Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hello Dr. Lam,

My husband surprised me with a wonderful anniversary gift this year! He gave me a note saying that he will be covering my expenses for my acne scarring for silicone microdroplet and tca cross to be done over the following months/however long it takes.

He booked my first appointment with you for March 21st, I am so excited! I had a few questions:

1. After treatment do you require the use of oral antibiotics?
2. If I do get both TCA and microdroplets done, how long will it be until i look semi-descent .I have a big occsion to attend in mid June and was wondering if makeup could cover up any discoloration, etc caused by treatment by that time.

3. Do you have a list/etc of more details/side effects of the treatment .I've done research already but more info. would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Looking forward to meeting you!!

He booked my first appointment with you for March 21st, I am so excited! I had a few questions:
DO YOU MEAN APRIL? IT IS MARCH 25TH TODAY.

1. After treatment do you require the use of oral antibiotics?
NO, NOT NEEDED.

2. If I do get both TCA and microdroplets done, how long will it be until i look semi-descent .I have a big occsion to attend in mid June and was wondering if makeup could cover up any discoloration, etc caused by treatment by that time.
SILICONE HAS VIRTUALLY NO RECOVERY EXCEPT MAYBE A FEW DAYS OF MILD SWELLING AND MAYBE A WEEK OF MILD BRUISING (HOPEFULLY NO BRUISING). THE TCA ON THE OTHER HAND DEPENDS ON YOUR SKIN TYPE. IF YOU ARE DARKER SKIN LIKE ASIAN, HISPANIC, THEN PIGMENTATION CAN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND MIGHT NEED BLEACHING. TYPICALLY IT REQUIRES 2 TO 5 TREATMENTS INTERVALS SO THAT IS THE TREATMENT THAT MAY NOT BE 100% COVERABLE WITH MAKEUP BY JUNE BUT STILL I THINK YOU SHOULD BE FINE. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT MORE IN PERSON.

3. Do you have a list/etc of more details/side effects of the treatment .I've done research already but more info. would be greatly appreciated.
TCA- PIGMENT CAN OCCUR AND STAY THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME. WORSENING CAN OCCUR OF THE HOLES BUT THAT IS WHY SELECTING THE PATIENT, GOOD TECHNIQUE, AND KNOWING WHICH AREAS TO TREAT SHOULD AVOID THAT.
SILICONE- LUMPINESS BUT I KNOW REALLY HOW TO AVOID THAT BY DOING THINGS VERY CAREFULLY.
OBVIOUSLY, NOT GETTING TO YOUR LEVEL OF SATISFACTION IS A "RISK". ACNE SCARRING AS I ALWAYS SAY IS NEVER 100% PERFECT, JUST IMPROVEMENTS SO SETTING UP REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS IS THE KEY.
LOOK FORWARD TO MEET YOU,
SML

Great,
Thanks.
I meant may 21st, sorry about that!
One more question:
I have been keeping my skin clear by getting monthly extractions at my facialist this has saved my skin in terms of acne. In terms of the treatment how much time before can I get my facial done and how much time after would I have to wait to get it done again?
Thanks so much.

with tca, you have to be very careful. i would say really several weeks. with silicone maybe 2 weeks.
best,
sml

ok, great since i will be coming out of state when i come for my first visit you will tell me what proedures u can do on me (tca or silicone or both) and we can get started then , yes?

yes. look forward to meet you.
best,
sml