ACNE SCARRING

Acne is a widely recognized condition which most people experience to some degree at some point in their lives.  Teenage acne is very common as hormonal changes cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil).  Adult acne is also quite common and can be caused by stress, monthly hormonal changes, certain medications or the use of oil-based products.  Acne can easily lead to scarring which can be very distressing for those affected.  Fortunately we now have several effective treatment methods that can help to dramatically reduce or eliminate acne scarring.  Depending on the depth and location of the scars, the following treatments are available:

Laser Resurfacing

Considered the first line of acne scarring treatments,  non-ablative laser resurfacing (Fraxel®) and ablative fractional resurfacing have revolutionized the treatment of acne scarring.  These lasers heat and destroy scarred tissue below the skin with minimal disruption to the outer layer.  The treatment promotes a more normal healing reaction in the skin which restores skin texture and softens or eliminates acne scars.  Downtime is minimal and results can be equal or even superior to full laser resurfacing or traditional dermabrasion.

Subincision

Instruments are used to free up the underside of the scar, loosening it from the underlying skin.  In the right patient, sub incision can be an effective way of reducing some of the deeper scars left by acne.

Dermal Fillers

Soft tissue dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane® can help to reshape facial contours that have been altered by acne scars.  They can also help to plump and lift indented scars and are often used together with subincision.

Punch Grafts and Excisions

Acne scars that are very deep or large may respond best to punch grafts or excisions which involve removing the depressed scar and carefully suturing the skin closed.  Any residual scarring can be treated with Laser or IPL treatments to minimize visibility.

IPL

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is an excellent treatment for decreasing redness and pigmentation that can accompany both deep and shallow acne scars. 

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels

Repeated microdermabraision or chemical peel treatments can often improve skin quality and overall appearance and are considered a good preventative measure to help control future break-outs.

If you are bothered by acne scars we can help.  Contact us to schedule a consultation to determine which treatments are right for you.