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Severe acne scarring 🙁

 
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2
(@yeahsad)

Posted : 08/07/2019 9:39 pm

I have had severe acne ever since I was in 6 grade and it™s taking a huge toll on my mental health :( im in 10th grade now and I have many deep deep acne scarring after finishing accutane that I took for 6 months when I was 14. It™s been 3 months now and the hyper pigmentation is fading away but the deep scars are really bad. I had hope that I™d be able to do some laser or microneedling to fix it but I™ve read countless story™s of people with less scarring then me spending thousands and thousands on treatments trying to help it and nothing has worked. I am now feeling completely hopeless and depressed :(. Do you think theirs any treatments that would work for me?

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0
(@general_rommel)

Posted : 08/07/2019 10:08 pm

First of all, I can understand how you feel about your scars, but you should know thatyou're a good looking guy regardless of your scarring.

Once the hyper pigmentation fades you can get a better idea how how to start treating your scars. For the redness you can try various topicals like Vitamin C serum (try Melano CC on Amazon), Hydroquinone (look for Ambi Fade cream), and Niacinamide 10%.

I'm not a huge expert but it looks like most of your scarring is large boxcar scars. Subcision & filler would help with this, as well as microneedling sessions. Acne scars can be improved, it's justabout finding a good specialist, where are you located?

I don't know how it works in the US but in the EU some acne scar treatment is covered by the NHS, so ask your parents if their insurance covers any treatment, and speak to your dermatologist about that.

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(@daelz7)

Posted : 08/07/2019 10:41 pm

I wish you the best. I hope you get help. if you need any advise dont hesitate to pm me or one of the experts on here.

 

all the best.

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1750
(@beautifulambition)

Posted : 08/08/2019 3:26 pm

@SuicidalteennowYour main problem is PIE or redness, go get multiple treatments of pulse dye laser done, this will help a lot.

You have surface box cars and rollings scars.

You need several sessions of subcision. Do Chinese cupping afterwards(read about this in the FAQ on the main scar treatments sub and the subcision section).

I would also be inclined to do some co2 laser on your and fully ablative laser resurfacing.

What can you do at home use a retinoid nightly, vitamin c serum, niacinamide, glycolic peels monthly, something like the pca hyperpigmentation gel without hydroquinone.

Please see a acne scar specialist(aesthetics DR). Subcision will be the cheapest procedure.3 months between all treatments, treat when you have time and money.

Wear some tinted sunscreen or moisturizer as it will even out your skin color.

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204
(@dazzed)

Posted : 08/08/2019 8:26 pm

First, I'm sorry you are going through this at such a difficult time (highschool). Trust me I know all about this because my acne got out of control at this exact time in my life.

It is safe now for you to do Vbeam laser. That will help bring down the redness, which is what draws the eye first and magnifies the depth of the scars. I'm only guessing, but you need AT least four Vbeams (quite possible 6) at higher settings, but confirm with your dermatologist. You can do one every 4 weeks or so. The redness does not go down immediately after the laser because it takes time for the body to metabolize the red blood cells and remove them from the body. Do not waste your time with IPL if it is recommended to you. That is for general redness, Vbeam targets specific spots.

I think the heavy lifting will come from cannula subcision and filler. Your scars appear tethered, meaning it has scarred down to the underlying strutures, pulling the scar down. You need to do many subcisions first to cut these tethers or the filler will simply but pushed out of the center of the scar and "donut", accentuating the indentations.

 

 

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(@hilalela)

Posted : 08/09/2019 2:36 pm

As someone above already said you are very handsome young man regardless scarring. I am sorry you are going through this but remember you are not alone and there are ways to improve your skin. Sooner yougonna start the treatment the better.

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204
(@dazzed)

Posted : 08/09/2019 5:25 pm

Yes don't lose hope. It can be improved. Perfection is not possible, but significant improvement can be achieved although it's a journey involving several years and unfortunately can be expensive.

Where are you located? If you're near California, go see Dr. Rullan and get his professional opinion.

As someone who has done lasers AND dermabrasion, I will say that they should absolutely be done last in your treatment. You need to raise the scarring as much as possible with many subcisions, fillers, and TCA Cross (for smaller boxcars and icepicks, not the big ones), THEN lasers.

Vbeam will help you get that redness down so it doesn't draw so much attention.

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33
(@joeysk)

Posted : 08/09/2019 5:51 pm

The good thing is you have you youth on your side. I didn't start treating scars until 29 and I highly regret not getting started earlier. You have plenty of time on your side.just know that you can achieve any results given enough time man.

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13
(@daelz7)

Posted : 08/09/2019 10:13 pm

4 hours ago, joeysk said:

The good thing is you have you youth on your side. I didn't start treating scars until 29 and I highly regret not getting started earlier. You have plenty of time on your side.just know that you can achieve any results given enough time man.

THIS A MILLION TIMES. you have youth on your side i am 24 and I wish i started when i was 20. THINK things thoroughly , go with the absolute best people/derms . take things slowly , dont rush em. get multiple opinions. you can do this !.

 

and never forget that you can be an absolutely different person in 1 year both physically and mentally (growth will happen). good luck brotha. keep us updated.

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204
(@dazzed)

Posted : 08/10/2019 5:16 am

Also don't be shy in asking any questions or advice here. Many people here have more knowledge than many derms and been through years of treatment.

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(@misspaige93)

Posted : 08/10/2019 6:48 am

I just wanted to say scars or not you are a very good looking young man. I know how you feel I also have some pretty decent acne scars (Im a female myself) and I have never had a problem with getting a date. If anyone judges you by them there probably not someone you would want to have in your life anyway..for now if youd like to hide the redness you could wear a tinted moisturiser (I have guy friends that wear it so dont worry about being a guy and wearing it) I have boxcar acne scars myself and Ive done 3 microneedling rfs and have seen about a 40% improvement.

paletan and Hilalela liked
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(@yeahsad)

Posted : 08/11/2019 9:14 pm

On 8/7/2019 at 8:08 PM, General_Rommel said:

First of all, I can understand how you feel about your scars, but you should know that you're a good looking guy regardless of your scarring. 

Once the hyper pigmentation fades you can get a better idea how how to start treating your scars. For the redness you can try various topicals like Vitamin C serum (try Melano CC on Amazon), Hydroquinone (look for Ambi Fade cream), and Niacinamide 10%.

I'm not a huge expert but it looks like most of your scarring is large boxcar scars. Subcision & filler would help with this, as well as microneedling sessions. Acne scars can be improved, it's just about finding a good specialist, where are you located? 

I don't know how it works in the US but in the EU some acne scar treatment is covered by the NHS, so ask your parents if their insurance covers any treatment, and speak to your dermatologist about that.

I live in apple valley California 

Those pictures were a bit old and the redness has calmed down a little bit since then, I wasn™t expecting to get reply™s on this but this is what my skin looks like currently

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MemberMember
2
(@yeahsad)

Posted : 08/11/2019 10:06 pm

^this is how my skin is looking right now :(

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MemberMember
2
(@yeahsad)

Posted : 08/11/2019 10:21 pm

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MemberMember
1
(@regretfraxel)

Posted : 08/12/2019 6:10 am

10-12 micro-needling sessions and you wont even be able to tell you had acne. Make sure they dont go in between your eyebrows. Do not get laser! You will regret it! Laser ruined my life.

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MemberMember
129
(@kay24)

Posted : 08/12/2019 7:56 am

Follow BA's advice and start treatment as soon as you can. You're young so that's an advantage in healing. Improvement is 100% possible, just jump in and start treatment. Startthe topical routine recommendedas soon as possible and then get to the plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

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MemberMember
1
(@regretfraxel)

Posted : 08/12/2019 9:03 am

On 8/8/2019 at 9:26 PM, dazzed said:

First, I'm sorry you are going through this at such a difficult time (highschool). Trust me I know all about this because my acne got out of control at this exact time in my life.

It is safe now for you to do Vbeam laser. That will help bring down the redness, which is what draws the eye first and magnifies the depth of the scars. I'm only guessing, but you need AT least four Vbeams (quite possible 6) at higher settings, but confirm with your dermatologist. You can do one every 4 weeks or so. The redness does not go down immediately after the laser because it takes time for the body to metabolize the red blood cells and remove them from the body. Do not waste your time with IPL if it is recommended to you. That is for general redness, Vbeam targets specific spots.

I think the heavy lifting will come from cannula subcision and filler. Your scars appear tethered, meaning it has scarred down to the underlying strutures, pulling the scar down. You need to do many subcisions first to cut these tethers or the filler will simply but pushed out of the center of the scar and "donut", accentuating the indentations.

 

 

These recommendationsfrom these people talking about laser are going to have you looking like a plastic mess! Do not touch laser. Do not touch laser! Do not touch laser!Its like plastic surgery it changes your whole face you wont look the same ever and its permanent. Micro needling is fine, do 10-12 session of that 6 weeks apart itll all be gone. Dont do that other thing either, punch excision, do not do that.

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MemberMember
204
(@dazzed)

Posted : 08/12/2019 4:54 pm

Do you even understand what Vbeam is for? I said don't do laser, if AT ALL, until the indentations are raised.

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MemberMember
1
(@regretfraxel)

Posted : 08/13/2019 8:58 am

16 hours ago, dazzed said:

Do you even understand what Vbeam is for? I said don't do laser, if AT ALL, until the indentations are raised.

What is vbeam? I looked it up. It still gives you that fake plastic laser-ish look. Ah what a regret. I wouldnt wish laser on my worst enemy.

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11
(@kitsliv45)

Posted : 08/14/2019 9:44 pm

@regretfraxelyour negative fraxel experience doesn't negate lasers for everyone. There are plenty of people who are happy with their laser experience. Not to mention your fraxel experience seems to be all in your head. 10-12 microneedling treatments are going to make that drastic of a difference that people won't be able to tell OP had acne...

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72
(@dodgerguy)

Posted : 08/18/2019 6:35 pm

I feel you as I did accutane in the 10th grade, but scars didn't show up till after high school. I'd follow BA's advice with reducing the PIE (redness). Moisturizer with niacinamide (eg. Cerave) is a good one to look into that I use. AHA creams also help with exfoliation and lightening of hyperpigmentationand acne scars (been using Nakeup AHA 10% for 3weeks and already noticing positive effects on redness and scars).Also, tinted sunscreen whenever you leave the house.Subcision, phenol CROSS, and V beam are your best bets right now for procedures. Filler or chinese cupping will be needed if you do subcision.You're very young, so you'll heal faster. You can purchase the derminator and do microneedling at home if you're worried about cost. Dr. Rullan near San Diego is a good dermatologist to look into.

You can do treatments to your face (my preference) every 1.5 months: Subcision + phenol CROSS +/- V beam, wait 1.5 months and do microneedling +/- V beam treatment, then repeat so that you give yourself 3 months break in-between these procedures. Some will do microneedling combined with subcision and phenol CROSS in the same session and that's up to you, but giving your skin time to heal and gain benefits and not layer too many procedures at the same time is my preference. You're a good looking guy and I know this sucks because I've been there. Keep your head up buddy :).

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2
(@yeahsad)

Posted : 11/30/2019 10:10 am

Hello, just thought I should maybe do an update. The redness and dark spots have improved a lot! I am starting to feel a little more confident until I see myself in a window reflection or my phone screen when it™s turned off because the deep scars show so much:( in May I will be able to do treatment for the deep scarring because I will have been off of accutane for a year. What treatments should I do? The scarring is deep and mainly on my cheeks, forehead and temples.

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(@hilalela)

Posted : 12/01/2019 10:17 am

You don't need to wait full year. 6 months is enough. Buy 0,1 % tretinoin cream. It has been proven in many studies to remodellcollagen and it helps withearly scarring or even stretch marks. It will also help your acne prone skin to maintain it's acne free state.You can microneedle at home with 1,5 mm dermastamp every 4 weeks. These are home treatment you can perform.Consistency and time dowonders. I know in US there is Retin-A tretinoin cream but only 0,5% strength. You can order 0,1% strength from Europe (Spain) without prescription. It is called Retirides. I order it from spanish pharmacy website https://www.farmaciatorrent.com/piel-cabello-unas/81489-retirides-01-crema-30gr.html
It is definitely worth it.

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37
(@skinnystrong)

Posted : 12/31/2019 11:21 pm

Hi @Strugglingteen:(Thank you for the pictures, and sharing your story. As some others have said, you are lucky because you are starting treatment young, so healing is faster. Also, you live in a time when acne scarring techniques have evolved so much there is a technique for almost every type of scar. When I was your age, it was only dermabrasion, and when I was slightly older, Smoothbeam. Subcision was only a few years old, and many older derms in my country haven't perfected the technique yet. Now, you have so many options.

I would say for the start of your journey to ignore all other treatment options and to go straight to subcision. It is the best way to fill those indented scars. Then after you're made them shallow enough,go for RF microneedling.

 

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2
(@yeahsad)

Posted : 02/09/2020 4:39 pm

On 12/31/2019 at 8:21 PM, SkinnyStrong said:

Hi @Strugglingteen:(Thank you for the pictures, and sharing your story. As some others have said, you are lucky because you are starting treatment young, so healing is faster. Also, you live in a time when acne scarring techniques have evolved so much there is a technique for almost every type of scar. When I was your age, it was only dermabrasion, and when I was slightly older, Smoothbeam. Subcision was only a few years old, and many older derms in my country haven't perfected the technique yet. Now, you have so many options.

I would say for the start of your journey to ignore all other treatment options and to go straight to subcision. It is the best way to fill those indented scars. Then after you're made them shallow enough,go for RF microneedling.

 

Okay thank you

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