Wow Sword, your day 9 pics look awesome. In the pictures your skin looks really smooth (albeit red of course!). I agree with EHgirl that I can't see much scarring in your before picture.

I wish you continued good healing and hope that you get the results you want. Thanks so much for posting the pictures.

Take care.

Hi Dance,

Thanks! Small icepick / pore scars are really hard to capture in photos, but I (still) do have tons of them.

They disappeared when my face was swollen. Following this logic, if the collagen boost does happen, the skin will be plumped up a bit again and the scars should look better.

When is your dermabrasion scheduled?

Regards,

Sword

so how deep does dermabrasion actually go if it can't directly help small icepicks and such?

so how deep does dermabrasion actually go if it can't directly help small icepicks and such?

 

 

 

 

amnesiac,

I believe it goes as deep as (not past) the collagen bundles, and the exact depth can vary somewhat for individuals.

Regards,

Sword

so how deep does dermabrasion actually go if it can't directly help small icepicks and such?

 

 

 

 

Post op Day 12:

Today I put on sunscreen, green color corrector, then the Jane Iredale liquid foundation, and ventured out to a big shopping mall. There I bought MAC NC 30 and NW 35 (signifies color / shade) tinted moisturizer.

The MAC girl said if I participate in their recycle program, (return 6 empty bottles ) I will get one free lipstick. I said no thanks I don't plan to use more than 2 bottles (50ml) of this stuff, and I don't know what to do with the lipstick.

I figured while I am at the mall I might as well do some shopping. Even with the rediculously shinny and powdered face, I did not attract much stares. Ran into someone who knows me and she did not notice the difference either. I ended up visiting all the stores and bought some clothes!

Went home, cleaned up, put on sunscreen and green corrector again, tried the NC30 and the color is too light. Tried again with NW35 and its dead on. For blending dermabrasion line with my neck I use the MAC NW 35 concealer (really thick and rubbery stuff, provides much more coverage than the moisturizer).

For guys who dread putting on make up like me, the MAC tinited moisturizer is a very light foundation / moisturizer that provides SPF 15 protection (but you should put on strong sunscreen first). It does not provide as much color coverage as real foundation, but it is good enough to filter most of the red for me (in conjunction with the green corrector). I still see a little foundation residue but it is minimal compare to the Jane Iredale liquid foundation, and certainly no rubbery or shinny look.

The shopping and driving has greatly lifted my spirit. I feel a lot more ready now for work and everyday life than I was yesterday. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.

Sword

Pics updated.

Sword

Lookin pretty smoooooooooooooooooooooooooth there guy.

LOL it looks smooth from 10 feet away ... thanks

Sword

Hey Sword,

Great 12th day pics! It's so good that your spirits were lifted from your day at the mall and just getting out there again It looks like you're healing really well too.

So question, I'm not sure if you mentioned this before, but did you say Dr. Y did punch floats on your icepicks (the ones you said you can see now)?

Best wishes returning to work.

-Donna

Hey Hopeful,

Thanks

No I did not do any punch floats, I have so many small icepick it is just not practical to punch all of them.

Pretty much all healed up, except there is still some scabbing and peeling, and my face gets really itchy.

Regards,

Sword

Hi Dance,

 

Thanks! Small icepick / pore scars are really hard to capture in photos, but I (still) do have tons of them.

 

They disappeared when my face was swollen. Following this logic, if the collagen boost does happen, the skin will be plumped up a bit again and the scars should look better.

 

When is your dermabrasion scheduled?

 

Regards,

Sword

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the encouragement Dance. You know, I must have a no-good camera because the make up can use a lot of improvement.

Post Op Day 12 Update:

My makeup was way off this morning. I realized looked like a corpse but it was too late to redo it. At work , a lot of people stared and gossiped, some even came right up to check what the *&#*&^ is wrong with my face, until I stared them down.

I expected this reaction from most, but was surprised by a few people whom I thought would have more human courtesy. To these people, if you are reading this, I feel very sad to have lost my respect for you.

On the other hand, a few gracefully looked me in the eyes and had conversations with me, as if there is nothing wrong. Co-incidently they are quite successful / on-track with their careers. I believe high EQ has a lot to do with it.

It does not hurt my feeling or anything, I signed up for this battle and I shall fight it to the end. The irony is under this corpse make up the face looks way better than before if not for the red.

Regards,

Sword

Hi Sword,

I went through all that stuff, red as a lobster blah blah blah because on the first day back at work I tried all the MAC stuff, green concealer etc having read it on the board. Plus tests like the mall etc & elsewhere don't necessarily help as in my office the lights are really strong.

Anyway as soon as I went back to Dermablend only noone said a word to me about redness and I am in an office where they would. I am no expert but I think Dermablend is the best thing for guys based on my own experience, an opinion my mother strongly concurs with --- she thinks it is great.

Thanks John, thats good advice, I just ordered it online. I should have gotten dermablend in NO before the dermabrasion.

I went to their website and read about the coverage cream and setting power. I suppose the cream provides color coverage and the powder stablize the cream?

Thanks,

Sword

Hi Sword,

 

I went through all that stuff, red as a lobster blah blah blahAA because on the first day back at work I tried all the MAC stuff,AA green concealer etc having read it on the board.AA Plus tests like the mall etc &AA elsewhere don't necessarily help as in my office the lights are really strong.AA

 

Anyway as soon as I went back to Dermablend only noone said a word to me about redness and I am in an office where they would.AA I am no expert but I think Dermablend is the best thing for guys based on my own experience,AA an opinion my mother strongly concurs with --- she thinks it is great.

 

 

 

 

Sword,

The trick is to ring them and ask to see someone in your areas. Then the lady can meet you and give you a color which is an exact match. It is a pain but is worth it in the long run. If you notice on their website they mention "dermablend for men" about it being almost undetectible. Without it there is no way I would have been able to go back to work for about 6 weeks.

I use Cetephil Moisturiser, followed by Dermablend Cover Creme (SPF 30) followed by powder and thats it. I use no other sunscreen except what is in the Dermablend. if you didn't like dermablend (which I do) you could try coverblend, but dermablend I believe is the market leader if that means anything.

John,

There is no dermablend dealer in Canada, but I shall give them a call anyway. Thanks.

Yes I see pretty impressive before and after pics on the website ...

By the way are you at post op 8 weeks now? Has your face returned to normal color?

Thanks,

Sword.

Sword,

 

The trick is to ring them and ask to see someone in your areas. Then the lady can meet you and give you a color which is an exact match. It is a pain but is worth it in the long run. If you notice on their website they mention "dermablend for men" about it being almost undetectible. Without it there is no way I would have been able to go back to work for about 6 weeks.

 

I use Cetephil Moisturiser, followed by Dermablend Cover Creme (SPF 30) followed by powder and thats it. I use no other sunscreen except what is in the Dermablend. if you didn't like dermablend (which I do) you could try coverblend, but dermablend I believe is the market leader if that means anything.

 

 

 

 

Sword, you're pics look great! Hang in there, bud! You give encouragment to all of us wussies!

your*

I could not find the meldro-dose pack (prescription to prevent swelling) in Canada.AA Had to get it here the day of the dermabrasion.AA I am asian and it is likely I will hyperpigment.AA I don't want to risk not finding the tri luma cream at home so Cassandra called in the Walgreen pharmacy next to the clinic and I will pick it up today.

 

Later!!

 

Sword

 

 

 

 

is the breakout because of the dermabrasion??

depressedj,

Thanks! Support from you guys makes me feel I am not fighting a one-man-battle.

Leafs,

It's so good to hear from you man! I am glad you're doing well.

When did the pigmentation return to normal for you? Week 8? Week 12? Does the dermarcation line blend in nicely? Thanks!!

Sword

Sword,

Hang in there my friend....i know it's tough when your face look funny and people working around you just make you feel inferior.

i had similar experience last year, when i did a geen peel and had to work right before and after the treatment. People keep starring at your face as if you're an alien....very depressing.

Hang in there buddy....be strong and fighting until the end..!!!

TG

..

Sword,

Drinks sure...sounds good to me. your pics look good by the way. i'm still considering my options for my scars...maybe we can discuss that later on.

I sinecrely hope that what's happening in the office doesn't comprise your work performance. i was very depressed last year because of acne and stress...having trouble sleeping and not eating well and having difficulty focusing on work.

You need to be strong during this critical time. if you can make it you will definitly grow and be a more mature and considerate person sensitive to other people sufferings.

I believe you're Asian right?? Chinese??

TG