depends on depthness of the injury, general health and individual healing ability and metabolism

Hey there Kipster,

Today was the 2nd day of dressing for me and Cass was surprised at all the new skin that has already grown in. There are still red areas where there were deeper scars but I was happy to see the condition of my skin.

Today has definitely been more difficult that yesterday, my face stung a lot for most of the morning esp during my walk back from the surgery to the hotel. I bought a ton of lovely fresh fruit on the way back though, including bananas so will be sure to have those. The vitamins I am taking are - Vit C, Bioflavonoids, Zinc, Probiotics (the good bacteria), Antioxidants (grape seed extract) and also some enzymes. I did a search on the net for good vitamins to take post-surgery. I don't know whether these will speed up recovery but it certainly can't hurt.

I really wanted to take the street car downtown today but felt really tired. Jet lag still getting to me.

I'm drinking a lot, slurping soup through straws and can't wait for tomorrow when I can actually open my mouth and eat properly!

Congratulations on your fast healing Kipster, I can only hope my feeling will be as fast as yours, if I get my colour back witin 2-3 months I will be over the moon!

So far, definitely no worries on my part. It's been a great holiday, I absolutely love Cass and Dr. Y. We had a great gossip session and can't wait to see them tomorrow.

I know it's going to get more difficult from here as my colour tries to get back to normal but it's all good, I'm so glad I have done this.

Best of luck to everyone still recovering, Pauline

Hi, there

 

I had my dermabrasion approximately 2 1/2 weeks ago, The first week is the worst, because the new skin is trying to grow out, and especially the face being wrapped up, It felt very tight. The second week gets better, Gosh you really flew from a Australia, that's very far, I have a Close friend from the States relocate to Atelaid. I am from Los Angeles and it seemed forever to get back home from New Orleans, but when you do get back home the stress disappears. Cassadra said to me on the first time she took my dressing off that new skin was appearing already, I don't know whether or not this works for everyone but I ate a ton of "Banana's" (Alot of Potassium, which I think helps in rebuilding muscle and skin tissue), I mean I went through atleast 6-10 banana's a day. I drank approximately a Gallon of water (3.79 liters)a day and ate 3-5 times a day. I also took vitamins (E, C, Esther C, and Centrum). Last week my actual first week of recovery, I ate approximatel 4-5 times a day(Body wanting tons of food to rebuild skin tissue), My appetite is slowing down now to normal 2 to 3 times a day. I am beginning to see light pink to semi-light-tan-yellow skin coming in (Small areas)(I'm Chinese with a slight tan complexion). I talked to cassandra last week and she said if I was healing at the rate I was, I probable be fully healed in or about month in half or 2 months, But you never know might take longer. I am only 29 and I have increase my metabolism by walking on treadmill (Plan get back to weight training in 3 weeks). I wish you the very best, and hope you have a good travels back home. "Like they say in Australia" - No Worries.

 

Kipster

 

 

 

 

Kipster,

Glad to hear your are healing fast and have no negative workplace issues at work. I take most of the supplements you mentioned, and run 2 miles and lift weight everyday to keep the metabolism up. Keep up the good work man.

leafs

I have a feeling that I shall get past this splotchy and pink / red phase and feel a lot more normal in a few weeks, as I can see the redness fading faster in the past few days.

Thanks for answering my questions. I wish you the best with your next dermabrasion and punch floats.

Take care,

Sword

Do the redness and blotchiness comes and goes in cycle? Last week I wasn't very red but this week I am redderAaapinker--than last week. The week before last I was just a wee redder than today. This is frustrating more than depressing. This weekend is supposed to be very nice in the 70Aaas. I am just going to put a lot of sun screen and going riding on my Cannondale bicycle in the morning.

My cure for depression is shopping. A Patek Philippe Calatrava would be nice. How about a 4S although I favor the GT3? But I need a hair cut more then anything else. AhAaA..AhAaAAaA..AhAaAAaAAaA.

Hey there Kipster,

 

Today was the 2nd day of dressing for me and Cass was surprised at all the new skin that has already grown in. There are still red areas where there were deeper scars but I was happy to see the condition of my skin.

 

Today has definitely been more difficult that yesterday, my face stung a lot for most of the morning esp during my walk back from the surgery to the hotel. I bought a ton of lovely fresh fruit on the way back though, including bananas so will be sure to have those. The vitamins I am taking are - Vit C, Bioflavonoids, Zinc, Probiotics (the good bacteria), Antioxidants (grape seed extract) and also some enzymes. I did a search on the net for good vitamins to take post-surgery. I don't know whether these will speed up recovery but it certainly can't hurt.

 

I really wanted to take the street car downtown today but felt really tired. Jet lag still getting to me.

 

I'm drinking a lot, slurping soup through straws and can't wait for tomorrow when I can actually open my mouth and eat properly!

 

Congratulations on your fast healing Kipster, I can only hope my feeling will be as fast as yours, if I get my colour back witin 2-3 months I will be over the moon!

 

So far, definitely no worries on my part. It's been a great holiday, I absolutely love Cass and Dr. Y. We had a great gossip session and can't wait to see them tomorrow.

 

I know it's going to get more difficult from here as my colour tries to get back to normal but it's all good, I'm so glad I have done this.

 

Best of luck to everyone still recovering, Pauline

 

 

 

 

Hey Steven,

I went from the initial bright pink, to red and to dark red until the end of March. After that it began to fade, but very slowly. It was so slow that I could not tell the difference comparing week to week pics, but could tell more by looking at month to month pics. Right now I am just splotchy and pink again.

Wear a hat, or sun shade that covers full face with a transparent UV blocking film, that's what I use for driving. If you can't find them in ChinaTown I'll mail one to you, hell I'll mail one to you anyway.

Yeah get the Calatrava, LOL! I've been trimming my hair with a buzzer since the dermabrasion, too embarassed to see my regular stylist with demarcation lines and such.

Sword

I can actually tell the week to week differences. One week the healing will take two steps forward and the following week it will take one step back. The deeper scars on my right cheek seem to be filling in very slowly. Overall the texture is getting slight better as well. I should have taken pictures to monitor the progress. Oh well!!!

I have to visit my regular hair saloon very soon. My hair is starting to look like Eddie Murphy Buckwheat character. It will be another bonding moment with the girls at the saloon.

I have been eying the Calatrava. If I hadnAaat ordered the M it would be a Christmas present to me.

Not to get too personal, just a enquiring what type of acne did you have. I had rolling scars all over the face, However he said I did not need needling No deep indentations, However I have a couple of bumps on the nose that was the result of acne. that I wish Dermabrasion would made less noticiable. Meaning I still can see it with certain lighting (Can't expect 100% improvement). Dr. Y said maybe he says this to all of his patients, that you are a good candidate in getting Dermabrasion and the results will be good, because your acne is not that bad. However, If you wish to reply or not reply, best wishes on your recovery.

 

 

 

 

Hey Kipster,

No worries about the questions. I had bad cystic acne since I was 11 but the scars could definitely have been worse. The worst scars were on the temples and forehead, may cheeks had/have shallow broad-based scars (not sure if this means rolling scars). Dr. Y said I would get considerable improvement as did Dr. Meyer (Dr. Y's partner at the practice). I'm not sure whether he says this to everyone or not. My scars are more moderate rather than severe. He said I should be happy with one derma but may want spot dermabrasion on areas I am not happy with.

 

I just got the bandages off this morning and my skin is a light pink with some red spots where he went a little deeper. For those of you who can still remember, did you notice some of the scars still on your face? I noticed quite a few shallow scars on my left cheek, they are a lot pinker in colour. I feel a little depressed over it, I mean, I thought so soon after dermabrasion, the scars would be filled in and only after some time the swelling would make it more noticeable, but at the moment it is already noticeable, so will it look worse from here on? Is this normal and will it fill in? I am seeing Dr. Y again on Monday and will ask him after my colour returns to a complete pink. Cass said my skin will be a uniform pink by sat.

 

My skin stings right now and I'm tired after the walk to and back, especially with all the stares I've been getting. I'm self-conscious by nature, and when I walked into the grocery store, the lady there just went, 'Oh my god' and backed away. That made me feel like shite.

 

 

 

 

Don't worry about them. On the second day after dermabrasion while I was still wrapped in bandages I drove to the Walmart Superstore. Two old ladies accosted me and asked me straight out what happened. At the cash register, the cashier apologized for being slow. She thought I was in terrible pain because of the bandages. A day later after the bandages came off I went to do laundry. People couldn't stop themselves from staring. On my way home to NYC driving through New Jersey I stopped at the rest area for breakfast. People were already staring and snickering at me with the mask on. I took off the mask and people scattered in all directions. That was the quickest service I ever got from Burger King. Even now I get unwanted attention where ever I go in NYC. I use to hate fast food drive through and take out deliveries. But after dermabrasion it is a different story. Before dermabrasion I was very self-conscious. Now it doesn't bother me as much.

Good luck with your healing and adjusting to life in post dermabrasion.

Steven

My skin stings right now and I'm tired after the walk to and back, especially with all the stares I've been getting. I'm self-conscious by nature, and when I walked into the grocery store, the lady there just went, 'Oh my god' and backed away. That made me feel like shite.

 

 

 

 

My skin stings right now and I'm tired after the walk to and back, especially with all the stares I've been getting. I'm self-conscious by nature, and when I walked into the grocery store, the lady there just went, 'Oh my god' and backed away. That made me feel like shite.

 

 

 

 

I should have taken pictures to monitor the progress. Oh well!!!

 

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot to me. Yes it was the little supermarket 2 blocks down. Steven_Hung, you were definitely more brave than me to actually take off your mask and bare your red face! I'm hibernating til Mon until I see Dr. Y again but am walking on the treadmill in the fitness room here so that I keep my health up.

Can I ask you guys how often you washed your face with the shaving cream? I remember Cass telling me to do it 3-4 times a day, but then as we were talking she said even if I felt like washing 9 or 10 times a day it's ok. I should have asked her then, but is washing more often better for my skin?

It is very comforting knowing all of you have been through it all and coming out well on the other side.

Any questions you want me to ask Dr. Y before my Mon appointment, let me know. The wireless internet access here in this hotel is kinda flakey though

Take care all, queenie

Hi queenie,

 

I know we should stay positive and focus on the end result, but we are only human and can block only so many stares before feeling tired.  I hope you can take comfort knowing many here who underwent the procedure listen and understand how you feel.

 

Rest and save your energy and courage for the trip home.  My heart goes to you.

 

Sword

 

 

†

 

 

Hi queenie,

Because my skin felt soooooo sensitive at that point (ouch ouch), I only washed it 4 or even 5 times a day. As it became less sensitive, I washed it more often. Just make sure you cover the full face with vaseline after. The first 10 days were more physically uncomfortable for me, it got gradually better though.

by next Tuesday it will be 12 weeks for me. I'm getting up at 4am right now because I fell asleep without running last night. I'm going to run and go back to sleep. I hope by keeping metabolism high my redness will fade faster.

Take care,

Sword

This was my washing schedule before starting work for about 2 1/2 weeks.

1. After I awake in the morning

2. A couple of hours after breakfast

3. Shortly after lunch

4. Shortly after tea time

5. Shortly after dinner

6. Before I go to bed.

Even on the drive home from New Orleans to NYC I wash my face about every 3 1/2 hours. The washing help with the itching because the gauze pad kind of scratch the itching area. At the rest area people actually stop and watch me wash my face from a distance. Cassandra told me not to wear the mask while driving. The mask isn't very comfortable and the vaseline from your face adhere to the mask. You will need to reapply the vaseline once the mask come off. I have a box of latex glove for that purpose.

I found that warm water from the shower head gently pelting your face feel very soothing. It helps with the itching as long as you are in the shower. Don't try that until the 5th or the 6th day. Have you wash your hair yet? I tried the same day the bandages come off. The shampoo sting the living from me. Good healing!!!

Steven

I don't think I am washing often enough then. This is day 6 and I can still see the same white crust from when the bandages were taken off on day 4...perhaps I am being too gentle?

Sword, from your photos, I think you are healing great. If you didn't tell me you had dermabrasion, I thought that was your natural skin tone at the week 11 mark.

This morning was the first time I could take a shower without lots of stinging on my face. I think my skin is a lot more sensitive than others bc the dermabrasion has been quite painful for me, even splashing water on my face has been painful. But getting much better now and will be washing more frequently. Cass mentioned I would have all new skin by this weekend but I think she might have over-estimated as I can still see lots of white crust. If I still have white crust, that means I can't use sunscreen and will have to continue wearing the mask when I go in to see them on Mon right? I didn't ask Cass bc I assumed all the new skin would have grown in by now. To be honest, I had about 90% new skin on the 3rd day of bandage change so Dr. Y and Cass assumed all the white crust would have gone by the weekend but that hasn't been the case.

Happy healing all, queenie

This was my washing schedule before starting work for about 2 1/2 weeks.

 

1. After I awake in the morning

2. A couple of hours after breakfast

3. Shortly after lunch

4. Shortly after tea time

5. Shortly after dinner

6. Before I go to bed.

 

Even on the drive home from New Orleans to NYC I wash my face about every 3 1/2 hours. The washing help with the itching because the gauze pad kind of scratch the itching area. At the rest area people actually stop and watch me wash my face from a distance. Cassandra told me not to wear the mask while driving. The mask isn't very comfortable and the vaseline from your face adhere to the mask. You will need to reapply the vaseline once the mask come off. I have a box of latex glove for that purpose.

 

I found that warm water from the shower head gently pelting your face feel very soothing. It helps with the itching as long as you are in the shower. Don't try that until the 5th or the 6th day. Have you wash your hair yet? I tried the same day the bandages come off. The shampoo sting the living from me. Good healing!!!

 

Steven

 

 

 

 

Do the redness and blotchiness comes and goes in cycle? Last week I wasn't very red but this week I am redderAaapinker--than last week. The week before last I was just a wee redder than today. This is frustrating more than depressing. This weekend is supposed to be very nice in the 70Aaas. I am just going to put a lot of sun screen and going riding on my Cannondale bicycle in the morning.

 

My cure for depression is shopping. A Patek Philippe Calatrava would be nice. How about a 4S although I favor the GT3? But I need a hair cut more then anything else. AhAaA..AhAaAAaA..AhAaAAaAAaA.

 

 

 

 

Hi queenie,

My pics look deceptively less red when viewed on flat panel / notebook screens. The 11 weeks, even 12 weeks (not updated yet) pics when viewed on a CRT monitor is actually more red (which is the true picture). It wouldn't bother me as much if there was no demarcation line dividing the red from the natural yellow tan! Everytime I see that I get knots in my stomach.

From my experience, the crust will fall off by itself or by very gentle rubbing when it is ready to come off. Taking longer showers will help soften them. I believe you should wear the mask on Monday since you'll still be in the vaseline phase.

The hyper sensitivity of the skin will go down in a few days, you'll feel less and less pain when washing your face.

Are you stocking up on food or are you ordering from the restaurant? Are the hotel staffs treating you well?

Take care,

Sword

Whoa if your talking about porsche's you must be stinking rich hahaha

 

 

 

 

Hi Sword,

I think we are often our own harshest critic. I am sure most ppl would not even notice the demarcation line (only after I read this post did I go back to see your pics again and had to look real closely). I understand that it would be very obvious to you though. I myself am hyper-scrutinising my skin atm and go through elation and depression in the space of my washings

It's kinda lonely here in the hotel room. I stocked up on lots of food and will go back out again on Mon to see Cass and Dr. Y. I am anxious to hear what they have to say and I always feel better after seeing them. After that I will try and do some sightseeing. I felt really awkward after all the stares from last week so I'm not planning to go anywhere this weekend. There is a real nice housecleaning lady here at the hotel and each time she comes by to clean my room we have chats. I don't see anyone else though. I guess it's quiet tourist season and I'm glad for that.

I've tried a few variations in the washing - let me know what you think - should I wipe off the vaseline first with some cleaning cloth, then put the shaving cream on? Or just put the shaving cream straight onto the vaseline smothered face?

Also, when wiping off the shaving cream, should I wet the gauze first or just use dry gauze? I tried both methods and it seems the wet gauze is a little more rough but gets rid of more crust.

I have been looking back on past posts and no-one seems to mention things like this.

Thanks, Q

Hi queenie,

 

My pics look deceptively less red when viewed on flat panel / notebook screens.  The 11 weeks, even 12 weeks (not updated yet) pics when viewed on a CRT monitor is actually more red (which is the true picture).  It wouldn't bother me as much if there was no demarcation line dividing the red from the natural yellow tan!  Everytime I see that I get knots in my stomach.

 

From my experience, the crust will fall off by itself or by very gentle rubbing when it is ready to come off.  Taking longer showers will help soften them.  I believe you should wear the mask on Monday since you'll still be in the vaseline phase.

 

The hyper sensitivity of the skin will go down in a few days, you'll feel less and less pain when washing your face.

 

Are you stocking up on food or are you ordering from the restaurant?  Are the hotel staffs treating you well?

 

Take care,

Sword

 

 

†

 

 

queenie,

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. Do not use dry gauze as it would be too rough on your skin. Wet and foam it, and very gently work on the face in small circular motion, then rinse it and repeat. The texture of the gauze will help remove vaseline and loose crusts on your face.

I had another episode of depression this morning. I feel like I have been walking on half a leg for 3 months, and have to continue on sheer will for an unknown length of time.

I wonder how others who also went though such long period of healing like me cope with these emotions.

Sword

Hi Sword,

I didn't realise this dermabrasion has been so difficult for you. You've always been so lighthearted and helpful in your posts, though I remember you had difficulty with your workmates bc of your red skintone.

If you put it into perspective, these next 3 to 6 months is not a long time at all in the grand scheme of things. When you think about it, this time next year, you will have your original skintone back and your scarring will be greatly improved.

I appreciate those photos you pm'd me earlier and I can honestly say, despite whatever colour spectrum my laptop monitor displays, I thought your skin looked absolutely normal at the week 11 mark. In fact, I have much worse skin tone if I just drink one glass of wine

I have been feeling rather down about all this myself bc of the inherent difficulties of looking at my very red and crusty face, but then I remember that this decision for the derma stemmed from over 10 years of hating my skin. If I can just take one positive step to improve it, then I can move on in my life. Hopefully in 6 months time all this redness and pain will be behind me and I can finally hold my head up high without worrying about the lighting that falls on my face.

Thank you for your advice on the wet gauze, it has helped tremendously with the crusty skin. I should have asked Cass properly when she was showing me!

Take care, queenie

queenie,

 

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier.  Do not use dry gauze as it would be too rough on your skin.  Wet and foam it,  and very gently work on the face in small circular motion, then rinse it and repeat.  The texture of the gauze will help remove vaseline and loose crusts on your face.

 

I had another episode of depression this morning.  I feel like I have been walking on half a leg for 3 months, and have to continue on sheer will for an unknown length of time.

 

I wonder how others who also went though such long period of healing like me cope with these emotions.

 

Sword

 

 

†

 

 

My mood don't swing much any more ever since I started to workout with free weight. My body must be generating enough endorphins. The only side effect is my face is a bit redder and my muscle just a bit sore. I will take that over depression any day. My mom visits me every Sunday and tell me how lovely her daughter--scratch that--son looks. I got my digital camera yesterday. Now I have to bribe my buddy with promise to cook him and his girl dinner so he would take pictures of my hideous face.

Hang tight Sword. You are half way through and looking better each day. Don't let it beat you down. Remember what I said earlier. Shopping...shopping and more shopping. It works and much better than sitting home with a tub of Rocky Road ice-cream. Aren't you dying for a STI? Forget about the STI a S4 convertible would be way cooler. Hmmm...a Harley software tail would even be better.

queenie,

The first week after of dermabrasion cleaning your face can be painful no matter how gentle you tried to be. The gauze pad that I brought from Walgreen were OK. They were much better than the gauze pad that I got from Cassandra for emergency. I spread some shaving cream on the gauze pad and gently applied it in circular motion to my face a section at a time. The trick with the crushy area is soak a gauze pad with water and place it on the crushy area. That should usually soften it. During the first week I was popping Extra Strength Tylenol like candy.

queenie,

 

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. Do not use dry gauze as it would be too rough on your skin. Wet and foam it, and very gently work on the face in small circular motion, then rinse it and repeat. The texture of the gauze will help remove vaseline and loose crusts on your face.

 

I had another episode of depression this morning. I feel like I have been walking on half a leg for 3 months, and have to continue on sheer will for an unknown length of time.

 

I wonder how others who also went though such long period of healing like me cope with these emotions.

 

Sword

 

 

 

 

I admire you guys so much. It seems like you've certainly been through a lot and continue to keep on living life and enjoying it. I hope you get the results you hope for. It's an inspiration to the rest of us.

Note to self: I really should stop posting these weekly episodes of mood swings and stay positive for those who just had dermabrasions.

queenie,

Thanks for your encouraging posts. Although its true that I still get unwanted attention everywhere I go, my worst enemy is my self consciousness. I should really learn to be at ease with the redness like Steven, who is capable to have fun anytime despite the redness. I hope you have a good night sleep. Please say hi to Cassandra for me in the morning, and ask if she still have those brownies.

Steven,

The S4 convertible will be good for showing our healed faces. I surrender, I cracked the first smile in 2 days!!

You can have the time of your life even when the sky falls. I wish I had more friends like you, or be more like you myself. I'll definitely stop by NYC next year to visit you.

Thanks!!

Sword