My skin has been confusing the hell out of me lately!!!
To the point where I don't even know how I really look like anymore!!
Example as to what I mean???
Well, some days I can use a primer (such as Benefit or NYX) to make my scars look smoother and filled in and less defined.
Some days I can take a picture or a video and I can feel mostly great and I can only tell a little half of my scars. Like pictures of me at my mom's wedding, pictures at my sister's wedding, carnival photo booth pics, and pictures from my graduation?? You could only see a couple Scars (if that) And then on my ID picture, you can't even see any of them and I look normal. ._.
HOWEVER, in certain lights, in certain angles, and on certain reflections like extremely tinted windows, my acne scars look extremely HORRIBLE.
Now, my family and friends say they hardly ever notice my scars until I point them out and talk about them a lot or if I force them to look for them, but then they claim they're smoother than what I portray them to be and they really don't think they're a big deal, and even my boyfriend says he's seen much worser scars and that he thinks I'm just looking too deep into my own face and I should just love myself, because he doesn't see anything wrong with me...
.....But honestly.....
I personally just want to see a minimum of 50% improvement, because I know realistically speaking, not all of the scars can go away.
Now, 2 dermatologists suggested TWO different treatment plans, one laser based plan and one subscion and dermabrasion based and then a lady at a skin store said dermastamp and serum would make a huge difference.
I really don't have the time, nor the money though, to be going for a crap load of treatments for them not to work, so I want to do my research carefully.
So I have listed pictures in all different lights and such (yeah, I know I'm sorry....)
If you have or had scars that look like mine, what for sure benefited you???
Hello there!! It looks like many of your scars are rolling scars, especially on your temples. These usually look worse in dim overhead or angled lighting, because it emphasizes the shadows in our faces created by scarring. Luckily, treatment for rolling scars is pretty straightforward!! I recommend 3+ treatments of subcision, either with filler or the suction method (find out more about this on beautifulambition's megathread on scar treatments.) After your subcisions, you should do TCA peels as this will help with texture I really believe 50% improvement in your scars is VERY possible, and having that hope is quite realistic. The journey will definitely take many months to even a couple years to reach a spot you are comfortable with, but patience will give you the results you wish for!
Edit: check out robertito's scar treatment log!! He has rolling scars that improved immensely also, usually laser is not recommended, especially for rolling scars as these are tethered (subcision cuts the tethers.) Laser often gives poor results and may result in damage, especially as your skin looks ethnic.
Acne scar sufferers have good and bad days,you wake up and your skin looks smoother,as the day progresss your skin looks worse.asses your skin at night and under a light with a mirror and basicly look for the scars.
also asses the type of scars,are they under or in the skin,how deep.there is no point in thinking laser and dermabrasion is going to make under the skin scarring disappear,scars need to be tackled where they are.
From my vantage point, your scars are more closer to a combination of boxcar and icepick than rolling scar, interlaced with a few tethered scar. But, fortunately, they're not that deep. Most folks will suggest getting subcision + filler, but I feel your scars are too extensive and you'll not get the full benefit. It's more ideal to 1) plump up the pitsas much as possibleby getting an Infini or other radiofrequency treatment that stimulates collagen from below the pits; then 2) get subcision and/or filler to even out the surface. Finally, you can get a laser to smooth the hard edges.
One thing you might want to consider is that temple and forehead have the least amount of fat. Thereby it's the hardest areas to fill. I, for one, have found that Infini didn't do much for my temples. You just might need to inject fat or filler beforehand.
All in all, you will need multiple treatments that can take up to 2-3 years. Good luck!
I wish my skin was only as bad as yours. I had about everything done on my skin with little results. i kinda gave up after sinking 30k and hardly any results over the years.How bout a derma pen and retin A. never tried that yet. I had microdermabrasions,CO 2 laser, acid peels,subscion.fillers,thermage and more baloney. I don't think your skin looks that bad and you are very pretty as is.
You have surface textural issues, lots of advice here not no one addresses your problem directly.
Your main issue is box cars, some ice picks. I do not see any deep rolling scars. I do not agree with dermabrasion, are you sure they did not mean micro-dermabrasion which does nothing.
- Infini RF 3 treatments are the treatment of choice of textural acne scars and box cars.
- Ice picks are treated with TCA Cross.
- Subcision - You do not want to do filler as you will get bumps (the areas are to superficial with your pitting / acne scars). I would instead do saline injections (cheap) and Chinese cupping (ebay / amazon) for a few weeks after.
- Finally you will do Several TCA spot peels on those areas of concern. Medium strength peels or a sedated peel a DR does.
I have had good luck with this treatment on several with your scar type, especially those who post here. Remember scar treatments are never one and done, they often occur over a 3 year period of spread out healing. Collagen is very fragile. I would not do laser.