If you've had them for 5 years, it's most definitely hypertrophic scarring. I think you will get improvement with a injections of Kenalog and 5-FU. Also Vbeam will help reduce the red color and also help to flatten them as well.

@blahblah82 Do they numb the area before the injection? yeah i would do anything at this point, except maybe surgery. i heard a few people that had a bad experience post surgery, like it came back, bigger or got even worse.

The pain should be manageable. I say try the nonsurgical route with the 5-FU and Kenalog injections in a series before considering more radical measures.

I went to the derm and he gave me cortisone shots like how we predicted. The shots hurt but bearable. It hurt more post injection. For about 2-6 hours, every 2-3 minutes i will get this sudden pain like a pinched for a duration of 5 seconds. The pain went a way the next day. The area of injection turned really red and purple. I am aware that this is suppose to happen but when does it start fading? I did also notice the bump did shrink a tiny bit. Anyway here are pictures of the day I got the injections and the day after.

I booked my next appoinment already which is in 3.5 weeks. @Blahblah82 you touched on everything the derm recommended. the injections and laser treatment. He also suggest i proceed with the injections first to see where it takes me. Do you have experience with these shots? As seen on the pictures, it turned very red. I also heard that the steroids work for about 3 weeks but how exactly does that work? Thanks!!!!

I do have a lot of experience with all this. I used to get huge cystic acne nodules that I had to get injected with Kenalog (brand name for cortisone) all the time. At the time it was a godsend because it literally works overnight to reduce severe inflammation. For immediate relief of acne cysts and to reduce the chances of severe scarring from that kind of acne, I don't think there's anything better then kenalog injections done VERY carefully. You never want to overshoot and use too high a concentration because that will leave atrophy / divot.

Did you ask about the 5-FU? Supposedly a combo of 5-FU and Kenalog works much better than just Kenalog by itself to prevent recurrence of the scars.

Hmmm, i don' think what i have are cysts or nodules. I believe since its been a long time, it already turned in to scars. That being said, unlike the cyst, i do not think it will vanish over night (well today is the 4th day).

4th day:

Is still similar to the last two pictures on the above post. Is still purple-ish red. Correct me if i'm wrong, i feel like this is somewhat similar to a bruise. It turns purple, then after a while the color fades.

I know you don't have cysts and nodules, but I was trying to say that I have lots of experience with getting kenalog injections, just not for the same reasons as you. Sorry I might have confused you.

Anyways, yes it might be a a bruise.

I guess I'll just have to give it time to heal. Thanks for your comments!

I guess I'll just have to give it time to heal. Thanks for your comments!

I guess I'll just have to give it time to heal. Thanks for your comments!

I guess I'll just have to give it time to heal. Thanks for your comments!