I've had several punch grafts done on my medium-large ice pick scars. In many cases, it's been very effective. You're welcome to read my thread detailing these procedures here;

for some reason i cant quote but cherrysoda08

did it successfully removed the ice pick hole ?

how long did you have the stitches in for ?

and how long does it take to heal from the discoloration for you ?

It did successfully get the ice pick scars covered, but I had to have my biggest ice-pick scars done 2-3 times. They were fairly deep.

Grafts don't always involve stitches. In fact, mine rarely did. Any stitches I acquired during these procedures usually lasted about a week.

It took anywhere from 6-8 months for the discoloration to heal from the grafts. They stayed reddish-pink for quite a long time. I have fairly light skin, Fitzpatrick type II, so it might not take as long for other people's coloring to return back to normal after punch grafting.

Hey Cherry, did you do any secondary procedures to blend the grafts in with the surrounding skin? I've read that typically doctors will do a resurfacing procedure (dermabrasion, laser) to blend and feather out the edges.

blahblah82, check out the thread I've been maintaining about my scarring procedures since the summer of 2012;

It details everything I've done to repair my scarring, and features pictures.

I have never had any laser work done, as I still need to have a few more surgical procedures first. I have not been able to have the last few procedures done that I need because I had to begin taking Accutane.

file:///C:/Users/Admin/Pictures/kkk/DSC01701.JPG

file:///C:/Users/Admin/Pictures/kkk/DSC01702.JPG

file:///C:/Users/Admin/Pictures/kkk/IMG_0094%20(2).JPG

file:///C:/Users/Admin/Pictures/kkk/IMG_0095%20(2).JPG

do you think punch excision are fine on these ?

I can't see those photos, LeadingForce. I think there's something weird going on with the Acne.org forums.

this is my deepest one i just need tca cross one for a test at the ps

this is my left cheek

there slighty bigger in person

what do you think ?

LeadingForce, your scars do look suitable for punch techniques. Especially the right cheek.

Hey Cherrysoda, what about this one on my cheek? That a good candidate for punch grafting?

SavvyLemming, if you're talking about the one below your cheekbone, then I think a small punch excision, or punch graft might be able to repair that scar. I would talk to your dermatologist about it, though.

Is it necessary to talk to a derm before going in for one of these procedures?

you talk to the plastic surgeon about the procedure not derm and make sure you do your research on your own about it too because i have talked too one about it and she didnt even include it all she said was lasers first so just a headsup

I never had a plastic surgeon perform any of my procedures, just my cosmetic derm.

But yes. You most certainly want to consult with a certified physician with prior experience in performing these procedures before having anything done.

And LeadingForce is right. Many docs will try to recommend lasering without surgical procedures beforehand. One reason for this might be because minor office surgeries are relatively cheap compared to lasers. Be mindful of this, and make sure that you do your research and have a good idea of which technique is best for correcting the kind of scarring you have.

To Leadingforce and Savvylemming,

I would think tca cross might benefit both of you. You both have minor at best scarring with only a couple scars that could be treated.