Laser Resurfacing and Microdermabrasion for Acne Scars?

asked 3 years ago by SEEBRUCH in chicago IL
Latest answer by David J. Levens, MD
Question viewed 8,443 times
Tags: acne scars, ice pick scar

I have ice pick scars on my cheeks. I've done 5 laser resurfacing and 5 microdermabrasion treatments, but I don't see any significant improvement on my scars yet. I was told I still have 3 treatments left. Can I expect the scars to look better after 3 more treatments, or are there any other options I should be better off trying?

7 answers to Laser Resurfacing and Microdermabrasion for Acne Scars?

Punch grafts followed by resurfacing work well for ice pick scars

Shallow scars respond very well to the treatments you mentioned, provided that the microdermabrasion is done by a doctor and deeper than what an aesthetician would do. I typically find that punch grafts for ice pick scars work well when they are done first before the resurfacing with dermabrasion, Fraxel or Portrait plasma. The narrow but deep scars are removed surgically with a very fine instrument using local anesthesia and the new hole is plugged with a small graft of your own skin,... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Deep non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing plus ablative fractional is best for deep acne scars

Dear SEEBRUCH, Deep ice pick acne scars are very difficult to treat. Surface laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion do not go deep enough into the dermis (deep layer) of the skin to promote new collagen to plump the scars. Newer fractional non ablative resurfacing (Satrlux 1540) for 4 treatments followed by a deep ablative fractional laser resurfacing (Starlux 2940) produces the best laser results for acne scars. It is important that an experieced laser doctor supervise or do your... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Acne scars are difficult to treat

The treatment is multimodality, including resurfacing (peels, (micro)dermabrasion, CO2 and erbium laser), fillers (HAs, radiesse, sculptra), and excisional surgery as with limited ice pick scar excision or skin lifting as with mini-lifting. Of course, your skin condition should be as stable as possible under the regular care of a dermatologist or trained esthetician under the supervision of a physician. Acne scars are difficult to treat! Be patient.

David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

You will need fillers

The laser tx will improve your skin to some degree. Fraxel been very effective since it penetrates deep and rebuilds your tissue. The acne starts from deep layers and skin tx do not penetrate deep enough to remove acne. Fillers and fat injection will work better. Please discuss this with you doctor. If you have very deep acne you wil have better results from fat injection

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Ice pick scars need deep and full thickness treatment

Laser resurfacing and dermabrasion generally treat surface irregularities. Ice pick scars are essesntially holes in the skin that usually traverse the enitre thickness of the skin. The best treatment is to punch (cut) them out and then perform a resurfacing procedure to soften the resulting scar. If I can provide an example to illustrate the point. IF you have a piece of wood that has a knot or worm hole that completely traverses the entire thickness of the wood plank, you can sand, buff,... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Microdermabrasion or superficial laser will do nothing for ice pick scars.

To SEEBRUCH, Hi! Ice pick scars are hard to treat, and "non invasive" treatments will not help. Sometimes, "non invasive" means "non effective". DEEP laser resurfacing with the dual modality Contour laser ( long pulse and short pulse erbium laser) can often help. But this is done under anesthesia and has a one week recovery. I am afraid you either have to learn to live with these annoying little scars, or you have to try something "invasive"!... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Results depend on depth of resurfacing

it is difficult to evaluate your situation without photos and laser settings. Ice pick scars sometimes need excision as well. Current thinking is that acne scars respond best to fractional ablative laser resurfacing either with erbium or carbon dioxide lasers. best advice is to see a practicioner with significant experience.

Jason Pozner, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

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