid peels she purchased from Amazon.com and deeming them an "expensive" way to try to treat scarring. She has come quite a ways. She found something that worked for her (or so she says), and decided to capitalize on it. I can't help but feel happy for her.

I do believe I've seen some photos of Daisy on her YouTube channel that depict wide, atrophic scars on one of her cheeks. The scars were located more towards the back of the cheek, near the ear, instead of the middle of the cheek (like mine, for example). They were still red, so I am assuming they were still healing or hyperpigmented. Perhaps those scars aren't as sunken and pitted-looking as they once were, but I remember seeing that picture and thinking that it seemed as if she had collagen loss in that particular area.

"...but I fear the results would last as long as I continued stamping".

Do you know if people can continue to roll or stamp for the rest of their lives? I know that probably seems like a weird question, but does stamping for the rest of your life sound like something you wouldn't want to bother with?

Honestly, I think your scarring looks wonderful as it is right now. It can barely even be called "scarring" at this point, because that's how much it has improved. I can see why you might want to stamp every once in awhile to smooth out the imperfections, but I would love for my scars to look like yours do now.

I wouldn't consider stamping or rolling for at least another 10 months, which is when I'll be off my first course of Accutane a year. First, I plan on consulting with cosmetic derms in the area about having another round of punch floats and grafts. I'd like to get that part of my journey out of the way before I look into treating my scars on my own.

Good point about the raised grafts. Unfortunately, I can't do anything about them for at least 10 months. In the past, my cosmetic derm used a little tool to shave or scrape off the raised part of the grafts once they settled into the surrounding skin, and they'd heal nicely. Sadly, she moved to Las Vegas this past winter. So, I guess I will have to find another cosmetic derm to help me with that, as well.

I do remember you sending me the link to the Japanese lady's blog via PM here on Acne.org, now that you mention it. I will have to make an effort to look through my Inbox.

Glad you don't mind my hijacking.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my lengthy posts. Looking forward to your latest update!

Hey CherrySoda,

Call me a skeptic. 2012 wasn't that long ago and being someone who has done business on the Internet for 15+ years, I know it is not unusual to start planting seeds one to two years before a business launches. There is a planning phase to finding the right product and to ensuring your product is successful at launch. Her skin sure improved quickly over a year's time and she managed to create quite a following using social channels. Her story could be legitimate but at this point, she is clearly focused on marketing and selling her products. I don't believe she suddenly partnered with a doctor and researched/developed a packaged product line in under a year. These things take time.

I think I sent you the link at FB but I closed my FB account. I will send it again via private message here in a bit.

Sorry to hear your dermatologist moved away. She sounded like a good doctor. Is she practicing dermatology in Vegas? If so, I might pay her a visit. My dad lives in Vegas and I have yet to find a doctor that does punch grafts. I have a few scars that I think could benefit from grafts.

Looking at your photos, I think my skin looks much worse. My right cheek is actually covered in shallow pock marks. You can't see them in pictures. The shallow marks give it a strange texture. It's really noticeable in certain lighting. I wish there was something I could do about it but I may be stuck with the ugly texture. Of course, I am hoping stamping will help smooth things out.

I don't know if I am willing to continually stamp forever. I don't particularly enjoy mutilating my face with needles. It is actually quite humbling to needle your face until it is covered in blood while hoping it will cause your skin to look semi-normal in the public's eyes. I think I am more likely to reach acceptance than continue putting myself through this. I have had amazing improvement and at some point, I have to accept that my skin will never be perfect.

what are your thoughts on intracel? it sucks its not available in the states, i think you would benefit from it. after one treatment i had alright results. i beleive with 2-3 you can achieve fantastic improvement. i plan too get my second soon in the fall. as for pores intracel completley closes them up. i was completley shocked because i thought pores couldnt be closed.

what are your thoughts on intracel? it sucks its not available in the states, i think you would benefit from it. after one treatment i had alright results. i beleive with 2-3 you can achieve fantastic improvement. i plan too get my second soon in the fall. as for pores intracel completley closes them up. i was completley shocked because i thought pores couldnt be closed.

I would definitely give Intracel a shot if I could. I will have to check and see if it is in Japan when I return home. Interesting that it closed your pores. My enlarged pores definitely accentuate my poor skin texture. Nothing has helped with that either. I actually think Active FX made the situation worse. My pores seem larger now. I can't prove it but if you compare my eyelids or neck to the rest of my face there is a noticeable difference in pore size. I didn't experience this when I only tried Deep FX. It became noticeable after I added Active FX to resurface the epidermis. I guess there are trade-offs with resurfacing. If your pores have a wider base, you can end up with larger pores when the surface layer is removed.

Intracel can reduce pore size? No_hope this happened for you?

I'll admit I haven't really research those type of devices, but that is very interesting indeed.

what are your thoughts on intracel? it sucks its not available in the states, i think you would benefit from it. after one treatment i had alright results. i beleive with 2-3 you can achieve fantastic improvement. i plan too get my second soon in the fall. as for pores intracel completley closes them up. i was completley shocked because i thought pores couldnt be closed.

I would definitely give Intracel a shot if I could. I will have to check and see if it is in Japan when I return home. Interesting that it closed your pores. My enlarged pores definitely accentuate my poor skin texture. Nothing has helped with that either. I actually think Active FX made the situation worse. My pores seem larger now. I can't prove it but if you compare my eyelids or neck to the rest of my face there is a noticeable difference in pore size. I didn't experience this when I only tried Deep FX. It became noticeable after I added Active FX to resurface the epidermis. I guess there are trade-offs with resurfacing. If your pores have a wider base, you can end up with larger pores when the surface layer is removed.

Yes give it a shot, with intracel it can go 2mm deep which is beneficial For scarring. I'm thankful they offer intracel in a few places here. I'm convinced laser wont do sqwat for scarring

Intracel can reduce pore size? No_hope this happened for you?

I'll admit I haven't really research those type of devices, but that is very interesting indeed.

Yes indeed. It was one thing they were promising I didn't fly believe it until I tried it myself. I went too three different consultations on intracel before I went a head with my first treatment. It was a shocker to see my pores close up. Definitely something for people too look forward too

I did a Google search on Intracel last night and realized Japan was one of the first countries to offer it. A couple Japanese studies were released around 2009 and the after photos were really unimpressive. In fact, a couple people with acne scarring looked worse. If you search this forum with Google, you can find the old threads. I thought Intracel sounded familiar and now I recall why. At one point, I did consider it but the results on acne scarring simply couldn't compare to laser. Now that I am more focused on texture, I will have to research it again. Oddly I can't seem to find a clinic offering it in Japan now but I didn't search extensively. It was offered a few years ago and there was a lot of hype around it. I wonder if the technology has improved. Either way, fractional co2/Total FX and Dermapen are popular in Japan right now. Compared to the USA, Total FX is pretty inexpensive in Japan, and Dermapen costs as much as Total FX. I thought that was interesting. Maybe they base it more on time than overhead cost.

Not sure how you can say laser doesn't work. I have had incredible improvement from laser and don't believe any other treatment could have provided me the same results in under two years and three treatments. My skin isn't perfect but I know it never will be.

Being that my pores are caused by genetics, I am not sure I could get any permanent improvement to them. Never know though.

Here is one old thread on it:

Too bad the link to the study is no longer available. It had quite a lot of photos of patients with acne scars and the results were truly unimpressive. They were using that study for marketing too. They used to have a japanese site with a gallery of before/after photos but I can't find it now. Some of the patients really did look worse. Maybe they took the pictures too soon.

I'd be interested to see a new study.

Good point.

Hey CherrySoda,

 

Call me a skeptic. 2012 wasn't that long ago and being someone who has done business on the Internet for 15+ years, I know it is not unusual to start planting seeds one to two years before a business launches.

I did a Google search on Intracel last night and realized Japan was one of the first countries to offer it. A couple Japanese studies were released around 2009 and the after photos were really unimpressive. In fact, a couple people with acne scarring looked worse. If you search this forum with Google, you can find the old threads. I thought Intracel sounded familiar and now I recall why. At one point, I did consider it but the results on acne scarring simply couldn't compare to laser. Now that I am more focused on texture, I will have to research it again. Oddly I can't seem to find a clinic offering it in Japan now but I didn't search extensively. It was offered a few years ago and there was a lot of hype around it. I wonder if the technology has improved. Either way, fractional co2/Total FX and Dermapen are popular in Japan right now. Compared to the USA, Total FX is pretty inexpensive in Japan, and Dermapen costs as much as Total FX. I thought that was interesting. Maybe they base it more on time than overhead cost.

Not sure how you can say laser doesn't work. I have had incredible improvement from laser and don't believe any other treatment could have provided me the same results in under two years and three treatments. My skin isn't perfect but I know it never will be.

Being that my pores are caused by genetics, I am not sure I could get any permanent improvement to them. Never know though.

I know which study your talking about and there was improvement. It was two Asian males and one female. One male had severe scarring all over after three treatments there is noticeable improvement. Just like other methods results depend on the skill of the specialist performing the treatment. I had mine done by a estaticion which I think was my mistake. I'm leaning towards getting my second treatment by an Asian doc that seems well experienced in using intracel. Unlike laser intracel by passes the epidermis which reduces the risk of hyper pigmentation .

Its good u got improvement from laser I just think the risks out weighs the pros. I've read way too many horror stories which make me drift away from trying it. Our cases are similar in the fact we have deep scarring which is way more difficult too treat then shallow. After my second intracel if I don't get the improvement I want I think I'm just gonna give in too acceptance. Treating scarring is too much mental drainage for one too handle. Good luck on your journey