LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hello Dr. Lam

Thank you for having such an informative website and forum. I am thinking about doing silicone injection for my deep rolling and boxcar acne scar on the temple area on both sides of my face. I had one co2 laser and six fraxel laser done before and I believe it did not improve my acne scarring and I am a little bit disappointed at the result. So I am considering doing silicone injection. I appreciate if you can she some light on the questions I have below about silicone injection for acne scars.

1. Is silicone injection for deep rolling/boxcar acne scar more effective or less effective on certain part of the face such as temple or cheek ? I believe somewhere online it says that rolling and boxcar scars are harder to treat in the temple area of the face dues to lack of collagen and thinner skin. Would that make silicone less effective ?

2. What factor will effect the outcome of the procedure such as the amount of silicone used OR doctors experience beside the scarring type itself ? I believe it is possible to over inject but is it possible that the doctor is been too conservative and did not inject enough to achieve the result.

3. How long would 3-4 silicone injection procedure take ? Maybe doing one every month.

Once again, thanks for taking the time and patience to answer all the questions Dr. Lam. As I have mentioned earlier, I have done 1 co2 and 6 fraxel so I am kind of tired of worrying about my acne scars in my late 20s !!. LOL I know it cannot be perfect but I was hoping for atleast some improvement. I emailed your staff already about traveling and setting up appointment.

Thanks

Phil

hi phil,
1. Is silicone injection for deep rolling/boxcar acne scar more effective or less effective on certain part of the face such as temple or cheek ? NOT NECESSARILY. IT WORKS WELL DEPENDING THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE SCAR. I believe somewhere online it says that rolling and boxcar scars are harder to treat in the temple area of the face dues to lack of collagen and thinner skin. Would that make silicone less effective ? NOT IN MY HANDS. I GET GOOD RESULTS THERE.

2. What factor will effect the outcome of the procedure such as the amount of silicone used OR doctors experience beside the scarring type itself ? DEFINITELY EXPERIENCE PLUS THE AMOUNT OF SILICONE. IF IT IS A BIG DEEP HOLE, THEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS LESS AND THE AMOUNT OF SILICONE COUNTS MORE. THE MORE SHALLOW THE AREA, THE LESS THAT SILICONE COUNTS AND THE MORE THAT EXPERIENCE DOES. I believe it is possible to over inject but is it possible that the doctor is been too conservative and did not inject enough to achieve the result. ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY BUT ALSO IT COULD BE THAT YOUR SCARS ARE HARDER TO FIX WITH SILICONE OR YOU DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TREATMENTS. I CAN ONLY GUESS SINCE I DID NOT DO IT.

3. How long would 3-4 silicone injection procedure take ? Maybe doing one every month.

Hi Dr. Lam

Thanks for the response ! Thats great, I am thinking doing once per month so I can get this done as soon as possible. One more question. From what I read, I am quite confused on how silicone mainly works in treating acne scars. Does it work by filling the hole of the scar OR does it simply just stimulate collagen growth in the scar area where it is injected ?

If it stimulate collagen growth, won;t it take some time (couple months) to see the result and should not be considered permanent since you will loose collagen eventually just like fraxel laser. If it is simply just a filler for the depressed part of the skin, then you should see the result immediately once injected.

How long can does it usually take to see the effectiveness of the procedure ?

How long can does the procedure take?

Does it cause pigmentation since I am Asian Taiwanese) ?

I sent out an email with some questions about appointment and pricing etc but I haven't heard a response or a confirmation that I sent out my email? Do you have another email where I can send it to ?

This would be my first time doing silicone injection for acne scars and it's also first time flying to Plano Texas just to have the procedure done. I am would be traveling alone too. I am kind of nervous about this so I want to make sure my first visit go smoothly. To make matter a little bit worse, my family find it strange and is a little bit worried for a "guy" visiting a "plastic surgeon" for acne scars since I usually visit a dermatologist. Do you have alot of male patient by the way ??

Thanks !!!

Phil

Thanks for the response ! Thats great, I am thinking doing once per month so I can get this done as soon as possible. One more question. From what I read, I am quite confused on how silicone mainly works in treating acne scars. Does it work by filling the hole of the scar OR does it simply just stimulate collagen growth in the scar area where it is injected ? BOTH.

If it stimulate collagen growth, won;t it take some time (couple months) to see the result and should not be considered permanent since you will loose collagen eventually just like fraxel laser. If it is simply just a filler for the depressed part of the skin, then you should see the result immediately once injected. YES, YOU GET EARLY AND LATE RESULTS.

How long can does it usually take to see the effectiveness of the procedure ? DEPENDS ON THE DEPTH OF THE SCARRING. TYPICALLY 2 TO START SEEING IT.

How long can does the procedure take? 10 MINUTES.

Does it cause pigmentation since I am Asian Taiwanese) ? TYPICALLY NO.

I sent out an email with some questions about appointment and pricing etc but I haven't heard a response or a confirmation that I sent out my email? Do you have another email where I can send it to ? YES, INFO@LAMFACIALPLASTICS.COM. IT IS MUCH FASTER TO CALL 972-312-8188.

This would be my first time doing silicone injection for acne scars and it's also first time flying to Plano Texas just to have the procedure done. I am would be traveling alone too. I am kind of nervous about this so I want to make sure my first visit go smoothly. To make matter a little bit worse, my family find it strange and is a little bit worried for a "guy" visiting a "plastic surgeon" for acne scars since I usually visit a dermatologist. Do you have alot of male patient by the way ?? TONS.