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why don't you guys start a class action suit? 
I have consent of yet another dermabrasion victim to describe her condition 1 year+ post op.
Hi Sword, i have a question for yourself, and would be very gratefull if you could answer it, you mention the difference in texture when comparing the dermabraded skin to the non dermabraded skin, i also have this very same problem, and it really gets me down, i was wondering if the skin that was dermabraded look slightly shiney, and also a lot smoother, in someplaces acctually poreless, as that is what my skin looks like, it does acctually look like there are no pores on the left side of my cheek, and it is also pink, and almost looks as thought there is a hazy sort of film over the left cheek, is this what you skin is like?
hi sword
i don't know if you remember me.. we actually both had our dermabrasions by Dr.Y 15 days apart form each other. I too had hypopigmentation but it went away on the 5th month when i stopped using sunblock. I recall us going through the same agony post-dermabrasion, hoping for the color to return. I read through your entire thread. I am sorry for what has happened but i am not sorry for you because you don't need it, you are a strong person and i am sure that you can do great things and surprise people and their curious stares.
My scar improvement is about 40%. My skin is Mediterranean, tan and one year later i have no dermacation lines (though it did take one full year of easy-flushing, sun sensitivity and slight hypo to go away).
Dermabrasion has been a good procedure for me regardless of Dr.Y's intentions. I am thinking about repeating it and i am of course wondering whether a second procedure would be the same, easier, riskier, safer... ??
Think positive.
obi,
Of course I remember you. You used to have a different screen name.
Every day I focus on my goals and do my best to block off humiliation (at my redness and demarcation around my face, thanks to John Fucking Yarborough). I am only human, sometimes it slices through me and get me down although I don't let it show. Yes it fucking hurts to be treated as an outcast by some people (adults, not teenagers!!) because of the disfigurement. I was never treated like this before dermabrasion. I just wipe my eyes, tell myself not to self-pity and march on to fight for prizes. And I have won a few prizes at work and in private life since I came out of total depression (due to disfigurement) in August 2005.
You are very lucky to be born with skin extremely resilient to trauma.
"Lines of demarcation are impossible to prevent. They are seen in all patients although the severity will vary.
Even if the whole face is treated a line of demarcation will be present between the untreated neck and the treated face"
"Patients who already have a large amount of pigment in the skin are more likely to experience changes than those who do not. The best candidates for resurfacing procedures are light complected patients such as redheads."
And I am a type IV, very easily tanned, and stay tan all year asian with brown eyes.
I don't know about the skill of the PS who owns that website, but he is at least honest. Yarborough's true intention cannot be more clear. He does not care if dermabrasion gives you a weird looking mask for the rest of your life. Even if I had resilient skin like yours, I would not go back and put another $4500 in the pocket of this low life.
Hi Sword, I appreciate you telling everyone here about your experience. You're the reason I didn't setup a date with Dr. Y. I remember sending him photos of me and him calling me. Dermabrasion is just too dangerous for Asian skin. Have you gone to see another doctor regarding your demarcation? I'm sure there are ways to correct it. Have you tried a light peel (<10%)just on your neck or apply whitening/lightening cream? I would like to have some of your courage to face those vein people. I think you are very strong and I wish you all the best.
mz,
my natural skin tends to hyperpigment from peel, so it will only make the demarcation even worse than it is now. I have tried bleaching cream such as triluma and others, but my natural skin does not lighten up, not sure why. Which reminds me that when I complained to Yarborough about the demarcation along the hair line, and what I would look like when I lose my hair (most male do, at a certain age), he suggested dermabrading the skin on my scalp to match (!!!). Just to give you a glimpse of the real complications he did not tell us during the consultation.
I am glad you did not fall in the same trap others and I did. Thank you very much for your support, it is much appreciated.
Sword
sword, i just looked at your pictures. i don't know what you're protesting about, your skin looks absolutely FINE.
anyways, don't make dermabrasion out to be so pointless and a "life ruiner" just because you've had bad experience with it.
i'm a white female with pale skin so i think i'm a good candidate for dermabrasion.
I think he is just trying to warn others of the possible risks involved, especially to olive skin tones. I had a dermabrasion, not with dr y and not the full face. Just the majority of my cheeks. They did not even go to my jaw line. I think it is important to understand that demarcation will be an issue to most people. for a while anyway. My plastic surgeon said from now on, you will HAVE to wear makeup. I am a caucasion with fairly light skin tones so I had no problems. What I don't understand is how a dr could perform this procedure on someone with asian skintone and NOT be more forthcoming of demarcation and other issues. Especially a male who will probably NOT want to wear makeup at some point. If I were a physician, I don't think I would perform this on slightly darker toned males. My personal opinion since it would seem to be a nightmare to deal with the demarcation and skin tone issues. Think about it.... Maybe all of his posts will help some other person considering this to possibly consider another route. For a fair skinned caucasion with moderate to severe scarring...... possibly a good option, but there are alot of risks. I was so eager to get it. I had it light as well, the dr did not go too deep with me but my dermabrasion was for one icepick, sun damaged skin and a few shallow scar, I probably in all honesty SHOULDN'T HAVE had it. I was lucky that my 20 something skin healing over quickly and nicely. This procedure is not something to have performed without some long and hard thought.
I think his skin looks nice as well, but for someone NOT expecting the issues he has had to face, I can understand his dilema. I also believe there is sometimes a stigma attached to men who have these types or cosmetic procedures. I believe it is more understood with women. Possibly the reactions he has faced are for the fact he had a cosmetic proceedure and it was misunderstood as a reaction to the way he looks. Just my thoughts here, no offence intended. Peace.
sword, i just looked at your pictures. i don't know what you're protesting about, your skin looks absolutely FINE.
anyways, don't make dermabrasion out to be so pointless and a "life ruiner" just because you've had bad experience with it.
i'm a white female with pale skin so i think i'm a good candidate for dermabrasion.
He is obviously talking about his own experience, if you have already made up your mind and have decided to get a dermabrasion, do it, but don't question sword's pain. Dermabrasion has caused him a lot of suffering, scars are difficult to see in photos and pigmentation problems are almost impossible to see. I went through an Exoderm and now i know that resurfacing methods barely work for the scars and can cause more problems. In my case some of my scars are bigger that before. And the rest of the scars haven't improved. Sword tries to warn you, if you don't want to take his warning into consideration you can just shut up and not attack him.
I think he is just trying to warn others of the possible risks involved, especially to olive skin tones. I had a dermabrasion, not with dr y and not the full face. Just the majority of my cheeks. They did not even go to my jaw line. I think it is important to understand that demarcation will be an issue to most people. for a while anyway. My plastic surgeon said from now on, you will HAVE to wear makeup. I am a caucasion with fairly light skin tones so I had no problems. What I don't understand is how a dr could perform this procedure on someone with asian skintone and NOT be more forthcoming of demarcation and other issues. Especially a male who will probably NOT want to wear makeup at some point. If I were a physician, I don't think I would perform this on slightly darker toned males. My personal opinion since it would seem to be a nightmare to deal with the demarcation and skin tone issues. Think about it.... Maybe all of his posts will help some other person considering this to possibly consider another route. For a fair skinned caucasion with moderate to severe scarring...... possibly a good option, but there are alot of risks. I was so eager to get it. I had it light as well, the dr did not go too deep with me but my dermabrasion was for one icepick, sun damaged skin and a few shallow scar, I probably in all honesty SHOULDN'T HAVE had it. I was lucky that my 20 something skin healing over quickly and nicely. This procedure is not something to have performed without some long and hard thought.
I think his skin looks nice as well, but for someone NOT expecting the issues he has had to face, I can understand his dilema. I also believe there is sometimes a stigma attached to men who have these types or cosmetic procedures. I believe it is more understood with women. Possibly the reactions he has faced are for the fact he had a cosmetic proceedure and it was misunderstood as a reaction to the way he looks. Just my thoughts here, no offence intended. Peace.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand what yours and his point of view on this.
I wear make-up anyway. and I'm 19.
I have a consulation for dermabrasion soon. I'm praying that I'll be a good candidate.
How much improvement did ya have btw?
sword, i just looked at your pictures. i don't know what you're protesting about, your skin looks absolutely FINE.
anyways, don't make dermabrasion out to be so pointless and a "life ruiner" just because you've had bad experience with it.
i'm a white female with pale skin so i think i'm a good candidate for dermabrasion.
He is obviously talking about his own experience, if you have already made up your mind and have decided to get a dermabrasion, do it, but don't question sword's pain. Dermabrasion has caused him a lot of suffering, scars are difficult to see in photos and pigmentation problems are almost impossible to see. I went through an Exoderm and now i know that resurfacing methods barely work for the scars and can cause more problems. In my case some of my scars are bigger that before. And the rest of the scars haven't improved. Sword tries to warn you, if you don't want to take his warning into consideration you can just shut up and not attack him.
well i'm sorry to hear that, i didn't mean to come off as insensetive. 
well I am white as snow, and I had to have 2 lasers to remove the grooves out of my skin.
From Dermabrasion.
Looking back, I never want to start my life over, Ha. It began after the lasers that fixed it up.
bonus, I do not need blush, as my skin has my own now.
To go through all the fixing no. Never.
I do not say it is bad, but is definately an art. But you can't erase mistakes.
I would start off with a less invasive proceure, and follow up with laser if need be.
This is 2006, None does it around here anymore, and I do see why.......
I suspect he is worse than the pics show, and totally have seen this on others myself.
Good Luck if determined, but personally would look at other options as well.
Just being of help, from my experience as well........
I agree. I think wasting_days_away should read this thread more thoroughly. He has Asian skin by the way, which is very different to your skin.
sword, i just looked at your pictures. i don't know what you're protesting about, your skin looks absolutely FINE.
anyways, don't make dermabrasion out to be so pointless and a "life ruiner" just because you've had bad experience with it.
i'm a white female with pale skin so i think i'm a good candidate for dermabrasion.
He is obviously talking about his own experience, if you have already made up your mind and have decided to get a dermabrasion, do it, but don't question sword's pain. Dermabrasion has caused him a lot of suffering, scars are difficult to see in photos and pigmentation problems are almost impossible to see. I went through an Exoderm and now i know that resurfacing methods barely work for the scars and can cause more problems. In my case some of my scars are bigger that before. And the rest of the scars haven't improved. Sword tries to warn you, if you don't want to take his warning into consideration you can just shut up and not attack him.
I couldn't agree more! Sword has suffered and by warning people and maybe preventing someone else from a similar tragedy, he is able to heal from his own wounds.
I too have a form of the "grooves". They are more pigment grooves but there nonetheless. Wasting days... I had good improvement on shallow scars but I didn't have alot. More like sun damage, a few shallow scar, enlarged or scarred pores. I had one deep icepick which the dermabrasion turned into a saucer type scar. It now looks like a boxcar. I have a consult tomorrow for the erbium yag - ablative kind... to smooth out that one scar which is the worst on my face. I first considered a spot dermabrasion but have leaned into the direction of the erbium yag after reading alot. I am not having my entire face done so any slight fat loss or anything like that might not be an issue. I just want two quarter sized areas on my cheeks done. I will see what the dr suggests. I had the dermabrasion many years ago but it is something you don't forget. If I had to give results.. I think I have said 70-75% since some shallow scars were virtually erased. The deep icepick... 50% so to average it 70-75. Why don't you check out the erbium yag if you must have ablative resurfacing. It is much more controlled and much less likely to cause problems. I mean nothing is risk free. Are your scars moderate- severe?? This is the only time I would recommend it to anyone since it would be worth any possible complications. I know I have seen a few people which I thought would be good candidates but only a few that I can think of right off and their scars bordered on the severe and they were very light skinned caucasions. I can't believe I even had it done, mainly for that icepick, which now lookes like a boxcar from many years of aging.
Betty boop- what type of laser did you get???
Didn't mean to ramble on here but I wanted this girl to think about what she's doing before allowing a wire brush to abrade her face.
tryingstill, opportunity, mz43026, AmoALaura, Betty-Boop,
You people are angels. 
Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and for your understanding and support. It is much appreciated.
.... I think it is important to understand that demarcation will be an issue to most people. for a while anyway .... What I don't understand is how a dr could perform this procedure on someone with asian skintone and NOT be more forthcoming of demarcation and other issues. Especially a male who will probably NOT want to wear makeup at some point. If I were a physician, I don't think I would perform this on slightly darker toned males. My personal opinion since it would seem to be a nightmare to deal with the demarcation and skin tone issues. ...
I think his skin looks nice as well, but for someone NOT expecting the issues he has had to face, I can understand his dilema.
anyways, don't make dermabrasion out to be so pointless and a "life ruiner" just because you've had bad experience with it.
A couple years ago, a caucasian member here (I think it was "meet pete") warned people about dermabrasion by sharing his negative experience (pigment loss, permanent redness). At the time a lot of members believed the holy trails of Dr. Y's dermabrasion (result of initially good reviews from LOVE and POE?? although LOVE later complained about complications) and made appointments with him. Most ignored Pete's advice (me included). Pete complained about hostile responses from some members, and quitted this forum for good.
I have decided to be a pest and stay here to warn unsuspecting people about complications and lack of ethics of some doctors, and sometimes vent in the process. Dermabrasion can go wrong and become a "life ruiner" for a lot of people on this forum. Just read the experiences of Kipster, Hopefulskin and Dolmal under my sig.
I take that you are 19 and just speaks out what is in your mind, so no offence is taken. My reddish, pale and shiny demabraded skin looks fine, until you move your eyes to the line where it meets with my natural dark yellow skin, at the jaw line, and along the hairline. I am wearing a fucking mask!! If you can't see that, I have nothing to say. I hope you take whatever your doctor tells you with a grain of salt and not let him take advantage of your insecurity of your acne scars. Don't make the same mistake I made (ignoring people with negative experience).
Sword, I think you are right to warn people of the potential aftermath of dermabrasion, especially guys you would not want to wear makeup and have it be known they had a cosmetic procedure. That said I think alot of girls will probably look at your pics and be jealous of the smooth skin and just a hint of pignmentation issues it shows on camera. I'd trade in my red spots spread sporadically across my face in permanent scars for a demarcation line but that's just me. I think people that laugh at you are just really immature and insecure themselves, they are probably far uglier than you inside and out 
Thank you tricia
My scarring type was shallow icepicks with rough edges, dermabrasion smoothened the edges, but in person you can still see the all the little holes on my face. They were very tricky to show on picture even before dermabrasion. I am sure if my scars were the rolling type you would still be able to see them. But I don't care about acne scarring anymore because I deal with much bigger cosmetic problem now.
I believe some (but not all) of thoese who laughed at me feel insecure about themselves, but really people just want to find easy target to laugh at. Just look at how people joke about Michale Jackson's face. Regardless of their motive, I laugh back when I think about how many of them can thrive after surviving what I had.
tricia: I think at least with scars and redmarks, you know there are treatments available. With dermaraction line, it is more rare. I remember posting photos on here where my skin is extremely red and irritated. I can say that it's not permanent. My hyperpigmentation has gotten alot better. I was using steriod cream perscribed by my doctor and Obagi is helping too. I had Fraxel on Friday and I am noticing it is helping the hyperpigmenation as well.
sword: I agree that photos doesn't show exactly what your skin looks like. It is same with me. It's also sad to be misunderstood. You just have to take in the important advices and go from there. I think you've handled yourself pretty well. I don't think I can be as strong as you. I remembered my sister telling me that she would kill herself already if she had my skin. I was so depressed from that and this forum has help me to continue on searching for solution and not to give up. I like hearing peoples experience whether its good or bad. If I didn't read what you had to say, I would off gone to Dr. Y and had the procedure done.
One of my cousin has a birthmark on her face that look like a bruise. It grew bigger as she age. The last time I saw her, it covered almost half of her face. I think that is much worse than having scars. She has been going for laser treatments and I was told that it has improved alot to a point where you can't notice it much. I've also seen her photos and she looked really good. She gave me hope in believing that my skin could be corrected as well. I just don't think you should give up either. There has to be something out there for dermaraction line. I think I read someones post about Fraxel helping with dermaraction line or with hypopigmentation. You should do some search on here. I also don't think that people come in this forum unless they have a problem. I cannot wait to correct my skin and move on with my life. I would be real happy if I didn't have to come to this forum and ask for advice anymore.
I think I have pretty much given up on getting my skin tone back to normal but I can cover the pigmentation with makeup but not the indents, so that bothers me more now. I know the redness you guys are talking about, it is very damaged skin and not easy to correct. However, you may like products that aren't considered makeup like scarzone around the demarcation line, because the silicone calms the redness down. It won't change it dark again though. I guess some people just have to play with the makeups or tinted moisturizers etc and hope time will help the damage. I know hypopigmentation is next to impossible to treat but I have wondered about possible trying the permanent makeup that is tattooed on. I'm not worried about my white spots, because they are alot better than the red ones! I hope one day we all have better options and procedures as harsh as dermabrasion are history!
mz,
Some (too many!!) people are so critical of other's appearance, their words cut you like a knife and they really don't care. I have been there many times before. Although I complain about people laughing at my demarcation, etc, the truth their opinions is worthless. I can't afford to let that affect my confidence, neither can you. Please remember this when other people put you down. BTW people who put others down for no good reason are inferior people anyway. So that makes you the better = beautiful person in the room!!
As for what your sister said, if I were you I would tell her to give you her belongings if she kills herself because anyone can get ance scarring in one's life time. Of course, I don't want her to kill herself, just making my point.
Yarborough cut the line about 1 cm in front of my actual jaw line on the right, which makes the dermacation line look even more prominent. I question not just his "ethics" but also his precision and judgement. He talked about feathering the edges but all I see are perfect hard lines. Maybe feathering is impossible with darker asian skin. He left big patches of skin under my hair line undermabraded, imagine my hair stylist's assistants' reaction, whenever they wash my hair before the cut.
I have spent enough time looking for a solution for demarc line, I shall work on more important things in life and re-visit that when I feel like it. My local laser doc told me laser can easily cause hyperpigment on asian skin which can worsen the dermacation. But thanks for sharing your cousin's treatment and your encouragement.
For some reason I picture you in your formative years (late teen / early 20's). Having inner confidence will help you go a lot further in your life. I wish you the best.
Cheers,
Sword
Thanks tricia for the suggestion. I have had 3 vBeam, $400 / session, but it didn't seem to do much. I will save the money on a bigger turbo for my car instead
Beware of permanent make up, your natural skin tone changes with the season, but tattoed skin will look different. Where did you get the redness from?
Maybe its just me, but after the dermabrasion disaster I think scarred but untempered skin looks 100 times better than smooth, but shiny and unnatural looking resurfaced skin.
Thanks,
Sword
Thanks Sword, there is comp. with this procedure I have found and thank you for warning others.
I'm a fair skinnned and I experienced complications from it and thank goodness they were fixable.
Hang in there, you have nice features, and your skin is not so bad, ya look fine, but I do know it does bother you It would me as well.
Sword,
I'm not going to try the permanent makeup but wondered if it would be of use for discolored scars. My redness is from my initial outbreaks and overuse of corticorsteriods and cortisone shots, plus I am very fair skinned so any red spot really sticks out a lot more than the white scars. It used to be I couldn't even cover it with makeup, but now I can pretty good so I am grateful for that. You'd probably be surprised how many women have serious skin flaws under a ton of makeup out there and sometimes it can even look very natural. Lots of people have flaws but if you do have a good self confidence and show others they don't bother you then it won't be as much of an issue. I remember a women at my old church who had the pigment disease where she had white patches all over her hands and arms but she didn't let it bother her and people accepted her and she had many friends. In the end it is what's inside that draws people to you. We just need that confidence!