Hi, Stoney, I have needled my lip scar with a sewing needle twice three times since the beginning of August. The top part which has a small "hole" actually seemed a little better since the last needling three weeks ago and then all of a sudden in the past couple of days I can see it when I look head on. For the last 14 months I could only see it when I turned in a certain direction but not in this particular direction. What's going on? Have I made it worse? It was not visible at this angle before.

Erika

Hi Erika!

Well, collagen forms different with everyone. Also, as we age, we lose collagen. Not sure what is going on, but I would continue the needling because this helps fill in any indentations.

XXHallie

Hi, Hallie, thanks - I think I will wait around another 3 weeks before I poke again. Sort of nervous. How have you been? How is your cheek?

Erika

Hi Erika! Thanks for asking about my cheek. I have to go back for additional--but minor surgery. The infection had gone so deep and I had so much tissue damage that the implant itself was not quite enough to fill one certain area. I have to have a dermal/coupled with fat graft in about three weeks.

As soon as things are healed, I can send you pictures if you would like!

Yes, three weeks before "poking yourself again" sounds like a good plan.

Again, thanks for asking about me!

Hugs!
Hallie

Erika, I would venture to guess that this is a good sign. The hole is finally starting to fill in a bit with new collagen & the scar itself is rearranging.

Like Hallie said, I would continue with the needling & keep up the CPs & abrasion on the spot until that sucker is gone for good!... ...

My problem is, as I completely conquer one bad spot after the next which can take months, I find more stubborn spots resurfacing... ..30 yrs worth of damage.

I wish I had used Retin-A like you on my active acne when I was younger & I would NOT be facing this tremendous task of undoing BP damage... ...

I am up to 0.1% a couple of times a week. How often do you use yours?...I am assuming you use it allover with your CPs. Your face, other than your lip scar MUST look good!... ...which I guess makes your lip scar more noticeable in your own eyes.

Just keep at it!

Hi, Stoney, I hope you are right. I wondered if maybe by poking I removed something and made it bigger or more obvious. I'll wait awhile to poke again! I use the Retin-A .1 pretty much every night except now as it is colder I have alternating using the Lacsal because the Retin-A dries my skin out so much in the winter. I think that when you stop using it consistently some of the old scars do resurface - at least that's what I've found in my case, but overall, my skin does look good for my age - better than if I had never used it. I still getting those little millia if I don't use it because I have very small pores. I think if you stop using it your skin returns pretty much to the way it was so it's something you have to continue to do. It does thin the skin - maybe that's why some lines don't look as obvious. I know I had a line above my lip that was pretty much gone and when the dr reduced me to Retin-A .05 it came back and I have never been able to really completely get rid of it since even when I went back to the .1 - Don't beat yourself up about using what you did. The only reason I got Retin-A in 1973 is because it was new at the time and my doctor recommended it. I remember many nights crying because my skin looked so bad - but I think that's why it worked - even the .1 isn't as strong as what I used at that time. Another doctor wanted me to use benzyl peroxide - it's all a crap shoot. Took years before I went back on the Retin-A.

Erika

Yes Erika,

I would say it is definitely improvement as long as you are using CPs after needling. CPs suppress the scar forming protein. Believe me, if you could see how aggressive I sometimes get removing damage you would think I was going to end up looking like Frankenstein... ...I have faith that CPs will not only rebuild the tissue, but will prevent further scarring. It work!...

Halloween is coming & I refuse to be a "Smurfette with the Measles" again... ... I plan on being Cinderella even if in her "scrub clothes".

Actually, If Dr. P himself goes as Dr. Frankenstein I would then consider going as one of his victims... ...still with my ultimate goal to be totally scar-free!

I am going as a Wizard. Still working on my outfit.

Okay, that settles it. I know who I will go as this year...click, click, click...

Actually, I think I would rather go as the "evil-side"...

Wicked-Witch of the East Barbie

Stoney and Hallie, thanks for your responses. I hope you are right about this being a good sign. I am really upset about this becoming more visible after a year of working on this and no real success so far in this filling in.

Erika

I know what you mean Erika. I sometimes want to hide (I actually do ) while I work on my face. While I have successfully removed & remodeled many, many, many, many, many, etc. spots on my face, I struggle with the last few.

This may help to get your mind off of your scar as you get ready for Halloween:

Erika

Here's one for:

Hallie

Well, I will go as a "sack of potatoes" and put a brown bag over my head! I am still in the process of getting my injured cheek repaired.


XXHallie

I think I might as well just go as a witch - warts and all!

OH Erika, know you are being too cruel! LOL You are too hard on yourself---but your comment is really funny!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hallie,

At least I don't really have warts - at least not yet!

Oh, I am sure you are gorgeous!

XXHallie

Hi Erika!

I have good months and bad months with my skin. I am sure your skin and collagen will look fine. Please try to be patient. Look, I went for one year with a huge indent in my face. I wanted to put a bag over my head! Dr. P's products have worked wonderfully and needling does really help.

XXHallie

Thanks, Hallie, I know you have been through alot - makes me feel bad. I think the last time I needled maybe the needle was not fine enough. I have done it a couple times before with no bad result. Will wait awhile to try it again. Just seems that the more I try to improve things, the worse it gets!

Erika

Oh yes, the needle has to be really fine. I tried one time with a thicker needle----not a good idea! LOL

Take care and keep us posted. We do care!

XXHallie