scar removal

[reddot]

Just wondering if anyone else has any ideas on how to remove or lessen scars caused by picking. Sometimes I do good by not picking for a couple days or so, but my boyfriend still calls me "reddot" because the scars remain. Thanks

[Starryeyed]

I use Palmer's Cocoa Butter Cream-I get through tons of the stuff!

[Connie]

I would see a dermatologist.

[Canuck]

I've never used it myself, but a lot of people on the board have raved about Mederma.

www.mederma.com/

[pamela]

aloe vera gel, vitamin a cream, no sun...exfoliation...

[NJGUY25]

I just got back from a business trip to FL. I thought I would just read some posts and catch up, but this caught my eye.

I went on a few Golf outings in the Florida sun and I thought this actually helped my scars and skin quite a bit. Doesa anyone have some info on the sun / skin?


BTW I did pretty well on the trip, but slipped up as soon as I got home. So now I have a big old red bump on my head. Just when things were getting on track!

[Susan]

I think that when you have color from the sun it makes the contrast between normal skin and inflammed skin less noticeable. When my skin "looks" better, I am less inclined to pick at it. Even if it is only an illusion.

Happy Halloween Everyone!
Susan

[to red dot]

trust me, any boyfriend who calls you "red dot" needs to be given a time out! the stress of having sombody close to you tease you about your appearance, is going to make you break out-pick-and not heal as quickly. I speek from experince. Don't put up with that! Aloe vera gell can help, but it will turn your whole face red for and hour or so....good luck!

[Reddot]

Thanks for all the advice on scar removal. I have found that sun does help clear up my skin, but now-a-days it seems as though the sun is as deadly as breathing through a tail pipe! I have olive colored skin, so it tolerates sun better than most, but shoot, I'll probably end up with skin cancer or some kind of cancer by the time I'm 30.
My boyfriend doesn't understand my picking problem... It's like trying to stop smoking but harder (though I've never been a smoker). He had to quit smoking several times before he quit for good. It's the same with picking. I already told him that the negative words were only making my problem worse. Now at least he says "Don't pick honey, you don't want to ruin your beautiful skin." It helps, but it doesn't stop me. Sometime I get pissed when he tells me to stop. I'll flat out say "NO!" and keep on picking if I'm really stressed out. But anyway, Thanks again for your support.

[pinto123]

Has anyone had any luck/experience with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) as a treatment for scarring and PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from picking? Or what about laser resurfacing? Anyone have anything to report about these? They're expensive but at this point I'll try ANYthing.

[clara]

Actually I just got my bikini line lasered for hair removal for the first time 2 days ago. Kind of gross, but I get ingrown hairs and I want to look good in a swimsuit (live in Miami) so I decided to invest in myself. It didn't hurt at all, but the intensity increases each time, so I guess I'll see. I'm not sure what it would do for a complexion, but the nurse I consulted with said a lot of women get their face done, but it has to be at a lesser intensity because it's more sensative. Next time I go back (mid-March) I'll be sure to ask because I'd like to know as well.

[pamela]

I think sun improves skin only temporarily...in my experience. I?m triying to avoid it .

[lauryn]

Shield Scars From the Sun




SATURDAY, July 31 (HealthDayNews) -- While it's always important to protect your skin from the sun's rays, it's especially important to cover up scars.

That's because sun damage to healing skin can last much longer than that weekend suntan.

A number of factors go into how visible a scar will be once the skin's healing process ends. Factors such as genetics and the nature of the wound cannot be controlled, but another factor -- care of the scar -- can, and one of the most important ways to care for a scar is to protect it from the sun.

Scars are particularly sensitive to sunlight and can sunburn faster than healthy skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Once a scar becomes sunburned, it can remain discolored or darkened and may not fade back to match the color of your healthy skin.

For that reason, if you've got a fresh scar, doctors advise avoiding exposing the wound to the sun altogether. Try wearing protective clothing such as shirts with long sleeves, long pants or large-brimmed hats.

If clothing doesn't cover the scar, make sure to use a sunscreen. Sun blocks that use zinc and titanium are recommended, but any sunscreens that have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater should be acceptable if applied frequently.

In addition to avoiding the sun, you can also take a proactive role in helping your scar heal by rubbing or massaging the wound for about five to 10 minutes twice daily. And if the wound required stitches, avoid rigorous activity such as contact sports or rough activities for about two weeks.

More information

The National Institutes of Health offers more useful information on caring for scar tissue and healing (www.nlm.nih.gov ).

[lauryn]

Intense Pulsed LightTM (IPL) skin treatments using the photorejuvenation process represent a breakthrough in age-defying skin care. This new technique treats skin damage non-invasively — there is no disruption of the skin's epidermal surface. IPL treatments address the effects of photoaging and sun damage with low risk of complications and no recovery time.

IPL is the gold standard for photorejuvenation. This FDA-cleared, patented technology provides dramatic results for a variety of benign conditions, including age spots, sun-induced freckles, symptoms of rosacea, birthmarks, unsightly veins, acne scarring and other blemishes — even unwanted hair.

Why choose IPL over other treatment options? Laser resurfacing and deep chemical peels often send patients into hiding, as they wait for redness and swelling to subside. Microdermabrasion addresses skin irregularities, but is not effective against all complexion problems including redness, flushing and broken capillaries. Face lifts and other surgical procedures are far too invasive for younger patients and "baby boomers" who simply want to revitalize their appearance without recovery downtime.
www.intensepulsedlightreview.com/

[lauryn]

any alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) lotions or peels.

Also known as fruit acid or ascorbic (alpha hydroxy) acid which is essentially vitamin C.

. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are obtained from fruits such as lemons, grapes & apples, sugar cane & sour milk.

. AHAs are water-soluble & are often added to skincare products particularly lactic acid (sour milk), glycolic acid (sugar cane) & malic acid (apples). Glycolic acid penerates easily into the skin as compared to the rest of the acids because of it's small molecular size.

. AHAs are meant to improve oily skin, prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, reduce acne scars, improve skin's texture & bring out radiance, treat fine lines, wrinkles & lighten freckles.
The outermost layer of our skin (which we can feel & see) is called the epidermis. The epidermis is covered with lots of dead cells. These dead cells undergo a regeneration process whereby they flake off during bathing or washing & cells from below the epidermis will surface.
However due to pollution, sun, air-conditioning, age & other environmental causes, the regeneration process slows down & causes an accumulation of dead cells. This makes the skin dry & dull.

. AHAs promote the shedding of the dead cells & instigate the renewal scene to take place in order to make skin smooth-looking & radiant.
The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHAs at levels up to 10 percent. It is FDA's understanding that products with AHA concentrations of 20 percent or higher are used by trained cosmetologists for salon "mini-peels."

. AHAs may cause mild irritations & make skin sensitive to sunlight. Severe side-effects would occur if high concentrations of the acid (especially glycolic acid) is used. A patch test used beneath sunblock is recommended before actual use.

. Refrain from using AHA together with other products containing retinol or Vitamin C serum. Such a combination may be too harsh for the skin unless recommended by a dermatologist.

. Also, do not expect AHA to work wonders overnight, it may take months before visible results can be seen.