Spoke with Esthetician and Plastic Surgeon! Need your input!

[Sahuja12]

OK, so I have been trying to find a solution for my stretched out pore scars which drive me NUTS! I am Indian and have darker skin so cant risk hyperpigmentation or burning... So I was in contact with a plastic surgeon who suggest the Fraxel Laser at $4400 for 4 treatments. Arghhh!! Little too $$$!!! And I fear lasers cause of my skintone... A medical esthetician suggested a PCA Peel (phsyicians choice peel) and said it is mild and great for ethnic skin. Of course you would require a couple, and should be in conjunction with microderms for best results.. This sounds less invasive and less risky and cheaper than a laser (couple hundred dollars as compared to couple thousand!!) What do you guys think?? Do you guys trust plastic surgoens more or estheticians??

Again, I have very mild scarring. Something like "Big stretched pores" on my cheeks. A bit of hyperpigmentation and generally a "ruddy" looking complexion from all the acne etc. Sick of it. I WANNA BE PRETTY AGAINNNN! Just dont feel it anymore!!

[kHan artist]

Namaste and Asalaamalaikum!

Its been awhile since I've seen you here. Have you stopped breaking out? If so, what did you do to stop the breakouts?

Fraxel Treatment has recently been FDA approved (as of March 26,2006). Its seems like its effective and you should have no problem with your darker complexion. Fraxel is meant for ALL skin types, including yours. It is VERY expensive especially since its very new. The downtime for this treatmeant seems to be equivalent to a light to medium strength chemical peel. The laser will probably give you more immediate results (2-3 months) whereas peels may take longer to see those results. With both treatmeants you do take a risk. However, because lasers are quite new we really don't know the long term side effects.

Depending on the depth of your scarring, in my opinion, I'd go with the PCA peels since they are cheaper especially if you have more supericial scarring. If you think your scars are more deep and require more agressive treatment, go with the laser (of course, as long as your surgeon is experienced and reputable - the same goes for your aesthetician).

Of course, I'm certain there are many ppl on this boards who have tried the PCA peel. Its less likely for someone to have tried Fraxel because its relatively new and costly.

Good luck!

[Sahuja12]

HI,

My breaking out has reduced, but not completely stopped. I take series of "Keflex" antibiotics on and off (kind of based on when I need it) which help and use Benzaclin topically...I wonder if stronger at home glycolic lotions help. I mean like 30%, for example MD forte... I wouldnt do a glycolic peel at home...Too scared for that!!

[kHan artist]

8% is the optimal concentration of an AHA like glycolic acid that you should use for at home use. Some people can handle higher concentrations, although long term use of high concentrations can be a problem for the skin. I wouldn't risk using any AHA products higher than 8%. I've heard some horrible stories about people using high concentrations at home and permanently scarring and damaging their skin. Don't risk it!

AHAs are good for redness and pigmentation but they don't much for scarring. They eliminate only the top layer of skin. If they do anything for scarring, its smoothing the skin out. Definitely consider using an AHA, but avoid high concentrations. For targetting scarring, chemical peels and microderm are your best bet.

[Sahuja12]

Have you had any scarring treatments Khan?