Oh yes that was my first thought, oh great now I've got things growing on my face how to fix this haha

Yep this will be my second time. I really don't know how you all do it, I do the whole TCA cross/prp/dermapen/subcision and it is so painful. Last time cracked a filling in my tooth for clenching my teeth (yes this happened). I will do it three times I think before I give up and just accept it I think at least until I graduate and have some money or you know technical advancement or something.

Yes I managed to take a really bad picture the other day where my scarring looks horrid, I'm in conflict whether I want to keep it for progress reporting or delete it for peace of mind haha.

please keep updating! 🙂

On 9 January 2016 01:07:57, il90 said:

Oh yes that was my first thought, oh great now I've got things growing on my face how to fix this haha

Yep this will be my second time. I really don't know how you all do it, I do the whole TCA cross/prp/dermapen/subcision and it is so painful. Last time cracked  a filling in my tooth for clenching my teeth (yes this happened). I will do it three times I think before I give up and just accept it I think at least until I graduate and have some money or you know technical advancement or something. 

Yes I managed to take a really bad picture the other day where my scarring looks horrid, I'm in conflict whether I want to keep it for progress reporting or delete it for peace of mind haha. 

please keep updating!

 

You did TCA Cross? I've been wanting to check it out, but I've been a bit nervous. Results seem to *really* be dependent on the performing doctor, and I don't want to make my scars worse. What has your experience been?

Alright guys - one week post-subcision (left cheek). I want very badly to say that the swelling is all but gone, but there could still be some there :/ Bruising and swelling isn't nearly as bad as the first time I had subcision, for some reason. I can, however, definitely feel the lumps under my skin where the doctor performed. It looks like he missed a couple of places that I asked him to work on, unfortunately, but c'est la vie! 

On an only semi-related note, I saw my family physician yesterday and he agreed to prescribe me a medication as an appetite stimulant. From what I've read, people have gained weight quickly from this stuff, so I'm pretty excited!  Fingers crossed the extra padding helps with the scarring! I should note that between the before and this picture, I've gained 6 lbs, so my cheeks may have mildly filled out as well. 

Well f*ck me! Just one week into my subcision and suction, and my blasted OwnDoc suction pump just broke. The handle flew straight off and across the room.  I still have one week left to go - anyone for suggestions of something I can use that I can buy at a store so that I don't lose the progress for lack of suctioning? 

I remember readin mr. Matt used a hand held Hoover

https://www.amazon.com/Kangzhu-Biomagnetic-Chinese-Cupping-Therapy/dp/B00AI1W8NI/

Get one day shipping. I have this set. It's great.

19 hours ago, MissBiscuit said:

You did TCA Cross? I've been wanting to check it out, but I've been a bit nervous. Results seem to *really* be dependent on the performing doctor, and I don't want to make my scars worse. What has your experience been?

 

Okay I think... I think they are more superficial, he forgot to do two small ones so I can compare and they are definitely less pronounced. Where are you located?

Btw... Did you have any lumps left during the next subcision? I still have some left don't know how that will work. Two have gone down and are mostly just under the skin, one is a bit smaller but I still have one that sticks out a bit (haha I know this sounds nuts). Also, how come a cyst can leave scarring but one of those blood lumps won't? Is it a matter of inflammation?

Your progress looks good 🙂

3 hours ago, il90 said:

Okay I think... I think they are more superficial, he forgot to do two small ones so I can compare and they are definitely less pronounced. Where are you located?

Btw... Did you have any lumps left during the next subcision? I still have some left don't know how that will work. Two have gone down and are mostly just under the skin, one is a bit smaller but I still have one that sticks out a bit (haha I know this sounds nuts). Also, how come a cyst can leave scarring but one of those blood lumps won't? Is it a matter of inflammation? 

Your progress looks good

Mine are located all over my cheeks, unfortunately. There are only a couple that really stand out to me, but I'm nervous to get them worked on in case they get worse. Are you located in London? Dr Chu? I hear he's really good!

Yes I absolutely did have lumps before I gained these new ones. They weren't really obvious unless someone were to be (for some reason) feeling up my cheek. That being said, if you go through my photos, you will see that I had one very nasty lump after my first subcision. That one took quite some time to go away visually - several weeks at a minimum. It's funny how these things work on a sliding scale - because it started off so huge, I didn't mind it being there so much when it went down to half the size. The half size lump would probably devastate many people, but I was just grateful that it had gone down some

And yes, from what I understand about post-cyst scarring, you are absolutely right. Cysts leave a scar because of the infection/inflammation. Here's a little explanation of how this works:
http://thescienceofacne.com/how-do-acne-scars-form/

I'm guessing because the 'blood lump' (haha cute! ^_^) is there to aid in wound-healing, rather than to fight infection, it works in a much different manner. It's going to build up new collagen under there, and that's just what you want. Finally the body is working FOR us  

8 hours ago, UtmostGeese said:

I remember readin mr. Matt used a hand held Hoover 

The sight of me standing in front of the bathroom mirror with a Dyson handheld power vac at my face. I was preemptively mortified in case my housemate came home and saw me using his vacuum on my cheeks. Thank you for the suggestion!

1 hour ago, MissBiscuit said:

Mine are located all over my cheeks, unfortunately. There are only a couple that really stand out to me, but I'm nervous to get them worked on in case they get worse. Are you located in London? Dr Chu? I hear he's really good!

Yes I absolutely did have lumps before I gained these new ones. They weren't really obvious unless someone were to be (for some reason) feeling up my cheek. That being said, if you go through my photos, you will see that I had one very nasty lump after my first subcision. That one took quite some time to go away visually - several weeks at a minimum. It's funny how these things work on a sliding scale - because it started off so huge, I didn't mind it being there so much when it went down to half the size. The half size lump would probably devastate many people, but I was just grateful that it had gone down some

And yes, from what I understand about post-cyst scarring, you are absolutely right. Cysts leave a scar because of the infection/inflammation. Here's a little explanation of how this works:
http://thescienceofacne.com/how-do-acne-scars-form/

I'm guessing because the 'blood lump' (haha cute! ^_^) is there to aid in wound-healing, rather than to fight infection, it works in a much different manner. It's going to build up new collagen under there, and that's just what you want. Finally the body is working FOR us   The sight of me standing in front of the bathroom mirror with a Dyson handheld power vac at my face. I was preemptively mortified in case my housemate came home and saw me using his vacuum on my cheeks. Thank you for the suggestion!

Yeah it's Dr. Chu

Yeah it wasn't really the lumps that scared me more the possibility of them leaving anthropic scarring. Maybe it sounds crazy but I found some doctor on realself saying hematomas could leave scarring if they aren't drained - but I think he was talking about rather big ones. Anyhow, they are going (not all) but some have become 'flatter.' He said it was fine to work with them there so I guess it is all cool

I really hope all the possible scars above the lumps fill out more so I get something out of it - it has been looking quite bad for some time right in the middle of my right cheek. 

I wonder if I can just use the hover for suctioning it would just be cheaper haha - you use your hand as a buffer right? 

23 hours ago, il90 said:

Yeah it's Dr. Chu

Yeah it wasn't really the lumps that scared me more the possibility of them leaving anthropic scarring. Maybe it sounds crazy but I found some doctor on realself saying hematomas could leave scarring if they aren't drained - but I think he was talking about rather big ones. Anyhow, they are going (not all) but some have become 'flatter.' He said it was fine to work with them there so I guess it is all cool

I really hope all the possible scars above the lumps fill out more so I get something out of it - it has been looking quite bad for some time right in the middle of my right cheek. 

I wonder if I can just use the hover for suctioning it would just be cheaper haha - you use your hand as a buffer right? 

 

From what I hear, the deeper scars are the ones to benefit the most from subcision, so maybe that will be the case with the ones in the middle of your right cheek  I'm really glad that I took photos before starting this little journey because otherwise I wouldn't realise just how far I've come. If I look at the skin overall, I still see it as bad bad bad, but when I look at a specific scar on my face and then compare it on the before photos, I'm blown away. Besides, they say it sometimes takes a few subcisions to get the effect one desires.

What have you been using to suction thus far, il90? The handheld vac seems to be doing the trick. Yesterday I didn't use my hand to buffer, but it felt like it may have been a little much once I tried sleeping with my cheek to pillow last night, so I did use my hand to buffer this morning 🙂

I'm a bit nervous...

So I read in a medical paper that you can do dermarolling from the second day after subcision, so I did yesterday. I used emla numbing cream for an hour prior, then CP serum from owndoc, and dermarolled my cheeks and forehead. In a lapse of judgement, I put on retin-a cream almost immediately after, and then quickly wiped it all off because I realised I didn't want to put something so unnatural on open wounds on my face.

Today I can feel something on my right cheek. It looks like a shallow cyst or post-subcision nodule, but it's soft underneath? Kind of like a blister? But with thicker skin over... Problem being that I don't know if it was always there and it's just become more obvious as the subcision swelling went down, or if it's something new. I don't know if I should do anything for it or just leave it alone. I couldn't find anything about this happening to others. Has anyone experienced this?

I think it would be best to just keep it clean, disturb it as little as possible, put some aquaphor/vaseline on to keep it protected and moist and just let it heal. Good luck!

21 minutes ago, Ommmmmm said:

I think it would be best to just keep it clean, disturb it as little as possible, put some aquaphor/vaseline on to keep it protected and moist and just let it heal. Good luck!

Thank you for your quick response. And I think you're right - the time I had the biggest and angriest nodule after my first subcision was because I tried to meddle with it (hot compresses, icepacks, massage, etc). You can't actually see the cyst I am talking about now - if anything, it makes my cheek look smoother, but Im just worried that it will cause scarring. I guess only time will tell!

There's a good chance it heals perfectly normal as long as you can keep the skin on top protected and intact. Too soon for massage, etc. as it sounds like the skin might be very fragile. Clean a couple or so times a day so no infection possible. Then just keep it covered, forget about it for a few days and you might see a ton of progress. Keep us posted and post a pic if you're worried.  Hope it all turns out well. I've had a bit of a similar subcision mishap myself recently. I thought it was a disaster and I would need to have the whole scar cut out but by some miracle it healed perfectly-- it did take a long time though (about a month for me). Seems like strange things can happen with subcision.

https://www.realself.com/question/lincoln-mo-mixed-reviews#2447811
 

On 2016-01-14 19:05:19, MissBiscuit said:

From what I hear, the deeper scars are the ones to benefit the most from subcision, so maybe that will be the case with the ones in the middle of your right cheek  I'm really glad that I took photos before starting this little journey because otherwise I wouldn't realise just how far I've come. If I look at the skin overall, I still see it as bad bad bad, but when I look at a specific scar on my face and then compare it on the before photos, I'm blown away. Besides, they say it sometimes takes a few subcisions to get the effect one desires.

What have you been using to suction thus far, il90? The handheld vac seems to be doing the trick. Yesterday I didn't use my hand to buffer, but it felt like it may have been a little much once I tried sleeping with my cheek to pillow last night, so I did use my hand to buffer this morning

I haven't suctioned yet, but I will after this next time. 

I don't know how to explain to my flat mates though that I have so many persisting bruises haha. 

How's that blister/subcision lump doing today? It will probably heal fine. I have done a ton of damage to my skin after acne and none of it has ever scarred I think there is some kind of difference with acne cysts and everything else - inflammation like you said. 

18 hours ago, il90 said:

I haven't suctioned yet, but I will after this next time.

I don't know how to explain to my flat mates though that I have so many persisting bruises haha.

How's that blister/subcision lump doing today? It will probably heal fine. I have done a ton of damage to my skin after acne and none of it has ever scarred I think there is some kind of difference with acne cysts and everything else - inflammation like you said.

Oh my goodness, right?! I was so ashamed my first subcision, because I had to go into work all swollen and bruised up. Head like a month-old jack-o-lantern. Subsequent subcisions, I've just told people. I figure that they've probably noticed my scars (so that's not a secret), and I just try to explain subcision like it's really gross or badass, so that they don't ask more questions...or if they do, it's because I've made it so darn cool haha

My blister lumps are...still there. I haven't been suctioning because I don't want to make the matter worse, whatever it is. Like I said, they mainly make the skin all flush, so I'm okay with it being the way it is, but it does concern me that once they deflate, they will cause more harm than good (or neutral). Bugger 🙁

2 hours ago, MissBiscuit said:

Oh my goodness, right?! I was so ashamed my first subcision, because I had to go into work all swollen and bruised up. Head like a month-old jack-o-lantern. Subsequent subcisions, I've just told people. I figure that they've probably noticed my scars (so that's not a secret), and I just try to explain subcision like it's really gross or badass, so that they don't ask more questions...or if they do, it's because I've made it so darn cool haha

My blister lumps are...still there. I haven't been suctioning because I don't want to make the matter worse, whatever it is. Like I said, they mainly make the skin all flush, so I'm okay with it being the way it is, but it does concern me that once they deflate, they will cause more harm than good (or neutral). Bugger

Yeah haah. Well I used my hair last time so I told him to work primarily there but he told me he would have to use TCA cross now on the small boxscars on the upper cheek. Those look gross afterwards (oh god give me strength haha). I live in student dorm like rooms as well so like there is no way to hide. Yeah I told them last time too I was like had to do surgery for face and they were like what? They haven't even questioned it, when I came back all bloated one of my roommates were like "did you do botox?" hahahah...

The things we do... I could probably write a comedy about this stuff 

They won't deflate. I had a second degree burn blister that didn't deflate, listen I have had a ton of stuff that didn't scar. Only those damn cysts. I think that my lumps will deflate too but it hasn't happened before so it won't happen - as long as yours is not inflamed and like specifically a cyst please don't worry about it! It will go down and then you'll be like oh that's it? I am sure of it. 
 

Hey Miss! Really love your theat It's because of you (and some others) i started suction. 

A shame that the scars came back... I askedvmy doctor if the results are permanent. He said yes... But when i read your story, the results are not permanent then?

Just now, Noa27 said:

Hey Miss! Really love your threat It's because of you (and some others) i started suction and subcision. 

A shame that the scars came back... I askedvmy doctor if the results are permanent. He said yes... But when i read your story, the results are not permanent then?

5 hours ago, Noa27 said:

Hey Miss! Really love your theat It's because of you (and some others) i started suction. 

A shame that the scars came back... I askedvmy doctor if the results are permanent. He said yes... But when i read your story, the results are not permanent then?

Hi Noa27  Good for you for taking the first steps! It still blows my mind that subcision/suction isn't as widely promoted for acne scarring as other less effective options. Although I suppose doctors wouldn't make near as much money if they didn't promote their lasers first and foremost.

I hope that I didn't cause you concern. My scarring didn't go back to its original state (pre-subcision). The problem was that I had lost a lot of weight - I was basically skeletal, due to a long bout of anxiety where I just wasn't able to eat. Without fat under my skin, the scarring looked much worse than it does when Im at a healthy weight. It had naught to do with the procedure's effectiveness. When I look at baseline photos of my scarring, there is no doubt that I've seen improvements with every subcision. I really can't stress how important I think it is for everyone to take baseline photos (you don't have to show anyone) so that you can see your progress, otherwise it's easy to forget where you started and you'll get discouraged. 

This last subcision has probably yielded the best results yet, actually. It's hard to say, since I'm only two weeks out, mind you, but they also say that collagen continues to build months after the fact.  I've attached a comparison so that you can see what I mean. This first one was last January, prior to any subcision - You can see how the scars nestled deep into my cheeks when I smile, looking like I have multiple smile lines, or a set of gills. I've just taken the second photo right now, and these results are after two subcisions in those areas. Mind, the doctor didn't subcise one of the areas I asked him to (you can see it there causing an extra "smile line" on the right side), but I will push next time to make sure it's done, since the other areas have responded so well  

Keep faith!! That's the most important thing. Second is action. Third is photos for reflection and minding progress. Let us know how you go!

You are amazing girl! And look amazing  I didn't take pics before any subcision, but peple say that they see a positive  effect. Even my doc told me he see really positive  results. 

Last week i had my second subcision, so it's now suctioning, suctioning and suctioning... Don't like doing it, but it is important  to do... It is quite a challenge to do it 3 times a day with a 18 month old child awake  

So, the procedure was more painful then the first one. He hit the scars at three different sides. Then a dermapen treatment (2,5 mm). Tomorrow first day at work after my vacation... Since my face is still red and slightly blue, i must wear makeup, which i don't really like... Oh well... Everything for a more beautiful  skin!

Hey Y'all! Left Cheek update at 23 days post-subcision and nearly two weeks post-suction. 
I have been feeling PRETTY good about the results here. A friend of mine who hasn't seen me in a month (and who doesn't know that I got the procedure done) said that my face looks great, and that my cheeks look less sunken in. I'll credit part of that to my gradual weight gain, but I know that it's partially to do with the subcision magic too. Otherwise, no one else has mentioned anything about it...that is, until today.

I was referred to a specialist to have a persistent cyst on the nape of my neck removed. Today was just consultation day, and the first time that I met the Dr. When I explained to her the reason for my visit, I told her I have had cysts before and she did this motion in front of her face with her hand and then said "I can tell. I was looking at your face". Afterwhich, she took a look at the cyst I was in for, and she said "oh yes...you are one cysty girl!"
I suppose I'm only saying that here because none of my friends could possible sympathise with how rotten those comments felt to hear, and I really don't understand why anyone would ever say such things... ah well...

In any case, I still find the results from the subcision are good! There doesn't seem to be any reduction in size of the lumps and the blister-like bumps have remained mostly the same, if not a little firmer than they initially were. Fingers crossed they are hard at work forming new collagen under there, rather than being actual cysts....oooooo that thought is terrifying.

Also, due to the swelling having gone down, you can see the lumps more now, but I'm also not too concerned. There is a little bit of discolouration where the nodules are...like a purple tone? Unsure if bruising or what. On top of the hyperpigmentation, the nodules cast a bit of a shadow and cause a reverse rolling effect, but a couple of months of nodules for the chance at better skin is always worth it for me   I've been trying to get in touch with the Dr I found in town I spoke of in my last update, but haven't heard back for some reason. I don't know if they'll be able to do anything about the discolouration, but this one main spot that the last Vancouver doctor missed during subcision is driving me batty!!

36 minutes ago, MissBiscuit said:

Also, due to the swelling having gone down, you can see the lumps more now, but I'm also not too concerned. There is a little bit of discolouration where the nodules are...like a purple tone? Unsure if bruising or what. On top of the hyperpigmentation, the nodules cast a bit of a shadow and cause a reverse rolling effect, but a couple of months of nodules for the chance at better skin is always worth it for me   I've been trying to get in touch with the Dr I found in town I spoke of in my last update, but haven't heard back for some reason. I don't know if they'll be able to do anything about the discolouration, but this one main spot that the last Vancouver doctor missed during subcision is driving me batty!!

 

 

Could you let us know of the doctor in Vancouver that does subcision.

45 minutes ago, MissBiscuit said:

I was referred to a specialist to have a persistent cyst on the nape of my neckremoved. Today was just consultation day, and the first time that I met the Dr. When I explained to her the reason for my visit, I told her I have had cysts before and she did this motion in front of her face with her hand and then said "I can tell. I was looking at your face". Afterwhich, she took a look at the cyst I was in for, and she said "oh yes...you are one cysty girl!"
I suppose I'm only saying that here because none of my friends could possible sympathise with how rotten those comments felt to hear, and I really don't understand why anyone would ever say such things... ah well...

I don't understand how they think this is okay. Some people are nuts. Like when I went to a doc about a skin complaint after getting off Accutane, and she goes "oh well honestly though your skin isn't the greatest overall anyways". I am like really? So lets add another skin problem on top of it?

And the derm I went to looking at me with pity and being like "this is some scarring you've got here, but you already know that don't you?" Yeah okay, this is my like face you are talking about. haha.

I've had several point out so much... Here is one more: "oh you are a bit dry aren't you?" What? who are you?

I have no idea why people think it is okay to throw these comments around like this, but yeah, I see these people as black holes - to be avoided.

I am glad it is working out for you! I think you would know if they were cysts because they would hurt... well you know what they are like. Yeah the blue-purple tint is because they are blod clots I believe... it over flooded or something (it was the desired effect but too much). Anyways, there has been no documented evidence that they have ever scarred before so objectively I would say that they won't. But, I know there is that fear anyways. But they won't. I say this enough times so I believe it too (because I have similar lumps on my face at the moment hah).

When you guys suction, does your scars become more prominent? Just curious.

Guys... I guess i need a cheer up or something... Just cried loads today.... 2weeks ago i've had an second subcision. I thought it helped my scars, but they look aweful... I'm afraid this won't help, i suction in a wrong way, etc... I really feel like there is no way i can win this battle...

I'm feeling like an idiot with that suction device on my face whilemy little daughter sees it all... The time i stick in that suctionthing, i could stick into my daughter... Sorry, i'm just hopeless...

On 26-2-2015 at 6:35 AM, MissBiscuit said:

So just a little something that I would share with y'all. I had been using the suction device (from owndoc) by placing over one area, pumping a number of times in the same place, and then moving on to the next area to do the same. I found that this was leaving rounded indents where the edge of the suction cup had been, and while it may not matter in the long run, I didn't want to risk anything pushing the skin in to any degree. I just realised tonight (and maybe the rest of you already knew this) that if you get a good suction on your skin and then just drag it down across the cheek (or whatever area) without breaking the suction, it will work much more like a vacuum. No imprints of the suction cup and I felt that I got a much better pull from it

I suction that way too. Is it a problem to place the cup on a scar? My scars are standing close to each other so there is no other way then drag the cup and place it on a scar.