Does Thermage Reduce the Appearance of Icepick Scars on the Cheeks?

asked 8 months ago by vernie in White Lake, MI
Latest answer by Jordana Gilman, MD
Question viewed 170 times
Tags: cheeks, ice pick scar

6 answers to Does Thermage Reduce the Appearance of Icepick Scars on the Cheeks?

Treating icepick scars on cheeks

Icepick scars need to be treated with a method that smooths and retexturizes the skin. Thermage tightens skin below the surface, but does not smooth the skin. Fractionated laser resurfacing, such as with Fraxel, is a much better choice for treating icepick scars. Depending on the size and depth of your scars, the fractionated carbon dioxide laser may be the most efective option.

Jordana Gilman, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Treatment of ice pick scars

The questrion posed is "will Thermage improve the appearance of icd-pick scars". I treat a large number of patients with acne and chicken pox scars and find that the best way to approach these is via a combination of excision of the ice-pick scars, subcision of the "boxcar" or rolling scars, followed by laser skin resurfacing. The appearance of ice-pick acne scars can be dramatically improved via a combination of surgical and laser treatments. more

Brian Biesman, MD
Nashville Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.drbiesman.com

Thermage and Ice Pick Scars

Unfortunately, there is no ideal treatment for ice pick scars to date. While Thermage and other resurfacing lasers stimulate collagen, which can improve the appearance of more shallow scars, the depth of ice pick scars limit the response to any modality.

Lori Stetler, MD
Dallas Dermatologic Surgeon

Thermage for ice pick scars?

As Dr Mandrea suggests, Thermage is a skin tightening device so scars that don't go away when the skin is stretched, will not go away with Thermage. The CROS technique he describes is of great value, is cheap and effective. Other means of adressing these scars are punch excision, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing - although these are more expensive and involve downtime.

Stephen Mandy, MD
Miami Dermatologist

Thermage and Ice Pick Scars

Thermage may help to some degree other scars such as boxcar scars and rolled scars, but not ice pick scars. For ice pick scars, the best treatment is Chemical Reduction Of Scars (CROS) whereby a tiny amount of acid is applied with a thin wooden tip right into the scar. After a minute or 2 the acid is neutralized. Several dozen ice pick scars can be treated at a time. Always Make sure you are being treated by an experienced, Board certified Dermatologist or Plastic... more