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Posting updates from my acne scar treatment and tbh I'm not seeing any results as of yet. I got TCA cross (85%) with subciscion and CO2 laser and 3 weeks later imnot seeing much of a difference. After my TCA cross I didnt form much of any scabs at all (some spots were dark for a day or 2 then went to normal) and curious if I just wasted my money. I paid about $2300 for this session and I know that it will take multiple sessions but I feel as though even after 1 I should have either gotten alot of scabs or some sort of difference. Maybe I just need to wait longer? I have a follow up session in 2 months so curious if I should switch dermatologists or not.
Background
- Dealing with acne scars for 15+ years (got them in my teens)
- 3 weeks from day 0 to today
- Male 33
- Procedure TCA cross (85%), CO2 laser = $2300
That's interesting that after TCA you didn't get any scabbing or anything and it went back to normal so fast. I think I'd get a second opinion on that or go to another place.
Also, laser takes a bunch of times to work from what I've seen. It hardly shows results each time but over a bunch of sessions sometimes you can see results. I know it's frustrating!
That's interesting that after TCA you didn't get any scabbing or anything and it went back to normal so fast. I think I'd get a second opinion on that or go to another place.
Also, laser takes a bunch of times to work from what I've seen. It hardly shows results each time but over a bunch of sessions sometimes you can see results. I know it's frustrating!
Yea Im thinking Dr. Peter Rullan in SD which is recommended here but I think my question is should I go with a new doctor that might be conservative again or stick to the doctor I know who would go more aggressive seeing how my last treatment went
For the record, I had 4-5 spots of TCA cross and all my scars widened. I'm just not a big fan of TCA cross. Also I got a fractional laser test and it sort of changed my pigment and contour next to it. Now I'm chasing that. So it's extremely difficult to tell what will work for certain scars. I'm in a similar boat as you. Trying to find solutions but everything just seems to be worsening or not helping. Only thing that helped was 20 years ago huge resurfacing dermabrasion probably by sheer luck, but doctors don't do it anymore and it messed my texture a lot for the record. Some people just get mass improvement with right treatment and luck.
Your scars aren't super deep, wonder do you think an aggressive Erbium would work? Rullan has okay ratings. I've yet to really find experts on acne scars anywhere in particular. Just by the quantity and the fact that they're not super deep, I have to assume only a resurfacing would be best to some extent.
No it doesn't appear better day 0 to 1 but you also don't show any aggressive signs like redness or crusting or anything.
For the record, I had 4-5 spots of TCA cross and all my scars widened. I'm just not a big fan of TCA cross. Also I got a fractional laser test and it sort of changed my pigment and contour next to it. Now I'm chasing that. So it's extremely difficult to tell what will work for certain scars. I'm in a similar boat as you. Trying to find solutions but everything just seems to be worsening or not helping. Only thing that helped was 20 years ago huge resurfacing dermabrasion probably by sheer luck, but doctors don't do it anymore and it messed my texture a lot for the record. Some people just get mass improvement with right treatment and luck.
Your scars aren't super deep, wonder do you think an aggressive Erbium would work? Rullan has okay ratings. I've yet to really find experts on acne scars anywhere in particular. Just by the quantity and the fact that they're not super deep, I have to assume only a resurfacing would be best to some extent.
No it doesn't appear better day 0 to 1 but you also don't show any aggressive signs like redness or crusting or anything.
Yea he has okay rating but thought he would be best since alot of reviews. Im in San Francisco so traveling is a pain but I would be willing if its guaranteed but you are saying its not even that so idk what to do. I just dont want to waste anymore money since $2300 is pretty steep each treatment
For the record, I had 4-5 spots of TCA cross and all my scars widened. I'm just not a big fan of TCA cross. Also I got a fractional laser test and it sort of changed my pigment and contour next to it. Now I'm chasing that. So it's extremely difficult to tell what will work for certain scars. I'm in a similar boat as you. Trying to find solutions but everything just seems to be worsening or not helping. Only thing that helped was 20 years ago huge resurfacing dermabrasion probably by sheer luck, but doctors don't do it anymore and it messed my texture a lot for the record. Some people just get mass improvement with right treatment and luck.
Your scars aren't super deep, wonder do you think an aggressive Erbium would work? Rullan has okay ratings. I've yet to really find experts on acne scars anywhere in particular. Just by the quantity and the fact that they're not super deep, I have to assume only a resurfacing would be best to some extent.
No it doesn't appear better day 0 to 1 but you also don't show any aggressive signs like redness or crusting or anything.
Yea he has okay rating but thought he would be best since alot of reviews. Im in San Francisco so traveling is a pain but I would be willing if its guaranteed but you are saying its not even that so idk what to do. I just dont want to waste anymore money since $2300 is pretty steep each treatment
I totally get it. If you're in CA then that's half the battle, I only mean people flying to Rullan. I mean he has okay reviews. He's not a miracle worker but most people who went to him think he's experienced. I hear you on the cost. The whole industry of acne scars is one of luck and time, and also taking both of those and trying to find good doctors. But a good doctor alone doesn't guarantee anything, it's just one part of the equation.
I'm on my 6th or 7th consult in 12 months. Almost every doctor I've seen is not confident or proposed non-sensical treatment. One doctor made something worse.
You could always try to resurface a test spot. Definitely the TCA cross didn't do anything, the CO2 didn't. It's odd you don't have redness or crusting. That's the only reason I said maybe Erbium because you're scars aren't super deep, a full ablative might blend. It's too wide an area to spot treat imo, although you can test just to make sure you respond well.
I personally don't think you can spot treat this like cross or needling. For the record you might want to search Lim's suggestions or photos. He's debatable how regarded he is but I find his thoughts reasonable so google similar scars see what lasers he used. He has some before/afters.
But yeah get more consults, that's the same boat I'm in. And then do your best guess gamble on something. I wish it was easier, I'm sorry my man, in the same boat.
My question first would be: Did the scars get worse after your first procedure? I can't quite tell. If they got worse, then maybe TCA is not the right way to go for you. I'd hate to see them get worse.
It didnt get worse or better it just stayed the same
Hmm. I'm also wondering if you even really got TCA CROSS if it didn't crust up and got right back to normal. Like did they do it correctly? This is why I'm thinking a second opinion might be good.
I'm in San Francisco too by the way 🙂 Not that I know a good person here for you, but hello neighbor!
I don't remember my TCA cross scabbing either tbh, i just remember they got wider in a few days. Maybe some people react differently or it was done wrong. Who knows honestly. Some people scab. My main thing is, with subscision, C02 and cross, you'd see evidence of some sort of healing or redness or something just 3 weeks earlier, that's what's kind of like weird to me. Maybe the doctor did everything extremely light because of his skin type and he wasn't confident and didn't want to risk making it worse etc. That's highly possible. $2300 is not unreasonable for those 3 things if it's done in a substantial way.
The main thing I'd tell him is to not think Rullan is a miracle worker but if he's close or at least within a drive rather than flying, he's definitely one of the doctors spoken about. I just know from the years that he's not a miracle worker. And like I told him truly, it's 1/3rd luck, 1/3rd personal response to treatment and 1/3rd doctor talent. That's what's frustrating.
If it was me I might see if someone wants to do erbium or full ablative and see if it blends, do it in a spot to test if that's feasible, you don't want pigment issues. Then again a full ablative might also not be perfect. It's case specific as to what's the best risk/reward. That's is one "resurfacing" that has teeth because your goal is to try and blend the scars together with normal skin. Maybe his scars are too deep to blend I don't know. Lim's literature and before and afters is probably the guide I would refer to to brainstorm. Just try to match up procedures his patients had good responses to and in what chronology.
I truly wish OP good results, he's in same boat as me and I wish scars were more easily advisable.