Why Are Results from Acne Scar Excision So Uncertain?

Excision is an important tool in Acne Scar Revision. There are some scars (many of them actually) that will benefit most from excision. The results are variable depending on your genetics, the severity of your scar, location, healing, procedure preparation, etc. One person may have more of an issue with healing because of reactions that they may have to the suture material. I have had many patients whose bodies just don't like some of the absorbable sutures that we use to close the... more

Although ice pick type of scars on the face are more difficult to get improvement on, the Fraxel Re:Pair has demonstrated very good results for post-acne scarring. I have yet to have anyone who did not see improvement and the improvement is usually significant, but the skin is never complete smooth or level, but the area of scarring is less noticeable and with women much easier to camoflauge or cover with makeup. I will post pictures in the near future.

Results have in part to do with location of the scar (whether it is in an area of considerable movement), an individual's tendency to heal with or without scarring, surgical technique, punch excision size, and whether dermabrasion was performed after healing of the excision to address scar texture. There is another technique that I like to use called the Cross method which involves application of a very strong chemical peeling agent into an ice-pick scar to stimulate collagen growth. You... more