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Hi everyone. Long time board lurker here finally mustering up the courage to post and connect with people who look and feel like me. And special thank you to @beautifulambitionfor taking the time to corral so much information in one place in that locked post (which I have read through many times). The amount of information gives me hope ... but also is overwhelming.
So the question I can't figure out the answer to is: how deep must rolling scars be for subcision to be effective? I have moderate scarring (although to me it feels like it gets 10mm worse by the day and no one understands why I am so anxious about moderate scarring - they don't get how it will worsen with time if untreated).
So I have a consultation in NJ (Bergen County) with a dermatologist this week that does scar procedures, but I am concerned she is not enough of a specialist and I am just trying to arm myself with information. On the phone she suggested TCA cross even for my rolling scars.
I figured this forum would have an answer to my subcision question. And I am here because I don't Iike the realself forums - not enough of a community there.
I have so so many more thoughts and questions, about dermastamping, length of results from a subcision, and many more, but I'll just leave it at this for now. Thanks for anyone who can take a moment to respond.
Thank you both so much for your responses. I'm familiar with most of the treatment options and have researched to no end, but I just wasn't clear on whether subcision is effective for tethered but still shallower scars. I have tried to take a few photos to see if I've classified my scars correctly, but I'm not sure if the photos came out great.
This is my right cheek
Left cheek
So I think these are rolling scars suitable for subcision. I've had 5 microneedling sessions with a dermatologist without much progress so I'm ready to try and be more aggressive with subcision.
Two questions to that end I'm struggling with:
1. Is bruising extensive when you add suction? Like, can you go to work after a week and appear somewhat normal?
2. How long after 3-4 subcisions will the results last? I know everyone is different, but I can't even find a ballpark on the permanency of subcision. I plan on doing dermastamping or derminator at home after the subcision.
And Quad I will definitely do TCA peels after/in between my subcisions.
I may also try a "test" TCA CROSS on that boxcar-looking scar on my left temple. I don't think any other scars are really boxcars though, but I'm curious if anyone disagrees.
Anyway, thanks to you both for your responses. Even knowing I'm not battling this alone helps. I know it's a long road, I just want to make sure I'm on the right path at the start.
I see Ice picks, you do tca cross on these (the dots), I see rolling and shallow box cars. Subcision will help you. You may need 4treatments. You suction afterwords, ... please read my faq (top of acne scar sub / or signature) as I address all of this under the subcision section. You will also need TCA peels on the cheeks, and I would start microneedling.
You know how long your body bruises for, some it's a week ,some it's longer. There is dermablend makeup at major Dpt stores for after surgeries guys wear too. Your spot treating. Give yourself a hickey with the vacuum and test, and see how long you take to heal. Vitamin K can also help.
There is no data how long subcision lasts, it's up to your face, how you heal, and how quickly you age. For some it's permanent with collagen formation from the bruises . Others need filler as well to correct it.You know it "lasts" if your skin does not tether down. I choose filler over this because it's predictable and less work than vacuum. Give it a try with vacuum and you will see 😉
Thanks, BA. You've open my mind to the idea that I have more than rolling scars and maybe CROSS is a legitimate option for me. I had thought the ridges of my scars were not defined well enough for CROSS, but I trust your eye. I'll consult with my dermatologist and we'll figure out a schedule for what will be a long road of multi-modality treatment.
Ill purchase a derminator too and research your FAQ on how best to deploy it. I'm going to re-post here and use this post to track progress. THANK YOU.