Hello! I've had severe cystic inflammation acne all my teenage years, I did round of accutane when I was 18 but I was left with these scars.
I had really severe combination of rolling and boxscars, and I was treated with 1 round of subcision, and 8 round of Micro needling radio frequency. This was during May 2019 - Feb 2020, then the pandemic happened and I've had no treatment since then. I'll be going to a new dermatologist tomorrow, he seems far more experienced with acne scars, but I'd like to take an opinion from all of you.
I was expecting more dramatic results with MNRF and subcision, they have "soften" my scars in a way for sure, but all of the scars are visible just "shallower" if you know what I mean? I also have some icepick scars on my nose and enlarged pores, MNRF did no difference there for me honestly. Please guide me.
My self confidence and social life are non existent. Sorry for my bad English.
Thank you for reading.
Hey man,
I don't have much for recommendations because we have much different scars, (and I'm not a professional) but I have seen people get some great results in the cheek area with fillers, I'm not sure if you're open to that.
I've been looking into excision a lot for my own scars and I think that could be helpful for some of the more defined scars on your cheek as well as around the temple and on the nose, however, I think most surgeons charge per scar (and I'm being quoted around $150 USD per scar by surgeons here in the southern California area) so it could get expensive fast and it would be good to have a plan. Decide which scars bother you the most or are most prominent and work around that.
I'm sorry about your confidence and social life. I'm sure many of us on this site are in the same situation. I've been trying to break out of that lately. A lot of the most charismatic and wholesome people I know are riddled with acne scarring, and, it sounds corny, but I dont even see it because of their attitude. I'm trying to find more inspiration in that.
You look like a handsome man with absolutely killer eyebrows and a great hairline. And you're 21? You got a lot going for you man. Get out there. You're much more than your scars.
Dis_
15 minutes ago, Dis_figur said:Hey man,
I don't have much for recommendations because we have much different scars, (and I'm not a professional) but I have seen people get some great results in the cheek area with fillers, I'm not sure if you're open to that.
I've been looking into excision a lot for my own scars and I think that could be helpful for some of the more defined scars on your cheek as well as around the temple and on the nose, however, I think most surgeons charge per scar (and I'm being quoted around $150 USD per scar by surgeons here in the southern California area) so it could get expensive fast and it would be good to have a plan. Decide which scars bother you the most or are most prominent and work around that.
I'm sorry about your confidence and social life. I'm sure many of us on this site are in the same situation. I've been trying to break out of that lately. A lot of the most charismatic and wholesome people I know are riddled with acne scarring, and, it sounds corny, but I dont even see it because of their attitude. I'm trying to find more inspiration in that.
You look like a handsome man with absolutely killer eyebrows and a great hairline. And you're 21? You got a lot going for you man. Get out there. You're much more than your scars.
Dis_
Thank you for your kind words! I only see myself as a textured freak regardless of how hard I try. But that's alright.
I'm open to fillers and have been considering them as a last resort. I believe since I'm on the younger side right now so maybe my skin can still heal and develop collagen. Thank you for recommending excision, I'll bring this up with my dermatologist tomorrow.
I've also been looking into "Venus Viva nano fractional" do you think it can do me any good?
Hey mate,
your cheeks are indeed rolling and subsequently subcision + filler is what you should be focusing on for such scars IMO. I would definitely do more than 1 sub, I think a general consensus is to do multiple because scars can retether, and some fibrotic bands may be missed, and just the general collagen stimulation sub can offer. Also note that if you still have tethered scars (very likely with the many rolling scars you have), then something like radiofrequency microneedling will in fact be less effective, as if the scars are being physically held down in place, nothing is going to stop that besides cutting those bands with subcision.
8 hours ago, NagarNikku_ said:I was expecting more dramatic results with MNRF and subcision, they have "soften" my scars in a way for sure, but all of the scars are visible just "shallower" if you know what I mean? I also have some icepick scars on my nose and enlarged pores, MNRF did no difference there for me honestly. Please guide me.
My self confidence and social life are non existent. Sorry for my bad English
Firstly, to have improvement as you noted is always a good thing. Some people will do treatments and not even deem their scars as having improved or become shallower, so that's a good sign. Secondly, patience is key - keep at it. Maybe drop the microneedling and just focus on more subcision (at least for your cheeks / rolling scars - as I think these are most prominent). Ultimately though, filler will probably be necessary for closer to 100% improvement - and there's nothing wrong with that, it might just mean you have to get it redone every few years or so.
I've been dealing with severe scarring, especially rolling and fat loss. I've had 5 subcisions over the last 9 months and its gradual improvement but I'm happy with it, and its been really great for my rolling scars. Keep at it.
Also, confidence is everything my friend, remember that. This was my post 4 years ago
I was 23, so about your age. I didn't even bother getting treatments until 2020, despite hating my scars, and you can see how significant they are. But I instead spent all my money backpacking for about 9 months total over 3 years, went out to heaps of live music and raves in my local city, met loads of friends, met girls, and the scars didn't affect me one bit.
If you submit and let your scars not only hit you physically, but also emotionally and socially, you are exacerbating their effect, and, while it sounds cheesy, 'letting them win.'
Don't stop your life because of scars. You won't get these years back. If you are nice person, a funny person, a charming person, a confident person - people will want to be your friend, or your girlfriend, or whatever. And what is the best way to become such a person, to develop your social skills, your personality? Its by being social, getting yourself out there.
Essentially, you are making your situation worse. Scars will improve. Keep working on yourself as well, just because there's one aspect of yourself you don't like, doesn't mean others can't improve - go socialise, go to the gym, study or work hard, don't hold back. You could think of it as 'offsetting' the negative affect with more positive things.
Nobody cares about your scars as much as you do - in fact people don't really care at all.
A funny line I roughly remember off the top of my head from Patrice O Neal: "If you™re a hunchback, and you walk in with some type of swagger, a woman can look at you and think, how can this guy with a hunchback, look like he should be fucking me?"
Its all about that 'swagger' or simply, your personality/confidence. If you are a confident guy with scars, you appear even more confident, because it shows to others you don't give a damn about these scars, so in a way its almost a little benefit 
Go reach out to friends and live life!
53 minutes ago, Flooressence said:Hey mate,
your cheeks are indeed rolling and subsequently subcision + filler is what you should be focusing on for such scars IMO. I would definitely do more than 1 sub, I think a general consensus is to do multiple because scars can retether, and some fibrotic bands may be missed, and just the general collagen stimulation sub can offer. Also note that if you still have tethered scars (very likely with the many rolling scars you have), then something like radiofrequency microneedling will in fact be less effective, as if the scars are being physically held down in place, nothing is going to stop that besides cutting those bands with subcision.
Firstly, to have improvement as you noted is always a good thing. Some people will do treatments and not even deem their scars as having improved or become shallower, so that's a good sign. Secondly, patience is key - keep at it. Maybe drop the microneedling and just focus on more subcision (at least for your cheeks / rolling scars - as I think these are most prominent). Ultimately though, filler will probably be necessary for closer to 100% improvement - and there's nothing wrong with that, it might just mean you have to get it redone every few years or so.
I've been dealing with severe scarring, especially rolling and fat loss. I've had 5 subcisions over the last 9 months and its gradual improvement but I'm happy with it, and its been really great for my rolling scars. Keep at it.
Also, confidence is everything my friend, remember that. This was my post 4 years ago
I was 23, so about your age. I didn't even bother getting treatments until 2020, despite hating my scars, and you can see how significant they are. But I instead spent all my money backpacking for about 9 months total over 3 years, went out to heaps of live music and raves in my local city, met loads of friends, met girls, and the scars didn't affect me one bit.
If you submit and let your scars not only hit you physically, but also emotionally and socially, you are exacerbating their effect, and, while it sounds cheesy, 'letting them win.'
Don't stop your life because of scars. You won't get these years back. If you are nice person, a funny person, a charming person, a confident person - people will want to be your friend, or your girlfriend, or whatever. And what is the best way to become such a person, to develop your social skills, your personality? Its by being social, getting yourself out there.
Essentially, you are making your situation worse. Scars will improve. Keep working on yourself as well, just because there's one aspect of yourself you don't like, doesn't mean others can't improve - go socialise, go to the gym, study or work hard, don't hold back. You could think of it as 'offsetting' the negative affect with more positive things.
Nobody cares about your scars as much as you do - in fact people don't really care at all.
A funny line I roughly remember off the top of my head from Patrice O Neal: "If you™re a hunchback, and you walk in with some type of swagger, a woman can look at you and think, how can this guy with a hunchback, look like he should be fucking me?"
Its all about that 'swagger' or simply, your personality/confidence. If you are a confident guy with scars, you appear even more confident, because it shows to others you don't give a damn about these scars, so in a way its almost a little benefit
Thank you so much for writing such a detailed post for me! It means a lot to me.
I'll definitely talk about subcision with my aesthetician tomorrow! I think my scars are still tethered, I'm also open to fillers yes! I'm open to anything as long as I can maximize my recovery.
Can you do me a favour and show me a B&A for your rolling scars and fat loss? (5 sessions of subcision like you said). It would really help me.
What I currently have in mind is, that I can get few subcisions, then MNRF again for collagen induction, and then I can consider laser or nano fractional for evening out my surface. How does this sound to you?
1 hour ago, NagarNikku_ said:Can you do me a favour and show me a B&A for your rolling scars and fat loss? (5 sessions of subcision like you said). It would really help me.
I shall msg you to avoid taking emphasis away from your thread, but I posted recently after 4 sub, I'll send you that. Also I probably wouldn't suggest getting quite as many as I had, I did it because it was cheap and limited options where I am.
1 hour ago, NagarNikku_ said:What I currently have in mind is, that I can get few subcisions, then MNRF again for collagen induction, and then I can consider laser or nano fractional for evening out my surface. How does this sound to you?
I have no personal opinions to share on laser as I haven't had any, but I imagine it would probably be good especially for your temple area; just make sure it is safe to do so with your ethnic skin. As for the other two that you have already been getting, if you've had positive results, keep with it. A lot of people here are sceptical about MNRF and often see little results, but if you can afford it and don't feel like you're being scammed, I say just continue. Subcision there is countless literature on supporting its efficacy for rolling scars though.
But yes, consult with your professional. Also, as noted in the prior post, be patient. Don't get sub anymore frequently than 3 months. I'd imagine you could do a sub + MNRF in the same session, and then leave it for 3 months, but ask your professional.
13 hours ago, NagarNikku_ said:Thank you for your kind words! I only see myself as a textured freak regardless of how hard I try. But that's alright.
I'm open to fillers and have been considering them as a last resort. I believe since I'm on the younger side right now so maybe my skin can still heal and develop collagen. Thank you for recommending excision, I'll bring this up with my dermatologist tomorrow.
I've also been looking into "Venus Viva nano fractional" do you think it can do me any good?
I've never gotten any type of laser treatment so I don't want to give advice. I will say that I have seen a lot of impressive before and afters with RF devices, but I know a lot of these before and afters are actually the result of multimodal treatment and not just laser/ RF microneedling alone, so keep that in mind.
I would just say to be careful with lasers as some will cause discoloraton in certain skin types. Definitely do your own research.
I have a bunch of bookmarked articles about scar treatments that I'm happy to share for you to read.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4270307/
Control+f is your friend when researching certain procedures in these types of articles.
13 hours ago, Dis_figur said:I've never gotten any type of laser treatment so I don't want to give advice. I will say that I have seen a lot of impressive before and afters with RF devices, but I know a lot of these before and afters are actually the result of multimodal treatment and not just laser/ RF microneedling alone, so keep that in mind.
I would just say to be careful with lasers as some will cause discoloraton in certain skin types. Definitely do your own research.
I have a bunch of bookmarked articles about scar treatments that I'm happy to share for you to read.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4270307/
Control+f is your friend when researching certain procedures in these types of articles.
Thank you for linking these articles!
----
Anyway, I visited my new aesthetician today and told him that I've undergone 1 subcision and 8 MNRF sessions with a different dermatologist before. I asked him if I can have 1 more subcision session for the rolling scars on my cheeks since the scars might've retethered, but he said it doesnt work that way, and 1 subcision is more or less all I need.
What he recommended is some texture work, and he suggested me CO2 fractional, and venus viva nano fractional, after this he said we can use fillers for the volume lost.
He also said that doing any more MNRF's or collagen induction isn't needed, but what needs attention is the surface of my face. Tomorrow I'll undergo my fractional CO2. I hope I can see some improvements with 1 session because this is taking a massive toll on my mental health.
If you guys have any suggestions, let me know! I'll keep ya'll updated.
8 hours ago, Sirius Lee said:Do not get fillers while scar borders are still visible. It will only make them stand out more. Soften up those borders as much as possible with TCA (50% or higher).
Hello, thank you for replying. Do you think Ablative laser would help soften the edges of my scars?
2 hours ago, NagarNikku_ said:Hello, thank you for replying. Do you think Ablative laser would help soften the edges of my scars?
Yes ablative laser can also smooth the edges of the scar, since you are Fitzpatrick 4 and above look for erbium laser which is safer for dark skin. Co2 is more efficient but the risks could be higher. Being this up to your doctor.
On 6/19/2021 at 12:39 PM, getsmart121 said:Yes ablative laser can also smooth the edges of the scar, since you are Fitzpatrick 4 and above look for erbium laser which is safer for dark skin. Co2 is more efficient but the risks could be higher. Being this up to your doctor.
Hey, thanks for the information!
--
I just got back from my fractional laser session, it wasnt painful at all! Just stinged a little and i could smell my skin burning, that's it. MNRF was 5x more painful in my experience.
I was expecting more dramatic visuals, but my face is slightly red, burns a little and feels tighter. The scars have visible improvement right now but it's temporary from swelling I believe.
I'll attach some pictures of both left and right side.
On 6/19/2021 at 1:24 PM, NagarNikku_ said:Hey, thanks for the information!
--
I just got back from my fractional laser session, it wasnt painful at all! Just stinged a little and i could smell my skin burning, that's it. MNRF was 5x more painful in my experience.
I was expecting more dramatic visuals, but my face is slightly red, burns a little and feels tighter. The scars have visible improvement right now but it's temporary from swelling I believe.
I'll attach some pictures of both left and right side.
Its too soon , wait at least 3 months after laser treatment to see results
On 6/17/2021 at 2:33 AM, NagarNikku_ said:Hello! I've had severe cystic inflammation acne all my teenage years, I did round of accutane when I was 18 but I was left with these scars.
I had really severe combination of rolling and boxscars, and I was treated with 1 round of subcision, and 8 round of Micro needling radio frequency. This was during May 2019 - Feb 2020, then the pandemic happened and I've had no treatment since then. I'll be going to a new dermatologist tomorrow, he seems far more experienced with acne scars, but I'd like to take an opinion from all of you.
I was expecting more dramatic results with MNRF and subcision, they have "soften" my scars in a way for sure, but all of the scars are visible just "shallower" if you know what I mean? I also have some icepick scars on my nose and enlarged pores, MNRF did no difference there for me honestly. Please guide me.
My self confidence and social life are non existent. Sorry for my bad English.
Thank you for reading.
Do you have any pictures at the start of treatment before your subcision and mnrf so that we know how far you have come through?
On 6/22/2021 at 4:25 AM, Dan said:Hey. Just followed along with this thread. Wow to your results. I'm surprised you were expecting better results. Those results to me look dramatic.
How's it looking now? Were the dramatic results just from swelling?
Hey, yes it was all swelling, so far I cannot see any visible difference.
On 6/22/2021 at 8:16 AM, Miro said:Its too soon , wait at least 3 months after laser treatment to see results
Yep, so far I don't really see anything. I'll keep this thread updated with more procedures and results.
On 6/26/2021 at 10:38 AM, getsmart121 said:Do you have any pictures at the start of treatment before your subcision and mnrf sothat we know how far you have come through?
No sorry, I don't I'm supremely camera shy and I have no pictures. I don't click pictures at all except for when I have to post here. I get very anxious.
--
Anyways, guys. I've been thinking that once I get all my scars to surface level. Do you think Dr Rullan's Phenol Chemabrasion would help me fix all the texture issues in the end? I'm considering that procedure in 1-2 years time, once I'm done with more procedures and to bring my scars to the surface as much as I can. I'm Fitzpatrick 4, and from what I've read online, it says that Rullan's an expert with ethnic skin.
Would I be a good candidate after surfacing my scars? Thanks for your help.
Sorry for the double post.
I wanted to ask if anyone has any experience with Morpheus8 and PRP? I spoke to a renowned plastic surgeon today regarding my acne scars and he suggested Morpheus8 with PRP.
He suggested that 3 sessions would give me good improvement. What do you guys think?
On 6/19/2021 at 7:24 AM, NagarNikku_ said:Hey, thanks for the information!
--
I just got back from my fractional laser session, it wasnt painful at all! Just stinged a little and i could smell my skin burning, that's it. MNRF was 5x more painful in my experience.
I was expecting more dramatic visuals, but my face is slightly red, burns a little and feels tighter. The scars have visible improvement right now but it's temporary from swelling I believe.
I'll attach some pictures of both left and right side.
You have beautiful features! Hope this procedure improves your scars.
You said you had 8 sessions of MNRF and 1 Session of Subcision within a span of 1 year, Thats not good you shouldnt rush the procedure skin takes time to heal.
And you recently had another session of subcision right? Make sure you get fillers few days after your procedure or use cupping methodelsethere is no point of having a subcision.
And beware most of the doctors in India are not professional, they willrush the wholeprocedure and most of them only have a CO2 laser or MNRFmachine and they mightforce you for multiple sessions of whatever machine they own which wont gonna give you any result.
In which city you in btw?