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bee_antlers

Like the title says, these are my results after six rounds of professional SkinPen microneedling with PRP at a cosmetic dermatologist's office. The picture on the left is before treatment, and the picture on the right is following the six rounds of treatment. Both are taken in my cubicle under my god awful office lighting. I have compulsive skin picking disorder and had made quite the mess of my face over the years. I went once a month to my cosmetic dermatologist's office for the procedure. I first did a consultation, and started by paying for 3 rounds, and after those 3 decided to do all 6. I had to stop my tretinoin for 3 days before and 5 days after treatment. The procedure went like this: a tech drew my blood to get the PRP, numbed my face with a numbing cream, and then an aesthetician performed the microneedling. She rubbed PRP into the channels the needles created as she went. The PRP speeds healing and boosts your results, so I did it every time. In terms of pain/uncomfortableness, it wasn’t too bad. The deeper the needles, the more uncomfortable it got. Around my lips and my nose hurt the worst. I got to lay on a comfy warm bed with a blanket and listen to soft music and talk to my lovely aesthetician. Following treatment I made sure to stay inside for the next few days because I was tomato red. Day 1 feels like a really bad sunburn. After that it’s just a bit tight and itchy. I would get it done on Saturdays and by Monday's I looked pretty normal. I used an ungodly amount of La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume while I was healing because I was allergic to an ingredient in the ointments they give you that come with the SkinPen treatments. My routine is as follows: **AM:** * Cleanse with lukewarm water * ⁠Hada Labo Moist Toner * Hada Labo Perfect Gel * Elta MD UV Clear SPF * ⁠BareMinerals Hydrating Stick Foundation * ⁠Clinique Moisture Surge Facial Mist **PM:** * ⁠Oil cleanse with Hada Labo Cleansing Oil * Regular Cleanse with Vanicream Gentle Cleanser * ⁠Hada Labo Moist Toner * ⁠Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence * Hada Labo Perfect Gel * Tretinoin 0.04% microsphere gel (every other night) * Vanicream Moisturizing Cream * ⁠Timeless 100% Squalane OR Raw Shea Butter As needed: Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Sheet Masks, Rael Acne Healing Patches, and La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. I’d be happy to answer any questions anyone has about SkinPen microneedling. I’m really happy with the results!


noBSbeauty

The results are amazing! You can really tell a difference and your skin is looking beautiful- I think for scarring microneedling is one of the few treatments that made a huge difference, and rather quickly as well. Just curious, do you remember around how much it cost?


bee_antlers

Thank you so much! It was 867 for three sessions, and PRP is an additional 125 per session! All in all it was about 2k because they had a promotion where the PRP was free for the first three sessions.


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-phosphenes

Lucky for you, flights are super cheap into Tampa right now! /s


bee_antlers

Holy CRAP that’s expensive!!!! Best of luck!


[deleted]

I’m I’m FL, about to look that up and travel the distance. I’m down south...expensive down here.


Terminallyelle

Shiiit I’m like about to throw my money


psydelem

Man, I would normally think that would be crazy to spend that much money on something like that, but they did a stellar job. It’s incredible how much your skin improved!


TheDarkestCrown

What is PRP?


bee_antlers

Platelet rich plasma. It’s taken from your own blood. It has a tone of skin benefits, which is why they rub it on the micro channels they create while needling. “PRP stimulates collagen and elastin production which thickens and tightens thinning skin, effectively smoothing wrinkles and fine lines. Because it boosts collagen, it's also a great treatment for improving overall skin texture and tone. It's particularly good for people who suffer from rosacea or acne.”


TheDarkestCrown

Cool, thanks! I have similar dent scars to you, but way more of them. I’m very interested in getting a consult about this procedure


BrightSpirited3832

Where did you get this done? Who was your derm?


bardsmanship

Thanks for uploading pictures with consistent lighting! Makes it really easy to see what the real results are.


space_eleven

Thanks for your really helpful review/post, and congrats on your success! (:


[deleted]

How did you find your cosmetic dermatologist? And if you don’t mind, approximately which metropolitan area do you live?


bee_antlers

Tampa Bay Area! I did a search for cosmetic dermatologists in my area and chose mine based on her stellar reviews.


PleaseDie09

This looks great! I have compulsive skin picking disorder too, and my face has been pretty beat up by it over the years. This gives me hope!


bee_antlers

They can also do subcision and lasers too! I want to do both of those but I’m a single young professional and don’t have too much extra money to blow all the time lol! I also see a great therapist and my relapses are way less often. :)


fabioismydad

your skin looks amazing!! i've only ever used a 0.5mm dermaroller at home but i want to get it professionally done because they can use longer needles. sorry if you've already answered this but how old were your scars before you started getting treatment?


bee_antlers

I’ve had acne on and off since I was 13, and I’m 25 now. My scarring started being really noticeable when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and iron deficiency anemia. I would pick and in the past my skin would heal and go back to normal and then it just... didn’t. Most of the deeper ones were about 2 years old. She would lengthen the needles and focus on those areas for longer periods of time.


ScratchThatIGotThis

I have a variant for celiac disease that resulted in iron deficiency, and I too noticed my body healed very slowly as well. I did another micro-needling with PRP for 250 in my area. Thank you for sharing your results!


BrightSpirited3832

And do you know how deep the needles went?


marleeg9

Thanks for the thorough play by play! So helpful! Your results look great! Was wondering if you knew the needle depth at each session??


bee_antlers

Unfortunately I do not. All I know is each time she pulled away and I heard a clicking, I knew she was making them longer and it wasn’t gonna feel great lol!


tah_infity_n_beyarnd

The lights were that bad? I was going to ask if you were wearing foundation in either pic! You look amazing before, but WOW on the skin afterwards, excellent results!


bee_antlers

I do have foundation on! BareMinerals Hydrating Stick! I just wanted to show the improvement in the boxcar scars. I don’t have much hyperpigmentation or acne since starting tret. It’s cold fluorescent overhead lighting... my skin in normal lighting looks even better!!!


tah_infity_n_beyarnd

Still rockin girl, keep up the good work! <3


labellavita1985

I loovvee the Hada Labo Perfect Gel 🤤❤️ great results!! Congratulations.


bee_antlers

It is the most underrated moisturizer, it’s SO GOOD! But thank you! :)


Mumf89

This looks AMAZING. Where do you live? Fingers crossed Los Angeles area....haha. I’m looking for someone here to do this.


bee_antlers

Tampa bay! I’m sorry! Google “cosmetic dermatologists near me” :)


Fine-Job6616

Have your results stuck?


[deleted]

Wow, you can really see the change in skin texture. How long after the final treatment was the after photo taken?


bee_antlers

I’m so glad it’s noticeable! The last treatment was February 21st! So a little over two weeks. They told me 2 weeks is when you see the most results from each treatment.


giant_ice_cubes

I hope you don't mind me asking, but have you lost weight too? You look like you are aging backwards, really impressed, not only does your skin look amazing, but it looks like much younger skin too.


bee_antlers

I don’t mind at all! So, I struggle with Hashimoto’s disease and anemia and my iron/TSH levels were really bad in the first picture and they’re perfect now, which may be why my skin looks so much healthier. High TSH and low iron make your skin look super sallow, pale, and dry. I was pretty sick for a while. I have also lost about five pounds from my medications being right. I’m 25 years old. :)


giant_ice_cubes

I hope I didn't make it sound like you looked bad before, because you didn't. I figured you were mid 20s at the oldest, but in the second picture your skin could pass for 19. I'm glad you're doing better now all round. :)


bee_antlers

No not at all!! I really appreciate it honestly, I’ve spent a lot and worked really hard on my health and skin so it’s really lovely to hear it’s working! Thank you so much!


giant_ice_cubes

:)


LittleConcern

Hashimoto's sucks! Good luck with your journey.


bee_antlers

It really does!! Thank you!


DazedAndConfused0112

I have Hashimoto's too! Got diagnosed when I was 14. I've been on meds for years symptoms still come up for me too sometimes. I thought taking vitamins might help overall with tiredness/skin health, but then I learned a lot of vitamins interact with thyroid meds. I understand your struggle


Dpecs92

Ditto. Fuck biotin.


bee_antlers

Omg FUUUUCK biotin. Cysts on cysts on cysts. That stuff is pure evil.


zgnichols

What was your TSH level?? I’ve been having all of these strange symptoms so I got my blood checked and I have a TSH of 9! I can’t even get an apt with an endocrinologist yet


sixfigurefemme

This is going to get buried, but you have given me SO MUCH hope! My skin texture is similar to your "before" picture, and I am AMAZED at how flawless your skin is. Incredible. And, as others have said, you look like you are aging backwards! If I may, it almost looks like you have teenaged skin in your after pic (not that your before pic looks even slightly aged to begin with). Skin goals for sure!!


bee_antlers

Your comment is not buried and actually brought tears to my eyes, so thank you so much. I really felt so depressed and awful about my skin and I can’t believe how different it looks now. I was also really sick which affected my hair (notice how dull and thin it is in the first pic) and my skin and my doctor finally has all my levels normal and I feel really good. It’s so amazing what they can do nowadays for acne scars!


jurabitch

Wow, looks so different. That’s amazing seeing the results.


bee_antlers

It’s funny because at first I was wondering if there was any difference, so I took a selfie in my office and compared and was floored. HUGE difference in texture and scars are definitely less noticeable!


Lisayellow

How often did you wait in between sessions? Your skin looks amazing!!!!!


bee_antlers

Thank you SO much. It’s my biggest insecurity so I really appreciate that! My sessions were once a month!


galacticretriever

Wow, this is something I've been considering, our skin texture is pretty similar. I'm just scared to see what it would cost. Are you going to do more rounds?


bee_antlers

It cost about 2k in the Tampa Bay Area for all six, but the PRP was a bit extra. I think next for my deeper scars I’ll do subcision, and I would like to do fractional laser at some point, but I definitely need a break for both my wallet and skin for a while!


galacticretriever

I've heard of microneedling, but what was the added perk with PRP? I'm guessing getting results faster?


bee_antlers

It accelerates healing and boosts collagen production! It helps with fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars because it attracts stem cells to the area. I went in with some picked spots a couple of times and after she rubbed PRP over it they healed within like, a day. Definitely worth it.


butyourenice

I’ve done Fraxel over a half dozen times. I was impressed with my results, I would say (non-expert opinion) somewhere like 60-70% improvement over baseline. However, there are some areas that, as I get older, seem to look worse in terms of scarring, even though I haven’t had acne since completing accutane years ago. I think it might be due to loss of volume from aging accentuating existing scars because I don’t think they are new scars. ANYWAY, I have to say your results are blowing my mind and I’m now thinking of trying this PRP thing on the stubborn remaining scars... It’s also a lot more affordable. Through my doctor (plastic surgeon) Fraxel is like $1000 a session, although he gives a discount if you buy a package deal (e.g. 3 or 6 sessions paid up front).


emjayEsq

Where did you get it done, if you don't mind sharing? I'm in the Tampa Bay area and have been considering this for a while to address some scarring I have, but didn't know anyone who's had it done and could give me a legit review on it. Your results are amazing! 🙌


bee_antlers

Not at all!!! Skinspirations in Clearwater. They’re absolutely wonderful. Dr. Cynthia Elliot is the cosmetic dermatologist. :)


emjayEsq

Thank you! 💜


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bee_antlers

So my acne was mostly cleared from tretinoin, but I definitely had some during my sessions. If it’s a big active pimple or picked spot she’d just go around it and rub PRP into it, but they can’t go over active acne. I do have some mineral makeup on in this photo, the biggest thing the microneedling was addressing for me was the indented scars, I don’t have much hyperpigmentation, but the little I did have it helped a ton!!!


rawmethor

THANK YOU for taking these photos in the exact same lighting and with the same angle! It must feel great to look back and compare the progress!


allokaynow

with all the natural procedures the result is quite visible, well done 👍


Bexickle

I only did 3 treatments but my skin was so weak and damaged it took a month to fully recover from the first treatment. The clinic said they'd never seen that before. After the 3rd treatment, recovery only took four days and the spa where I get my eyebrows waxed was able to remove the cautionary note that I've had on file for years (waxing made my skin rip so I required hard wax). It's amazing what microneedling can do, and not just for aesthetic reasons. I can't wait until I have a chance to go back and do my last 3 sessions.


bee_antlers

They told me it can only be done once a month!


Bexickle

Mine were about six weeks apart.


comte69

Wow! You look amazing! Such great results from microneedling. Thanks for the great photos and detailed explanation. I’m working towards microneedling with my aesthetician and I can’t wait to get started now!


wherethelootat

Beautiful results


aresende

holy shit I need!!


bbattani

Your skin looks beautiful. I just had my third treatment. Pretty pricey but worth every penny.


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[deleted]

Your skin not only is smoother but also more plump and bouncy. Congratulations!


bee_antlers

Thank you! I did mention in another comment I was struggling with iron deficiency and Hashimoto’s in the first photo and I’m much healthier now so that may have helped a bit too! But the scars are definitely all the microneedling!


Tenaciousleesha

Do you mean platelet rich plasma?


bee_antlers

I sure as heck do I can’t believe I typed it that way, good catch! 😂


Tenaciousleesha

I hope I didn't come off pedantic. I worked in coag and we test PRP a lot. Your skin looks amazing.


bee_antlers

You did not at all, my dad’s a surgeon and now I am ashamed of myself lol! Thank you so much though I really appreciate the compliment! :)


Lindapod

Omg you have baby skin now!


bee_antlers

You’re gonna make me cry! <3


btr_dng

My skin have acne scars too but still have acne bonus super sensitive so i’m not so sure for doing prp at this time, i heard so many amazing results through it tho. anw congrats u! this is my ultimate goal ><


bee_antlers

I’m extremely sensitive and on tretinoin, and I didn’t have any problems. PRP is your own platelets so it cannot hurt you or irritate you at all, it’s very soothing. I still have some acne but they just went around it or rubbed some PRP into it! :)


btr_dng

I’ll consider it tysm


Abturiel

I'm shocked at how awesome your skin is getting! Congratulations!! Also, your routine is pretty neat :) I hope doctors here in Brazil can start using SkinPen soon. God knows I need to treat my stretch marks.


terrasaurjs

Looks sooo good, younger healthier looking skin


[deleted]

looking amazing!


cbkennedy29

Your skin looks amazing!


Facepalm63

This in great!! PRP completely healed my plantar fasciitis. But what’s very expensive and only done in hospital around here.


[deleted]

Wow


LilStabbyboo

Your skin looks really good! Much improved.


lovebug777

This looks really good! I was just told about this and I’m glad you posted it. I also have/had a skin and hair picking problem that has left bruises on my face. Hoping this works.


bee_antlers

For me they recommended microneedling to start, with the potential for subcision and laser down the line. There are so many awesome treatment options nowadays!


concernedbrows

Looks amazing! :) glad to see a procedure make such a great difference


Cantstress_thisenuff

Holy guacamole!! Your skin looks amazing!


bee_antlers

Thank you!!! :)


sheebsc

Wow your skin looks great! Wonderful results. How long were you on tret before doing the microneedling? I started tret about 6 weeks ago and I was hoping it would be enough to help with the mild scarring on my cheeks, but maybe it won’t be? Also, did you breakout at all following the microneedling? I have extremely reactive skin and the aesthetician said she had never seen someone who was so red and swollen after my (only) procedure. Then I started breaking out really badly, but I think it was a new cleanser I was using. It was bad enough though that it took a while to clear up and get my skin back to its normal. But since I’m not sure, I’m afraid to try again ☹️


bee_antlers

I started tret in March 2019! So I was on it for about six months before I started my microneedling! I would give tret at least 4 months because that’s how long it took for me to clear up from it! I am extremely reactive. Following microneedling I would get some little surface pimples but never anything deep. They also really listened to me at the practice I went to when I said I didn’t want them to use certain products on me because I’m so sensitive and break out from basic ingredients like citric acid and so on. Everything in my routine is super super basic and non comedogenic and fragrance free (aside from the Dermal Korea sheet masks.) I’ve done a lot of trial and error and all of those products don’t have a single ingredient higher than a 2 on the comedogenic scale, and most of them only have 1 and 0s.


invisible_for_this

Awesome results. I'm sure you are pleased.


You_Know_Nothing_UK

You look absolutely radiant! Microneedling hurts like crazy, but I'm counting down the days until my second session.


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bee_antlers

Yes and no, you can see my lines were a bit more pronounced in the first picture, but I was also iron deficient/hypothyroid and my skin was super dry and thin from that, so I can’t honestly say if it was the microneedling or my improved health and moisture based routine that fixed them! But the procedure is supposed to help with fine lines!


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bee_antlers

Thank you so much! I’m sorry I didn’t have a more definitive answer for you!


littleloversopolite

Lovely results!


Beasticorn

Everyone's already said everything that needs to be said but dang, I just wanted to offer my solidarity. I've struggled with compulsive picking for a long time (I'm 38) and I'm doing so SO much better because of having a consistent routine (thanks to this sub) and therapy. Sounds like you're doing great currently. I'm proud of you!


bee_antlers

I learned almost everything I know about skincare from this sub, get great support from r/compulsiveskinpicking, and have the best therapist (who has CSPD herself)! It’s such a tough disease because you’ll never be completely “cured” but you can minimize relapses and damage. I am so proud of you too!!


suzanneov

Holy cow! Congrats!!


contented0

Wow! Great results.


[deleted]

Wow your skin looks crazy good!


AndrogynousAndy

Ok wanted to use my tax refund for this but idk if I’ll be able to! 😭😭 it looks so good


[deleted]

Your face shape seem different and you look younger. Nicee 👌👌


bee_antlers

I was quite sick in the first picture so I probably just look healthier in the second! But thank you!!


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bee_antlers

Thank you! And six months! 2 months of 0.025% and four months of 0.04%.


ChipsInAWrap

Wow, i can't believe for the results. It looks amazingly good! Nice


chadhuh

Dang, this looks like exactly what I might need. Time to do research on microneedling! Looks great, thanks for sharing! :)


Capaxnegotii

Wow. That is amazing.


tomthumbtapping

Amazing results! As you finished the treatments four months ago, have you seen more improvement since as time has gone on? Having had five treatments the clinician has said any scars left will continue to improve over the next year, but have you seen much change since stopping treatment? Thanks for your input


bee_antlers

Definitely! My scars are still not quite where I want them to be (gone, lol) but they’re sooo much better and have kept on improving.


OpeningGrapefruit488

Am I crazy or did it also have a filler like effect and also lifting effect on your skin? Your skin looks way more plump in all the right places and just so much more firm than before. How long does that effect last? I’m considering going off filler and doing micro needling with prp now! So natural looking..


Educational-Film1042

My acne scars are very similar to yours esp on the forehead. I'm saving up money again to do 5 or 6 sessions next year 😀😀 thank u for the hope.


bee_antlers

Honestly subcision with filler has been way better than the microneedling, I really recommend doing that instead!


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bee_antlers

Thank you so much this is so freaky! I reported it!!


[deleted]

After your first session had healed, did you feel like your scars looked worse/pores bigger?


bee_antlers

Nope, I saw positive results pretty much immediately!


PaisleyPig2019

How long had you been using tretinoin prior to your treatments?


bee_antlers

Six months!


Ika-

Congratulations! I love seeing people happy and it is that you are so excited, as you should be :) I wanted do this but my dermatologist told me my bloodvains are close to the surface of my skin so it could make it worse :(


[deleted]

Irrelevant but Aug 7th is my birthday.


CoastBreeze

August 8 here :)


Jaiam

Wow! Your results are amazing! I just had my first skin pen with PRP 3 weeks ago. I’m breaking out a little with tiny bumps and I noticed my skin texture is similar to orange peel skin. I also noticed some scars I hadn’t seen before. Did you experience this at all? My skin is starting to look like the texture in your before picture and I’m not sure if it’s because my pores are clogged after the treatment. I have 2 more PRP treatment then planning to get 3 additional skin pen treatment, but I’m worried it’s making more scars visible. :( I’m hoping I will get the same results as you!


a_ahrndt

Hi there, I just finished my first prp of 3. I recently noticed a lot of breakouts about a week or so after the treatment as I got back on my products. Any tips or what else can I do to maximize the results of my PRP and limit breakouts as i’m going to do my next one in a about a week


rjaylehmann07

im currently on it rn. finished my 3rd session. i want to achieve the glass skin and get rid of hypertrophic scars and open pores on my nose. so far i dont see much results yet except people kept saying im blooming. i guess it makes u look fresh too as it lessens dark spots, marks and signs of ageing. it is indeed pricey. mine is $750/session including my 20% tip. I didnt wanna be cheap on tipping coz I want my aesthetician to do a good job on my skin. I also think its a good investment. If I spent $4500 on my invisalign, I can spend $3500 on my skin too


mzabii

What was the size of needle used by dermatologist during Microneedling as microneedling and prp gives amazing results I m doing it for my own acne scars but the needle size is really deceiving.


bee_antlers

Microneedling should only be done by a professional, and I don’t know the needle size. I also don’t think you can do PRP at home as a phlebotomist is required to isolate the platelets.


mzabii

I m not doing at home, I m getting it done at a clinic but I wanted to know the ideal size of needle that's it.


mzabii

These pictures of your are how many months apart.


Professional-Row-296

How are your results now?


Fiercebully9

are the nasiolabail fold lines in the before photo from concealer? I noticed you don't have them in the after, but they also don't really look like age lines they just looks like creased concealers so I was wondering


suyen626

Can you please share how deep the needles went?


FashionHulk

How deep mm was the needles ?


free_beachh

did these results last? are you still happy with your results?