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Different Scar Tissue

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/21/2014 5:15 pm

so anyone who has ever gotten tca cross will know that the scar tissue is different from the other skins and im wondering will it blend in after couple months because even though it rises the ice pick scar a bit it still same thing if it looks different

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270
(@blahblahblahblahz)

Posted : 03/21/2014 6:55 pm

Other than the different texture of the raised scar tissue, are you finding that it does fill up the holes? I think typically one the holes rise up, doctors will do a resurfacing procedure to blend everything in. Sounds like you are having success with TCA cross. Are you doing this with a doctor?

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/21/2014 7:41 pm

only been a month , think it has about 2 more months to see full results maybe but the skin texture looks weird

will a tca peel help blend it in ?

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(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 03/21/2014 8:31 pm

Unfortunately, I don't think you can change the surface texture of scar tissue. I'm dealing with the same issue. Even as a scar becomes shallow, the scarred texture remains. It's still noticeable because it's different from unscarred tissue. If you find a cure, I'd love to know what it is. Perhaps, that's why they say you can't fully erase a scar. Cutting it out and replacing it with a small line scar seems to be the only cure, assuming it heals properly.

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/21/2014 9:43 pm

yeah i dont even know why they recommend tca cross as a treatment it still gonna be noticeable because of the different scar tissue its stupid

has anyone tried or know if tca peels around 30 -50% can help scar tissue texture or atleast smooth out indented scars a bit ?

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270
(@blahblahblahblahz)

Posted : 03/22/2014 1:42 am

I think that's why they only recommend this on really small icepick scars, because when the hole fills up, the texture will be different. But because it's small, I guess it would look better than a bunch of holes.

It's not only an issue with TCA cross but with things like fillers as well. You can raise a hole, but the texture will still draw attention. Resurfacing procedures is the only thing currently available to try and address that, and even that is an imperfect approach.

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(@shelbyville)

Posted : 03/22/2014 5:18 am

Humm... I know scar tissue is diferent than normal skin but is it thinner or harder than normal skin?

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 8:35 am

not thinner or harder it just looks completely different

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(@shelbyville)

Posted : 03/22/2014 10:26 am

Yes but if you touch and "grab" your scars skin/tissue and normal face skin you notice some difference. For example if I prick my scars they feel hard(er than surrounding skin). Do you experience the same?

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 10:56 am

cant tell feels the same just looks completely different

my plan is to wait until 2-3 more months and see how it looks hopefully it will soften up a bit

then i plan to do a tca peel every month on from there to smooth it out if it still looks weird to me

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(@shelbyville)

Posted : 03/22/2014 11:22 am

Tca peel ugh?

What type of scars do you have? Just ice pick scars?

 

I believe it can get you good long term results. If you do it every month it will give you a better texture and colour, but you need multiple treatments.

 

My scars are almost invisible (ice pick). They look like big pores however if I blow my cheeks they seem shallower but bigger (like a 1mm boxcar). They feel hard underneath when I prick them, I believe its scar tissue.

Do you believe they will remain hard for the rest of my life or will they remodel and feel normal again?

they are 1 btw but still red

Thank you in advance :)

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(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 11:45 am

Tca peel ugh?

What type of scars do you have? Just ice pick scars?

I believe it can get you good long term results. If you do it every month it will give you a better texture and colour, but you need multiple treatments.

My scars are almost invisible (ice pick). They look like big pores however if I blow my cheeks they seem shallower but bigger (like a 1mm boxcar). They feel hard underneath when I prick them, I believe its scar tissue.

Do you believe they will remain hard for the rest of my life or will they remodel and feel normal again?

they are 1 btw but still red

Thank you in advance

yes ice pick scars

i dont think indented scars will heal on there own unless you have done a agressive treatment to start the collagen remodeling going , same thing goes for creams they dont work unless your skin is damaged thats why alot of people dont get results with collagen creams for indented scars

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28
(@michi31)

Posted : 03/22/2014 3:45 pm

I had the same thing happen with subcision. It did fill it in somewhat but created hard, dense scar tissue. It was a trade-off for sure. I wish I had tried filler first as this hard tissue wasn't there before.

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46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 03/22/2014 4:52 pm

Having gone through 3 resurfacing sessions so far, I have my doubts on whether the scarred texture of an ice pick or boxcar can be improved to a point that it looks like normal skin. Laser resurfacing can plump up a scar, make the skin tighter (shrinking a scar), improve discloration and soften scar tissue but It can't magically transform the texture to normal skin. With that said, I don't see how a peel can permanently change the texture of a scar to blend with normal skin.

From what I've read, TCA Cross thickens scar tissue. The hope is to raise the scar up from the base. It doesn't break up or soften scar tissue like laser or needling.

When I had TCA Cross done, my scars remained red, shiny and deep at the 4 month point. I then had laser done and the discloration, depth and texture improved. However, the scars still have a different texture. I think the shiny finish can go away on its own over time, similar to how your skin heals after a deep scrape. After time, the texture and color do improve but the area probably won't ever look like normal skin when examined up close.

My scars are greatly improved and they blend better but they're still noticeable because of the texture issue. This is especially true for my wider boxcar scars. They don't create the same shadows and are softer but the border of each scar is still noticeable because there's a change in texture. The surface of my scars appear poreless and smooth while my normal skin has a pretty consistent pattern of wide pores. The color of each scar is also a shade different from unscarred skin. I wish there was a way to get the skin to heal like normal. If I could restore the pores to my scars, I think they'd be almost unnoticeable.

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270
(@blahblahblahblahz)

Posted : 03/22/2014 5:18 pm

A scar is noticeable due to texture, color, depth, or if it crosses a natural skin tension line. The current treatments can help with each of these, but it's imperfect at best. You can improve color and depth, but texture is much harder to make appear normal. I think shooting for "normal" is not realistic given current scar procedures. The best we can hope for is improvement, and some people do make remarkable progress.

I recently did a test spot for dermabrasion. The scarred area is flattened and smoother, but it has a slight shiny surface and up close it doesn't look like untouched skin. But with some concealer, it looks better then a sharp edged scar.

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(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 5:52 pm

yeah im hoping to do tca peel for atleast 2-3 months to see if it actually does help worth a shot

but i heard tca peel can reach the dermis ?

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(@shelbyville)

Posted : 03/22/2014 6:49 pm

No, the peel cant reach dermis. It only peels epidermis as far as I know. "Peeling" dermis would result in damage of tissue which can only mean more scar tissue. However, tca peels are strong enough to stimulate collagen production.

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 8:19 pm

Here's my personal cut off point that distinguishes medically performed peels from those offered in a spa, by an aesthetician or facialist. A medium strength chemical peel allows the acid to penetrate through the epidermis, down into the upper most portion of the dermis known as the papillary dermis. A medium strength peel will be far more likely to be associated with complications, both temporary and permanent.

In addition to the pre-peel use of exfoliants, the use of a skin bleaching agent, such as 4% hydroquinone, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen a month prior to the procedure, may be added for more aggressive forms of these peels, or for patients who already suffer from some form of skin discoloration. Inflammation from this level peel may temporarily produce an increase in skin tone. Medium peels are typically not appropriate for people with darker skin tones or of ethnic background, again due to the risk of irregular pigmentation following the procedure.

Dealing with infection preventatively is key here. For non-buffered glycolic acid and more commonly TCA peels, the use of antiviral medication (herpes cold sore prevention) started before the peel is performed is very helpful. The use of antibiotics is sometimes also used. It is absolutely CRUCIAL that you not pick at the peeling skin during the healing phase. This is a sure way to end up with an infection and long lasting problems such as scarring or skin discoloration.

Often the use of emollients during the first few days are incorporated in addition to the continued use of sunscreen such as DERMAdoctor Body Guard, and a very mild cleansing agent such as DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge 1 facial cleanser. Make-up is often avoided until the skin has fully peeled away.

Buffered glycolic acid chemical peels that range from 70-99% do not cause the type of significant noticeable peeling that you can see with TCA peels such as AccuPeel. However, a series of 6-12 buffered glycolic acid peels compared to usually 1 of the AccuPeel is typically performed. Skin sensitivity, degree of skin concerns, time down, and cost will determine which form of peel should be chosen.

A variety of acid compounds can be used for a medium peel: Glycolic Acid 70%+ (non-buffered), TCA 35-70%, combination peels such as solid CO2, (also called dry ice), followed by medium strength TCA, and glycolic acid followed by TCA.

says that it could read the upper layer of the dermis idk if its true or not though

http://www.dermadoctor.com/blog/chemical-peels/

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46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 03/22/2014 9:07 pm

When I read a noninvasive procedure or superficial treatment "stimulates collagen production", I equate it to tightening and plumping the skin with newly generated collagen. This can cause skin to look refreshed, softer and more youthful. A peel exfoliates the top layer to a certain depth. Done properly, it doesn't cause damage and results in skin renewal on the surface. To me, I don't see how that can break up scar tissue or result in the repair of damage. Without causing real damage to the skin, I don't see how a peel can cause the restructuring of collagen fibers at the right depth, so a scar's texture has a chance of improvement during the healing phase.

I am planning to try needling of individaul scars next to break up scar tissue with the hope that it will heal better and look more like normal skin.

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/22/2014 9:53 pm

if tca cross can cause scar tissue to fill in , i believe several treatments of tca peel like 2 layer of 25% would help over time maybe

i want to try needling but i just cant do it myself to the point where i bleed i heard thats how youre suppose to do it , i tried it once and it made more scars

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270
(@blahblahblahblahz)

Posted : 03/22/2014 10:21 pm

The thing with TCA cross is I believe it is basically intentional scarring. You are using 100% TCA to scar up a hole so that it swells and closes up on itself. It's essentially creating a more aesthetically acceptable scar. Like with excisions, you are trading one scar for another more aesthetic scar, hopefully if all goes right.

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46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 03/23/2014 1:44 am

The thing with TCA cross is I believe it is basically intentional scarring. You are using 100% TCA to scar up a hole so that it swells and closes up on itself. It's essentially creating a more aesthetically acceptable scar. Like with excisions, you are trading one scar for another more aesthetic scar, hopefully if all goes right.

This is my understanding of TCA Cross, as well. You're pretty much filling a hole with scar tissue. It's not made up of normal collagen but assuming the hole fills, the result can be more aesthetically acceptable than a deep pit.

I deeply regret trying TCA Cross because some of my scars look like burn scars more than acne scars. My scars that are smooth & slightly discolored at the base definitely look like they were caused by a chemical burn. At least, I see the difference between those scars and my acne scars that didn't react to the TCA. I think burn scars are much more difficult to improve.

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46
(@tokyogirl)

Posted : 03/23/2014 2:02 am

if tca cross can cause scar tissue to fill in , i believe several treatments of tca peel like 2 layer of 25% would help over time maybe

i want to try needling but i just cant do it myself to the point where i bleed i heard thats how youre suppose to do it , i tried it once and it made more scars

I want to try needling but I honestly don't know if I could do it to myself. I am willing to pay someone. However, as of yet, I haven't found anyone experienced in needling individual acne scars. Finding a clinic with dermapen or dermaroller is pretty easy but I want my individual scars needled, not a dermapen/rolling treatment.

How did you create more scars needling? Did you use a single needle or dermapen/roller device? I have read needling scars is pretty safe, and understand that you do have to bleed. I don't want to try a roller because I think it can tear the skin and cause damage, if it's not rolled properly. It also doesn't allow you to focus the needles on individual scars.

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(@shelbyville)

Posted : 03/23/2014 5:59 am

I'm sorry guys you are right. I was thinking about peels lol

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42
(@leadingforce)

Posted : 03/23/2014 8:08 am

if tca cross can cause scar tissue to fill in , i believe several treatments of tca peel like 2 layer of 25% would help over time maybe

i want to try needling but i just cant do it myself to the point where i bleed i heard thats how youre suppose to do it , i tried it once and it made more scars

I want to try needling but I honestly don't know if I could do it to myself. I am willing to pay someone. However, as of yet, I haven't found anyone experienced in needling individual acne scars. Finding a clinic with dermapen or dermaroller is pretty easy but I want my individual scars needled, not a dermapen/rolling treatment.

How did you create more scars needling? Did you use a single needle or dermapen/roller device? I have read needling scars is pretty safe, and understand that you do have to bleed. I don't want to try a roller because I think it can tear the skin and cause damage, if it's not rolled properly. It also doesn't allow you to focus the needles on individual scars.

i think dermapen would be way better but idk if its worth a shot and will really work , i used a derma roller and it look terrible the next day so i really didnt wanna try again

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