Messages

1

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Needling and dermastamp

« on: October 25, 2011, 05:37:59 PM »

You might want to start with a black head extractor which you can purchase at the drug store- Revlon has a perfectly good one for very little money.  (Keep it clean with alcohol.)  After a nice steamy shower, pat your face dry and then push gently on each pore with the extractor to force out as much of the built-up debris as possible- if the matter does not come out with gentle to moderate pressure leave it alone- the salicylic acid will gradually dry up the matter and it will almost "pop out" in time.  Amazingly, I have had pores where the build-up can simply be scratched off the surface as the salicylic acid seems to work deeply.  

Once you have gotten out some or most of the build-up of matter in the pore you may needle it as Soon describes- it will take time and patience but over a period of time your nose will look much better.  I also clean the needles I purchase from Sarah with alcohol and store them in the original package until they seem dulled and then I order a new batch.  It really is an inexpensive solution to an annoying, and embarrassing problem.

P.S.  I just rub the salicylic acid on with my finger tip even though the directions call for an applicator such as a brush or cotton ball.  I feel I control the liquid better with my finger.  Always have iced or cold water on hand to splash on your face if the salicylic acid starts to burn too uncomfortably, or if you experience "frosting" or whitening of tissue.  (By the way- frosting clears very quickly.)  If your skin gets too irritated I recommend sunflower or jojaba oil in small amts to soothe the skin- neither will cause breakouts.

2

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Needling and dermastamp

« on: October 25, 2011, 02:07:57 PM »

I, too, believe that single needling enlarged pores is helpful.  I have been doing it for approximately the same period as Soon, with good results.  I do not derma roll my nose which is the site of my enlarged pores.  I derma roll the rest of my face, neck and upper chest monthly and single needle enlarged pores on my nose during the same session.  (I found that the skin on my nose could not tolerate rolling; for some reason it reacts differently than the skin on the rest of my face.)

I also recommend salicylic acid which I apply approximately 4-5 days after rolling- I use a 20% solution leaving it on my entire face for only approximately 3-10 minutes every 3-4 days, depending on my skin's reaction, which can vary with each session.  (I have not had even one white head since I started this protocol.)

Good luck to all with whatever you find works for you, and thanks again, to Sarah for making these products available.

3

Dermarolling / Microneedling / dermarolling on my face- it is seriously a dramatic improvement

« on: September 08, 2011, 06:07:59 PM »

I recommend playing music while derma rolling- any type of music will do, whatever type will distract you, and help you relax.  Music is magic, and singing along is not contraindicated while rolling !

4

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Make-up recommendations?

« on: September 06, 2011, 10:28:10 AM »

Soon and Anna, thanks for your kind advice.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Subcision-suction method for acne scars

« on: August 30, 2011, 10:24:39 PM »

Soon, I edited my previous post realizing I referred to my scar as an "ice-pick" scar, when I meant "box-car".   Cheers!!!

6

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Subcision-suction method for acne scars

« on: August 30, 2011, 12:31:39 PM »

I inject the saline under the scar- not directly into the scar.  I most often do it only one time during a session, but I do have one box-car type scar that I have sometimes injected x2, once from above and once from below.  You can observe the saline filling the area and will see a small amount of "ballooning out" of the scar- it will look like a small bug bite.  Stop then- no need to overfill.  The saline will gradually be reabsorbed by your body.  Occasionally you might get a small hematoma, or raised area of bleeding at the site.  If that happens, I gently apply pressure to the area- do not press down hard.  I always keep ice cubes handy and hold a cube on area briefly after I have applied pressure.  It has been my experience that the saline is absorbed pretty rapidly- probably in a few hours, which would be expected in a healthy adult.  As I understand the physiology of subcision, it is the repeated releasing of the scar fibers, through multiple treatments, that produces the final result, not the temporary filling of the scarred area with saline.  Is that theory correct, to your knowledge, Sarah?

7

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Subcision-suction method for acne scars

« on: August 29, 2011, 11:27:03 PM »

Last question, first: I have no experience with surgical scars, sorry.  I do think I would use a derma roller on them initially to see if the resurfacing effect of derma rolling alone would provide improvement.  I think going slowly would be my advice.  Sarah might have some further advice......

I do, however, have lots of experience with acne scars: I do use a fresh single needle for each session, but not for each scar.  As one works with the needles one notices when the needles seem to dull.  I do sometimes use 2 needles per session, but the second needle might not be used extensively, thus having some "life" left in it.  I do reuse those needles, running the needle under water and gently placing needle on a plate, submerged in alcohol for at least 20 minutes- I then place the needle gently back into original packaging, seal package, and use it for part of another session, if it seems not to have dulled.  (A dull needle will not be helpful to release scar tissue fibers.)

I also have not used a suction device so can give no advice regarding use.

I have been using a 20% solution of Salicylic acid (available on Amazon) on enlarged pores I have on my nose- it does appear to be slowly shrinking the pores, and it has greatly slowed down oil production; I especially appreciate having no more shiny nose at mid-morning.   (I do keep a bowl of ice water on the counter to use to dilute the acid when each 5 minute session is ended; then I rinse with cool water.)

I no longer derma roll my nose- the skin on my nose seemed to tolerate derma rolling poorly, unlike the rest of my face, neck and upper chest, all which respond very well to derma rolling.

As a nurse, my best advice is to follow Sarah's directions very closely- prepare all of your equipment on an area that you have cleaned thoroughly with alcohol.  Fill your syringes very carefully being careful not to touch the roller, needles, etc. to any other surface before you use on your face.  (As with any endeavor, good preparation is the key, and this is an endeavor.  I feel that it takes a lot of courage every time I perform the procedure.)

Good luck- the results are worth the effort!

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Subcision-suction method for acne scars

« on: August 29, 2011, 08:46:35 PM »

As someone who has just completed her 10th subcision session, I agree totally with Sarah.  You will see results with vertical needling and saline injections, with suction, or not.   Additionally you could, as I have done, add derma stamping to the sessions.   After I derma roll my entire face, I single needle each scar, and then press into the scars with the derma stamp approximately 6-8 times.  Following that, I do the saline injections.  I believe, anecdotally, that my results are very good.  (Sometimes when I look in the mirror I am surprised to see my face looking so much smoother!!!!!!!)  The last thing you want to do is to do more harm......

9

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Question regard deep pitted scars

« on: August 22, 2011, 09:33:50 AM »

Yes, definitely "bound down."  One of the scars was particularly uncomfortable because it was just below my eye; I always felt a slight tug at the corner of my eye- very annoying.  That feeling has gone now that I have been performing the needle subcisions and saline injections.  Using the long needles I purchase from Sarah, I do a vertical form of subcision.  I am guessing that a physician would do a lateral subcision which would probably be much more effective, hence providing quicker results.  

In the past, I have had a series of 8 microderabrasions  (waste of money) and 2 very expensive laser treatments (very small improvement); nothing has given me the results I have gotten with derma rolling and subsicion.

Good luck, and, as always, thank you Sarah, for providing safe, and tested, products, and sound advice!

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Question regard deep pitted scars

« on: August 21, 2011, 09:49:13 AM »

Dear Healing Today, Sarah's advice has been VERY HELPFUL to me, for one.  I have used the saline method, as well as derma rolling, derma stamping and single needling, for several shallow depressed scars and one very deeply pitted "box car"  scar with remarkable success.  When I first started the deepest scar was probably 3-4 mm deep.  After my tenth saline injection treatment (which, as an RN, I perform on myself) the scar is now only about 1 mm deep, and much less embarrassing.  

If interested, you might wish to read a previous post I wrote in which I describe my process- I am very "fussy" about my procedure because these scars were caused by a skin infection I acquired in a hospital in which I was training as a nurse in the late 1960's.  Also, Sarah is absolutely correct in cautioning that ALL AIR be expelled from syringes before the saline is injected.  You can best accomplish this by gently tapping the vertically held syringe on a metal object which will "loosen" any bubbles from the walls of the syringe.  (With the old glass syringes, air was more easily expelled; air bubbles tend to cling to plastic syringes more stubbornly.)

Good luck, which ever course you choose to take.

Sincerely, Finley

11

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Make-up recommendations?

« on: July 22, 2011, 05:36:25 PM »

Thanks so much.  Where do you source salicylic powder?

I will check out Nude!  Thanks again.

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Dermarolling / Microneedling / Subcision-suction method for acne scars

« on: July 20, 2011, 10:50:00 PM »

There is hope, thanks to Sarah.  I have been doing the subcision procedure on myself with good success- the improvements are incremental and steady.  (Living in the states, it was difficult to find a supplier of sterile, injectable saline and 28 gauge syringes, but I eventually found I can get them on-line from Allegra Medical, no questions asked.)

I never use the same syringe twice during one session of subcision, so I go through several syringes every 3 wks but they, and the saline, are inexpensive.  I have been needling using dermal stamp, and rolling my face with a 2mm roller every 6 wks, and performing subcision every 3 wks, so that every 6 wks I am combining the rolling and stamping session with needling and subcision.  I have had no problems, which may be because I use very good aseptic technique, washing everything down with alcohol before starting the procedure, filling the syringes using sterile technique, and cleaning my face and hands repeatedly with alcohol before each injection.  I must admit, it takes some bravery to do this to one's self, and I say this as a RN, but it can be done.  I have decided to pull out my 1.5 mm roller, which can be used every 3-4 wks, and start doing the entire combined procedure every 3 wks just to push it along a little faster.

Also, I love Alcare Plus, which can be bought on-line- I rub it into my skin many times per day on the days after I roll.  It is an alcohol foam product used in hospitals to cut down on staph infections- it has an emollient which keeps the skin from drying out.  

I am so empathic with anyone who struggles with acne scarring, having lived with it for 44 yrs before I started working with Sarah and her products, so I hope this advice will be helpful.  Sarah is a gift from above!

Good luck!  

P.S.  I feel I actually "hear" the scar tissue releasing most when I am using the dermal stamp, which I do 6-8 times per scar each session, rotating the stamp slightly clock-wise after each punch.  (My advice is to repeatedly clean the skin with alcohol soaked cotton balls throughout the procedures.  I do not know if everyone agrees with that, but it works for me.)

13

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Make-up recommendations?

« on: July 18, 2011, 10:21:02 AM »

Do you have any advice for a middle-aged, and beyond , woman with sensitive, and oily skin who still gets small break outs?  It seems like everything I try causes some problem.  Any ideas of "tried and true" foundations or powders for extremely sensitive skin?

Also, would you recommend salicylic acid peels between my every 6 week derma rolling?  And, if so, what strength acid should I purchase?

Thanks.

14

Dermarolling / Microneedling / Deep needling and subscision question-

« on: June 28, 2011, 01:21:33 PM »

Is there a reason this procedure can only be done (every 3 weeks) 8 times?  I am completing my 6th session today, and, although I do see great improvement, I am not certain 8  treatments will completely rid me of a couple of my deepest scars.

Gratefully, as always!

15

Dermarolling / Microneedling / single needling bruises

« on: May 23, 2011, 06:42:36 PM »

Sarah, always a "class act," showing concern for your customers vs business/ financial concerns.  I continue to be impressed by your professionalism!