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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 are the kind of dude who 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
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
Thanks for your support Kipster. At 12 weeks my face is orangy / pink, it still feel tingly and flushes easily. I'm going to send Cassandra some more daylight pics this weekend. Right now there is only one thing in my mind, and that is getting my skin tone back.
Glad to hear you are healing well and your skin looks better and better. I still have milias to this date, but I did not experienced any major break out from wearing CoverBlend concealer and Sunscreen with MAC green concealer mixed in, although sometimes they made me feel itchy. Make sure you wash away the make up as soon as you get home, then moisturize and give your skin time to breathe.
Keep up the good work Kipster!
Sword
Sword, why don't you use FX products that are sold at Shopper's Drugmart? These are made for burned victims. They're very good. The reason I said this because I thought I saw one of your posts saying that you're from Toronto and have to cross to the States to get those cover-up products.
Anyway, glad to hear your skin is getting better. Keep on updating us with your progress.
Thanks pepsis2, interesting product.
http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do;j...DCB7B9?id=15690
I'll try it out. Thanks!!
Sword
Hi Kipster,
My face gets so oily now, I only use NaPCA spray and Amino Plex.
Healing remotely from Dr. Y can be difficult, nothing beats having him checking your face in person. I wonder how much red is part of healing, and how much is hyperpigmentation (yeah I know hyperpigmentation is supposed to be brown, but in rosegirl's case it was red, and Dr. Y told her to use Tri Luma to treat it). They are going to look at my 12 weeks pics, I'll see what they say.
How's your color coming along?
Sword
Hi Kipster,
My face gets so oily now, I only use NaPCA spray and Amino Plex.
Healing remotely from Dr. Y can be difficult, nothing beats having him checking your face in person. I wonder how much red is part of healing, and how much is hyperpigmentation (yeah I know hyperpigmentation is supposed to be brown, but in rosegirl's case it was red, and Dr. Y told her to use Tri Luma to treat it). They are going to look at my 12 weeks pics, I'll see what they say.
How's your color coming along?
Sword
Kipster,
I have the invoice email for the NaPCA spray on my desktop. I'll send it to you later.
Nope, normal 9-5 hours unless I get really busy then I'll stay later. Before the derma, I used to work out during lunch. Even though I can't do that now, I would still put on my hat and drive to the nearest shopping mall and walk. I can't stand sitting at my desk all day. I tinted my car with UV deflecting film and wear a full face cover sun shield.
If you work such long hours, can you arrange with your boss to work only 4 days a week?
I really miss working out at the gym, taking my kids to places, seeing my friends, even sitting at my desk without being gawked at. I hope I'll lose all that redness and regain my pigment in 2 to 3 months.
I wonder if the pigment has already formed even though my skin is still covered by redness?
Thanks Kipster,
Sword
4.5 months Update
Sword, Asian type IV skin.
My dermabrasion experience has gone from positive to negative. Still red, looks like it will take much longer time to fade. Skin is also much lighter.
As I posted in another thread, Dr. Y looked at my pictures and told me I have hypopigmentation. It is quite extensive. If my skin was not covered with redness, it would look much lighter than before. That means if pigmentation does not improve, there will be a clear demarcation of dermabraded and non dermabraded skin. The improvement in scars does not justify this drastic pigmentation change.
Some people cannot function well socially with the redness, and I am one of them. It is affecting me and my family deeply. I don't know why Dr. Y says it takes an average of 3 months for the redness to resolve, when I have read account of Dr. Y patients here who has not faded at month 6, 7 and 9. I made the decision to go with the dermabrasion without being informed the potential down time and risk of persistent redness, and I am very unhappy about that.
Skin is also very shiny, even after towering dry from a face wash.
That's all for now.
Sword
4.5AA months Update
Sword, Asian type IV skin.
My dermabrasion experience has gone from positive to negative.AA Still red, looks like it will take much longer time to fade. Skin is also much lighter.
As I posted in another thread, Dr. Y looked at my pictures and told me I have hypopigmentation.AA It is quite extensive.AA If my skin was not covered with redness, it would look much lighter than before.AA That means if pigmentation does not improve, there will be a clear demarcation of dermabraded and non dermabraded skin.AA The improvement in scars does not justify this drastic pigmentation change.
Some people cannot function well socially with the redness, and I am one of them.AA It is affecting me and my family deeply.AA I don't know why Dr. Y says it takes an average of 3 months for the redness to resolve, when I have read account of Dr. Y patients here who has not faded at month 6, 7 and 9.AA I made the decision to go with the dermabrasion without being informed the potential down time and risk of persistent redness, and I am very unhappy about that.
Skin is also very shiny, even after towering dry from a face wash.
That's all for now.
Sword
4.5 months Update
Sword, Asian type IV skin.
My dermabrasion experience has gone from positive to negative. Still red, looks like it will take much longer time to fade. Skin is also much lighter.
As I posted in another thread, Dr. Y looked at my pictures and told me I have hypopigmentation. It is quite extensive. If my skin was not covered with redness, it would look much lighter than before. That means if pigmentation does not improve, there will be a clear demarcation of dermabraded and non dermabraded skin. The improvement in scars does not justify this drastic pigmentation change.
Some people cannot function well socially with the redness, and I am one of them. It is affecting me and my family deeply. I don't know why Dr. Y says it takes an average of 3 months for the redness to resolve, when I have read account of Dr. Y patients here who has not faded at month 6, 7 and 9. I made the decision to go with the dermabrasion without being informed the potential down time and risk of persistent redness, and I am very unhappy about that.
Skin is also very shiny, even after towering dry from a face wash.
That's all for now.
Sword
Dan,
When you were still red, did you have moments that you think you will stay red forever? I have lots of these thoughts now and its overwhelming me.
How did you handle it?
Thanks,
Sword
For the life of me I can't remember the docs name. It was 20 years ago. I had it performed by a doctor in Conneticut, at Yale New Haven Hospital.AA I got pretty good results. But you are right about the redness. I also was not informed that the redness would last as long as it did.AA Pain in the ass.James
Sword,
I'm truly sorry that this precedure has such a negative impact on you. I'd just like you to know that you are not alone and I'm sincerely hoping that your hypopigmentation problem will fade away more quickly as times go by. The permanent hypopigmentation is extremely rare even for Asian skin type but you should expect to eventually have an almost unnoticeable lighter skin tone. I'm six weeks post derm and the color of my face remains persistently red. So I'm pretty much sure that I will go through what you've just gone through.
BTW, did you tint your car by yourself (or by a shop)? I'd also like to get a full face sun shield since I'll need to drive from NY to LA this late summer. Can you tell me where you get that shield?
Anyway, my prayer goes to you and I'll bet all my money on that your hypopigmentation condition is nothing permenant.
Lunar
4.5 months Update
Sword, Asian type IV skin.
My dermabrasion experience has gone from positive to negative. Still red, looks like it will take much longer time to fade. Skin is also much lighter.
As I posted in another thread, Dr. Y looked at my pictures and told me I have hypopigmentation. It is quite extensive. If my skin was not covered with redness, it would look much lighter than before. That means if pigmentation does not improve, there will be a clear demarcation of dermabraded and non dermabraded skin. The improvement in scars does not justify this drastic pigmentation change.
Some people cannot function well socially with the redness, and I am one of them. It is affecting me and my family deeply. I don't know why Dr. Y says it takes an average of 3 months for the redness to resolve, when I have read account of Dr. Y patients here who has not faded at month 6, 7 and 9. I made the decision to go with the dermabrasion without being informed the potential down time and risk of persistent redness, and I am very unhappy about that.
Skin is also very shiny, even after towering dry from a face wash.
That's all for now.
Sword
Thanks Lunar.
1. What leads you to think permanent hypopigmentation is extremely rare even for asian skin type? Did Dr. Y tell you that? Did you learn that from other source?
After seeing my pictures Dr. Y said I have hypopigmentation and will call up an African derm in LA specializing in pigmenation problem to see what "she can suggest". What should I believe?
2. Dr. Y said only 4% - 5% of his patients heal a shade lighter than original. From an article you linked earlier, it says
"The more permanent problem of hypopigmentation usually does not appear for 12-18 months after surgery. This pigmentary alteration occurs in 20-30% of patients; however, recent work with the 308 nm excimer laser may provide a method of stimulating melanocytes to replace lost pigment. "
Please note that Dr. Y's name is also mentioned in the aritcle. To me 20% - 30% is a high risk that should have been mentioned forth front, not to be found out after the dermabrasion.
3. I tinted my car at a shop, ask about the film they use, and do some research yourself on the manufacturer. If permitted by local law, tint your windshield window too with the least dark film.
This is the only online store I can find.
I bought the "uv cap" here at a local market. Even though it says it is ISO certified, I only use it as extra protection, in case it doesn't work as advertised. I always wear sunblock underneath.
Sword
Sword -
I think mine went on for a few months and then faded gradually. I did not seem to notice as much after a few months. I was glad to have the reduction in scarring. As I mentioned before, the hypopigmentation persisted but is much less noticeable if I get a bit of sun. It blends better. It takes about 3 or 4 months for the redness to substantially die down.
Dan
Dan,
When you were still red, did you have moments that you think you will stay red forever? I have lots of these thoughts now and its overwhelming me.
How did you handle it?
Thanks,
Sword
For the life of me I can't remember the docs name. It was 20 years ago. I had it performed by a doctor in Conneticut, at Yale New Haven Hospital.AA I got pretty good results. But you are right about the redness. I also was not informed that the redness would last as long as it did.AA Pain in the ass.James
Sword,
Thanks for your info about the visor and the films. I was also told by Dr. Y that the risk was less than 5% of having a very obvious lighter skin tone. (Well, 5% risk is good enough for me who have pretty bad acne scars.) Before I decided to go to Dr. Y, I was planning to get it done in South Korea and I was informed about the long duration of having redness, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. As for hypopigmentation, I was told that it may take 6+ months to regain the original skin tone. Therefore, it may be too early to declare having a permanent hypopigmentation. But, again, I'm not a medical doctor.
There is a doctor (in NYC) who is specialized in treating skins for Asian/African Americans ( http://www.cookboldenskinandlaser.com/services.shtml ). Another famous doctor who has similar expertise is Tina Alster ( http://www.aslms.org/drtinaalster.htm ). You may contact them if you need more help. I sincerely do not believe that Dr. Y misinformed or downplayed the risks of having a dermabrasion but IMHO, he may assume that his patients on this board are extremely knowledgeable about "what you are asking for" but he'll be more than happy to answer any of your concerns in details if you ask him. (At least that was my experience.)
I geniunely wish this is just a false alarm and please keep us updated.
Lunar
Thanks Lunar.
1. What leads you to think permanent hypopigmentation is extremely rare even for asian skin type?AA Did Dr. Y tell you that?AA Did you learn that from other source?
After seeing my pictures Dr. Y said I have hypopigmentation and will call up an African derm in LA specializing in pigmenation problem to see what "she can suggest".AA What should I believe?
2. Dr. Y said only 4% - 5% of his patients heal a shade lighter than original.AA From an article you linked earlier, it says
"The more permanent problem of hypopigmentation usually does not appear for 12-18 months after surgery. This pigmentary alteration occurs in 20-30% of patients; however, recent work with the 308 nm excimer laser may provide a method of stimulating melanocytes to replace lost pigment. "
Please note that Dr. Y's name is also mentioned in the aritcle.AA To me 20% - 30% is a high risk that should have been mentioned forth front, not to be found out after the dermabrasion.
3.AA I tinted my car at a shop, ask about the film they use, and do some research yourself on the manufacturer.AA If permitted by local law, tint your windshield window too with the least dark film.
This is the only online store I can find.
I bought the "uv cap" here at a local market.AA Even though it says it is ISO certified, I only use it as extra protection, in case it doesn't work as advertised.AA I always wear sunblock underneath.
Sword
Lunar,
Thanks for posting the links.
I sense that Dr. Y meant what he said and did not mean downplay the risk according to his belief. I have no question about his honesty and good intention. However, whether what he believes is accurate is another matter
Online medical journals indicates much higher hypopigmentation risks for type IV skin than the 4% - 5%. It is also a fact that some of his patients has not faded at month 6, 7, 8 and even 9.
I wish Dr. Y was more conservative when screening darker skin patients, and project a more realistic downtime than the "average" 3 months.
I have spoken to him many times, there is really nothing he can do except referring me to a pigmenation problem expert in LA. I too hope this hypopigmenation is temporary and I will gain more color as it goes, but only time will tel.
Thanks,
Sword
I'm considering having dermabrasion done, but I'm paranoid of picking a plastic surgeon that's a hack. Who is DR. Y. I've read about a Dr. Yarborough on other acne dermabrasion sites, is this who your referring too?
If so where is he/she, where is he/she and how can I contact him/her?
Thanks Dan.
Sorry I meant to direct this question to HealthySkeptic (James) who said the redness persisted for a year. Somehow I was thinking about your experience at the same time.
Sword
Sword -
I think mine went on for a few months and then faded gradually. I did not seem to notice as much after a few months. I was glad to have the reduction in scarring. As I mentioned before, the hypopigmentation persisted but is much less noticeable if I get a bit of sun. It blends better. It takes about 3 or 4 months for the redness to substantially die down.
Dan