How to Remove Acne Scars?

asked 1 year ago by bobby6758 in Toronto, ON
Latest answer by Michael Sullivan, MD
Question viewed 185 times
Tags: options, removal

What is the most effiecent way to remove acne scars? I just finished my 5 month period of accutane and it worked beautifully. my skin is clear of bumps but theres just red scars left. there are some darker ones and some light ones. my skin tone is fairly tanned so maybe thats the reason. But what are some ways of getting these pests of my face? im open to anything no matter the cost and i was thinking of microdermbrasion? thanks for your help

6 answers to How to Remove Acne Scars?

Treatijng Scars after Accutane...

You should wait at least 6 months after completing an Accutane regimen. Vascular lasers are a good for your red marks on your face. IPL and Laser Genesis by Cutera are great options. Later on for your deeper scars you can opt for a more aggressive treatment to resurface your skin. In my office we like to suggestion the Fraxel Laser or the Pearl Fractional. These are great options for treating more prominent acne scars. Microdermabrasion and Medical... more

Grant Stevens, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Acne Scar Treatment

Hello and thank you for the question. Given that you just completed a course of Accutane, I would allow your skin to become more quiescent prior to commencing treatment for acne scars. A period of 6 to 8 months would be ideal. With time, the red scars will become less apparent through the normal healing process. As my colleague mentioned, vascular lasers are a good option for red scars, should the redness not reside on its own. The remainder of the scars may be treated with a... more

Glenn Vallecillos, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Acne Scar Treatment Options

There are several treatments for addressing acne scars however if you were my patient, you would need to be off of Accutane for a minimum of 9 months. Consult with an experience board certified facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist. Upon examination your physician can determine which treatment options would best address your individual concerns.

Michael Sullivan, MD
Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon

Time heals much-- if not, try a Lasers for Scars

After a course of Accutane, there is often much Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE), or redness, from where the more severe acne had been. In people with some color in their skin, there may also be darker or lighter skin changes, called Post-Inflammatory Pigmentary Alteration (PIPA). ALL of these color changes tend to improve, and generally clear, with time--- and WITHOUT the need for treatment. Most should resolve or be resolving by the 6 month period we prefer to wait before... more

Jeffrey C. Poole, MD
Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon

Treatment Options for Red Acne Scars?

Hi Bobby. We agree that accutane should have a 6 month "washout period" before lasers. Based on the type of scars you are describing - colored red scars - Microdermabrasion is certainly an option. Microdermabrasion for acne scars works by removing the uppermost layers of skin (about 10/1000ths of an inch). In addition to removing some of the color, this causes the skin to develop new cells which in turns forces the colored skin cells you want to get rid... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Acne scar treatment

There are a njumber of approaches that may be used to treat acne scars. Most last treatments need to be performed 6 months after stopping acutane. The red scars are treated with vascular lasers while the depressed scars usually require surgery and/or laser resurfacing procedures. If you send a photograph I will be able to give you a better idea of which treatments I feel may be most appropriate.

Brian Biesman, MD
Nashville Oculoplastic Surgeon

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