Sunday, January 31, 2016

Dermarolling Stretchmarks Session 1

I dermarolled my stretchmarks today. It was a little bit scary since I didn't use numbing cream. I recommend using it because the belly is actually very sensitive. At least, mine is! If you use numbing cream, be sure to wash it off BEFORE you dermaroll. Believe me, you do not want to roll that stuff into your skin!

Prepare before you dermaroll

Before you dermaroll, prepare your area! I always sanitize my workspace and tools with 70% Isopropyl alcohol. I let the dermaroller sit in alcohol for 5 minutes then I let it dry off before I use it. I also clean my skin with an alcohol swab.

What I use. I use the retinol cream after I dermaroll.

How to dermaroll your stretchmarks

After I sanitized my work area and skin, I stretched my skin so the needles on my dermaroller can go in deep. You want to add some pressure as you roll. Lift the roller as you change directions. This is to prevent track marks and tearing! I rolled 4 times up and down, 4 times horizontal, and 4 times vertical.

Stretch your skin then roll

  I didn't bleed but my skin got very red. Once I was done, it looked like I had a rash and my skin felt windburned. I washed my skin with water then applied Skincare Cosmetics Retinol day cream. It's packed full of Vitamin A which helps with the healing process.

dermaroll stretchmarks

Don't dermaroll too soon. Give your skin time to form new collagen.

The hardest part is the wait. In order for this to work, you must wait 6-8 weeks to dermaroll again. This is to give your skin time to form new collagen. If you dermaroll roll too early, you risk breaking up the newly formed collagen. If you want, you can dermaroll weekly with a .5mm roller to help with product penetration. The needles are too short so they won't interfere with collagen production.

 Before you put away your tools, sanitize them! It's better to be safe than sorry!

Happy Rolling!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dermarolling stretchmarks

I have been dermarolling acne scars since 2011. I have had amazing results! I won't lie. There are still a few anchored scars (more on that in another post) that remain but no amount of dermarolling or dermastamping will help them. I will continue to dermaroll my acne scars, just in case, but I am pretty sure I have gone as far as I can with the dermaroller and dermastamp (on my acne scars).

 Dermarolling stretchmarks: Will it Work?

I am moving on to dermarolling my stretchmarks. I had my first baby 18 years ago and was left with a stomach full of stretchmarks. They don't bother me at all and I don't plan on getting rid of them (because they were created out of love) BUT I am curious to see if dermarolling will help even them out. This will be a little experiment of mine. Please keep in mind that these are old stretchmarks so they have faded and match the color of my skin but they are indented and that is what I'd like to work on.

I plan on dermarolling ONE small section. I will take photos and post them for you to decide.  For those of you who are looking for a way to get rid of stretchmarks overnight, don't expect a miracle. Dermarolling takes time. It may take up to 6 months or longer to see results.

I will start dermarolling my stretchmarks this weekend. For now, take a look of a close up of what my stretchmarks look right now. 

dermarolling old stretchmarks

Arrow is pointing to the stretchmark I plan on dermarolling. It's a big one!



Monday, January 25, 2016

Does Dermarolling and dermastamping get rid of wrinkles

The claim is if you dermaroll, the wrinkles will disappear. I can tell you from experience the dermaroller does not help with wrinkles. If it does, it's a VERY minor improvement. It is so minor that it's not even noticeable.  I have been dermarolling since 2011, but I haven't seen a difference in my wrinkles other than them getting deeper as I age.

The reason people claim dermarolling/dermastamping gets rid of wrinkles

I have read reviews from people claiming that dermarolling has help some people get rid of their wrinkles. What I have noticed from these reviews is that these people have only been dermarolling for a short period of time (less than 3 months). It takes up to 6 months or longer in most cases to see results. Are these people lying? I don't think so. I believe their wrinkles diminish in appearance but only for a short time.

Microswelling

What they are experiencing is micro swelling. This happens when the skin has been injured. The skin swells up. It's working hard to repair itself. What happens when the skin swells up? All the wrinkles fill in but this is only temporary. Microswelling lasts for up to a week but can last longer if you are dermarolling or dermastamping every single day. You don't want to dermastamp or roll everyday because you need to give your skin time to heal UNLESS you are using a short needle (.5mm) which is great for product penetration.

Have you been dermarolling or dermastamping once every 6-8 weeks for over 6 months? Have you seen results? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Update #2: Apple Cider Vinegar Cystic Acne Results

In a previous post, I wrote about how Apple Cider Vinegar helped my cystic acne. It was definitely amazing. It zapped those baby's and kept them at bay. I was one happy camper!
Give it a try and tell me what you think. I can not guarantee that it will work for everybody but it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

Good and Bad News

 The good news is that it worked. Here's the bad news... it only worked for awhile. After using it for a few months, it stopped working. It was like my cysts became immune to it. :( Even so, I had a great few months without cysts. I'll use anything that helps even if it's for a short time. I still recommend Apple Cider Vinegar to help control your cysts. It's a great short term "cure." Use that time to work on your scars. Dermaroll. Dermastamp. If anything, it gives your skin time to heal.

Read about my first experience with Apple Cider Vinegar(photos included)

My Dermarolling Experience Update to my Update! :)

Wow, it's been over a year since I have updated this blog! Lots has happened since I last posted. Here's a quick overview of what I will be posting about. Please read because there is some valuable information that could help you with your acne breakouts.

My skin problems

In my last post, I complained about breaking in small pimples out all over my forehead. This was due, I THINK, to the Facialist using equipment that hadn't been properly sanitized and I am assuming she was using expired products. It took over 6 months to clear my forehead and the rest of my face. Sadly (for me), the acne spread from my forehead down to the rest of my face. I was full of cysts and little pimples. It was horrible.

Do your research before hiring a facialist/esthetician

 If you are thinking of going to a Facialist/Esthetician, research like crazy! Ask your family and friends for recommendations.  Read reviews online. Check out the place before getting anything done.  It's YOUR face. Don't let people be sloppy with your skin.  I learned my lesson the HARD way and I hope you don't have to go through the nightmare I went through. Read How to get rid of acne and red marks to see what I had to deal with.

Getting my skin under control

My skin is finally clear. I rarely break out in cysts and when I do get one or two, they are practically non-existent. Yes, my skin problems are finally under control and I am very thankful for that but some of the scars have remained. This includes the linear scar I have complained about in the past.  I know a scar will never completely heal but I would like to minimize its appearance. Dermarolling helped but some scars are resistant to the dermaroller. There is a reason WHY dermarolling works for some people but not for others. I will share what I know in another post! *The update is up!


Once last thing before I sign off for the day. I spend hours and hours researching and came across a procedure that could help smooth out acne scars. It's very expensive but from what I have read it is very effective. It's called subcision. I will go into more detail about that in a separate post.


Todays post was mostly a list of what I plan on writing about. Stay tuned for more detailed information! Thank You for stopping by and hope you stick with me throughout my journey. It's been a long one but I'm not giving up. I have come too far to give up on my skin!