Topics

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Progress Update (Jan. 2012-June 2013) for my Acne Scars

« on: June 04, 2013, 10:45:34 PM »

About a year and six months ago I began dermarolling and dermastamping my acne scars with Sarah Vaughter’s products (http://forums.owndoc.com/dermarolling-microneedling/acne-scars-595/msg2498/#msg2498) and I promised myself I would chronicle and post my results thus far.

I’m happy with the improvements on my left cheek.  And noticeably, and unexpectedly my birthmark has become slightly less pigmented.

Admittedly, the pictures of my right cheek are probably not the best example of a before and after photo (hard to match last year’s nearness and lighting).  I have also had a bit of acne in the last year due to stress and I purposely highlighted two acne scars that are fairly recent (from Dec./12).  But, you can bet I am working on those scars too.  Overall, though, I know that there has been definite improvement because I do feel less self-conscious about my cheeks. 

While the improvements may appear small, I’m glad I tried dermarolling/stamping and stuck with it.  Yes, results are not immediate.  Yes, it takes time.  Yes, acne scars can be frustrating.  But, improvements are possible; it just takes trust and patient.   

Other noteworthy points are that while my pores have seemingly remained the same size, my skin does feel and appear firmer.
 
My skin regime has changed somewhat over the past year.  I originally began with stamping with a 1.0mm and then eventually upgraded to 2.0mm.  I stayed consistent by dermarolling with a 0.5mm twice a week.  I added the suctioning method about 8 months ago and also began single needling about 3 months ago.  I also use tretinoin every night, and always apply infadolan after stamping.   

Please feel free to ask any questions.  I am grateful for this website and its wealth of knowledge and for Sarah’s affordable products.  I look forward to posting my progress again next year.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Dermastamping and single needling

« on: February 05, 2013, 04:49:38 PM »

Do you recommend dermastamping right after single needling acne scars?  I’ve seen you mention it before, but wouldn’t that be considered too many pricks in the skin at once?  What is the benefit of doing both in the same session? 

I was going to spread my single needling session and my 2.0mm dermastamping session by one week in between.  Thx.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Stamping Whiteheads

« on: November 24, 2012, 07:26:55 PM »

Hi Sarah,

I have a small whitehead that is embedded within an acne scar that I would like to stamp with my 2.0mm dermastamp.  It seems fairly embedded, thick, hard, and I don't think it will be emerging or shrinking anytime soon.  Would there be any concerns about stamping it?  I know that you advise against stamping active acne.

Thanks!

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / When to replace Dermastamp?

« on: October 16, 2012, 02:41:11 PM »

Hi Sarah,

I have a 1.5 dermastamp that I have consistently been using every three weeks since the beginning of March (8 months).  I use it to treat my acne scars and tend to stamp a lot of areas on my face.  I assumed that by now I would have needed to replace it, but I am still able to achieve pinpoint bleeding.  But, with needles this long, wouldn’t there always be bleeding? When do I know when to replace my dermastamp?  The needles still appear sharp and I am still able to penetrate my skin.

Thanks!

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / About the number of times to roll

« on: July 24, 2012, 01:53:12 PM »

Thank you for posting a change log, Sarah.

Regarding the amount of times to roll, for complete clarification, if I am rolling one side of my cheek I understand that,

"...after every roll lift the roller and position it a few millimeters from the previous starting point, repeating the rolling movement and so on, until the entire skin area has been treated."

Do I then repeat this method five more times vertically on the same cheek for a total of six times, and then repeat six more times horizontally to achieve a total density of 200 pricks per cm²?  If so, it does seem like a lot of times to roll if I am doing my entire face.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Updating instructions and rolling pattern frequency

« on: June 09, 2012, 05:09:51 PM »

First, let me say that I’ve been faithfully dermarolling/dermastamping for a full three months on my acne scars and I like the results I’ve been seeing thus far.  I want to remain true to my goal and post an "after" picture when I’ve achieved optimal results.

I’ve been following the Owndoc dermarolling instructions since March and I noticed that they’re quietly updated every so often.  I only checked your latest update today and read that we’re no longer supposed to roll in a star pattern.  You also removed information about the amount of times we should roll.  

I’m also very confused by this line from your instructions,

"After having rolled the skin horizontally or vertically, you should not repeat the procedure, because if you merely move the roller head a few mm to the side every new roll, you'll have achieved a high prick density."

So, do you mean that we should only roll ONCE horizontally and vertically?  And not perform continuous rolls in the same area?  I assumed that people would want to achieve a high prick density?  

I have been accustomed to your previous instructions and dermaroll twice a week with my 0.5 dermaroller and roll eight times horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.  However in the last month I started rolling more than eight times in each direction and noticed that my skin has appeared better looking because of it.  Previously, when I rolled only 8 times each way I noticed that the next day my skin looked normal.  However, since rolling more I noticed a bit of dryness/peeling and redness the following two days after, which I assume is a sign that my skin healing.  When that subsided, my skin looked noticeably better.  I don’t know if this result is preferable than seeing nothing the day after.  My only concern is the possibility that I’ve over-rolling in one session.  I’m not rolling excessively, but it is definitely more than eight times per direction.      

Aside from my question, I wanted to make a friendly suggestion and ask if you could possibly post a "sticky" in this forum to let us know when the instructions have been updated and mentioning what has been changed (so we don’t have to re-read everything).  I think that would be incredibly helpful to your new and existing customers.

Thanks for all your help Sarah!

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Lifting the dermaroller

« on: February 24, 2012, 11:15:07 AM »

I just received my dermaroller and I went over the instructions, but I'm a bit confused about this:

Lift the dermaroller slightly after each forward movement (“roll”). This ensures that

you will not hit the same prick channel.

I thought you simply roll back and forth, or do I have to roll once forward and then lift it to roll backward over the same area?  

Thanks for the clarification.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Acne Scars

« on: January 25, 2012, 04:27:33 PM »

Hi Sarah,

I’m a 27 year old Asian male and I wanted to know what you would recommend for the acne scars on my cheeks:

 

Some of the scars are quite new and range from 2 months to 2 years.  I had a really bad acne breakout 2 years ago and have been using retinoids nightly since.  Currently, I have been using Retin-A Micro every other night for the last year.  I’ve also been using Derma e’s Home Microdermabrasion Scrub once a week on my scars (though I’m aware that you’re not too keen on microdermabrasion).

I also have noticeably large pores that I wouldn’t mind treating as well, but improving my scars and hyperpigmentation is really my first priority.

I have two specific questions:

I took a picture of the far right side of my face because there is a scar that is hyperpigmented, but not indented like the rest of my scars.  I am unsure if I should dermaroller it or leave it alone?  

Also, my body is prone to acne and keloids, and I have two recent minor keloid scars near both sides of my jawline from another bad case of acne I suffered from two months ago.  However, I have never had keloid issues directly with my face, but I wonder if I should have any cause for concern with facial dermarolling?

Thank you so much for your advice and help!

                     

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