I’m currently in Tokyo for another 3 days. I basically know I am in the land of high quality skincare products and treatment. As a foreigner from the US, I was wondering if there is any kind of walk-in dermatologist, whether it be priced consultation or actual treatment. If not, I also wouldn’t mind getting any recommendations for skincare products targeted towards people with pretty heavy acne scarring. Price is no issue as I’m willing to give it a try; knowing the US has terrible treatment practices with very mixed results (and super pricey). My scars are deep indented (rolling / atrophic) and hyperpigmentation. Has also started forming wrinkle zones due to the location of some deep scars. Any advice would help. Thanks!
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/17jjmvq/japanese_skincare_recommendations_for_heavy/
6 comments
Who’re you trying to scare?
Regular skincare is useless for scars. You need to go deeper into the skin to heal scars. I would recommend dermapen (ダーマペン) or fractional laser treatment (フラクショナルレーザー).
Though if you really wanted to, you can simply buy a dermapen in the US and try it yourself, though there are obviously risks if you don’t know what the heck you’re doing. Still I’m a complete amateur and tried dermapen myself many times and had no problems with it, and yeah my skin is much better after doing dermapen, although deep acne scars are difficult to complete get rid of. You’ll likely need at least a year to completely heal deep acne scars.
Basically the common knowledge is that there is no magical solution for scars (yet), and you’ll need to let your own skin heal itself. Basically what any modern treatment does is that it purposefully damage the deep layers of the skin, so that it will start to heal itself.
In Japan you can get things like laser or high strength acid (TCA or glycolic) peels for acne scarring. However most clinics won’t do it the same day as the first appointment is for consultation. They also wouldn’t be happy about you going on an airplane so quick after having it done due to possible complications.
I’ve had some treatment for my acne scarring done (cystic acne, ice pick scarring and redness). First the derma put me on some creams to stop the acne. Then a few months later I had a glycolic peel. Hurt like hell and had to hide in the shadows for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it made my facial vitiligo much worse so I wasn’t able to receive any more aggressive treatments.
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As time has gone on, my scarring has become less. I use vitamin C (melano CC) every day and take steps to stop acne. I make sure my skin is moisturized and use retinol creams a couple of times a week.
Some beauty salons will do walk in facials (AMSR twix on you tube has videos on many salons) and they might advise you on some products for your skin.
Check r/AsianBeauty if you haven’t already.
Korea would be a better place for this imo
Nothing simple will fix what you mentioned. They have “vampire facials” which might improve appearance for 3-6 months.