Hi

Recently you gave me a list of what to buy and what to do to lessen scars.
I have ordered products and eagerly await arrival.

My question is...I have been offered some free fraxel treatments, im VERY cautious when it comes to lasers... apparently its a new gerneration machine??

Is there any side effects from fraxel?

would it interfere with the whole process im about to begin??

I only want subsicion and dermarolling- but my derm has asked me in for some fraxel. Im sick of being a guinea pig! should I do it?

thanks.

HI Adel, are your scars flat or pitted? If they are flat, I would go with a deep dermabrasion---not micro derm---but a dermabrasion.

If you have "pitted scars" or they are wide and deep, I would have them excised---sutured to just a line type scar then work on them from that point.

Hallie

quote:

Originally posted by Hallie:
HI Adel, are your scars flat or pitted? If they are flat, I would go with a deep dermabrasion---not micro derm---but a dermabrasion.

If you have "pitted scars" or they are wide and deep, I would have them excised---sutured to just a line type scar then work on them from that point.

Hallie

I had excision done about 10 years ago and the dr. turned a smaller ice pick into the worst scar of all my scars..it is going to be by far my most difficult to treat..

I have plenty of pitted scars and I am using the diabetic needles to do a needling/subcision treatment as adell knows..and the needling is working for my pitted scars.along with the rolling and cp's..

I have a couple pitted scars I have made incredible imrpovements on in only 11 weeks..I have alot of damage and a long way to go. But if I can fix even just 1 scar, cant I fix them all????

Yes im SURE you can do the lot! the right attitude is as important as the treatments!!

excision is where they do a punch graft???

as I understand, subsicion is going under the scar, to break the teathers that hold it down like an anchor.
I will also be needling individual scars..(stabbing at the walls and the bottom of the scars..)

Much slower work than 10mins with a roller, but I believe its more precise,(maybe cleaner and safer) and if you have the time and patience...why not!

Ive had subsicion done on a scar while getting isolagen, and its 100% level now...this was a burn scar, almost as big as a pen, under my eye... the laser weilding maniac actually burned off a bit of my face.

The Dr did a 'fanning' technique under the scar...it HURT - but boy, did it WORK.


Thank god it filled in. It was so big and deep. Seeing THAT dissapear gave me so much hope, but IMO it was the fanning technique used, because I didnt get any other signifigant results from isolagen.


I have learned by experience of having multiple injections, by inexperienced cosmetic surgeons, (during isolagen trials) cant do much damage...so I highly doubt I will damage myself.

Happy & healthy healing vibes to all

Hi, could you explain to me how you do the needling and how often? Do the scars look bad afterwards? I am presently using a 1.0 dermaroller but due to the size of the roller and the area where my scar is located, I am not sure if it is doing much. Would a sewing needle work? I was trying this somewhat prior to getting the roller but have not done it lately. Thanks!

Erika

quote:

Originally posted by Erika:
Hi, could you explain to me how you do the needling and how often? Do the scars look bad afterwards? I am presently using a 1.0 dermaroller but due to the size of the roller and the area where my scar is located, I am not sure if it is doing much. Would a sewing needle work? I was trying this somewhat prior to getting the roller but have not done it lately. Thanks!

Erika

erika, the scars look bad for a week roughly..some redness and possibly some scabing..A sewing needle is not what you want to use. thou its possible it works, the chance of negatives are to high with a sewing needle..making the scar worse, infection, and you could never do as good of a job with a sewing needle because of the size..

Use 5mm 31g diabetic pen needles..you can purchase them online or at wallgreens..they should come in boxes of 100 for no more then $15 or $20 bucks and they are pre steralized.....they are the same size as the needles on your roller except longer..so they penetrate the skin very easly and you can make alot of punctures.

I make sure to hit the sides of the scar all the way around, the center of the scar until I have hit the entire center and also I go in at angles and puncture under the scar to try and break the tissue free so it lifts up. its all about taking your time and doing a thorough job..I space out each treatment no less then a month apart..

just be patient and do a carefull and thorough job and you should get that scar moving along..good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by adell:
Yes im SURE you can do the lot! the right attitude is as important as the treatments!!

excision is where they do a punch graft???

as I understand, subsicion is going under the scar, to break the teathers that hold it down like an anchor.
I will also be needling individual scars..(stabbing at the walls and the bottom of the scars..)

Much slower work than 10mins with a roller, but I believe its more precise,(maybe cleaner and safer) and if you have the time and patience...why not!

Ive had subsicion done on a scar while getting isolagen, and its 100% level now...this was a burn scar, almost as big as a pen, under my eye... the laser weilding maniac actually burned off a bit of my face.

The Dr did a 'fanning' technique under the scar...it HURT - but boy, did it WORK.


Thank god it filled in. It was so big and deep. Seeing THAT dissapear gave me so much hope, but IMO it was the fanning technique used, because I didnt get any other signifigant results from isolagen.


I have learned by experience of having multiple injections, by inexperienced cosmetic surgeons, (during isolagen trials) cant do much damage...so I highly doubt I will damage myself.

Happy & healthy healing vibes to all

thanks for the encouragement adell. excision is not a punch graft but they punch the scar out with a tool and stitch it closed..If done by somebody who is really good it can be a very good treatment..but if its not a good dr. it will make the scar worse like in my case..you know how it is with this stuff..

I got burned to adell..about 2 inches by an inch of my face..basicly the whole ball of my right cheek..it was a bad burn..and it healed very very poorly and left that portion of my face severly damaged..to this day it looks like I got burned..the skin in that whole area is synged..it has bothered me over the years very much because its totaly a different texture then the rest of my skin..some of it raised up like burns do ect..its such a mess!! I have tried quite a few treatments at derm offices and at home with peels, microbrasion..even spot dermabrasion..thats just a few..Ive tried others. I guess over the past 9 or 10 years its improved a bit just from time and everything Ive done..but more time than anything..but its still very noticeable..hopefully derma rolling and the cp's are the answer finally..got my hands full for sure..but I feel good knowing I am working hard to improve things..

happy healing vibes to all from me too..

Wow theblues! Sorry to hear about your bad excision. Thank God my experience was a positive one. I did have dermabrasion performed after the excision and suture procedure was healed.

XXHallie

quote:

Originally posted by Hallie:
Wow theblues! Sorry to hear about your bad excision. Thank God my experience was a positive one. I did have dermabrasion performed after the excision and suture procedure was healed.

XXHallie

thank you hallie.. yeah it was really bad unfortunatly. the doctor did a really sloppy job..not quite sure what he was thinking???

But I'm working hard to achieve positive improvements..I have faith in the fact my hardwork with the help and encouragement from others will give me results and the strength to over come.

Good luck and I am praying you get GREAT results! Please keep us all informed----we really do care!

XXHallie

quote:

Originally posted by Hallie:
Good luck and I am praying you get GREAT results! Please keep us all informed----we really do care!

XXHallie

thats so nice of you hallie..I appreciate it very much. I will definitely keep you guys up to date on how things are going..

I also hope things are getting better for you. I know you have posted about its been tough since the situation you had..But you see so many people so bitter on forums about treatments not working ect.. and nobody has more reason to be angry then you yet here you are spreading your kindness..thats incredible strength and character.

Thanks theblues!

I figure this: What happened--happened and now I just have to deal and heal!

Thanks for your kind words! Again, sending wonderful wishes your way!

XXHallie

quote:

Originally posted by Hallie:
Thanks theblues!

I figure this: What happened--happened and now I just have to deal and heal!

Thanks for your kind words! Again, sending wonderful wishes your way!

XXHallie

thank you hallie, and same wishes being sent for you you're amazing!

BUMP! because i would really like to know Dr.Picarts thoughts on fraxel.

Like before wednesday! when my free fraxel session is booked(but can easily cancel)from what I have learned its quite invasive, and can leave marks... i IMAGINE that the regime that is about making skin healthy.. then removing layers ..

it just seems like any laser treatments would be a set back???

OR is it really good? im not planning on having more than the free session!

I dont know if it will cause a breakout, burn my face, make the healing process longer??

Lasers SCARe me....

Thanks

There are many problems with lasers and skin renewal. Many dermatologists no longer think they are as promising as was once thought.

Thank you..all I needed was those few words...

Plus I dont have any positive memories from Co2, and lasers scare me, so I will cancel, and not regret or wonder, what if..

Thank you, ive a feeling you may have saved me from weeks of discolouration and god knows what other damage.

Thanks Dr. Pickart. I value your information so much.

Hi Adell,

I had a positive experience w/ Co2. It depends on the doctor as mine was very experience, and he was not aggressive at all. I had 60% improvement. In addition, I was informed beforehand of any potential risk, so I was able to weigh everything out. These non-invasive procecures or so-called no downtime procedures are a bunch of crap. A lot of doctors who have little or no experienced can perform these procedures and do not explain the risk. 14 years ago, plastic surgeons were the only doctors who could performed these procedures. Now you have technicians, dermatologists, etc. and little or no information is given to victims. Stay clear from fraxel. I read many who regret doing it due to scarring, hyperpigmentation, and poor healing. The risks are greater than the actual benefit.

Hi,
Well I didnt do it. I followed my gut feeling and was reassured by many, thank you all.

I know I made the right choice..free or not, It wasnt sitting well with me. I dont feel I missed out, I feel I did the right thing!!

Imagine if id done it, what I would look like today- and I dont believe fraxel even works. So my attitude wouldnt have helped.

Imagine the emotional roller coaster after I had a monster breakout after my 1st dermarolling session...2 months ago That breakout put my scars into perspective,... a reminder of the days when my face was so angry and blemished..

Im not up for anymore nasty surprises!!



Jayd thats awesome such an improvement!! I went the other direction, my skin was 80% worse after laser, I was later told by another doctor id been burned. Yes cowboys V's quality doctors is the key- also I had no follow up and was told the sun was FINE. So theres no mystery about the pigmentation.

I went in blind,innocent,and gullible and paid the price!!

The SB products are amazing and I can see I will get great results, with no invasive procedures. Its working already, I can only imagine how healthy my skin will look in time!!

Im not risking any invasive treatments ever again.

adell

Adel, I believe you made the right decision with going with your "gut feeling."

My friend is a physician assistant in dermatology---she works along side the physician. She said "it is a hit or miss" with Fraxel The down time and awful reddening is bad--but to see no results is even a worse feeling.

I too love the SB products and have had great results.

Talk to you later!

XXHallie

Hallie you nailed it.

I weighed up the emotional costs...
Really dont want to be a test dummy or go through yet another disfiguring treatment, all for no visible results, and lets face it- i was booked for 1 treatment.

So today, instead of looking a fright I look great thanks to my new SB products.

Im eagerly awaiting the postman now. I am waiting on a dermabrasion cloth.

Im excited, I havent seen such fast results ever before, and the product is very good quality.

I expect may get a breakout, from BP, bumps under the skin, but thats GOOD.

All I know is im Glowing.

Best my skin has looked in YEARS. I am very surprised and pleased...