Approximately twenty days ago, I saw Davin Lim for subcision and CO2 laser for the treatment of my acne scars. I would say that my primary issue was rolling acne scars as my skin texturally was more or less fine / good.
The rolling acne scars have definitely seen an improvement, possibly even in the 70-90% range (need to shave for full assessment). So I'm definitely happy about that! I'm aware that the results may change and that the scars below the surface may retether to an extent, especially as no filler was used. To mention, Davin Lim explained that using filler on rolling scars at their current state would have risks as the filler tends to enter the area of least resistance.
My issue is now that of texture. It appears, to me, much worse than your standard fare orange peel skin. I have had fraxel restore in the past, and was left with some orange peel looking dots, but it resolved itself after a few months. However, Dr. Lim used a CO2 laser and on a very high setting (his words), so the texture effect is much more dramatic, to the extent where I feel the need to ask for advice from you all.
Attached is a before and after of the texture (20 days post procedure).
I have been following Dr. Lim's post care instructions and using his moisturizer. Staying out of the sun and using a good quality broad spectrum sunscreen. And I'm drinking about 5-6 liters of water per day (standard as I'm a fitness and health fanatic).
Would like to get on top of this textural concern right away, before anything becomes more permanent. Have reached out to Dr. Lim's team about this just today and now waiting on word back.
Very much appreciate any insight or advice. Thank you.
Nurse response (cut some of the irrelevant sentences out):
QuoteAs for the texture of your skin, continue to take care of your skin as you are, not enough time as elapsed for your skin to generate collagen/improve. It will improve with time!
Pigmentation unfortunately is a very common side effect with scar revision, we need to cause inflammation and trauama to fix the scars and this causes pigmentation.You may start to use your usual skincare now, however, I recommend you continue with your SPF use (twice a day) as well as keeping hydrated and having too much sun exposure.
The results WILL change, not MAY. What you're experiencing is swelling which makes scars look much better.
This happened to me after my first aggressive fractional CO2 treatment. I thought some scars improved by 80%. After a few months, it was more like 10-30%.
I've heard of the orange peel effect and don't remember if people said it was temporary or if it will resolve on its own. I got new scars from the treatment and some of them improved, but not fully, over time. It's a risk of the treatment.
23 hours ago, Amanda Hall said:The results WILL change, not MAY. What you're experiencing is swelling which makes scars look much better.
This happened to me after my first aggressive fractional CO2 treatment. I thought some scars improved by 80%. After a few months, it was more like 10-30%.
I've heard of the orange peel effect and don't remember if people said it was temporary or if it will resolve on its own. I got new scars from the treatment and some of them improved, but not fully, over time. It's a risk of the treatment.
It's more so the subcision that has given the results I believe. Dr. Lim uses unique and aggressive techniques. I've had subcision once before with a small clinic in Canada, and the results and experience were night and day.
The swelling was mostly gone ten days ago. So far so good.
15 hours ago, can i get a new life please said:Dont get high hopes, later it will most likely became bad as it was.
I have had a minor fraxel restore in the past and it provided permanent improvement. Considering this was 10x the procedure in severity, I'm thinking there will be some permanent results as well. I do take a ton of nutritional supplements (including collagen), drink copious volumes of water (5-6 liters per day), sleep 8 hours per day, don't smoke or drink, and work out seven days per week, which all aids in the body's ability to heal. Will keep you all posted in any case. 
On 6/13/2021 at 8:22 PM, Delto said:Approximately twenty days ago, I saw Davin Lim for subcision and CO2 laser for the treatment of my acne scars. I would say that my primary issue was rolling acne scars as my skin texturally was more or less fine / good.
The rolling acne scars have definitely seen an improvement, possibly even in the 70-90% range (need to shave for full assessment). So I'm definitely happy about that! I'm aware that the results may change and that the scars below the surface may retether to an extent, especially as no filler was used. To mention, Davin Lim explained that using filler on rolling scars at their current state would have risks as the filler tends to enter the area of least resistance.
My issue is now that of texture. It appears, to me, much worse than your standard fare orange peel skin. I have had fraxel restore in the past, and was left with some orange peel looking dots, but it resolved itself after a few months. However, Dr. Lim used a CO2 laser and on a very high setting (his words), so the texture effect is much more dramatic, to the extent where I feel the need to ask for advice from you all.
Attached is a before and after of the texture (20 days post procedure).
I have been following Dr. Lim's post care instructions and using his moisturizer. Staying out of the sun and using a good quality broad spectrum sunscreen. And I'm drinking about 5-6 liters of water per day (standard as I'm a fitness and health fanatic).
Would like to get on top of this textural concern right away, before anything becomes more permanent. Have reached out to Dr. Lim's team about this just today and now waiting on word back.
Very much appreciate any insight or advice. Thank you.
You skin look smooth before treatment , after treatment the texture looks uneven, I hope it goes back to normal, did he advise to start using tretinion
Was it C02 laser or fractional C02 laser? I know C02 laser is much more intense and you're prone to alot more side effects in the worst case scenarios.
Regarding texture, I have had permanent orange peel texture after microneedling with enlarged pores/small dot scars and just overall bad texture. It still hasn't recovered to this day. Just try and take the best care of your skin , hydrate it , keep it out of the sun, eat well , sleep well etc and the damage will likely be minimised.
please let me know how it goes.
On 6/13/2021 at 8:22 PM, Delto said:Approximately twenty days ago, I saw Davin Lim for subcision and CO2 laser for the treatment of my acne scars. I would say that my primary issue was rolling acne scars as my skin texturally was more or less fine / good.
The rolling acne scars have definitely seen an improvement, possibly even in the 70-90% range (need to shave for full assessment). So I'm definitely happy about that! I'm aware that the results may change and that the scars below the surface may retether to an extent, especially as no filler was used. To mention, Davin Lim explained that using filler on rolling scars at their current state would have risks as the filler tends to enter the area of least resistance.
My issue is now that of texture. It appears, to me, much worse than your standard fare orange peel skin. I have had fraxel restore in the past, and was left with some orange peel looking dots, but it resolved itself after a few months. However, Dr. Lim used a CO2 laser and on a very high setting (his words), so the texture effect is much more dramatic, to the extent where I feel the need to ask for advice from you all.
Attached is a before and after of the texture (20 days post procedure).
I have been following Dr. Lim's post care instructions and using his moisturizer. Staying out of the sun and using a good quality broad spectrum sunscreen. And I'm drinking about 5-6 liters of water per day (standard as I'm a fitness and health fanatic).
Would like to get on top of this textural concern right away, before anything becomes more permanent. Have reached out to Dr. Lim's team about this just today and now waiting on word back.
Very much appreciate any insight or advice. Thank you.
Updates?
19 hours ago, Harry_007 said:I'm curious if your skin is getting better now? Thanks for the update!
Happy to report that the skin texture has improved by ~60%.
My night routine has been:
Cleanse skin
10% niacinamide (wait 5-10min)
Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (wait 5min)
Cover face with Rosehip seed oil
Sleep on back
In the morning I only apply a 30SPF sunscreen after a very light water cleanse.
I plan to start using the Derminator at 0.5mm or so around the face every week, as well as adding a copper peptide.
Apologies for the picture not having the same lightning (morning vs. oily night face). It is noticeably better though. Along the sides of the face I'm seeing about a 70-80% improvement in the texture going back to normal.
I believe my acne scars and hypertrophic scarring has improved around 40-50%. Obviously that is all negated by the texture issue caused by the laser, however, if it makes a full recovery back to a smooth texture with small pores, then I would consider the entire treatment a huge success.
I wouldn't panic about the skin texture issues post treatment because healing and collegen remodeling can take 3-6 months. I would avoid further treatments for a while.
I use niacinamide serum too and that has been great for hyperpigmentation. I could recommend getting tretinoin because that prescription retinol is good for skin texture and I have been very happy with that. You will need to see a doctor/dermatologist to obtain that prescription.
Are you going to see Lim again? What follow up care and instructions has Lim given you post treatment? Was there a long waiting time to see him? Great to see an actual review of Lim on here because I'm from Australia so he could be an option further down the line.
2 hours ago, ScarRight said:I wouldn't panic about the skin texture issues post treatment because healing and collegen remodeling can take 3-6 months. I would avoid further treatments for a while.
I use niacinamide serum too and that has been great for hyperpigmentation. I could recommend getting tretinoin because that prescription retinol is good for skin texture and I have been very happy with that. You will need to see a doctor/dermatologist to obtain that prescription.
Are you going to see Lim again? What follow up care and instructions has Lim given you post treatment? Was there a long waiting time to see him? Great to see an actual review of Lim on here because I'm from Australia so he could be an option further down the line.
I actually buy 0.1% Tretinoin online, have many boxes of it. It was working well, but I have put it aside for now while my face heals (use it on body). Don't think I'll start it back up again until about month three or four.
Have another appointment with Lim on August 2nd, but I'm going to postpone it until September as I'm coming from New Zealand and want to see how well my skin will heal. With me, he was very relaxed and informative, unlike many of his reviews indicate. I'm thinking that his lower client volume on account of COVID has mellowed their operations.
I have also paid BeautifulAmbition just today to get his take on all of my scars based on my goals. My body is the problem (feel free to look at my post history), but I have decided to just go extreme on my body's trouble areas with CO2 laser, or whatever BA recommends, and then to tattoo over everything with black ink.
Was hoping scarless healing technology would have made some more progress over the past 5-8 years, but realistically there probably won't be a good commercial product available for acne scar sufferers for another 10-20 years.
32 minutes ago, Delto said:I actually buy 0.1% Tretinoin online, have many boxes of it. It was working well, but I have put it aside for now while my face heals (use it on body). Don't think I'll start it back up again until about month three or four.
Have another appointment with Lim on August 2nd, but I'm going to postpone it until September as I'm coming from New Zealand and want to see how well my skin will heal. With me, he was very relaxed and informative, unlike many of his reviews indicate. I'm thinking that his lower client volume on account of COVID has mellowed their operations.
I have also paid BeautifulAmbition just today to get his take on all of my scars based on my goals. My body is the problem (feel free to look at my post history), but I have decided to just go extreme on my body's trouble areas with CO2 laser, or whatever BA recommends, and then to tattoo over everything with black ink.
Was hoping scarless healing technology would have made some more progress over the past 5-8 years, but realistically there probably won't be a good commercial product available for acne scar sufferers for another 10-20 years.
Why pay Beautiful Ambition for advice when you saw Lim? Wouldn't Lim have outlined you a clear treatment plan for the next 12-24 months?
I thought that would be the case with appointments. Most people would not do 14 days of hotel quarantine just to see a scarf revision specialist and it sounded like pre Covid many patients flew in from overseas to see him.
Keep up with the updates for the next few months and good luck.
