Hello, all. Well last Tuesday, I had my original big scar (the 2" one across the middle of my forehead re-excised) and then a smaller one by my inner eyebrow excised and stitched up. I go back tomorrow for a check up and then I think I will have the stitches out Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how the wound is doing. Everything seems to be okay, but for some reason, I am so much more nervous this time--maybe it's because I have to go back to work next week, whereas my first excision was in the summer (I'm a teacher). Anyway, I just wanted to give a brief update, but will continue to update when the stitches come out.

leopolda, do you teach at cal?

thanks so much and contine to update

Thanks for your good wishes Jonah. And 781, no, I don't teach at Cal, but I am a recent graduate who can't bear to leave the Bay Area, even though housing prices and ridiculous--thank goodness for Berkeley's aggressive rent-control!

Okay, now onto the update. I had the stitches out of my smaller incision on Tues (7 days) and out of the bigger one yesterday. So far, things look pretty good--the Dr. and Nurse were both really pleased with the results and want me to come back in several months so that they can photo-document the results. This all seems encouraging to me. There is a lot less tension on the wound this time, though there is still some. I am wearing steristrips over the larger scar for the next week (hiding it under a knit cap). The other one, I can cover pretty well with concealor. The only things that's a bit wierd is that I think the inside stitches are poking thorugh a little bit in one corner of the inciision. In other words, the extermal stitches came out, but both incisions had embedded absorbable stitches inside and I think the knot of those inside stitches is peeping out of the incision. This must sound really gross and bad, but actually, everything's healing really nicely despite this and in the end they will dissolve anyway. Also, last time, the incision was a bit bumpy where the internal stitch was knotted and in the end, my skin "extruded" the knot--couldn't digest it in time and so it formed like a tiny whitehead and the knot came out (like a plug of oil would). And now, the knot is outside, there is no bumpiness, and I there is only 1 little thread still permeating the incision. I hope that makes sense. I will call their office today to ask them about it, but I think it's okay.

Anyway--more updates later

--leo

i think most guys wouldnt care much about the scar that is left over from this treatment cuz as ive been reading it sounds like it be a better looking scar as dumb as that might sound...if it looks like i got cut my a knife instead of shavign over a pimple and leavign a crater im down with that!

I had a nasty spot on my nose and it looks to be leaving a new scar. How can I prevent it from scarring?

It is already a sort of crater. I dont know whether I should leave it alone to heal and close over, OR if I do leave it alone will it form a permanent scar.

What can I do? Im distraught, I already have scare on the siddes of my nose, dont want one on the tip of it. I feel sick with nerves.

does anyone know about lasers or has anyone tried it? does it even work on real slightly depressed scar? i feel sick to my nerves too although i have only one reall small scar on my chin area its' about this size"o" slightly slightly depressed and can only tell from different angle. nonone notices it except myself. that cuz its on my face i guess. but this one scar that i have is buggin me and ive been to couple doctors and they said they can't see it so leave it alone. that makes me so mad

hey lula lazers arent effective on shallow scars, if you have shallow scar try spot dermabrasion...

Just want to update you all

The punch excisions that I had 2 and 3 months ago are improving greatly. The large one inch scar left from one of the excisions has shrunk - the Cross TCA method seems to have raised it a little, another few months I anticipate it will be flat. Discolouration is still there though.

Dear Maya,

=D> / !!!

So glad to hear your great news Maya!

Hi Everyone,

I was thrilled to find this message board - The support you provide each other is wonderful!

Maya, in particular, you have provided some wonderful information - I have been with many icepick scars for some time now, and my dermatologist told me there was nothing I could do about it - you have given me hope!

May I ask, what is the best way to find a surgeon/dermatologist who will be able to perform excisions? Would I need a reference from a GP?

thanks,

snowflake

lula,

no it's not intended. It looks like the rest of my skin except for some discoloration (slightly pink).

alison,

welcome! Glad this thread could help! )

About preventing scarring I think the "do nothing" method might be the best. Maybe apply a good moisturizer and take some supplements (zinc, B5, silica, vit E for ex.). Copper peptides might be good too.

snowflake,

I recommend you to go to a plastic surgeon, most of them perform excision and are very skilled.

May I ask, what is the best way to find a surgeon/dermatologist who will be able to perform excisions? Would I need a reference from a GP?

 

That is right Maya , I am avery happy with results.

Glad that you are also seeing good results, you will continue to see even

more improvement over time.

It is exactly one year since my first excision, and the scars have been improving all the time, slowly but surely.

Jasmine,

Have you been putting anything on your scar?

I had excision about two months ago. The left over scar looks pretty good. You can't even see the linear line. The only thing I have is a small hole which was caused by the stitches.

Do you (or anyone else) have any advice on how to improve this?

Thanks.

homer where was the scar u had excised located?

Homer u the one that lives in toronto right?? ive been trying to get a hold og you since i seen u got this done because i live near toronto and am interested in going to see ifi can get this done.

Were in toronto did u go? can u give me a number our somthing to call and the docs name?

would u recommend him?

thanks man

YW

Hi Homer.

Glad that you have healed really well from the excision .

I am not sure about what you could do with the hole , you could try 25% TCA on hole and see if you find any improvement. You cannot go really wrong with this ,main risk being hiperpigmentation ,which would not look

very bad on a small hole.

Hi everyone. I am having punch excision done this thursday at the Cleveland Clinic by a derm surgeon. I am very nervous. The doc has scheduled me for an hour and half. I really dont know how many she will do. She told me that It would probably take 2-3 sessions for my icepick type scars that are primarily on my cheeks, a few on my nose and chin. She said that some people opt for a light chemical peel or light dermabrasion after the sessions are all completed, but some are satisfied with the results they get from just the excision. It is so hard to sleep at night because I am both nervous and anxious at the time. I work weekends, so I dread going back to work with little stitches all over my face.

Question for anyone who has had this procedure done:

What is the after care you have done or have heard of for punch excision when stitches are in and for after they are out??????????/

Thanks, Lila

Question for anyone who has had this procedure done:

What is the after care you have done or have heard of for punch excision when stitches are in and for after they are out??????????/

 

Hi. I found this message board a little over a month ago after scheduling to have my excision done. I must say that reading the experiences over the past few weeks definitely give me some hope.

My appointment is actually today at 1:30 and I'm very anxious. I have been looking forward to this day for so long. I have 3 chicken pox scars being excised on my nose, in addition to dermabrasion on another scar that has a rough edge.

I will definitely give an update throughout my experience and can only hope I can help others the way you all have helped me. Thank you Maya and Maria for being so open and honest about your experiences.

Brown Sugar

i think its great that u all are doing something about ur scars. i too have icepick scarring on my cheeks. please please please update with ur results over the next months as im really torn on whether or not i will do this procedure. thanks so much.

Homer,

I had a small hole from the stitches as well. Don't worry, it will improve by time. It can take 6-12 months before the skin is fully healed.

Lila,

I agree with Maya, the do nothing method is best. Maybe take some supplements like zinc etc. Good luck!!

brown sugar,

thank you! I'm happy if my experience can help anyone! )

I have another question, What is the healing time for punch excision? How long before I can where makeup after the stitches are out...............(New Year's Eve is coming up!!!)? My doc said the stitches come out 6 days after the procedure..........is this good/bad or the same as others have had??? Thank you, Lila